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50 Best Books of All Time for Teenagers

These awesome books definitely won't feel like homework

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Whether your teen is a voracious reader who's liable to sneak a book under the covers after curfew or they're still trying to find the book that gets them hungry for more, the benefits of getting into a reading habit stretch beyond passing English class. Teens who read widely are better able to handle complex concepts, score better on standardized tests and are generally more accepting of people who are different from themselves. For a lot of teenagers who would rather do just about anything than crack open a book, it's often a matter of finding the best teen books for them.

Because middle grade and young adult books have more to offer than ever before, there's an absolute wealth of great literature available that speaks directly to the life and times your Gen Zer is living through right now. That's especially true for teens who are struggling with bullying, LGBTQ+ issues, or run-of-the-mill high school angst.

You're probably already familiar with seminal works by literary giants like Harper Lee and J.D. Salinger, and the heartstring-tugging teen romances that made John Green a household name. But if those don't get your teen reaching for their library cards, we've also got some stellar teen romance books, eye-popping graphic novels for kids and teens and a lot more. No matter where your teen falls on the book-loving spectrum, we've got something on this list that won't get an eye-roll.

1

Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalie Sylvester

Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalie Sylvester
1

Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalie Sylvester

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$12 at Amazon

Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, spends a lot of time in the pool to manage her disability and because she secretly dreams of becoming a Mermaid Cove performer. But her conservative parents would never go for it, and they wouldn't love her crush on her cute new neighbor, either. This is a beautiful novel about first love, self-acceptance and following your dreams.

2

Chronicle Books When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

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When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
2

Chronicle Books When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

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Whether your teen grew up on Yiddish folk stories or this is their first foray, it's a beautiful read full of stories about immigration, family, gender and of course, lots of love.

3

Delacorte Press A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
3

Delacorte Press A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

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Got a budding Harriet the Spy on your hands? They'll love this tale of a high school senior who decides to investigate her town's most famous murder as a final project — and finds herself in hot water as she gets deeper and deeper. It's a trilogy, so your teen will have plenty more to devour if they like this one.

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4
Ages 13+

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
4
Ages 13+

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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When a billionaire dies and leaves Avery Grambs his entire fortune, she has to move into his mysterious estate, Hawthorne House, to claim it. But what awaits her there are the four boys who thought they'd be the old man's heirs, and they're not happy. This series is as full of twists and turns as the mansion itself, and great fun for puzzle fans.

5
Ages 14+

imusti I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
5
Ages 14+

imusti I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Widely considered one of the greatest works of American literature out there, Angelou's memoir deals with some heavy subjects: sexual assault, racism and teen pregnancy among them. But it's also a story of hope, finding one's own voice and survival that will resonate with many teens also trying to figure out their own path.

6
Ages 14+

Margaret K. McElderry Books Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale
6
Ages 14+

Margaret K. McElderry Books Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale

In a world where faeries are real, nomadic teen Kaye finds herself caught in the middle of two warring faerie kingdoms, a battle that could turn deadly. Teen angst, power struggles and plenty of fantastical suspense make this a must-read.

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7
Ages 14+

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
7
Ages 14+

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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Hilarious, heartbreaking and poignant, this is the story of Junior, who leaves his struggling school on the Spokane Indian Reservation where he lives to attend an all-white school in town. With illustrations that reflect the budding cartoonist's work, this book is as beautiful as it is a joy to read.

8
Ages 12+

Houghton Mifflin The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
8
Ages 12+

Houghton Mifflin The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Gift your teen this introduction to Middle Earth and watch them fall in love with the world that has hooked generations on magic. It also makes a great read-aloud bedroom story, for younger readers who can handle a little thrill.

9
Ages 10+

Square Fish The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set by Leigh Bardugo

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The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set by Leigh Bardugo
9
Ages 10+

Square Fish The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set by Leigh Bardugo

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If your teen hasn't already torn through this Tiktok sensation fantasy series, better get them caught up. Alina Starkov has discovered dormant powers, and not a moment too soon, as the threat to the kingdom of Ravka continues to grow. Can she harness her magic to save her people? You'll just have to read to find out.

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10

Quill Tree Books They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
10

Quill Tree Books They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Now 39% Off

When a service called Death-Cast calls Mateo and Rufus to let them know they'll be dying that day, both are in need of a friend — albeit for totally different reasons. Through an app called Last Friend, they meet up for one last adventure. We promise: It's not as sad as it sounds.

11
Ages 14+

Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
11
Ages 14+

Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Now 39% Off
Credit: Quirk Books

This delightfully weird boxed set starts out when Jacob Portman journeys to a mysterious island off the coast of Wales following a terrible family tragedy. There, he finds the ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and so, so much more.

RELATED: 40+ Gifts for Your Favorite Bookworm

12
Ages 12+

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
12
Ages 12+

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

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Credit: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

When Dante and Aristotle first meet at the pool, they don't seem to have anything in common. But as they get to know each other, they form an unlikely friendship — that soon reveals the possibility of something more.

RELATED: 15 YA Romance Books That Perfectly Capture Teenage Love

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13
Ages 12+

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
13
Ages 12+

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

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Esperanza Cordero is a young Latina who's just trying to figure herself out while growing up in Chicago. Sandra Cisneros first penned The House on Mango Street more than 25 years ago, but her lessons on challenging stereotypes of the immigrant experience still hold up today.

14
Ages 12+

Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh

Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh
14
Ages 12+

Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh

Now 28% Off
Credit: Dutton Books for Young Readers

In this National Book Award finalist, a young woman named Ada goes away to college and begins to find herself. Her journey to explore her sexuality, processing her mother's struggle with addiction and how she wants to be in the world will ring true to many.

15
Ages 13+

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison
15
Ages 13+

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison

Now 30% Off
Credit: HarperTeen

Between her temperamental cat, accidentally shaving off her eyebrows and all of the cringeworthy hijinks that come with being an awkward teenager, this book is laugh-out-loud hilarious and almost too relatable. Guaranteed to boost any bad day within the first five pages.

RELATED: The 40 Children's Books That Belong in Every Family Library

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16
Ages 12+

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
16
Ages 12+

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Now 54% Off

Then-18-year-old S. E. Hinton set the groundwork for YA fiction when she wrote The Outsiders in high school, with a book that spoke directly to her peers. Ponyboy's journey shows that things can go too far very quickly when you're willing to do anything to belong.

17
Ages 8+

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
17
Ages 8+

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Now 46% Off

It's been 20+ years since we first met the boy who lived, but the adventures of Harry and friends Hogwarts still resonate with teens today. Relieve the experience by reading along with your kids, right from the book that started it all.

RELATED: The 40 Children's Books That Belong in Every Family Library

18
Ages 12+

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
18
Ages 12+

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Now 50% Off
Credit: Atheneum Books

The winner of a whole list of awards, this book takes place in a tight 60 seconds, the time it takes 15-year-old Will to decide whether to retaliate against the guy who killed his brother. It feels as powerful as a loaded gun.

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19
Ages 14+

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
19
Ages 14+

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

Now 42% Off
Credit: Knopf Books

After Julia's sister Olga passes away tragically, her broken family looks to her to hold them together. But Julia isn't the perfect daughter her sister was. Then again, was Olga? This story delves into the pressures of being a Mexican-American daughter and what it means to carry the weight of loss on your shoulders.

20
Ages 8+

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
20
Ages 8+

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume

Since the 1970s, Judy Blume has won more than 90 awards for her ability to perfectly capture the inner turmoil of being a teenager. In one of her most well-known, Margaret Simon longs to just grow up already in a story that's just as relatable as the day it came out.

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