to top 10 table

10 Best Books for Teens in 2024

last updated Oct 22, 2019

If you have a bookworm at home or you’re the book worm in your family, but stumped on what to read next, look no further. Literature helps us explore the world in ways we otherwise most likely couldn’t. We become connected to characters who think and behave differently then we might, but hen will have us ask ourselves to live inside their heads and empathize along with them. Books have the ability to take us through realms of the impossible or can teach us about real, tangible and awe-inspiring corners of our own world that we might not otherwise be able to reach.

In a Hurry? The test winner after 27 hrs of research

icon
The Sun Is Also A Star
93.2/100 our score
Entertainment Value
95
Age Range
92
Emotional Development
95
Creativity
92
Effectiveness
92
The Sun Is Also A Star
Why is it better?

#1 New York Times Bestseller

Author makes the readers feel connected to the characters

Unique format

Plot is entertaining and suspenseful

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
The Sun Is Also A Star
Test Winner: The Sun Is Also A Star
Amazon Link
Researched Sources
19
Researched Sources
Reviews Considered
124
Reviews Considered
Hours Researching
27
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
18
Products Evaluated
Last Updated:
By Jessica Mentzer:

Reading as a teen can teach so many lessons and can also promote emotional development through stories of life. We research and listed the Best Books for Teens. Recently the list was reviewed; during the review, seven criteria sections for products were updated with more in depth information.

Sorting Options
Entertainment Value Age Range Emotional Development Creativity Effectiveness By Default
Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.2
Entertainment Value
95 %
Age Range
92 %
Emotional Development
95 %
Creativity
92 %
Effectiveness
92 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$9.74
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
Entertainment Value
95 %
Age Range
90 %
Emotional Development
95 %
Creativity
90 %
Effectiveness
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$10.19
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85
Entertainment Value
90 %
Age Range
85 %
Emotional Development
95 %
Creativity
75 %
Effectiveness
80 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$8.19
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
Entertainment Value
95 %
Age Range
85 %
Emotional Development
80 %
Creativity
85 %
Effectiveness
75 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
Entertainment Value
95 %
Age Range
85 %
Creativity
75 %
Effectiveness
80 %
Emotional Development
85 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$30.70
#6
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
Entertainment Value
95 %
Age Range
85 %
Emotional Development
75 %
Creativity
80 %
Effectiveness
85 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$7.77
#7
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83
Entertainment Value
85 %
Age Range
90 %
Emotional Development
75 %
Creativity
80 %
Effectiveness
85 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$8.70
#8
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83
Entertainment Value
85 %
Age Range
90 %
Emotional Development
75 %
Creativity
80 %
Effectiveness
85 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$13.44
#9
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
82
Entertainment Value
85 %
Age Range
90 %
Emotional Development
80 %
Creativity
75 %
Effectiveness
80 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$6.98
#10
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
79
Entertainment Value
85 %
Age Range
80 %
Emotional Development
75 %
Creativity
75 %
Effectiveness
80 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$7.99

10 Best Books for Teens Reviewed

1. The Sun Is Also A Star

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.2
the sun Is also a star book for teens cover
the sun Is also a star book for teens back
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
95
Age Range
92
Emotional Development
95
Creativity
92
Effectiveness
92
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$9.74

#1 New York Times Bestseller

Author makes the readers feel connected to the characters

Unique format

Plot is entertaining and suspenseful

Some reviewers would like more closure on the characters

Looking for a novel that will inspire your teen to explore? Explore their love for themselves as well as the act of loving others? What the universe is made of? All the questions that teens may have and so much more are explored through this story. It is a story about falling in love and the science behind it all. It will inspire them to look beyond themselves and search the stars for more.

Read more

Entertainment Value

The story revolves around its two main characters, Daniel and Natasha. Daniel Bae is getting ready for college, while Natasha is facing deportation. Fate brings the strangers together amidst the hussle and bussle of New York City. While they struggle to overcome their own sets of obstacles they begin to fall for each other. With Natasha only having hours left in the United States, she tries to fight against her family’s deportation to Jamaica as well as her feelings for Daniel.

Age Range

The characters in the book are both seventeen years old. Nicola does a great job of portraying the characters growing love while keeping it appropriate enough for an audience between the ages of twelve and seventeen.

Creativity

By having the entire story happening over the course of one day, Nicola Yoon was able to keep readers on the edge of their seat. The format of the story is very unique as each chapter is from either Daniel’s or Natasha’s perspective.

Effectiveness

The author writes in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are a fly on the wall. Readers will be fully immersed in the story and will not be able to put it down.

Emotional Development

Over the course of the story, readers will experience a roller coaster of emotions. They will feel so connected to the characters that they will feel the sorrow, pain, happiness, and love that the characters experience.

2. The Hate You Give

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
the hate you hive book for teens cover
the hate you hive book for teens back
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
95
Age Range
90
Emotional Development
95
Creativity
90
Effectiveness
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$10.19

Readers become emotionally connected to the characters

Touches on important issues

Author does not talk down to her young adult audience

Made into a movie

Some reviewers feel it is too mature for their child.

When your little one turns into a teen there are often lots of struggles that they go through, but they often don’t think of the struggles that others are having. This is a book that tells the story of a teen that lives in a low income neighborhood, but she attends a high end prep school in a neighboring suburban city. It is a balance that she has to learn to deal with, but how does she learn to do it?

Read more

Entertainment Value

This young adult novel centers around the life of 16-year-old Starr Carter. While Starr attends a mostly white prep school, she lives in a poor mostly black neighborhood. She soon finds her daily routine shattered when she witnesses her childhood best friend murdered by police. Through the death of her friend, she will find her voice and stand up for what is right.

Age Range

While this book does include occasional profanity and sex, the author handled it responsibly. This book is appropriate for children 12 and up, but we do recommend that you read it first. The book flows nicely and is easy to read.

Creativity

Since the book was written it has also become a movie. Both versions handle the problems of police brutality with empathy and thoughtfulness.

Effectiveness

The author did an amazing job touching on issues that need to be talked about. For instance, the book does include sex but it has a great dialogue on consent. The whole story revolves around two hot topics, racism, and police brutality. Angie Thomas did a great job writing about these issues as it is sparking conversations in households across America. At no point in the book does the author bash police officers, which is an extremely effective method in appealing to readers who may be anti-black lives matter. The story brings these characters to life and really opens the reader's eyes on what happens to families after their innocent child is killed.

Emotional Development

The story portrays what it is like to come of age in America while being black. While the book is marked towards the young adult audience, Angie Thomas does not hold back and does not talk down to her readers. The audience will grow with Starr as they watch her embrace her identity and stand up for what she believes in.

3. Thirteen Reasons Why

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85
thirteen reasons why book for teens cover
thirteen reasons why book for teens back
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
90
Age Range
85
Emotional Development
95
Creativity
75
Effectiveness
80
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$8.19

Brings light to teen suicide

Mental illness awareness

Gives tools for struggling with depression

Depicts how actions affect others

Controversial

Teenage suicide rates are on the rise. And while there are a variety of reasons why today’s teenagers take their lives at such an early age, Asher’s book describes only Thirteen Reasons. The literature is about Hannah, who took her life but not without sending a voice recording to one of her classmates, Clay. He is asked to listen to the tape recordings and as the young man is brought across town visiting sites Hannah wanted him to see, he’s become the firsthand witness to his friend’s deep pain. What he discovers in the end changes Clay’s life forever. The story is both moving and eerie, pretty much like the world our teenagers today live in. It talks about how petty actions can be devastating to someone else’s life. Unfortunately, many of today’s teenagers look at these petty actions more as a laughing matter. They don’t think about the possible consequences. Thirteen Reasons is a stark reminder of what our teens are facing every day.

Read more

Entertainment Value

There far too many people that commit suicide each year. This book brings that situation to light as it tells a story of a young man that has a classmate and a girl that he had a crush on who changes his life forever. The story starts with suspension to get the teen readers to engage with the book then through the story they learn the sad situation and how it will affect everyone forever.

Age Range

The content and subject matter covered in this book through this story is best for teens that are 12 years old or older. It is a sensitive subject and covers matters that need to be dealt with in a mature manner. As the story unfolds it releases a very real situation to light and will forever change the thought process of anyone that reads the book.

Creativity

Overall, Thirteen Reasons Why talks deeply about struggles that young readers find hard to bring up.

Effectiveness

The teenage years in a person’s life can be a very trying time in life. As teens grow through their junior high and high school years many things change. Their bodies change, their friends may change, their life changes and their outlook on life may change. It is important that they are aware that there are support systems in place to help them deal with all these changes. This story will shed light on a situation that is sad and true through an eerie that is not only devastating but beautiful at the same time. It is very effective in the lesson on how serious suicide awareness should be.

Emotional Development

As the story is told and the roles of the characters come forth the teen reader will ride the emotions right along with each of the characters. They will soon find themselves feeling a sense of sadness for the loss of the one character, start feeling the guilt that the other character is feeling and that there could be hope in the end. It is a book that truly draws in every emotion while shedding light on a very real issue.

4. The Book Thief

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
the book thief book for teens cover
the book thief book for teens back
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
95
Age Range
85
Emotional Development
80
Creativity
85
Effectiveness
75
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Makes events from history come to life

Helps puts things into perspective for young minds

Inspiring

A good heartfelt read

Some characters might even be relatable

Very emotional, sad, and can be depressing

This heartfelt tear jerker takes you into a different time zone. You’ll travel back in time to WWII in a small town outside of Munich, Germany with eleven-year-old foster child Liesel Meminger. While she is still silently suffering the loss of her sibling and dealing with the separation from her mother, you’ll travel with Liesel and meet Hans and Rosa.

Read more

Entertainment Value

This spunky eleven-year-old witness’s heartbreaking events, war, loss and other life changing things that someone so young shouldn’t have to endure. You'll never want to put the book down, you'll just want to continue reading, page after page.

Age Range

This book is perfect for any teenager, young adult or adult.

Emotional Development

It helps give teens a different perspective of their family life and will make your teens ask questions about what went on back then or about what’s going on present day.

Creativity

This book is wonderful because it’s similar to what is going on in the world now.

Effectiveness

While this story is a piece of fiction, some events of what is going on through out the story are not. We will admit that while this particular book is extraordinarily sad, but it is worth the read. It can be emotionally draining but may also help put things in perspective for your emotional teen and help inspire them and give them a sense of hope in the end.

5. The Black Witch

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
the black witch book for teens cover
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
95
Age Range
85
Creativity
75
Effectiveness
80
Emotional Development
85
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$30.70

Teaches strength

Shows motivation

Well Written

Coming of age novel

Some consumers weren’t thrilled with the prejudice tendencies throughout the novel. They did however still enjoy the series despite that.

This fantasy story tells the self-discovery tale of a girl trying to find herself and be who she wants to be instead of being who everyone thinks she is. While it’s also a coming of age novel: it is very realistic into what is going on in the world today.

Read more

Entertainment Value

We like this product because it takes you into a world that has magic. For some, it teaches that when there’s magic sometimes it can come at a price.

Age Range

This novel is suggested for teens around the age of 15, young adults and adults. Any teen younger it is advised parents pre-read before they give it to their teenager.

Emotional Development

This story shows strength and perseverance along with determination into a young girl not going along with something that has been told to her throughout her entire childhood.

Creativity

The story is told with a creative sense of characters that are learning from their elders and are pressured to live up to their legacy. Through the story the character makes decisions that are pressured on her from her grandmother. The creative side of the story comes into play when the character sets out on her on a journey and is freed from the shadow of her own grandmother. Things are not what they seemed and how she survives by freeing her mind will keep you reading on.

Effectiveness

This story does go into explicit detail regarding prejudice, magic, coming of age and has a little bit of a fantasy twist as well.

Please Note : There is a lot of backlash that came with this series regarding racism. Parents are STRONGLY advised before purchasing to pre-read a selection of this novel or to read the book before giving it to their teen as it may raise some questions.

6. Stargirl

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84
stargirl book for teens cover
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
95
Age Range
85
Emotional Development
75
Creativity
80
Effectiveness
85
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$7.77

Promotes independence and tolerance

Explores social roles

Encourages self-reflection

Celebrates nonconformity

Some readers felt angst with the ending

Stargirl is a very emotional tale of the thrill of puppy love and the perils of today’s prepubescent trendy. It talks about how one’s nonconformity can have both positive and negative effects which can ultimately define the person. Jerry Spinelli carefully weaves a rather tense tale of two opposing characters. On one hand is a free-spirited, ego-less, meditative, and altruistic Stargirl. On the other hand is the student body of Mica Area High School, which has never seen a true nonconformist before. Readers will be able to relate to Leo Borlock who has to grapple with who Stargirl really is.

Read more

Entertainment Value

You’ll be intrigued about how Spinelli will challenge your teenager to think about what it truly means to be living on a very wonderful planet that is made ugly by bigotry.

Age Range

The story tells the tale of a heartbreaking and magical tale that is best suited for readers that are 12 years old or older. As the character's dreams come true or not come true and the fairy godmother appears the audience should be a teen that is able to search within themselves and understand the content of the story.

Creativity

First love, bullying and peer pressure are always battling in young adults minds. A very timely masterpiece. Many of today’s teenagers will most likely be puzzled as well about the character of Stargirl and will hopefully make them reflect on their own true selves.

Effectiveness

This book hits all those topics and more while the characters overcome their differences and figure out how to fit into their social roles

Emotional Development

It promotes independence and tolerance with this charming story as two teens learn how to be true to themselves.

7. The Truth About Forever

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83
the truth about forever book for teens cover
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
85
Age Range
90
Emotional Development
75
Creativity
80
Effectiveness
85
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$8.70

Heartfelt

Well written

Shows the true meaning of family

It does start out a bit slow, but once you hit a certain point, it picks up and you’ll be glad you stuck around for it.

A sweet story that brings mother and daughter together. While every teenage girl has issues with their mother, this story, will make teenagers realize how much their mother actually means to them. You’ll read along with Macy as she faces typically what every teenager faces when they hit that rough age of dating, friendship and trying to figure out who they are as a person. While her mother, much like any mother or parent, only wants what’s best for their child and to protect them from any pain, you’ll notice your heart breaking during this bumpy road that this messy family takes. Your heart will ache along with Macy and you’ll maybe even yell out loud that she should learn to stand up for herself.

Read more

Entertainment Value

This is one of those books you’ll want to read in one finish because your heart will just ache for her characters. She portrays the mother and daughter relationship so beautifully that it will make anyone truly understand the importance of their mother in their life.

Age Range

Perfect for any young teenager, young adult or adult who loves a good love story and self discovering novel.

Emotional Develoment

This is one of the most emotional involved books on this list. The story is about a girl that thinks that she has her who summer planned out. Her plans have been carefully thought through and planned with care, but what she didn’t plan on was the summer job that she would have to do. As the summer passes she meets a special someone and it changes everything. The emotional side of the story teaches a lesson that not everything that needs is always planned out.

Creativity

Sarah Dessen because she speaks not only in a modern tone, but she shows every development in her characters effortlessly.

Effectiveness

While some relationships may be rocky no matter what this novel shows that family means everything even during the roughest of times.

8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83
harry potter and the sorcerer's stone book for teens cover
harry potter and the sorcerer's stone book for teens back
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
85
Age Range
90
Emotional Development
75
Creativity
80
Effectiveness
85
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$13.44

Pushes boundaries

Adventurous

Character development

Illustrated version

Movie spoilers

You all know the Harry Potter you’ve seen on the big screen as Daniel Radcliffe, but what you might not know is about the character that inspired his role in the movie series. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the very first book in the full set of the Harry Potter series, and it’s also the perfect book to get your child engaged and interested in reading. To read the story of Harry is to delve into a world not just of magic, but of a boy who is stuck in an awful position with seemingly no way out. Living a life of misery with his aunt, uncle, and incorrigible cousin, Harry is subject to being treated as though he’s nothing at all. That is until a mysterious letter comes for him. In an effort to hide the letter, more just keep on coming until they eventually just flood the house and by extension, force Harry and his family out. After relocating to what they think is a completely remote and isolated place, we get our first glimpse of Hagrid--the man who will guide Harry through his entire year at Hogwarts, which, after all, is what the mysterious letter was all about. As kids read the journey of Harry's, it’ll transport them to a place where magic truly does exist and good overcomes evil, every time.

Read more

Entertainment Value

There are a lot of books in this series but each one will be more fun to read than the last, with an ongoing story that really never gets boring or makes you want to put it down.

Age Range

In a world where it’s easy enough to watch movies, gifting your child with such an incredible book is truly giving them a little bit of magic.

Creativity

It’s never a dull read when you’re talking about spells, sorcery, dragons, unheard-of mythical creatures, and many more surprises that await you inside the pages of these stories.

Effectiveness

Harry Potter is relatable to children because there’s not one child who doesn’t dream of a world that’s full of the things they’ve only ever imagined.

Emotional Development

The Harry Potter books have a way of making these dreams feel real and giving readers a familiar sense as if they know Harry, Hermione, and Ron as they follow them on their many dangerous and thrilling adventures.

9. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
82
sisterhood of the traveling pants book for teens cover
sisterhood of the traveling pants book for teens back
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
85
Age Range
90
Emotional Development
80
Creativity
75
Effectiveness
80
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$6.98

Modern and inspiring

Realistic fiction

Teaches perseverance

Diverse characters

Very female heavy

In case your teenager hasn’t seen the movie yet, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is an excellent read especially if your teen will be parting real soon from her own circle of friends. Creatively written in a very perceptive, moving, albeit funny way by Ann Brashares, the Traveling Pants is a very vivid and outstanding book that depicts the love and devotion of friends to one another. It starts with a pair of thrift-shop jeans which, to the surprise of the four best friends, actually fits them perfectly despite their differing body sizes. This was taken as a sign that the pants are meant to bond them together no matter what, no matter the distance and the circumstance.

Read more

Entertainment Value

It’s a really captivating story that points to the interconnectedness of everything and everyone. What is really amazing about the literature is how strong the bonds of friendship are regardless of circumstances.

Age Range

Modern teens can relate to the obstacles the characters face and the storyline is inspiring to women of all ages.

Emotional Development

This coming-of-age tale about a pair of pants that bring together four very different girls really captures the true meaning of friendship. Each girl goes through a very different journey but they are all brought together even with the distance between them.

Creativity

As such, every summer, the friends meet to renew their ties and further strengthen the bonds of sisterhood. It’s an intricate story of four entirely different characters, each with her own strengths and weaknesses and skeletons in the closet.

Effectiveness

Yet, despite all these different backgrounds, one thing unites them-–the pants. Teenagers of today can easily relate to each of these four stories and be the springboard for forming their own long-lasting friendships.

10. Tell Me Three Things

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
79
tell me three things book for teens cover
tell me three things book for teens back
Amazon Link
Entertainment Value
85
Age Range
80
Emotional Development
75
Creativity
75
Effectiveness
80
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$7.99

Relatable

Covers every emotion a teenager goes through

Easy to read

Bit of a mystery to it

Most readers wished that Jessie’s step brother: Theo was a bit more involved throughout the story line.

The number of days since sweet sixteen-year-old Jessie’s mother passed away. While raised in Chicago in this coming of age novel, this teen was forced to move to the hard city of Los Angeles to live with her “evil” step mother. She’s actually not evil, she’s a very nice woman named Rachel and just wants the best for Jessie. Once enrolled in her new fancy school, Jessie receives a mysterious email who helps her navigate the difficulty that any teenager much face which is: high school

Read more

Entertainment Value

Thrown into a world of highschool, you'll be captivated by the story of sixteen year old Jessie. You'll laugh along with some humor but also want to keep turning the pages to find out who sent her that mysterious email. You'll be hooked from page one.

Age Range

This novel is perfect for any teenager, young adult or adult still trying to find themselves.

Emotional Development

This novel has it all: self-discovery, friendship, sex, even some bullying. It’s relatable to any teenage girl or even teenager for that matter.

Creativity

A work of fiction this story is set in the mind of a highschool student just trying to survive. It's relatable for anyone in or has gone to highschool and having a difficult time.

Effectiveness

We love this book because it’s relatable with to any teenager dealing with a stressful high school situation. Whether it’s about sex, self-discovery, bullying – this book covers every aspect of it and your heart breaks along with every character throughout.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Entertainment Value

With the digital age, we forget there are so many benefits of teens reading. Reading creates better students with a wider vocabulary. Reading other than school assignments also develops your writing skills and creative mind. With more serious novels and non-fiction, students grow a large body of knowledge and a greater understanding of other subjects in school. Finding characters a reader can relate to can help teens deal with their own situations and embrace their individuality. Plus, there is only one way to really grow comprehension skills, through reading.

Age Range

Are your teens reading? According to NPR.org, “nearly half of 17-year-olds say they read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year.” That is not enough reading to reap the enormous benefits of it. As our world becomes more and more about technology, most teens are forgetting the adventure of picking up a novel. Older kids are seeing reading as more of a chore or a homework assignment rather than a relaxing hobby.

Creativity

So if teens are reading less, then we need to encourage them to read more. The instant gratification of being connected on a cell phone is hard to compete with but there are a few things adults can do. One way to encourage old-fashioned media is by taking away technology.

Effectiveness

This may be rough at first but taking a short break from cell phones and giving books a chance, even for a short time, can really benefit teens. It’s also important to find books your child is genuinely interested in. Letting them shop for themselves is one way to find a book you know they will enjoy.

Emotional Development

Helping us reduce the selection pool are the numerous reviews that these books had already obtained since their publication. We believe that people who have already read the book can provide a relatively fair evaluation of the literature’s usefulness. We then evaluated this usefulness and determined whether it is for a developmental benefit or purely for entertainment purposes alone.

Most Important Criteria (According to our experts opinion)
Sort criterias acording to:
Experts Opinion Editors Opinion Users Opinion By Default
Click on a to rate the most important criteria:
#1
Entertainment Value
Rate This Criteria as Most Important
#2
Age Range
Rate This Criteria as Most Important
#3
Creativity
Rate This Criteria as Most Important
#4
Effectiveness
Rate This Criteria as Most Important
#5
Emotional Development
Rate This Criteria as Most Important
Parents should know

Books with developmental benefits were carefully evaluated for the type of benefit it affords adolescents. These benefits must be able to help teenagers improve themselves whether it is in enhancing their appreciation of their selves or in applying what they have read in real-life terms. The point is for the reading material to provide some form of developmental benefit to teenagers.

Parents should know

Books that are considered best-sellers were also scrutinized to determine why so many people love reading them. This gave us an idea of the themes of these books and how these can help mold a better person in today’s youth.> Reading should not only be enjoyable but for teens, it should help prepare them for the life ahead of them. With these 20 best books for teens, you can be sure they’ll have greater chances of becoming more successful in the future.

Other Factors to Consider

Social Development

Teenagers are at a crossroads in their lives. They have just navigated more than a decade of childish behavior and are now looking at several decades of fulfilling adult life. Unfortunately, many of the issues that they need to resolve prior to their entry into adulthood are quite sensitive. In many cases, teens would rather ask their friends than to ask their parents or authority figures. In cases where teens are willing to ask parents, it is the latter who are uncomfortable with answering such questions as teenage sex and pregnancy, contraception, HIV, AIDS, bullying, as well as many others

Support

>While the answers to these questions can be obtained from the internet, it is possible that the information obtained may not be really that accurate. And if it is not accurate, then misinformation ensues which can result in other problems.A much better way is to give teenagers highly relevant books that they can use to help them better understand the issues they are facing. They can be given the time and the privacy they need to read these books and have their questions answered without having to ask other people. For instance, trying to make sense of the different changes that occur in the body during puberty will most certainly require introductory anatomy and physiology. However, if this is too technical for the teenager, then a much lighter version could be provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: Did any of these books win any awards?

a:

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants won Indies Choice Book Award for Children’s Literature. Thirteen Reasons why has received nine awards since 2007, including the Abraham Lincoln Award. Jerry Spinelli won a Newbery Medal and is the author of Stargirl. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Medal and the FCBG Children's Book Award.

q: How do I know if sensitive topics are ok for my teen?

a:

This is very individual to each teen. Some books may be too sensitive for one 12 year old but not for another. Knowing what your adolescents are reading and having research on the topics is important. Having discussions with your teen and making your own judgement on each individual book is a great route to follow.

q: Which of these books became movies?

a:

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Stargirl, became movies. Thirteen Reasons Why became a Netflix TV Series. The Hunger Games and Harry Potter all have multiple-part movies for all the books in the series.

q: What are dystopian societies and why are they trendy?

a:

Dystopian societies are the exact opposite of a utopian society. These books are set in a world that is dehumanizing, freedom is restricted and the citizens are unhappy. The Maze Runner is a great example of the uniqueness and adventure in these communities. Books about dystopian societies and worlds are trendy possibly because the heroes of the books are characters that teens can relate to.

q: What is the importance of books being relatable to teens?

a:

ooks that are relatable to teens make a connection with the characters and the readers. This connection engages the reader and gives teens the opportunity to take what they learn from the books and apply it to their lives.

q: Would it be better to get an Ebook instead of an actual book?

a:

While Ebooks are great if you are traveling and carrying a stack of books around is unwieldy, it is better to read actual books than rely on technology. There are many reasons for this. 1: It allows your eyes some relaxation from the technological world around us, and 2: It gives us a "break from reality" and you may become more engaged in an actual book than on a device where there may be many distractions.

Sources

  1. Jennifer Ludden , Why Aren't Teens Reading Like They Used To?, NPR Article
  2. Family Education Staff, Benefits of Reading as a Teen , Q&A
  3. David Denby, Do Teens Read Seriously Anymore?, Online Article
  4. Regan McMahon, 9 Ways to Get Teens Reading, Blog Article
  5. Louise Baigelman , 10 Ways to Encourage Your High-Schooler to Read , Online Article