Top 16 Books For Teens Updated 04 /2024

The wide appeal of books for teens

Whether your teenage years were scary or magical, they're a time in your life that you'll never forget. People of all ages and even adults can't stop reading books about teenagers because they remember that they're so interesting. They are like the best children's books ever written in that they give hope for the future and make you miss young love and life.

In our list of the best young adult (YA) books ever, you'll find historical fiction, romance novels, fantasy books, and more. They're all from the best books of all time. A lot of best sellers and winners of awards are in this group. Some have made a difference in the world, and others have made the YA category what it is today.

We've also added some of the most popular YA books on Goodreads, as well as a few books from 2020 and 2021 that have been praised by both readers and critics (at least four out of five stars on Goodreads). It doesn't matter if you like young adult stories, action-packed beach reads or paranormal fiction. Sit down and have a look around. Teens will love these books.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (1999)

Cult favorite: The honest look at the everyday lives of teenagers made this coming-of-age story a hit Charlie, a 15-year-old girl, is the narrator of the book, which talks about the daily struggles and tribulations that many teenagers go through. It also talks about big and controversial issues, like drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide. It also talks about how friendship, family, and love can help us get through hard times. If you're going to buy a new paperback or read online for free, this book should be on your list.

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (1996)

Frank McCourt's memoir, which has been on the New York Times bestseller list and won a Pulitzer Prize, tells the story of how he was a poor and deprived child in Ireland and how he overcame that. He is able to get through a lot of bad things because of how he and his parents, siblings, neighbors, and friends treat each other. For teens, it's one of the classic "rags-to-riches" books. It not only gives kids a good moral lesson about how to make the best of what they have, but it also encourages them to keep going and fight through any obstacles they might come across.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (2012)

This modern gay romance is so much more than just a book for young people who want to read about gay love. Lyrically and emotionally, the story unfolds in a way that breaks with the traditional structure of a plot. People say that Alire Saenz's critically acclaimed book will also be turned into a movie. Book: The book, which has a lot of friendship and love themes, explains the complicated relationship between two boys, one of whom hasn't yet come to terms with who he is or how his family works. An LGBTQ author has written a book that's a page-turner. He shows teens how to accept who you are and what you can become. Those who read the book will be happy to hear that the sequel has just been released.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015)

This is a book about the history and current state of race relations in the United States. Between the World and Me is written as a series of letters to the author's 15-year-old son. It shows how complicated social and economic factors are for Black people in modern-day America. Tonite Morrison, a well-known author, called the book "required reading" for both teens and adults. The book was an instant hit.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012)

Hazel Lancaster, the main character, thinks her life is over. Cancer has taken over her life. But then she meets Augustus Waters, and the way he makes her laugh and makes her feel like she's important makes her want to live again. People were shocked by John Green's novel because it was so honest and brave about how teenagers live today. The Fault in Our Stars will enthrall young adults with its themes of life and death, true love, and friendship that lasts no matter what. When you're young, you should read a lot of books written by Green. This one is especially good if you like sad books.

The Giver series by Lois Lowry (1993)

Lois Lowry's dystopian novel, The Giver, is one of the 100 books you should read before you die. It will stay with you for a long time. Jonas, a 12-year-old boy, is the narrator of this story by a female author. It's haunting, scary, and yet very calm. For him and his family, the world they live in is more scary than it looks. On the surface, everyone is nice. There was a dark side to this story. Leaders would kill to keep some lives free of pain and suffering. For teenagers, this is one of the must-read books. It deals with themes of identity, love, and family.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah (2007)

At the age of 12, Ishmael Beah became a boy soldier for the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone, where there was a civil war. This memoir is based on the true story of Ishmael Beah. Left with no other choice, he is taken in by the rebel army, which brainwashes him and makes him take drugs and watch violent movies. A violent, unrelenting killer is what he's become by the time he's 13 years old. BEAH: When I was 16, UNICEF took me out of the army and gave me hope for a new life. There is no doubt that young people will be moved by Beah's story of survival and his journey to become an ambassador for peace. Keep reading for more books written by black people.

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume (1981)

In Tiger Eyes, Judy Blume tells the story of a 15-year-old girl who lost her father to a violent crime. Tiger Eyes is thought to be one of Blume's best books for teenagers. David and his brother move to New Mexico for a short time, where Davey meets new friends and learns to let go of her pain. She also gets back into the game and starts living again. As long as this piece of literature has been around, the themes of grief, loss, and mental health haven't changed at all! This book will appeal to a wide range of young people. You want more. They were the best-selling books of the decade. You should read them before the year is over.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)

Chances are, you read this book in high school. But it's worth a second look because it's so good. The Catcher in the Rye, one of the most historically banned books, could be thought of as the first "teen angst" novel. Holden Caulfield is a 16-year-old teen who is dissatisfied and isolated. He doesn't do well at his new boarding school because he doesn't "apply himself." As soon as his holiday vacation starts, he's not going to be home for a few days, so he decides to go to New York City on a train and stay in a hotel for a few days. Holden has to deal with a series of adult-themed problems there.

Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh (2020)

Candice Iloh's book Every Body Looking is a finalist for the National Book Award. It tells the story of Ada, a young woman who finds her independence for the first time when she leaves home for her freshman year at a historically Black college. This book of modern fiction talks about a lot of difficult topics, like sexuality, addiction, and race, but it also focuses on Ada's own journey to find out who she is and what she wants.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone (2017)

Nic Stone's book, Dear Martin, talks about racism, discrimination, and inequality in a big way. The story of Justyce McAllister, a young black girl who wants to go to Ivy League school, is widely seen as a "must-read" in the canon of social justice literature. She is a victim of racial profiling after a crime. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s ideas help him figure out what to do in the wake of the tragedy.

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman (2000)

Shawn McDaniel, a 14-year-old boy who has cerebral palsy, is the main character in this book, which is set in the present day. He's very smart, but he can't move his muscles, eat, or talk. Through his first-person account, he stays positive about his life even when people treat him like he has a bad brain. This short book makes young people think about the assumptions they make about people with disabilities. It also talks about euthanasia and how people can have a good quality of life.

This is My America by Kim Johnson (2020)

Kim Johnson's first book of contemporary fiction, This is My America, tells the story of Tracy Beaumont, a 17-year-old Black girl who is trying to save her father, who is on death row for a crime he didn't commit. Tracy is trying to get her father out of prison. After all of her hard work, he is accused of killing a white girl. This book is both powerful and provocative. It deals with issues of race and injustice, which will be interesting to socially aware readers of any age.

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