40+ Best Books for Teens: YA Reads for Every Kind of Reader

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Buying books for teens can feel like a gamble.

Will they actually read it? Will they love it? Or will it sit on their shelf until they eventually use it as a phone stand? (Been there.)

If you’re shopping for a teen who loves to read (or one you’re hoping to turn into a reader) this list has you covered. These aren’t just the classics they’ll pretend to like for school. These are the books they’ll actually enjoy. The ones they’ll finish in a weekend, talk about for weeks, and maybe even ask for the sequel.

Whether you’re picking up a birthday gift, building a holiday reading stack, or just want to sneak something meaningful into their hands, you’ll find something here for every kind of reader: romantics, rebels, deep thinkers, daydreamers, and reluctant readers alike.

Best Teen Books at a Glance

Looking for a quick hit list? Here are some of the best books for teens that they’ll actually want to read:

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – Real, raw, and powerful. A must-read on identity, activism, and finding your voice.
• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo – A gritty fantasy heist with morally gray characters and impossible odds.
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – First love meets mixtapes and messy home lives in the ‘80s. Quiet, awkward, and unforgettable.
• They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera – One day to live. One chance to really feel everything. Bittersweet in the best way.
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi – Magic, rebellion, and West African mythology. A fantasy epic with heart.
• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds – A haunting novel-in-verse about revenge, grief, and the weight of choices.
• To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – Fake dating, real feelings, and the ultimate comfort read.
• Legend by Marie Lu – Dystopian suspense with fast pacing and dual POVs—great for reluctant readers.
• I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez – Sharp, funny, and emotional. Navigating grief, culture, and self-worth.
• Turtles All the Way Down by John Green – Mental health, mystery, and messy friendship in a way that’s painfully real.

Contemporary Real-Life Reads Teens Will Love

These are the books that hit close to home. If they love character-driven plots, tough topics, or feeling seen, this section is for them.

Looking for Alaska by John Green
A smart, emotional, coming-of-age story about grief, obsession, and the girl who changed everything. Messy and philosophical in all the ways teens tend to be.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
A teen girl with a rare illness hasn’t left her house in 17 years… until the boy next door gives her a reason to take a risk. Part romance, part twisty mystery.

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
A raw, unflinching look at mental health, trauma, and healing. This one’s intense—but beautifully written and deeply human.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
Online fame, social anxiety, and what happens when your real life and secret identity start to blur. Perfect for fans of fan fiction and introverts with big imaginations.

Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Baker
Set in an alternative juvenile justice system, this one explores accountability, sisterhood, and second chances. Emotionally charged and incredibly timely.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Darius doesn’t feel like he fits in—at home, at school, or in Iran. A heartfelt story about depression, cultural identity, and unexpected friendship.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Reads That Totally Transport You

Whether they’re into dark academies, magical rebellions, or dystopian chaos, these books are for teens who love leaving the real world behind (at least for a few chapters). These stories come with big worlds, bigger stakes, and characters you’ll want to follow to the ends of the earth.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
A crew of misfits. An impossible heist. A gritty, magical underworld full of secrets. If they like morally gray characters and sharp banter, this one’s a must.

Legend by Marie Lu
A fast-paced dystopian thriller told from two perspectives: a military prodigy and a wanted criminal. Action-packed and surprisingly emotional.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Magic has disappeared from the kingdom of Orïsha—until one girl risks everything to bring it back. Inspired by West African mythology and full of cinematic action.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
In a future where death has been eliminated, a group of “Scythes” are tasked with population control. Eerie, thought-provoking, and wildly addictive.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Girls marked as “impure” are taken from their villages—but instead of punishment, they’re trained to fight. A fierce, feminist fantasy with serious power.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A sci-fi Cinderella retelling—except she’s a cyborg mechanic caught in a political conspiracy. Full of charm, rebellion, and clever world-building.

Romance Reads That’ll Make Teens Feel All the Things

These books bring the butterflies, the awkwardness, the slow burns, and the heartbreak. Whether it’s fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, or just two people trying to figure it out, these teen romances are sweet, messy, and seriously addictive.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Five unsent love letters. One gets mailed. Chaos ensues. This fake-dating story is funny, charming, and full of heart. (Bonus: there’s a Netflix series.)

You Have a Match by Emma Lord
A DNA test reveals a secret sister… and she’s an Instagram-famous camp counselor. Add in a long-time crush and summer vibes? Yes, please.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Two teens run rival restaurants… and anonymous Twitter accounts. Think: You’ve Got Mail for the digital age, with grilled cheese.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Not your typical romance. Two strangers with 24 hours to live find connection, courage, and something like love. It’ll break your heart (but in a good way).

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
American girl. Paris boarding school. A boy with an accent and a girlfriend. A sweet, fizzy, will-they-won’t-they love story with all the Parisian vibes.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
After her mom dies, Jessie moves across the country and starts at a new school—until she gets an anonymous email offering to help her survive it. Funny, emotional, and surprisingly romantic.

Books That Make You Think

Perfect for thoughtful teens, classroom reading lists, or anyone who wants more than just a quick escape.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
After witnessing a police shooting, Starr finds herself at the center of a national conversation. Raw, real, and powerful—it’s required reading for a reason.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Funny, heartbreaking, and brutally honest. A story about grief, cultural expectations, and finding your voice—even when you feel like you’re falling apart.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Told in verse and set in the time it takes for one elevator ride. A gripping, emotional look at gun violence, revenge, and the weight of split-second decisions.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
A Dominican teen in Harlem uses slam poetry to express everything she can’t say out loud. Beautifully written and fiercely empowering.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
A top student writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he processes a violent run-in with the police. A short but unforgettable read.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
A slow, lyrical exploration of friendship, identity, and learning how to open up. Quietly beautiful and deeply moving.

Best Books for Younger Teens

Not every teen is ready for the heavy stuff—and that’s okay. These picks are perfect for younger readers who want relatable characters, funny moments, and just enough drama to keep it interesting. Think: heartwarming, age-appropriate, and still seriously good.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A boy with a facial difference starts school for the first time in 5th grade—and changes the lives of everyone around him. Uplifting, emotional, and full of heart.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
She’s weird. She’s wonderful. And she doesn’t care what anyone thinks. A story about nonconformity, kindness, and first crushes.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Told in verse, this fast-paced story follows twin brothers and their love of basketball—and how life, family, and growing up can shift everything.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia Tang runs the front desk of a motel, helps immigrants behind the scenes, and dreams big—even when life is anything but easy. Honest and empowering.

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
A graphic novel about friendship, growing up, and finding your place—on and off the roller derby track. Great for reluctant readers.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds
A middle schooler with a rough past joins a track team—and finds more than just speed. Quick, real, and funny with just enough grit.

Best Books for Teen Boys

Whether they’re into sports, sci-fi, graphic novels, or gritty real life, these books are perfect for teen boys who want stories that move fast and feel real. These picks work for reluctant readers and bookworms alike.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers
A gripping courtroom drama told through a teen’s own screenplay. Is he a criminal, or just in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
A virtual reality treasure hunt set in a dystopian future—filled with ‘80s pop culture, nonstop action, and big stakes.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
A funny and heartbreaking semi-autobiographical story about a Native teen leaving his reservation to attend an all-white high school.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Short, sharp, and relatable. A middle schooler with a troubled past finds belonging on a track team. Great for early teen readers.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Military training in space. Genius kids. Strategy, sacrifice, and a twist that makes you rethink the whole book. A classic for a reason.

Peak by Roland Smith
A teen climber gets the chance to summit Everest… but the real climb is dealing with family, pressure, and survival. Fast-paced and addictive.

Best Books for Teen Girls

Whether they want something swoony, hilarious, or emotionally healing, these books are packed with strong female leads, complicated friendships, identity struggles, and stories that get it.

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
A self-proclaimed fat girl enters a beauty pageant to prove a point—and ends up discovering way more about herself. Body-positive, funny, and full of heart.

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Intense but important. A raw, honest portrayal of trauma, self-harm, and healing. For readers who like their stories heavy but hopeful.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Classic for a reason. A normal girl finds out she’s royalty—and totally unprepared for it. Hilarious, awkward, and endlessly relatable.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
A quiet girl starts a feminist zine at her high school… and accidentally kicks off a movement. Fun, empowering, and totally re-readable.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
College, fan fiction, social anxiety, sister drama, and first love. Cath is introverted, awkward, and impossible not to root for.

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach
Eliza’s campaign for school newspaper editor takes a turn when a boy enters the race—and suddenly it’s not just about feminism, it’s personal. Smart and super timely.

Not a Big Reader? Try the Audiobook

If your teen’s more into earbuds than paperbacks, most of these books are amazing on audio. A lot are even narrated by voice actors that totally bring the story to life.

You can get your first audiobook free with a free Audible trial. It’s perfect for long drives, chores, or just winding down without more screen time. (And yes, they keep the book, even if they cancel.)