Books for Teens

Whether your teen is into dystopian novels, high school drama, fantasy, thrillers, romance, or just plain great stories, the books on this list are all excellent picks. Just try to put them down! If your teen hasn't fallen in love with reading yet, one of these top-rated titles is sure to do the trick. Some are starts of trilogies or longer series that will hook your kids for volumes to come. For more great teen reads, check out our Coming-of-Age Books and Science Fiction Books lists.

And for the hottest books of summer 2020, check out our Summer Reading List!

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The 5th Wave, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The 5th Wave, Book 1

age 13+

Super intense apocalyptic alien-invasion nail-biter.

By: Rick Yancey (2013)
All the Crooked Saints Poster Image
BOOK

All the Crooked Saints

age 13+

Lovely, lyrical family story explores miracles and music.

By: Maggie Stiefvater (2017)
The Book Thief Poster Image
BOOK

The Book Thief

age 13+

Powerful, moving tale of book-loving girl in Nazi Germany.

By: Markus Zusak (2006)
Defy the Stars Poster Image
BOOK

Defy the Stars

age 13+

Sci-fi space thriller is a thought-provoking page-turner.

By: Claudia Gray (2017)
Divergent, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Divergent, Book 1

age 13+

Exciting, violent dystopian thriller is original, addictive.

By: Veronica Roth (2011)
The Empire of Dreams Poster Image
BOOK

The Empire of Dreams

age 13+

Girl of Fire and Thorns spin-off offers a new fab girl hero.

By: Rae Carson (2020)
Far from the Tree Poster Image
BOOK

Far from the Tree

age 13+

Beautifully written story about finding your family.

By: Robin Benway (2017)
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Book 1

age 14+

Teen detective "unsolves" murder in riveting thriller.

By: Holly Jackson (2020)
The Hate U Give Poster Image
BOOK

The Hate U Give

age 13+

Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen.

By: Angie Thomas (2017)
Instructions for Dancing Poster Image
BOOK

Instructions for Dancing

age 13+

Emotional, memorable tale of girl who has romantic visions.

By: Nicola Yoon (2021)
The Light in Hidden Places Poster Image
BOOK

The Light in Hidden Places

age 13+

Riveting true tale of Polish teen, Jewish family, Holocaust.

By: Sharon Cameron (2020)
The Lightness of Hands Poster Image
BOOK

The Lightness of Hands

age 13+

Bipolar teen tries to help struggling dad in charming tale.

By: Jeff Garvin (2020)
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Book 1

age 13+

Eerie gothic fantasy a satisfying creep fest for teens.

By: Ransom Riggs (2011)
Once and for All Poster Image
BOOK

Once and for All

age 13+

Grieving girl learns to love again in sweet romance.

By: Sarah Dessen (2017)
One of the Good Ones Poster Image
BOOK

One of the Good Ones

age 13+

Rousing novel about teen's quest in honor of late sister.

Piecing Me Together Poster Image
BOOK

Piecing Me Together

age 13+

Powerful, insightful tale of self-awareness, power of art.

By: Renée Watson (2017)
The Poet X Poster Image
BOOK

The Poet X

age 13+

Powerful, haunting story of finding your voice and power.

By: Elizabeth Acevedo (2018)
The Scorpio Races Poster Image
BOOK

The Scorpio Races

age 13+

Bloodthirsty horses star in thrilling coming-of-age tale.

By: Maggie Stiefvater (2011)
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin Poster Image
BOOK

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

age 13+

West African folklore powers lively fantasy debut.

By: Roseanne A. Brown (2020)
Star Daughter Poster Image
BOOK

Star Daughter

age 13+

Vivid, unique fantasy highlights friendship, family.

By: Shveta Thakrar (2020)