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14 must-read books for teens your kids will love

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There's a lot of competition for your teen's attention these days. The latest smartphone, viral meme, or video game may win eyeballs, but they can also find joy in a captivating book. The trick is to help them find a story they'll fall in love with that leaves them wanting more. Use this list of books for teens to help them find their next read (or check out our special list just for 7th-graders).

Key takeaways:

- Cater to teens’ unique interests and passions to spark reading joy outside of school. Starting a family book club can encourage teens to read more.

- "The Catcher in the Rye," "To Kill a Mockingbird," and "The Giver" made Time’s list of The 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time.

- The "Harry Potter" books rank among the top-selling young adult series of all time, with over 500 million copies sold.

1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is consistently ranked among the best books for teens. The novel stands out for its exploration of segregation during the Great Depression. The main character is a young girl named Scout who watches her father, a lawyer, defend a Black man wrongfully accused of a crime.

Don’t be surprised if you find this book on your teen’s summer reading list! Many schools include it in their English curriculum.

2. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

First published in 1999, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" tells the story of Charlie, a soon-to-be high schooler who struggles with loneliness. In a series of letters that form the basis of the book, Charlie documents his shyness and fears of starting high school. He also talks about getting closer to his family members and finding a girlfriend who appreciates his quirks.

3. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

More than 70 years after its initial publication, "The Catcher in the Rye" remains high on the list of good books for teens. This powerful story features Holden Caulfield, a prep-school student expelled for failing most of his classes. Not wanting to explain to his parents what happened, he spends several days carousing in the streets of New York.

4. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

Set during World War II in Nazi Germany, "The Book Thief" explores the life of Liesel Meminger, a foster child. She learns to read and write with the help of her foster father and steals books to further her education. The government begins to suspect her family may be Jewish sympathizers, and a bombing destroys her neighborhood.

5. "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

In this beautiful story that's garnered many positive book reviews, two young adults meet each other at a cancer support group. The girl, Hazel, suffers from thyroid cancer, and the boy, Augustus, has osteosarcoma. They discuss books and movies as their relationship develops, culminating in a trip to Amsterdam.

6. "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling

The "Harry Potter" books rank as a favorite series of young teens. They trace the story of Harry Potter, an orphan with extraordinary powers. He attends Hogwarts, a school for wizards, and he and his close friends Hermione and Ron band together to defeat Lord Voldemort, the evil wizard who killed Harry's parents.

You might want to save this series for early summer. Schools and other organizations may offer some Potter-inspired summer learning activities for teens.

7. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is Maya Angelou's preeminent autobiographical novel, which tells her story of growing up as an African American girl during the Great Depression. It tackles some tough topics in a relatable manner as she moves from Georgia to California.

8. "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros

In "The House on Mango Street," Esperanza, a Hispanic girl, dreams of moving away from her run-down apartment in the wrong part of town. She makes friends with several girls her age, and they embark on fun adventures. It's a coming-of-age novel that may resonate with teens looking for somewhere to belong.

9. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

If your teen enjoys science fiction, "The Hunger Games" book series is a must-read. The stories follow Katniss, a girl who volunteers to fight in The Hunger Games, a dystopian version of the Olympics where young competitors compete to the death.

10. "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

"The Giver" tells the lovely story of Jonas, a boy living in a closed society where children receive assigned roles for their life's work. Jonas is denoted as the Receiver of Memory, someone who retains history and memories before the world evolved into "Sameness." He struggles in his role and training, particularly when he witnesses his father in an atrocious act.

11. "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

"Little Women" traces the adorable story of four young girls during the Civil War. Their father is a Union Army chaplain, and the family lives in poverty. Each girl undergoes different challenges, from marriage to breakups and sickness, but they keep their family together despite difficult circumstances.

12. "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

In "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," the author combines unique, old photographs with an engaging tale of a boy who uses them to trace his grandfather's history. "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" received several awards, including the top ranking on the New York Times Children's Chapter Books list.

13. "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

In this futuristic, fun story, a 12-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl II, kidnaps a fairy reconnaissance officer. He aims to discover how fairy magic works and asks for a ton of 24-karat gold as a ransom. The story includes some wild moments, including a troll and fairy fight, and high-tech escapades through Asia.

14. "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L’Engle

"A Wrinkle in Time" is the story of Meg Murry, a young girl whose father disappears under mysterious circumstances. She connects with three neighbors who have supernatural abilities, including teleportation. They travel to other planets, hoping to recover Meg's father and save the world from darkness.

Encouraging lifelong reading habits

Finding books your kids will actually enjoy can help spark a love of reading. Try sharing some of these good books to read for teens or books you loved at their age. With the right material, kids can develop a reading passion for life.

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