Step into the spirited world of Beverly Lewis’s Girls Only series, where young athletes chase Olympic dreams with grit, faith, and friendship! This Christian fiction gem follows four girls—Jenna, Livvy, Heather, and Manda—as they navigate the highs and lows of competitive sports and personal growth. Perfect for young adults, this series blends heartwarming storytelling with lessons that resonate long after the final page.
Unlike Lewis’s well-known Amish novels, Girls Only dives into the fast-paced world of gymnastics, figure skating, ice dancing, and skiing. With a light, engaging tone, it captures the thrill of competition and the power of perseverance, all wrapped in a faith-driven narrative that’s both uplifting and relatable.
How Girls Only Began
Beverly Lewis, a New York Times bestselling author, crafted Girls Only as a departure from her Amish-themed works, inspired by her desire to reach young readers with stories of ambition and faith. Launched in 1998, the series reflects Lewis’s heart-to-heart style, rooted in her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and Christian values. Aimed at girls aged 8 and up, it showcases Olympic sports, blending real-world challenges with spiritual growth.
Lewis, a former schoolteacher and musician, drew on her knack for relatable characters to create a series that feels like a pep talk from a wise friend. Published by Bethany House, Girls Only quickly found a niche among young readers craving stories about strong, faith-filled girls chasing big dreams.
The Heart of Girls Only
The series kicks off with Dreams on Ice, where Livvy Hudson, an 11-year-old figure skater, faces a cross-country move that threatens her Olympic aspirations. Torn between her coach and family, Livvy leans on faith to find her path. In Only the Best, gymnast Jenna must choose between a crucial meet and meeting her adopted brother, testing her priorities.
A Perfect Match follows Heather, an ice dancer debating a solo career, grappling with family support and self-doubt. Reach for the Stars spotlights Manda, a skier who puts her Dressel Hills Downhill Classic dreams on hold to help her mom. Themes of friendship, sacrifice, and trusting God shine through, set against the vibrant backdrop of competitive sports. Lewis’s simple yet vivid prose makes each girl’s journey feel personal, with faith subtly woven into their triumphs and struggles.
The series’ strength lies in its balance of sports action and emotional depth. Readers feel the rush of a perfect skating routine or the tension of a gymnastics vault, all while rooting for the girls to overcome bullying, loss, or family challenges. It’s a celebration of resilience and community, with the Girls Only club as a constant source of encouragement.
Why Girls Only Resonates
Girls Only stands out in Christian fiction for its focus on young female athletes, a rarity in YA literature even today. Fans praise its family-friendly vibe and relatable characters, with reviews calling it “cute” and “inspirational” for ages 9–12. Its timeless themes—dealing with grief, balancing dreams with duty, and leaning on faith—keep it relevant, even if the 1990s setting feels slightly dated.
The series has inspired young readers to pursue sports and faith with passion, offering a wholesome alternative to secular YA novels. While not as famous as Lewis’s Amish works, Girls Only holds a special place for fans who cherish its blend of heart, sport, and spirituality, making it a hidden gem worth rediscovering.
- Publication Years: 1998–2000
- Number of Books: 8, often collected in two volumes
- Target Audience: Girls aged 8–12
- Genres: Christian fiction, middle grade, sports
Ready to cheer on Livvy’s spins or Jenna’s flips? Grab Dreams on Ice and dive into the Girls Only world of faith, friendship, and Olympic-sized dreams!