Many of us discovered our love of reading through young adult books. They were truth tellers, exploring themes of friendship, loss, puberty, mental health, and sex in ways that gently let us know we were not alone in our thoughts or experiences. Revisiting those books takes you back to a time when life seemed both simpler and much more complicated.
Here’s a curated list of the 10 best books for young adults across a variety of genres – whether you want to recommend one to the young readers in your life, or tap into a little childhood nostalgia yourself.
The hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (2008)
In The hunger Games, Collins takes us to the dystopian realm of Panem, a North American nation defined by the greedy Capitol and thirteen districts struggling with poverty. Every year a lottery selects children from the first twelve districts to participate in a television program Battle Royale-style deathmatch. The first three novels form a trilogy around protagonist Katniss Everdeen, while the fourth book, The ballad of songbirds and snakes, is a prequel that delves 64 years into the past.
With her books, Collins not only gave young girls a formidable female lead (and this during the uninspiring Twilight era), but also created a vivid and disturbing image of a future full of economic sabotage, a ruthless caste system and youthful carnage reminiscent of lord of the flies.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (2005)
Told by death itself, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old in Nazi Germany. Liesel lives with her German foster parents on the outskirts of Munich and forges a close bond with her foster father, Hans Hubermann, who teaches her to read and write, sparking a passion for books. Caught between the innocence of her childhood and the dire reality of World War II, Liesel finds refuge in literature and her own burgeoning manuscript. It is a lyrical and heartbreaking book that celebrates the power of words and empathy.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012)
“It’s a metaphor, you see: you put the killer thing right between your teeth, but you don’t give it the power to kill it.” If that quote doesn’t immediately transport you to 2012, here’s a refresher: Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old with stage IV thyroid cancer, ends up in a support group for cancer patients, where she meets 17-year-old Augustus Waters, a survivor of osteosarcoma. Their intense love story, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, grapples with the heaviness of illness and grief, which Green deals with with a rare blend of sensitivity and humor.
The giver by Loïs Lowry (1993)
Meet Jonas, a 12-year-old boy navigating a world without conflict, hatred or pain – a utopia, in other words, or so it seems. When Jonas takes on his role as ‘receiver of memory’, he quickly understands the drastic sacrifices made in the pursuit of ‘equality’. Written The giverLowry was initially inspired by her father’s senility, as he continually forgot her sister’s death. She imagined a world in which people did not have to remember their suffering and pain, and provocatively wondered: if you took away all those memories, what would you be left with?
Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret. by Judy Blume (1970)
Margaret Simon is a sixth grader who, tired of waiting (and waiting) for her period, finally calls on God. (She’s not necessarily religious, but the girl needs answers!) More than fifty years later, her awkward but utterly charming coming-of-age story still resonates richly. Rereading the book as an adult promises not only a few chuckles, but also a reflection on the high school melodrama that once fueled our desire for adulthood.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan (2005)
This six-part fantasy series follows Perseus ‘Percy’ Jackson, a 12-year-old New Yorker who discovers his divine heritage as the son of Poseidon. The first book covers his adventures at Camp Half-Blood, a training haven for demigods like him, along with his best friends Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood. Their mission? To save the world from the Titans.
The poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (2018)
Slam poet Acevedo’s debut novel chronicles the life of Xiomara Batista, a.k.a. Feeling unheard, X begins to express herself through poetry, but keeps this a secret from her family. Acevedo wrote the book after her former eighth-graders complained about the lack of relatable characters in YA literature. Bug solved with this award-winning masterpiece.
A good girls guide to murder by Holly Jackson (2019)
Currently #booktok dominates, A good girls guide to murder is the first in a series of three novels and a novella. Perfect as an introduction to the world of mystery and true crime for young adults, the story follows Pippa, a 17-year-old who is convinced that Andie Bell’s real killer is still on the loose, five years after her death. With the help of an unlikely ally, Pippa begins an investigation that she masks as a school project, but each step closer to the truth pushes her deeper into dangerous territory.
All my anger by Sabaa Tahir (2022)
All my anger interweaves the stories of three compelling characters: Noor, Salahudin (Sal) and Misbah. Noor and Sal, once inseparable best friends, part ways as they pursue different ambitions. Noor secretly applies to college while avoiding her crabby guardian, and Sal tries to save his parents’ debt-ridden motel while his father battles alcoholism. We are also taken back in time to Sal’s mother Misbah’s past in Pakistan, where we unravel the events that led her to Juniper, California.
Heart stopper by Alice Oseman (2019)
Originally a celebrated webcomic series on Tumblr, Heart stopper is another trending #booktok favorite, now an LGBTQ+ graphic series written And illustrated by the talented Oseman. Set at the fictional Truham Grammar School, the story focuses on the endearing connection between British schoolboys Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson. At any volume Heart stopper navigates the rollercoaster of first love, the nuances of friendship, the journey of coming out, and mental health—the essence of a great YA read.
