When I was a teenager, my father gave me a book called Making Money Made Simple and quizzed me endlessly about the financial wisdom within. Maybe I didn’t become thecorporate high-flyer he dreamed of, but I did incorporate the principles of saving and investing from that book into my life.

Financial literacy is still not an independent strand of the national curriculum despite its absolute necessity in our lives, especially with the current housing crisis and stagnant wages. Money Queens fills that gap to give young people the financial knowledge they need as they start opening bank accounts, getting part- time jobs and planning for their future.

This book is targeted particularly at teenage girls and has a feminist outlook, which is important given that the gender pay gap still exists. It gives teenagers the knowledge and confidence to look after their financial future and warns them about financial abuse. It teaches them the importance of budgeting and using savings plans for big purchases, explains superannuation, and lays out the traps with credit cards and buy now pay later schemes. Accessible information about investing is also provided. Written in a lively, engaging style with bright illustrations, including fun quizzes, Money Queens helps readers discover their own attitude to money and incorporate that into their financial plans.

Money Queens is an excellent introduction to learning the vital skill of financial literacy for young people, particularly young girls. I will be gifting it to my teenage daughter and discussing it with her, as my father did with me. I highly recommend it for ages 13+.

Angela Crocombe is a senior buyer at Readings.