Award-Winning Books for Teens

Last updated: August 29, 2025

With so many excellent young adult books published each year, it can be difficult for teen readers to determine which ones are the best. Each January, the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, gives out several awards, including the Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence in young adult literature. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to four Honor Books. Here are some of the winners and honorees since 2000. These rich stories and diverse characters will have teens -- and even their parents -- hooked from the first chapter. For more great teen reads, check out our Teen Books and Romantic Fantasy Books for Teens.

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Starfish Poster Image

BOOK

Starfish

age 10+

Moving, witty novel tackles fatphobia, self-advocacy.

Lisa Fipps Coming of Age (2021)

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Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story) Poster Image

BOOK

Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story)

age 11+

Young refugee's story is told in memories, myths, fables.

Daniel Nayeri Literary Fiction (2020)

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Dragon Hoops Poster Image

BOOK

Dragon Hoops

age 12+

Cartoonist tracks winning season in riveting graphic novel.

Gene Luen Yang Graphic Novel (2020)

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Long Way Down Poster Image

BOOK

Long Way Down

age 12+

Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge.

Jason Reynolds Contemporary Fiction (2017)

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March: Book Three Poster Image

BOOK

March: Book Three

age 12+

Uplifting finale to terrific series reveals tragic violence.

John Lewis , Andrew Aydin Graphic Novel (2016)

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Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People Poster Image

BOOK

Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People

age 12+

Informative, inspiring history of the Black Power movement.

Kekla Magoon History (2021)

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Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1

age 12+

Chilling concept fuels sci-fi thriller about life and death.

Neal Shusterman Science Fiction (2016)

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Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers Poster Image

BOOK

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers

age 12+

Riveting story of art, mental illness, brotherly devotion.

Deborah Heiligman Biography (2017)

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We Are Not Free Poster Image

BOOK

We Are Not Free

age 12+

Powerful tale of Japanese American resilience during WWII.

Traci Chee Historical Fiction (2020)

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A Heart in a Body in the World Poster Image

BOOK

A Heart in a Body in the World

age 13+

Emotional story of girl's journey after tragedy.

Deb Caletti Contemporary Fiction (2018)

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American Born Chinese Poster Image

BOOK

American Born Chinese

age 13+

Teen confronts Asian myths, stereotypes in quest to fit in.

Gene Luen Yang Contemporary Fiction (2006)

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Dodger Poster Image

BOOK

Dodger

age 13+

Clever adventure depicts Victorian streets with sly humor.

Terry Pratchett Historical Fiction (2012)

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Midwinterblood Poster Image

BOOK

Midwinterblood

age 13+

Dark fantasy chronicles a love that transcends time, death.

Marcus Sedgwick Fantasy (2013)

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Monster Poster Image

BOOK

Monster

age 13+

Provocative book about teen on trial for murder.

Walter Dean Myers Coming of Age (1999)

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The Hate U Give Poster Image

BOOK

The Hate U Give

age 13+

Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen.

Angie Thomas Contemporary Fiction (2017)

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The Poet X Poster Image

BOOK

The Poet X

age 13+

Powerful, haunting story of finding your voice and power.

Elizabeth Acevedo Coming of Age (2018)

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The Scorpio Races Poster Image

BOOK

The Scorpio Races

age 13+

Bloodthirsty horses star in thrilling coming-of-age tale.

Maggie Stiefvater Fantasy (2011)

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Book cover: When the Angels Left the Old Country

BOOK

When the Angels Left the Old Country

age 13+

Wild tale of Jewish immigrants and supernatural beings.

Sacha Lamb Fantasy (2022)

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All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

BOOK

All My Rage

age 14+

Beautiful, heartbreaking story of love, loss, and abuse.

Sabaa Tahir Contemporary Fiction (2022)

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An Abundance of Katherines Poster Image

BOOK

An Abundance of Katherines

age 14+

Funny, quirky tale of slacker geeks' road trip to Tennessee.

John Green Contemporary Fiction (2006)

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