Best Books of the Last 15 Years

Last updated: January 25, 2022

It's Common Sense Media's 15th anniversary, and we're celebrating with one of our favorite things: great books for kids and teens! We've come up with a list of the 15 best books and series that were published since we were founded in 2003. Most of these became instant classics and best-sellers, but more than that, they helped encourage a love of reading in kids of all ages. And thanks to your votes, we now have a list of the best of the best, with Wonder at the top. For more excellent media from the last 15 years, try these lists: Digital Game Changers and Best Movies of the Last 15 Years.

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Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Poster Image
BOOK

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

age 2+

Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.

Press Here Poster Image
BOOK

Press Here

age 3+

Delightful, interactive fun -- no batteries required!

Dragons Love Tacos Poster Image
BOOK

Dragons Love Tacos

age 4+

Taco party has fiery consequences in funny dragon tale.

Ivy + Bean, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Ivy + Bean, Book 1

age 6+

Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1

age 9+

Laugh-out-loud-funny series start tucks lessons in stories.

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

age 9+

Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure in boy-demigod tale.

Brown Girl Dreaming Poster Image
BOOK

Brown Girl Dreaming

age 10+

Captivating poems depict coming-of-age in tumultuous 1960s.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Harry Potter, Book 4 Poster Image
BOOK

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Harry Potter, Book 4

age 10+

Fourth Potter has brilliant plotting -- and dragons.

Wonder Book Cover: A white face, featureless except for one blue eye, against a light blue background
BOOK

Wonder

age 10+

Moving tale of facially different boy with inner beauty.

March: Book One Poster Image
BOOK

March: Book One

age 12+

Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.

The 5th Wave, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The 5th Wave, Book 1

age 13+

Super intense apocalyptic alien-invasion nail-biter.

The Hate U Give Poster Image
BOOK

The Hate U Give

age 13+

Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen.

The Hunger Games,
BOOK

The Hunger Games, Book 1

age 13+

Exciting, provocative tale of lethal reality show.

Eleanor & Park book cover: Two characters sit facing with backs to audience, both are wearing over-ear headphones, one has long, curly red hair, the other short black hair.
BOOK

Eleanor & Park

age 14+

Well-intended 1980s-set romance has troubling stereotypes.

The Fault in Our Stars Poster Image
BOOK

The Fault in Our Stars

age 14+

Heartrending love story told by teen dying of cancer.

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