Getting lost in a good book is one of the best little pleasures in life. And while your teenager may not agree with that statement, reading can provide them with multiple benefits including expanding their vocabulary, increasing their empathy, relaxation, and increasing their knowledge. If you’re looking to encourage your teen to read more, we’ve found five fantastic books from different genres that tell interesting stories to hold their interest.
We reviewed dozens of books for teens to identify the best of the best. We looked at different genres, reviews, complexity, and age appropriateness to make our top five choices. While there are many amazing books for teens on the market, these are a great starting point for teens to read. All of these books can be purchased online at Amazon.
The Fault In Our Stars is our top pick for the best fiction book for teens. This book has it all – romance, comedy, loss, and encouragement. Not only will it entertain your teen, but it will encourage them to think about life.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Books for Teens
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Fiction Book for Teens | The Fault In Our Stars | 4.7 |
| Best Nonfiction Book for Teens | What Color Is Your Parachute? For Teens | 4.5 |
| Best Biography Book for Teens | I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World | 4.7 |
| Best Fantasy Book for Teens | Harry Potter Boxed Set | 4.8 |
| Best Classic Book for Teens | To Kill a Mockingbird | 4.8 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Fiction Book for Teens: The Fault In Our Stars
The Fault In Our Stars is about Hazel, a sixteen year old girl battling thyroid cancer that has moved to her lungs. At the request of her mother she reluctantly attends a cancer support group. During one of these meetings she meets Augustus Waters, a seventeen year old boy who had osteosarcoma, but is now in remission after his leg was amputated. Over the course of the book they bond over searching for their favorite author and fall in love. This story is about navigating romance, grief, and embracing the idea of living fully.
This romance book about two terminally ill teens is heartbreaking yet funny and will make your teen think. It’s written in the first person perspective of 16 year old Hazel who has cancer. It’s funny with witty banter and philosophical points, yet haunting and heartbreaking where the characters find joy even in their circumstances. It’s beautifully written and was also made into a movie in 2014 starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort as the main characters. It’s a book that makes teens think about life, and many adults will enjoy it as well.
The Fault In Our Stars Key Features:
- Available in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook
- By author John Green
- TIME Magazine’s 2012 #1 Fiction Book
- Also a major motion picture
Best Nonfiction Book for Teens: What Color Is Your Parachute? For Teens
What Color Is Your Parachute? For Teens is an excellent book for high school or college aged teens who are starting to wonder what they should do with their lives. Based off the popular adult version of What Color Is Your Parachute?, this edition is made specifically for teens to help them discover their passions and skills to better choose a major and career. This book uses step by step exercises to encourage teens to take the time to seriously consider their goals and dreams. It has them look at their skills and strengths to see how those match up to specific majors and careers. It also includes useful job information regarding social media, interviewing, and internships.
This book is an excellent graduation gift for older teens about to leave high school, as well as for younger teens who need some guidance on what to do next in life. Reviewers say this is a great book for motivated high schoolers who may not know what type of career they want, or what they want to study. Teachers and parents say this book is very helpful for high school and college students who need help focusing and narrowing down life and career options.
What Color Is Your Parachute? For Teens Key Features:
- Available in paperback and Kindle
- By authors Carol Christen and Richard N. Bolles
- Great gift for graduates or high school students wondering what they should do in life
Best Biography Book for Teens: I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
When Malala Yousafzai was ten years old the Taliban took over the area where she lived. Girls weren’t allowed to be taught in school, and when she fought for her right to be educated, she was shot while riding the bus home from school. No one thought she’d survive. But she did survive, and has now become a symbol of peaceful protests around the world and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner. I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World is her story.
This is a young reader edition of her best-selling memoir, I Am Malala where she writes about her experience growing up in Pakistan under terrorist rule, how she wanted to change the world, and how she succeeded. Teens as well as adults will be touched and inspired by her story. This book shows the importance of standing up for what you believe in, and this particular edition includes exclusive materials and photos of her life. Reviewers say that this is a must read for teens and that their kids were inspired by her story and encouraged to ask questions.
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World Key Features:
- Available in paperback, hardcover, audiobook, and Kindle
- By Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick
- This edition is a young readers edition of her memoir
Best Fantasy Book for Teens: Harry Potter Boxed Set
The Harry Potter Boxed Set is the complete story of Harry Potter, an orphan who lives with his uncle, aunt, and cousin who all treat him terribly. But everything changes on his eleventh birthday when he learns he’s a wizard and will be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Throughout the seven books, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione explore the wizarding world, learn magic in and out of class, and repeatedly fight Lord Voldemort and his Death Eater followers, all while learning about friendship, family, sacrifice, and love.
This boxed set provides readers with all seven books from one of the biggest series for children and teens of modern times. While the first books are written for a younger audience, the later books are darker and grittier, featuring situations and themes that are better for older kids and teenagers. If your teens like the Harry Potter movie series but haven’t read the books, this set is a must have. The story and world is expanded from the movies and even though the main characters are magical, they’re written with enough real life emotions and issues that teens can relate. Reviewers love purchasing this set for nieces, nephews, and their own kids.
Harry Potter Boxed Set Key Features:
- Paperback set of 7 books
- By author J.K. Rowling
- Ultimate Harry Potter book collection
Best Classic Book for Teens: To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird follows Scout Finch, a young girl who lives with her father Atticus and brother Jem in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Atticus is a highly respected lawyer in their town who must defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Throughout the story and the trial, Scout and the readers see the rampant racism and injustice towards Tom due to the color of his skin, and learn about morality, integrity, and understanding others from Atticus.
To Kill A Mockingbird is a beloved story that has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 40 languages. Librarians also voted it one of the best novels of the twentieth century. This coming of age story in the South is full of important, timeless lessons for teens to learn such as racial injustice, prejudice, honor, fairness, and how doing the right thing isn’t always easy. Reviewers say that this is a book everyone should read, and that they enjoyed rereading it again in their adult years.
To Kill a Mockingbird Key Features:
- Available in paperback, hardcover, audiobook, and Kindle
- By author Harper Lee
- Pulitzer Prize winning novel
This list is just the tip of the iceberg of fantastic books for teens to read. And with the availability of audiobooks and kindles, teens can find a way to enjoy books in the medium they prefer. If you’re looking for some entertainment ideas for younger kids, be sure to take a look at our list of The Best Board Games For Kids.
