To avoid being on the receiving end of a teen eye-roll, look to books that speak directly to the times and life of a teenager. Often the more popular Young Adult literature won’t shy away from tackling grown-up issues such as bullying, divorce, LGBTQ+ ISSUES and death.
“To avoid being on the receiving end of a teen eye-roll, look to books that speak directly to the times and life of a teenager.
”
With guidance, buying books for teens needn’t be difficult this summer. The best kind of Young Adult (YA) books will be hard to put down long after bedtime and leave lasting impressions. From sci-fi to romance, and from mystery to fantasy, there is a lot for teens to love in our edit of Young Adult books.
Loveless by Alice Oseman, £9.99
TikTok may make teens buy this bestseller but English teachers approve. Alice Oseman won YA Book Prize for this witty novel about 18-year-old Georgia beginning university. Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along? Thus follows a journey of self-discovery as an aromantic and asexual individual.
It’s Not The End Of The World by Judy Blume, £7.99
First published in 1972, this relatable classic for tweens and teens brilliantly addresses family dysfunction and divorce. It is the emotionally charged story of Karen’s struggles to understand that sometimes people are unable to live together. While not a divorce self-help guide, it offers an insight into emotional challenges that come with family changes.
Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, £8.99
Thanks to the action-packed fantasy Percy Jackson series, many teens develop an interest in the Gods and Goddesses of Greek mythology. His books follow the story of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, a boy set in modern times who learns he is a demigod. While Percy is a teenager going through High School, he is also the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon. He retells the stories of the Greek Gods with wit and style.
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, £9.19
A humbling teen read. This real life story is proof that teenagers can make a difference to the world. Told in her own voice, Malala writes about the Taliban taking control of the Swat Valley and her fight for girls’ right to an education. She recounts the day when aged 15, she was shot in the head at point-blank by the Taliban. What makes the book so relatable to teen readers is her references to the Twilight movies, her friendships and the competitiveness between classmates. A tale of courage to be read by everyone.
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, £8.27
When toying with books embraced by adult readers as well as juvenile ones, Harry Potter typically springs to mind. Spare a thought also for Philip Pullman’s series His Dark Materials which stays with the reader long after being put down. These books address copious heavy concepts from religion and science to wars between races and the creation of the universe. The first of the trilogy, Northern Lights, introduces alcoholic bears, immortal witch-clans and animal daemons.
Life Of Pi by Yann Martel, £9.19
While written for adults, this philosophical modern classic is wholly appropriate for teens. This story about the nature of stories has sold over seven million copies worldwide and been translated into 41 languages. In the book, a teenage boy from India sets sail on an adventure that will change his life. Readers share his emotional rollercoaster journey through hope, despair, joy, loneliness and exhaustion.
One Of Us Is Lying Trilogy by Karen M. McManus, £8.99
Imagine a cross between Pretty Little Liars and The Breakfast Club; the tale’s twists and turns make it hard to put down. This young adult mystery series centres on a family drama where cousins uncover a trail of betrayals and lies. This debut novel by McManus stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for over 130 weeks.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, £9.20
This beautifully sad book is important. Literature makes for a safe space allowing teens to explore topics like death and bereavement. Here, a boy Conor is coming to terms with the grief arisen from his mother’s terminal cancer. Teen readers will find an extraordinary and heart-breaking story of denial, mischief, healing, and beyond everything, courage.
Wonder by R.J.Palacio, £7.45
Now a Netflix film, this is the inspiring story of Auggie, a boy born with a facial abnormality who wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old and attend a traditional school. Told from different perspectives, teens can take much from this humbling tale of peer pressure, empathy and compassion. ‘Be kinder than is necessary,’ says Auggie’s English teacher, ‘Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.’
