I spent every day after middle school in the library, poring over the newest books in the teen section. My love for reading had persisted from my days as a preschooler who would hole up in my closet — the quietest space I could find — with a good book. The library was a magical place for me, even as a teen. The library is still that same wonderful, magical world that it once was, but that world is much bigger now that teens can access books right there from their smartphones. The options seem limitless. Such wide access to books is great until it becomes overwhelming — until it relies too much on what’s popular on social media.
Help your teen discover a love for literature with these tried-and-true recommendations featuring some modern titles and some classics they’ll enjoy.
A Wrinkle in Time
Meg Murry is an awkward high-school girl who is transported through time and space with her little brother Charles Wallace and her friend to rescue her scientist father from evil forces.
Themes: Family, coming of age, self-awareness.
The Bluest Eye
This beautiful Toni Morrison novel tells the story of a black 11-year-old who prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be as beautiful as all the blond, blue-eyed children in America.
Themes: Race, peer pressure.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Teenager Charlie struggles to cope with the complexities of high school, including common temptations and losing friends.
Themes: Coming of age, friendship, peer pressure, sex.
The Lord of the Flies
A group of boys survive a plane crash only to be stranded on a remote island with no adults and little to no resources. Things get real pretty quickly.
Themes: Conflict, survival, leadership.
The Hunger Games
Katniss volunteers to take her younger sister's place in a televised fight to the death. In a similar vein as The Lord of the Flies, a group of children and teens are forced into a situation to survive, but only one is meant to make it out alive.
Themes: Class, love, survival, leadership, revolution.
The Women of Brewster Place
A sentimental classic that tells the story of seven women in an inner-city sanctuary called Brewster Place. The interwoven stories display to teens the different paths of women's lives.
Themes: Relationships, hopelessness, home.
The Outsiders
Author S.E. Hinton was a teenager when she wrote The Outsiders. The story follows 14-year-old Ponyboy and his journey to do anything to belong.
Themes: Class, society, loyalty.
Flowers for Algernon
A science-fiction story of a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experimental procedure to increase his IQ. The experiment seems to be working until Algernon, the mouse who received the same procedure, begins deteriorating.
Themes: Bullying, wisdom, happiness.
The Hate U Give
A teen living in a poor, black neighborhood has a political awakening as she discovers the injustices in society.
Themes: Racism, injustice, family.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Judy Blume's novel displaying the inner turmoil of teen Margaret Simon, who just wants to grow up already.
Themes: Coming of age, identity, puberty.
Tuck Everlasting
The Tuck family is immortal. Soon, they discover that a 10-year-old girl and a stranger (and soon-to-be enemy) share their secret.
Themes: Death, love, family.
1984
George Orwell's dystopian world where the government is always watching and controlling those who don't think freely.
Themes: Government, identity, technology.
*Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
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