A to Z: The Best Books for Teens (repost from Help Teaching)
Step into the young adult section of your local library or bookstore
and you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of books written just for
teens. From paranormal romance to dystopian tales, there are plenty of
options. The problem is, most teens aren’t reading them. To help teens
wade through the masses, we’ve rounded up some of our top picks.
How’d we choose the books on our list? We looked for books that were
exciting, books that teens could connect with emotionally, books that
told about real-life teens, and books that would encourage teens to
think a little deeper about the world. Some are fun, some are serious,
and all are great reads.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is a
graphic novel that focuses on Jin Wang, a Chinese-American student who
just wants to be an American boy. It’s a quirky story that deals with
identity, disaster, and The Monkey King.
Blubber by Judy Blume is one of those
classic novels teens have loved to read for decades. It takes on
bullying and asks teens to consider how far is too far when it comes to
making fun of someone.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is a slightly odd, but enjoyable book about a character name Christopher John Francis Boone. He is intelligent, but very little, and
has no real understanding of human emotions. The novel was recently
adapted into a Broadway musical.
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan
Sonnenblick is one of Amazon’s 100 Young Adult Books to Read in a
Lifetime. The book tells the story of Steven, whose younger brother is
diagnosed with leukemia, and how he and his family navigate life in the
wake of the diagnosis.
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
by Carolyn Mackler has a humorous title, but it takes on very important
issues that teens face, such as eating disorders, self-esteem, and
rape.
Feed by M.T. Anderson, which is set in the
future, imagines what would happen if televisions and computers were
implanted into everyone’s brain. Teens will be able to connect many of
the novel’s events with today’s focus on technology.
The Gospel According to Larry by Janet
Tashjian introduces readers to a teen prophet, Larry. In a humorous way,
this book discusses issues of self-identity, popularity, and what it
takes to conquer the masses.
Hoops by
Walter Dean Myers is a great book for teen boys. It follows Lonnie
Jackson who dreams of being a big-time basketball player one day, but
must deal with the pressures of life that get in the way.
If I Stay by Gayle Foreman shows a teen
standing outside her body and considering her life up until that moment.
It’s a powerful story that will encourage teens to consider what makes
their lives worth living.
Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy
Blume is a story of friendship. Stephanie and Rachel have been friends
forever, but their friendship is altered by the addition of a new
friend, Alison, and by life changes, but they learn to navigate it all
together.
The Kill Order by James Dashner is part of the popular
Maze Runner series. This prequel provides teens with a welcome introduction to the
events of the series and helps them learn more about Mark, Thomas, and
Teresa.
Looking for Alaska by John Green is an
award-winning book from one of young adult literature’s hottest authors.
This particular story deals with sexuality, fitting in, grief, and
controversial life choices.
Monster by Walter Dean Myers is written as a
screenplay mixed with journal entries that detail Steve Harmon’s life
in prison. Is he really he monster he sees himself as?
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer is part of the infamous Twilight series. Like it or not, many teens love Twilight, so that earned this book a place on our list.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is one of those classic novels that every teen,
especially teen boys, should read. It tells the story of the Greasers
and the Socs and shows how they navigate some of life’s toughest
moments.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen
Chbosky is a coming-of-age story that was turned into a major motion
picture. It is written as a series of letters from a character named
Charlie who must handle a whole host of social and psychological
problems.
The Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof tells the
story of two teenagers, one with a fatal illness, who learn major
lessons about life and about love.
Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper takes the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet and sets it
in Cincinnati, Ohio. The couple, from two different cultural
backgrounds, must fight their families and their friends to maintain
their relationship.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson follows
Melinda, a formerly popular girl who has become an outcast. Readers will
learn a lot about high school, the power of rumors, and what it means
to stand up for yourself.
Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper is part of the Hazelwood High Trilogy
,
a series of books about a group of African-American teenagers and the
struggles they face. In this book, Andy deals with guilt after his best
friend is killed in a drunk-driving accident.
Uprising: Three Young Women Caught in the Fire that Changed America
by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a historical fiction novel that centers
around a fire at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City. The book
helps teens learn about the Industrial Revolution and its effects on
many different types of Americans.
Very Far Away from Anywhere Else by Ursula
K. Le Guin focuses on two friends, Owen and Natalie. Near the end of
their senior year in high school. Owen narrates the novel as he figures
out what their friendship means and whether he really knows as much as
he thinks he does.
WTF by Peter Lerangis is an edgy book that
tells of two parties from six different points of view. It’s a high
energy, action-packed story that focuses on some of the worst-case
scenarios that can happen to real teens.
X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla
Magoon that tells about Malcolm Little’s younger years. The book, which
was co-written by Malcolm X’s daughter, helps explain the life decisions
that he made before becoming the famed civil rights leader.
YOLO Juliet by Brett Wright and William
Shakespeare takes the tale of Romeo and Juliet and puts it into terms
teens today can understand. While it may seem a bit crazy, it’s actually
a very clever take on classic literature that can help get teens hooked
on the Bard.
Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts shares the story
of two teens who meet in the pediatric cancer ward of a hospital. Both
have very different personalities and perspectives on their illness,
which means they each have something to offer the other.
