As one of the most popular genres in fiction, there's no shortage of high-quality young adult books for you to read.
We've curated a list of top young adult books, with some of our recommendations standalones, and others part of a series. While they all fall under the young adult genre, the picks are varied, so you're sure to find a great read, whichever themes or styles you prefer.
Young adult books are works of literature that target readers aged 12 to 18, although some appeal to adults as well due to their relatable and often thought-provoking themes. In the genre, you can expect teen protagonists and a focus on themes like identity, relationships, and personal growth.
Young adult books have a straightforward writing style and a pace that keeps readers engaged. They also cover various genres, including romance, fantasy, and science fiction.
Without further ado, we give you our list of the top 12 best young adult books you simply have to buy!
The captivating start to The Mortal Instruments series blends urban fantasy with a gripping plot, intriguing characters, and unexpected twists.
The author's vivid world-building and strong character development keep readers hooked, making it a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure.
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. And she’s more than a little startled when the body disappears into thin air. Soon Clary is introduced to the world of the Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of warriors dedicated to driving demons out of our world and back to their own.
Through Holden Caulfield's perspective, The Catcher in the Rye explores themes of identity, alienation, and loss.
The relatable protagonist makes it a timeless read, resonating with readers across generations.
The hero-narrator of The Catcher in the Rye is an ancient child of sixteen, a native New Yorker named Holden Caulfield. Through circumstances that tend to preclude adult, secondhand description, he leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days.
Twilight needs no further introduction. If you're a teen looking to get into urban fantasy and the entire vampire/werewolf universe, Twilight is a must-buy!
Fall in love with the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire with the book that sparked a "literary phenomenon" and redefined romance for a generation (New York Times). Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.
Tomi Adeyemi's COBAB is the first of an exciting Afro-Fantasy series that's great for fans of young adult books.
The trilogy's finally complete, so there's no better time to get your hands on Children of Blood and Bone than the present!
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows Charlie, a shy high school freshman, as he navigates friendship, love, and trauma.
Through letters to an anonymous friend, the story captures the essence of growing up, making it a great coming-of-age young adult read for teens and adults.
The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.
Unfortunately, the movie adaptation of Ready Player One didn't live up to the lofty heights of the original work.
Still, if you're looking for a young adult read draped in the guise of science fiction, you should check out Ready Player One.
In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the OASIS, a vast virtual world where most of humanity spends their days. When the eccentric creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves behind a series of fiendish puzzles, based on his obsession with the pop culture of decades past. Whoever is first to solve them will inherit his vast fortune—and control of the OASIS itself. Then Wade cracks the first clue. Suddenly he’s beset by rivals who’ll kill to take this prize. The race is on—and the only way to survive is to win.
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird masterfully portrays the deep-seated racism of the American South through the eyes of young Scout Finch.
Atticus Finch's unwavering commitment to justice and morality is a great lesson for young adult readers on empathy and integrity.
A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.
Six of Crows will forever be a darling for fans of young adult fantasy. With memorable characters, great world-building, and excellent storytelling, it comes highly recommended.
The trilogy consists of only two books, making it perfect for young adult readers looking for quick, fun reads.
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price―and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . .
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction―if they don't kill each other first.
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is a touching story about fate and love, following two characters who meet and fall for each other in a single day.
Their diverse backgrounds and urgent circumstances create a compelling narrative, and the author's writing beautifully explores themes of destiny and identity.
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?
Set in the same world as Six of Crows, Shadow, and Bone is the must-read intro into the Grishaverse, perfect for fans of heroic teen characters and fast-paced storytelling.
Alina Starkov, a lowly soldier, discovers extraordinary magic within herself after a terrifying encounter with the Shadow Fold, a monstrous realm of darkness. Recruited by the Grisha, the elite magic wielders, she becomes entangled in a world of courtly intrigue and deadly secrets. As she grows in power, she uncovers a truth that could shatter her world and change the fate of her nation forever.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a powerful novel addressing racial inequality and police brutality. Through Starr's eyes, the story explores activism, identity, and the struggle for justice.
Starr Carter, a Black teenager navigating life between her poor neighbourhood and elite prep school, witnesses her unarmed childhood friend's fatal shooting by police. As the nation erupts in protest, Starr becomes the sole witness to the tragedy. The weight of the truth rests on her shoulders, with the potential to upend her community or endanger her own life.
If you're looking for a very well-written, pretty-covered book to introduce young readers to African Fantasy, The Smoke That Thunders has you well covered.
In this mesmerizing fantasy rooted in Urhobo and West African folklore, sixteen-year-old Naborhi, a young woman trapped by tradition, yearns for a different life. Her world changes when she discovers a mysterious connection to a missing boy. Joined by a brave companion, she embarks on a perilous quest, facing ancient magic and powerful forces. This epic adventure will test her courage and reveal her true destiny.
Whether you enjoy fantasy, romance, or contemporary fiction, these young adult books are sure to captivate and inspire.
Add them to your collection for an enriching reading experience that both teens and adults can enjoy. Happy reading!
