Books for teens are unique in the way they are written. Firstly they have teenage protagonists and are usually written using a brief time span, for example a school year. They can be longer or shorter but they are generally not longer than a year.
Adult roles are generally ‘support acts’ with the teenage characters in the forefront of the action and adventure. The main character is often required to make choices that drive the plot and he/she will ‘grow’ as the book progresses.
Books for teens cover topics that teens find relatable, first loves, social acceptance and popularity, first sexual experiences, violence, drugs and alcohol, and even death. The age of the teenage protagonist can indicate the best age the reader should be. If the protagonist is 12-years-old, the story would suit a younger teen. If the protagonist is 17-years-old, the story is geared towards the older teen and young adult.
Great Fantasy Books for Teens and Young Adults
The Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini
- Eragon
- Eldest
- Brisingr
The Inheritance Cycle is about a young boy named Eragon, who finds a dragon egg. Over 100 years ago, the tyrant Galbatorix killed all the dragon riders and when the egg Eragon finds hatches, it puts both Eragon and the dragon’s lives in danger. They soon find themselves on an epic quest which takes them to the far ends of Alagaesia
The Obernewtyn Chronicles, by Isobelle Carmody
- Obernewtyn
- The Farseekers
- Ashling
- The keeping Place
- Wavesong
- The Stone Key
- The Sending
- The Red Queen
In Obernewtyn, Elspeth Gordie was born with enhanced mental powers, making her a ‘Misfit’. Elspeth is sent to Obernewtyn where a doctor is working on a cure for the Misfits to rid them of their special abilities. On her journey, Elspeth meets a range of characters with their own abilities and experiences a special bond with a rather unique cat. A good, fast moving story where characters a vivid and the mountainous lands are as harsh as Elspeth’s enemies.
Love and Vampire Books for Teens and Young Adults
The Twilight Saga, by Stephanie Meyer
- Twilight
- New Moon
- Eclipse
- Breaking Dawn
The Twilight Saga series is about human Bella Swan who falls in love with the vampire Edward Cullen. Throughout the series, Bella is faced with difficult choices, many vampire related dangers and a complicated friendship with werewolf, Jacob Black, the mortal enemy of the vampires. A good read which gets more interesting and faster paced as the series progresses. Proven to be very popular with older teens and adults.
The Vampire Diaries, by L.J Smith
- The Awakening
- The Struggle
- The Fury
- Dark Reunion
- The Return: Nightfall
- The Return: Shadow Souls
In the Awakening, high school girl Elena meets the handsome Stefan, who has a dark secret. Stefan’s brother Damon is vengeful and evil and anyone Stefan gets close to is at risk. Elena finds herself facing danger and feeling torn between the two vampire brothers.
Witch and Gothic Books for Teens and Young Adults
The Secret Circle, by L.J Smith
- The Initiation
- The Captive, Part I
- The Captive, Part II
- The Power
Cassie has moved from sunny California to gloomy New England and is not too happy about it. Despite this, she feels drawn to a group of teens from school that are part of a secret coven of witches. Cassie finds them both intoxicating and deadly.
A book that is not part of a series and makes a good bedtime read; a little creepy but not too scary is Gothic! Ten Original Dark Tales.
Because of some of the themes covered in books for teens, such as love, sex, violence and death, these books are unsuitable for children. However, many have found popularity with adults as well as teens as we’ve seen with The Twilight Saga, which is hugely successful with plenty of adult followers despite the books' lack of gore, adult language or sexual detail.
Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...
