Best Books for Teens

Last updated: February 5, 2026

Whether your teen is into dystopian novels, high school drama, fantasy, thrillers, romance, or just plain great stories, the books on this list are all excellent picks. Just try to put them down! If your teen hasn't fallen in love with reading yet, one of these best books for teens is sure to do the trick. Some are starts of trilogies or longer series that will hook your kids for volumes to come. For more great teen reads, check out our Coming-of-Age Books and Science Fiction Books lists.

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How It All Ends book cover: Girl at desk imagining active characters

BOOK

How It All Ends

age 8+

Playful, authentic, queer coming-of-age graphic novel.

Emma Hunsinger Graphic Novel (2024)

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A Song of Wraiths and Ruin Poster Image

BOOK

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

age 13+

West African folklore powers lively fantasy debut.

Roseanne A. Brown Fantasy (2020)

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All the Crooked Saints Poster Image

BOOK

All the Crooked Saints

age 13+

Lovely, lyrical family story explores miracles and music.

Maggie Stiefvater Folklore (2017)

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Darkly book cover: Hourglass with time running out is set against a black background of filigreed leaves in shades of pink and blue

BOOK

Darkly

age 13+

Gripping thriller built around a long-lost board game.

Marisha Pessl Mystery (2024)

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Defy the Stars Poster Image

BOOK

Defy the Stars

age 13+

Sci-fi space thriller is a thought-provoking page-turner.

Claudia Gray Science Fiction (2017)

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Divergent, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Divergent, Book 1

age 13+

Exciting, violent dystopian thriller is original, addictive.

Veronica Roth Science Fiction (2011)

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Divine Rivals book cover: Dark background with D and R as antique typewriter keys

BOOK

Divine Rivals: Letters of Enchantment, Book 1

age 13+

Two gods, two teens, two typewriters in apocalyptic romance.

Rebecca Ross Romance (2023)

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Far from the Tree Poster Image

BOOK

Far from the Tree

age 13+

Beautifully written story about finding your family.

Robin Benway Contemporary Fiction (2017)

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Instructions for Dancing Poster Image

BOOK

Instructions for Dancing

age 13+

Emotional, memorable tale of girl who has romantic visions.

Nicola Yoon Romance (2021)

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It Waits in the Forest book cover: Selina stands in the island jungle covered in vines with her fists clenched

BOOK

It Waits in the Forest

age 13+

Well-balanced Caribbean-set thriller is scary, not gory.

Sarah Dass Mystery (2024)

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Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor book cover: Illustration of a girl sitting on a red motorcycle with a ghost on each side of her

BOOK

Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor

age 13+

Murder, ghosts, secrets make for a fun, twisty mystery.

Shawn M. Warner Mystery (2022)

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, Book 1

age 13+

Eerie gothic fantasy a satisfying creep fest for teens.

Ransom Riggs Fantasy (2011)

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Once and for All Poster Image

BOOK

Once and for All

age 13+

Grieving girl learns to love again in sweet romance.

Sarah Dessen Romance (2017)

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One of the Good Ones Poster Image

BOOK

One of the Good Ones

age 13+

Rousing novel about teen's quest in honor of late sister.

Maika Moulite , Maritza Moulite Contemporary Fiction (2021)

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Piecing Me Together Poster Image

BOOK

Piecing Me Together

age 13+

Powerful, insightful tale of self-awareness, power of art.

Renée Watson Coming of Age (2017)

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Star Daughter Poster Image

BOOK

Star Daughter

age 13+

Vivid, unique fantasy highlights friendship, family.

Shveta Thakrar Fantasy (2020)

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The 5th Wave, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

The 5th Wave, Book 1

age 13+

Super intense apocalyptic alien-invasion nail-biter.

Rick Yancey Science Fiction (2013)

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The Empire of Dreams Poster Image

BOOK

The Empire of Dreams

age 13+

Girl of Fire and Thorns spin-off offers a new fab girl hero.

Rae Carson Fantasy (2020)

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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 Light in Hidden Places Poster Image

BOOK

The Light in Hidden Places

age 13+

Riveting true tale of Polish teen, Jewish family, Holocaust.

Sharon Cameron Historical Fiction (2020)

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