By Take note of our compilation of the most outstanding young adult books, with the aim of providing teenagers with an engaging and enriching reading experience.
During adolescence, reading becomes an invaluable ally. By reading, young people explore faraway places, boost their imagination and reflect on profound issues that challenge every human being. That’s why we bring you the best books for teenagers.
Through these texts, boys and girls experience empathy by putting themselves in the place of the protagonists and, at the same time, forge their own identity. What works are these? Let’s take a look below.
Ideal books for teenagers: our compilation
Here you will find a list of the best books to encourage a love of reading in teenagers. We offer a wide variety of genres, from romantic and heartwarming novels to funny and curious works. In turn, our selection includes both classic literary gems and brilliant modern stories.
Without further ado, take note of the most recommended literary works to enjoy at this stage of life, characterized by its challenges and turbulence.
1. The Five Continents of Love , by Javier Ruescas and Francesc Miralles
The Five Continents of Love is a quick read. It has a light and simple writing style and is very entertaining. It tells the lives of five young people from different parts of the world and how their paths intertwine as they explore love and friendship .
2. The Metamorphosis , by Franz Kafka
The life of Gregorio, the protagonist of this story, changes radically and unexpectedly the day he wakes up transformed into a monstrous insect. He earns the rejection of his family, who, frightened and confused, decide to lock him in his room.
With the dehumanization of man in the contemporary world as the narrative center, Kafka leaves his readers speechless. Without a doubt, this is one of the best books for teenagers of at least 16 years old, who are fans of the fantasy genre.
3. Oliver Twist , by Charles Dickens
Oliver Twist is a classic of British literature that tells the story of Oliver, an orphan boy who faces the harsh realities of life in 19th century England. The young man searches for his identity and resists social injustice in a Victorian society marked by poverty and inequality.
4. The Little Prince , by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is a literary treasure that should be enjoyed at least three times in a lifetime: in childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
This is a timeless classic that tells the adventures of a prince who travels from planet to planet, learning lessons about life, love, friendship and identity.
“It was the time you spent with your rose that made it so important.”
~ The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ~
5. Harry Potter , by JK Rowling
The Harry Potter saga conquered millions of teenagers around the world, taking them on an exciting journey into the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry. Without a doubt, it is one of the most outstanding recommendations for young lovers of adventure and fantasy.
6. The Fault in Our Stars , by John Green
One of the best romance books for teenagers. But, you should know that it is much more than a simple youthful love story.
This heartwarming tale tells the story of Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. As they share their struggles and aspirations, their connection deepens and together they explore love and life in all its intensity.
7. Eleanor and Park , by Rainbow Rowell
Elanor and Park is a beautiful novel about first love . Eleanor, an intelligent and distrustful young woman who stands out for her unusual style of dress, meets Park, a boy of Asian descent , introverted and a lover of comics.
8. Sophie’s World , by Jostein Gaarder
A great choice for curious and thoughtful teenagers. Norwegian author Jostein Gaarden gives us a fascinating literary journey, in which we accompany Sofia Amundsen as she discovers the wonders of the philosophical world . A labyrinth of ideas and questions that captivates us from the first page.
9. The eyes of the Siberian dog , by Antonio Santa Ana
Through this story, the Argentine writer Antonio Santa Ana immerses us in the complexity of family relationships and the way in which an illness, in this case HIV , puts intimate bonds to the test. This novel is a profound reflection on love, loss, understanding and empathy in a complex context.
10. The Blue World: Love Your Chaos , by Albert Espinosa
In The Blue World we follow the steps of a brave young man who faces a terminal illness. With determination, he decides to spend his last days where people celebrate the end of their lives. It is a powerful testimony about resilience , friendship and self-acceptance.
“Sometimes everything is much simpler, but we prefer to complicate it.”
~ The Blue World, Albert Espinosa ~
11. The Diary of Anne Frank , by Anne Frank
A moving story of worldwide recognition. Anne Frank’s diary tells the experiences and thoughts of a Jewish girl who hides with her family in a secret apartment in an Amsterdam building, during one of the darkest periods in history: the Holocaust.
12. If we were taught to lose, we would always win , by Albert Espinosa
Another gem from Albert Espinosa. It takes up the idea of one of Joaquín Sabina’s most powerful verses: ” You should not try to return to the place where you have been happy .” This is a work that explores the life lessons that can be learned through defeats and difficulties, offering an optimistic and encouraging perspective.
13. Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith
Wreck This Journal isn’t read; it’s intervened. It’s an interactive proposal that invites teenagers to be creative, to think outside the box and to explore their imagination through a series of innovative and challenging activities. Here there is not only room for error, but it is welcomed with joy.
14. Journey to the Center of the Earth , by Jules Verne
Professor Lindenbork, an intelligent and stubborn man, and his nephew Axel make an incredible expedition into the Earth’s interior through the eye of a dormant volcano. Upon reaching the heart of the planet, they encounter the most peculiar dangers.
15. Invisible , by Eloy Moreno
Eloy Moreno’s recent novel delves into themes such as bullying , depression, the search for identity and complex family dynamics. It tells the story of a teenager who wishes, above all, to have the power to become invisible.
16. 1984 , by George Orwell
This dystopian fiction presents a bleak totalitarian future in which the government dominates every aspect of its citizens’ lives, even their thoughts. It shockingly shows how government control erodes individual freedom and truth.
17. Men Explain Things to Me , by Rebecca Solnit
Rebecca Solnit, an American writer, offers an insightful and often humorous look at the experiences of women in a society that tends to underestimate and ignore them. This book is an eloquent critique of men who think they know everything and a call for gender equality .
18. Haikyū!! by Haruichi Furudate
Strictly speaking, Haikyū!! is not a book. It is a manga series with vibrant illustrations and a thrilling narrative. Through its comic book format , it follows the story of Shoyo Hinata as he pursues his dream of becoming a top volleyball player, despite his short stature.
19. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Charlie, an introverted and sensitive young man, writes letters revealing his deepest thoughts and experiences as he navigates the challenges of adolescence. This novel explores sensitive themes such as suicide and the struggle to fit in.
20. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda , by Becky Albertalli
This charming novel tells the story of Simon, a smart and sarcastic seventeen-year-old boy who has not yet revealed his sexual orientation to his family and friends. When a classmate discovers his private emails and threatens to reveal his secret, he is forced to deal with the situation in an unexpected way.
Other recommended books for teenagers
In addition to the titles mentioned so far, we present an additional list that covers a wide variety of literary genres, with the aim of finding the perfect book for every teenage reader.
21. Matilda , by Roald Dahl.
22. Anonymous , by Wendy Mora.
23. Hopscotch , by Julio Cortázar.
24. Vertigo , by Katharine McGee.
25. Unknowns , by David Lozano.
16. The Stranger , by Albert Camus.
27. The art of loving , by Erich Fromm.
28. Little Women , by Louisa May Alcott.
29. Tokyo Blues , by Haruki Murakami.
30. Brave New World , by Aldous Huxley.
31. Nobody hears us , by Fernando López.
32. To Kill a Mockingbird , by Harper Lee.
33. My only star , by Sandra Carbajal.
34. If I Stay , by Gayle Forman.
35. The Book Thief , by Markus Zusak.
36. Fallen from the map , by María Inés Falconi.
37. The Elegance of the Hedgehog , by Muriel Barbery.
38. Hush, Candida, Hush!, by Maite Carranza.
39. Xenia, you have a WhatsApp , by Gemma Pasqual.
40. My Parents Drive Me Crazy , by Pete Johnson.
41. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas , by John Boyne.
42. A Short History of Nearly Everything , by Bill Bryson.
43. Someone is lying , by Karen M. McManus.
44. Man’s Search for Meaning , by Viktor Frankl.
45. Leave the dead alone , by Juan Ramón Barat.
46. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit , by Judith Kerr.
47. What if we stayed friends?, by Elizabeth Eulberg.
48. Dear Me: We Need to Talk , by Elizabeth Clapés.
49. Everything I never told you I keep here , by Sara Herranz.
50. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time , by Mark Haddon.
51. Me too: if adolescence attacks you, read this book , by Karina M. Soto, Mayte F. Tepichín and Toño García.
Works that belong to the adventure or science fiction genre
Finally, we present books that stand out for belonging to the adventure or science fiction genres, thus captivating readers with exciting journeys and fascinating imaginary worlds.
52. Frankenstein , by Mary Shelley.
53. Ender’s Game , by Orson Scott Card.
54. The Hunger Games , by Suzanne Collins.
55. A Clockwork Orange , by Anthony Burgess.
56. The Maze Runner , by James Dashner.
57. The Prince of Mist , by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
58. Howl’s Moving Castle , by Diana Wynne Jones.
59. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , by Mark Twain.
60. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , by Lyman Frank Baum.
61. Percy Jackson and the Olympians , by Rick Riordan.
62. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , by CS Lewis.
Encourage enthusiasm for reading with these books for teenagers
The habit of reading is both enriching and satisfying. However, in an era marked by the immediacy of social media, enjoying good books seems to be an increasingly greater challenge for teenagers.
In this sense, in order for reading to become part of young people’s daily lives, it is important for them to discover their tastes in terms of genre, length or narrative style. Encouraging them to explore everything from epic fantasy to historical novels will allow them to find works that suit their preferences.
So once they find topics they’re passionate about, it’ll be easier for them to decide to put down their phone and immerse themselves in a captivating story.