Teens readers enjoy reading books that interest them and that they can relate to. It is important to encourage teen readers to continue this habit by providing them with access to interesting and engaging books. This book list for teen readers is a mix of new and old titles that would be a great addition to any bookshelf, classroom or school library. These teen/YA novels come highly recommended by teens and high school ELA teachers.
This blog post contains affiliate links which are of no cost to the reader. If you make a purchase through the provided links this blog will receive a small commission to help with the financial costs of maintaining the site.
The list below is a great starting point when looking for books for teens for your classroom library, school library or to buy them for their personal collection.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (Realistic Fiction)
Maddy is a seventeen year old girl living with a rare form of disease that causes her to be allergic to the world. Unable to leave her house and live a normal life every other teenage girl. Little did she know her future was set to change when a handsome boy moves in next door.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (Science Fiction)
Life is different now in the new USA. Women like Offred are now forced to save the declining birth rate by being surrogates to wealthier families.
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas (Realistic Fiction)
Starr is a sixteen year old girl living her life in between two worlds, the poor neighborhood is lives in and the affluent school she attends. Her life takes a drastic turn when her childhood best friend Khalil, is shot by a police officer.
1984 by George Orwell (Classical Fiction/Science Fiction)
Winston Smith lives in a totalitarian and bureaucratic world, where his every move and thought are monitored by the government. Will he maintain the status quo or look for new experiences.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus (Realistic Fiction)
On any other day students at Bayview High go in for detention and head home after they have served their time. When the creator of their high school gossip app Simon, dies 24 hours before he posts the juiciest gossip there is ever yet to be on 4 high profile students, who’s the killer?
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (Classical Fiction/Realistic Fiction)
Holden Caulfield is a disengaged sixteen year old boy who leaves schools and goes on an adventure in New York City for three days. His inner thoughts are shared with the reader as they join him on his self discovery journey.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Mystery Fiction)
Fifteen year old Christopher has Autism and views the world through his logical lens. When his neighbours dog is found murdered his uses his skills to find out who committed this crime.
What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee (Realistic Fiction)
After the suicide of his father Will attempts to put these piece of his life back together. He spends the majority of his days at work, walking the streets of LA and attempting to recreate his father’s cornbread recipe. Read my review of this novel here.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman (Realistic Fiction)
Piece by piece seventeen year old Mia attempts to piece together the remements of her life after a devastating car accident. Everything has changed for her after the accident.
Come Back To Me by Mila Gray (Romance)
Jessa has known her brother’s best friend Kit for a long time, but this is the summer he finally noticed her. Will this just be a summer romance between a girl and a US Marine on leave or will it turn into something more serious? Soon after her brother and Kit redeploy a Marine Chaplain arrives at her door with news.
Other Great Book Reads
Book Assignments for Your Classroom
Related Posts
