Whether you’re a first time YA reader or hoping to discover some underrated gems, this guide to the best books for teens by age will help anyone, from the average readers to adults who help readers find books. The best children’s books by age guide went up to 8th grade, or around ages 12 to 14. This guide will go from 9th grade through 12th. These are some of the best books you can read when it comes to YA lit. As always, remember that every reader is different. Some 12th graders may prefer different books than the ones here, while some 9th graders may seek out the books included on the list for 12th graders. These are meant to be places to begin or continue a journey, not define that journey. The books collected on this list are all young adult books and include fiction, nonfiction, and comics that fall into both categories. Navigating through to additional lists will help you also find great adult literature and classics for teens.
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Books for Teens by Age, 14–18
Jump to: books for high school freshmen | books for high school sophomores | books for high school juniors | books for high school seniors Freshman year can be scary. There are so many changes that come with entering high school, and both the expectations and responsibilities skyrocket for many 14- and 15-year-olds. It’s also a challenge in terms of reading, particularly as the workload with school and homework makes precious little free time for leisure available. Here are some of the best books for high school freshmen and books for 14-year-olds and 15-year-olds. These books will hold reader attention while also offering both a place to find themselves and a place into which they can escape from their real world. Among some of the best books for 9th graders:
Find 25 of the best books for 9th graders here« The western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Fifteen-year-old June comes from an elite family living in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts and is being groomed for the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, 15-year-old Day is one of the Republic’s most wanted criminal. June and Day are from different worlds and have no reason to cross paths until June’s brother Metias is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. From there, they are caught in a game of cat and mouse as June seeks revenge for Metias’s death. In a shocking turn of events, the truth of what really brought them together is revealed. The Legend series continues with Prodigy, Champion, and Rebel.” From the first day of her freshman year at Merryweather High School, Melinda knows this is a lie. She is a friendless outcast because she called the cops to bust an end-of-summer party. Now, no one will talk (let alone listen) to Melinda. As time passes, Melinda becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking. Her only solace is in art class. Through her art project, she is finally able to face what really happened at that party: Melinda was raped by an upperclassman who also attends Merryweather. When she has another violent encounter with him, Melinda fights back and refuses to be silent again.” With the support of her parents, Jazz began her transition at the age of 5. When the general public was less knowledgeable and even less accepting of the transgender community, she shared her story in an interview with Barbara Walters. Following this groundbreaking interview, Jazz became one of the most recognizable activists for transgender children and teens. In this memoir, Jazz reflects on her experience in the public eye and how this experience helped shape mainstream attitudes toward the transgender community.” The above are but the tip of the ice berg. Add a pile more of the best books for 14-year-olds and best books for 15-year-olds with these guides. Note that many of these lists would make excellent resources for sophomores, juniors, and seniors as well:
The best graphic novels for teens
Excellent poetry books for teens
Books for reluctant readers* age 14 and 15
Fabulous short stories for high schoolers
Books for High School Sophomores | Books for 15-year-olds and Books for 16-year-olds
Sixteen isn’t the universal age when all young people get a driver’s license, but for many teens, this is a rite of passage. Sophomore year can be a tricky one for many teens: you’re not old enough to be completely independent, but you’re getting more and more freedoms, both at home and in school. Sophomore year is also when a number of teens take on their first part-time jobs. Where demands on time were tough for teens entering high school, being on that precipice sophomore year can make that time even more narrow. Here are some excellent books for sophomores, perfect for pleasure reading or for use in school assignments. Among the best books for 10th graders:
Find 20 of the best books for 10th graders here« For even more outstanding books for 15-year-olds and books for 16-year-olds, try these:
13 of the best hard-hitting YA books
A wide range of YA books set around the world
100 must-read LGBTQIA YA books
A roundup of some of the best YA thrillers
Sink your reading teeth into diverse YA horror
Books for High School Juniors | Books for 16-year-olds and Books for 17-year-olds
If there’s anything most people remember from high school, it’s that junior year was the most challenging. Between even more responsibilities, classes that push you to your limits, standardized tests, college entrance exams for those hoping to go onto higher education, and being still too far away from that coveted degree, it’s hard not to feel the anxiety well in your chest. But junior year isn’t all bad. There are plenty of great things about being a junior, too: you’re an upperclassman. You’ve got this high school thing kind of figured out. You can see the end line. You might have the chance to attend prom and other big events. When it comes to reading, books for 16-year-olds and books for 17-year-olds are abundant and packed with exciting stories, compelling characters, and situations that feel so REAL, whether set in the modern world or an entirely fantastical one. Here are some of the best books for 11th graders:
Find 21 of the best books for 11th graders here« Don’t stop there, though. Make your way through these best YA books for juniors, too:
Young Adult books set in each state
Must-read YA books with little or no romance
Award-winning YA books
Outstanding contemporary YA novels of the 2010s
YA books about sports
A roundup of the best short YA books
Books for High School Seniors | Books for 17-year-olds and Books for 18-year-olds
Senior year is both the most exciting and most terrifying year of high school. With it comes tremendous freedom, and that freedom means making a ton of new choices. Do you go to college? Get a job? Attend a trade school? Take a gap year? Are you responsible for family at home and can’t make any decisions until you know what your presence or absence at home might mean? Many seniors turn 18, too, opening up the door to legal adulthood and many of the rights and privileges therein. And, of course, senior year means celebrations aplenty, between prom, graduation, and other milestone events honoring a decade and a half of hard work in school. So what are some of the best books for high school seniors? For those entering into adulthood? Here’s a look:
Find 21 of the best books for 12th graders here« Of course, there are so many more excellent books for 17-year-olds and books for 18-year-olds. Some more starting points:
YA books for older teen reluctant readers*
Excellent YA verse novels
Dig into the longest YA books you can read
The best Asian American YA books on shelves
YA books with 19-year-old main characters
Fantastic adult books for teen readers
*Note: the phrase “reluctant readers” is a loaded one. Consider this particular list, as well as other lists aimed at readers who may be less enthusiastic for reading or who may be challenged by reading for any number of reasons (English isn’t their first language, they have anxiety about their reading skills, they haven’t been given choice in the kinds of materials they consume, among others) a powerful tool for inviting a wide array of more accessible books into the lives of emerging readers. Don’t miss these guides, either, including compelling YA nonfiction on audio, YA comics for new comic readers, books for the college bound, and must-read queer comics for teens.
