Kait Mae

After Paramount Plus pulled the plug on Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies – and then pulled the show off their app – the void in my heart has yet to be filled. From sassy girl groups to resilient girls following their passions, these books offer an escape similar to the Pink Ladies. And while not all of the books have a musical theme to them, they do have girl groups that drive the story  or girls discovering their inner power.

‘The Mother-Daughter Book Club’ by Heather Vogel Frederick

Starting off with what should be a pre-teen staple, we have The Mother-Daughter Book Club series. Just substitute the music from Rise of the Pink Ladies for books, and we’ve got the seven-book series.

The girls in this series come from different backgrounds, but when they’re brought together for book club by their moms, an unlikely friendship bonds them all together for a seven-book arc. There’s even a snooty character that gives Susan vibes, so it’s really perfect for Pink Ladies fans.

‘The Prettiest’ by Brigit Young

If you were more into the message of the show and not the music, The Prettiest is the standalone for you. Three girls are bonded together when a list ranking the 50 prettiest girls in eighth grade is released online.

It’s perfect for the people who were rooting for every girl in the series to get what she wanted and more because Eve, Sophie, and Nessa in The Prettiest form a friendship on the same basis. Think of it as “Different This Year (Reprise)” turned into a middle-grade novel.

‘How Not to Be Popular’ by Jennifer Ziegler

For some reason, Maggie from How Not to Be Popular reminds me of Hazel from Rise of the Pink Ladies. New to school and determined to keep a low profile, Maggie and Hazel both find that’s not going to happen.

Imagine Rise of the Pink Ladies had followed more of Hazel’s life – including making a season two – this book shows what could have happened. Ziegler’s writing is hilarious and amazing, and Maggie is so realistic and relatable.

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‘The Girl Least Likely’ by Katy Loutzenhiser

The Girl Least Likely is described as To All the Boys meets The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but I think it also gives off a bit of Rise of the Pink Ladies. Gretchen, the protagonist of this book, is like a mix of Nancy and Cynthia.

Gretchen thinks life for her is just going to be easygoing and not at all extraordinary. So, why does she all of a sudden have a crush on her long-term best friend, gets a makeover, creates an alter-ego that lets her feel free, and a bad boy starts falling for her? Seems extraordinary to me.

‘Wash Day Diaries’ by Jamie Rowser and Robyn Smith

Looking for Rise of the Pink Ladies with more POC representation? Look no further than Wash Day Diaries, a short story comic compilation following a friend group in the Bronx going through their lives.

Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie are realistic, relatable, and hilarious. You won’t be able to put down the five stories compilation novel. It highlights their struggles in everyday life, specifically hair care, in a way that so many can relate to.

‘Hello Girls’ by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry

If you loved the friendship between Olivia and Jane from Rise of the Pink Ladies, you’ll probably love the friendship between Winona and Lucille from Hello Girls. Now, put Olivia and Jane in The T-Birds’ shoes in the “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’” episode. That’s very similar to this book’s storyline.

Winona and Lucille want out from their suffocating lives. And they can’t wait for graduation anymore. So, a road trip from Michigan to Las Vegas using a stolen convertible sets the two teens on their journey for freedom and self-discovery.

‘This Is Not a Personal Statement’ by Tracy Badua

In Rise of the Pink Ladies, Jane was vying for class president and was on track for a good college one day. So is This is Not a Personal Statement’s protagonist, Perla.

She’s the youngest graduating senior with amazing grades – but she doesn’t get into her dream college. So, she forges an acceptance letter to gather intel on Delmont University – but that’s not the easiest plan to pull off on her own.

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‘We Can Be Heroes’ by Kyrie McCauley

After a school shooting that killed their best friend, Beck and Vivian bond together even closer to get revenge on the community for moving on too fast. And with police soon after them, they decide to get justice against the family they hold responsible for the death.

This book isn’t anything like Rise of the Pink Ladies, to be completely honest. But the friendship bond between the two girls is extremely similar to the Pink Ladies’. And with the topics covered in the book, it’s as relevant as the message of Rise of the Pink Ladies.

‘The Black Kids’ by Christina Hammonds Reed

If you’re looking for a revolutionary novel that has similar vibes and storytelling aspects as Rise of the Pink Ladies, Christina Hammonds Reed’s The Black Kids is for you. It’s set in 1992 amidst the Los Angeles riots.

Ashley Bennett goes about life trying to balance race, identity, and class as the Los Angeles riots come to a head. She’s forced to face uncomfortable truths and her place in society as violence escalates around her.

‘It Goes Like This’ by Miel Moreland

A four-girl friend group, LGBTQ representation in every single girl in the group, and music in the forefront – what more could a Rise of the Pink Ladies fan ask for?

These four friends thought they were unbreakable, but a falling out breaks up their band and friendship out of nowhere. Back together for one more show, can they forge a new, stronger friendship, or will they grow apart again?

‘Undead Girl Gang’ by Lily Anderson

Imagine the friendship from Rise of the Pink Ladies meets a paranormal mystery – that’s what we get with Undead Girl Gang. Lily Anderson tells a tale that gives us an unlikely friendship and a mission to right some wrongs.

Mila’s best friend died with two other girls at her school, but she doesn’t believe the reason everyone keeps telling her. So, she dabbles in witchcraft and brings them back. But the dead girls don’t know what happened – and they only have seven days to figure it out before the killer strikes again.

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‘Gimme Everything You Got’ by Iva-Marie Palmer

Okay, so instead of the 1950s, let’s travel to the 1970s to read this rom-com. Susan Klintock has fantasies but no experience with guys – but she’s going to try to get some her junior year.

Bobby McMann is the new girls’ soccer coach at Susan’s school, and while he’s off-limits, she’s still going for it. As she discovers more about herself and what she wants, she discovers that what you want at first might not be what you need.

‘Not My Problem’ by Ciara Smyth

The Pink Ladies seem to be good at fixing problems in their own way – and Not My Problem’s Aideen is the same. She can’t seem to fix her own issues, but others? Way easier than you’d think.

That said, her way of fixing problems isn’t the best way – though, it does lead to some interesting results. But when it comes to her own problems, she needs the same push Olivia did in the series finale.

‘These Witches Don’t Burn’ by Isabel Sterling

If you’re looking for a modern fantasy book with a strong girl group, These Witches Don’t Burn is the book for you. Even better, there’s a second book and a prequel. Think of it as a modern Rise of the Pink Ladies that substitutes the music with magic.

In Salem, Hannah and her ex-girlfriend have to team up with the rest of their coven to save Salem from dark magic. All while hiding their magic from non-magical people. The second book sees Hannah and her coven facing off against witch hunters.

I miss Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, so keep an eye out in case I find any shows or movies that give me the same feelings while watching them.