This post shares 14 powerful books for young adult readers that are perfect for teachers looking for recommendations for students – or even teachers looking for books to read to help them relate to students.
This blog post contains affiliate links that 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.
What are books for young adult readers?
Books for young adult readers can span many genres, including historical fiction, realistic fiction, contemporary fiction, mystery, fantasy, sports fiction, coming-of-age fiction, and romance.
Young adult readers should experience a wide variety of genres for many reasons:
- Reading different genres encourages students to use their critical thinking skills. Different genres and texts require students to adapt and take different approaches to reading and interpreting.
- Different genres also bring forth a variety of vocabulary, writing styles, and language structures. Students might read older writing styles and vocabulary, such as in historical or classic novels, or encounter more modern slang in newer books or books in verse. There are also non-fiction reads which can have more technical vocabulary.
- When students explore different genres, they explore different worlds, time periods, and experiences, which can help them develop empathy and compassion and make them more socially aware.
- Reading the same genre over and over again might make students feel stale in their reading, whereas incorporating different genres can help build their reading stamina and keep their interest up as they desire more texts. It also opens up the options for various texts and storylines, whereas reading the same genre over and over might have the same storylines.
By reading across genres, young adult readers become well-rounded, lifelong readers, which is invaluable for both their personal growth and academic success.
But first, who is considered a “young adult” reader?
A young adult reader is typically someone between 12 and 18 years old, although the boundaries can be somewhat flexible. Books for young adult readers (commonly known as YA) target this age group.
Books for young adult readers often explore themes of identity, self-discovery, relationships, and societal issues relevant to teenagers. These stories are told through various genres, including contemporary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, and more.
However, readers of all ages can enjoy these books. Many adults enjoy reading YA literature because they’re considered to be fast reads that have compelling narratives, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes.
Why are more adults reading books for young adult readers?
In an article in The Atlantic, Virginia Zimmerman, a literature professor at Bucknell University, says that “it all goes back to Harry Potter.” When the Harry Potter series came out, the reading scene exploded, with adults and children alike reading it. The series was so popular that two different covers were released for each book—one for adults and one for children.
From the 1980s to the 1990s, young adult books often followed conventional narratives, focusing on school, family, romance, and friendship. Young adult books have shifted from this to books with diverse representation, more social issues, blurred genre boundaries, and authentic and relatable voices.
This article from The Guardian says, “New generations of young people are constantly growing up, and they are often found reading the same books as their predecessors due to the sheer quality and sense of purpose behind the writing, making them applicable to anyone, at any time.”
Young adult books provide escapism and nostalgia and can be a stress relief tool for adults and young readers. Nowadays, people of all ages need to read, regardless of the genre.
So, whether you’re a teacher looking for books to recommend to your students, a young adult looking for your next read, or an adult looking for a book to escape with, here are 14 powerful and inspiring books for young adult readers.
14 Powerful Books for Young Adult Readers
The War Outside by Monica Hesse (Historical Fiction)
Set during World War II, this book tells the story of Margot and Haruko, two teenage girls from different backgrounds who are relocated to a family internment camp in Texas due to their parents’ connections to Germany and Japan. As their lives crumble around them, they form a friendship.
Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge (Non-Fiction, Poetry)
“Mary’s Monster” is a unique biography of Mary Shelley, the author of “Frankenstein.” Through free verse and watercolour illustrations, it explores Shelley’s life as a pregnant teenage runaway, her disownment by her family, scandalous relationships, and the tragic loss of her baby daughter.
The Battle of Jericho (The Jericho Trilogy, #1) by Sharon M. Draper (Realistic Fiction)
Jericho is thrilled to be invited to pledge for the exclusive Warriors of Distinction club. However, as the initiation week progresses and becomes increasingly intense, Jericho faces difficult choices and questionable actions. With a fellow pledge being targeted and pushed to her limits, Jericho must decide when to intervene and risk his own position in the club.
Forged by Fire (Hazelwood High, #2) by Sharon M. Draper (Realistic Fiction)
This story follows the life of Gerald, a boy whose fascination with fire leads to tragedy and loss. With his mother taken away and his abusive stepfather tormenting him, Gerald finds solace in protecting his younger sister, Angel. As Gerald and Angel find success and explore their talents, they must confront their past.
Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt (Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age)
This is the story of fourteen-year-old Doug, who faces a difficult life with an abusive father, a bullying brother, and a tarnished reputation. Despite the negative perceptions of others, Doug discovers solace and inspiration in an unexpected place – the public library – and forms connections.
Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt (Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction)
Henry’s peaceful life is shattered when his older brother is struck by a truck. Overwhelmed by anger and grief, Henry embarks on a journey to climb Mt. Katahdin, a mountain he and his brother had planned to conquer together. Along the way, Henry confronts not only the physical challenges of the dangerous expedition but also unravels truths about himself and his family.
A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata (Historical Fiction)
In the aftermath of World War II, twelve-year-old Hanako feels lost as she grapples with the brokenness around her. Imprisoned and rejected by America due to her Japanese heritage, her family is forced to move to a ravaged Japan, where they hope for a fresh start.
The Crossover (The Crossover Series, #1) by Kwame Alexander (Poetry, Sports)
This novel combines basketball and heartache in a captivating verse format. Twelve-year-old Josh showcases his skills on the court while sharing his family’s story. As Josh and his twin brother, Jordan, navigate the challenges of growing up, they learn the impact of breaking the rules.
The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody (Contemporary Romance)
Ali Collins inherits her estranged father’s prized possession, a 1968 Firebird convertible, which she plans to sell to save her childhood home. The only problem is that the car reminds her too much of her father. Ali and her ex-boyfriend go on a road trip that becomes a bumpy ride filled with unexpected encounters and tension.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (Mystery Thriller)
Daunis is eighteen and has always felt like she has never fit in. She feels trapped between her white and Indigenous families. After a tragedy strikes her community, she teams up with Jamie, a mysterious newcomer, and uncovers secrets that make her question who she can trust.
The Hawthorne Legacy (The Inheritance Games, #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Mystery, Romance)
Avery Grambs, despite not being a blood Hawthorne, is tasked with unravelling the mystery behind her inheritance from Tobias Hawthorne. As she digs deeper into her connection to the family, she faces romance and challenges.
The Last Legacy (The World of the Narrows, #3) by Adrienne Young (Fantasy, Romance)
On her eighteenth birthday, Bryn receives a letter from her uncle, asking her to return to Bastian and offering her a chance to prove herself as part of the family. Bryn realizes that her uncle was involved in shady dealings that caused her parents’ deaths, and she must navigate a dangerous path of gaining trust, forbidden romance, and perilous tasks.
What About Will by Ellen Hopkins (Realistic Fiction, Poetry)
Trace idolizes his older brother Will, but everything changes when Will sustains a brain injury during a football game. As Will’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and he battles addiction to pain medication, Trace feels compelled to cover up for him. However, when Will’s actions worsen, and he spirals out of control, Trace realizes that some secrets must be confronted.
Why We Fly by Kimberly Jones & Gilly Segal (Sports, Realistic Fiction)
Eleanor is recovering from a severe concussion, while Chanel feels overwhelmed by college applications. When Eleanor starts dating the star quarterback, and the cheer squad (of which Chanel is a member) takes a knee at a football game, their friendship is tested, and they must confront the fallout from their actions and find a way to rely on each other once again.
Books for young adult readers can be exciting for all readers. I hope you found something to read from this list, and if you have any books you’d like to recommend, connect with me on social media to let me know.
Pre-Made Book Talks For Middle and High School Teachers
Love books but don’t have time to read all the best ones? Use these pre-made book talk slideshows to get your students interested in reading. Each book talk is themed so you can pick the best one for each class. Teachers are provided with the links to Google Slides and will make a copy to their Google Drive. Each slide comes with a book-themed background and a book summary.
Resource Contains:
- Detailed Teacher Instructions
- 20 Google Slideshows Pre-Made Book Talks
Learn more about these Pre-Made Book Talks For Middle and High School Teachers in the article, The Benefits of Using Pre-Made Book Talks. You can also find them on Shopify CAD or Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
More Book Recommendations
Check out this Best Middle School Book Recommendations blog post for some great middle school books. Also, check out some more fantastic YA books in this blog post, High School Book Recommendations.
Related Posts
