Teen books are unique in that they usually have a teen protagonist and his or her actions and choices move the plot along. Adults generally play secondary roles and the topics are generally relatable to teens, such as first loves, drugs, sex and violence, but not always. As some of the following books will show, teen books can cover a diverse range of topics and still deliver important messages and stories that will stay with the reader for years.
Playing Beatie Bow, by Ruth Park
Playing Beatie Bow (first published in1980), is the story of Abigail and her family. During a game of Beatie Bow, Abigail finds herself in a part of the city she doesn’t recognize. She has been transported to a different time, to colonial Sydney in the year 1873 where a family takes her in who believe she must have a special role to play in their lives. Abigail has to learn to adjust to a new time, a new family and she’s not even sure she’ll be able to return to her own time.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird (first published in 1960), is a coming of age story told from the perspective of 6-year-old Scout, whose father is caught up in the racism of a Southern community. Scout’s father, Atticus, is a lawyer defending a black man accused of raping a white woman. The reader will view the ugliness of racism through Scout’s eyes and be touched by Atticus’ strength in standing up for what he believes in.
The Crucible, By Arthur Miller
The Crucible (first published in 1953), is a play set in Salem Massachusetts during 1692 and is based on events that occurred during the Salem Witch Trails. When young girls start accusing the town-women of witchcraft, things spiral out of control with the list of accused growing and growing. The book shows the power of mass hysteria, greed and revenge and the unfairness of the story will stay with the reader for years to come.
The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
The Outsiders (first published in 1970), is a story about Ponyboy Curtis and his gang of friends known as ‘Greasers’ and considered hoods. The boys are ‘outsiders’ and fight with rival gangs as well as the rich kids from the other side of town known as the ‘Socs’ (short for social).
Ponyboy develops a friendship with a girlfriend of one of the Socs and as the plot moves forward, the reader will follow Ponyboy’s story through tragedy and hard times watching him mature. Hinton wrote this when she was still a teenager (17 years old), so the story had an authentic teen voice.
Z for Zachariah, By Robert O’Brien
Z for Zachariah (first published in 1975), is a post-apocalyptic story of lone survivor, 16-year-old Ann Burden. She has managed to survive for over a year by herself living in the valley that seems to have escaped radiation poisoning. Her family went off in search for help and never came back so Ann was forced to tend to the animals and plough the vegetable patch to be able to survive.
One day a man arrives wearing a radiation suit and Ann is both scared yet hopeful. Imagine being possibly the last girl on Earth, finally another human being comes along, but he turns out to be horrible. Z for Zachariah is written in diary form and is a deep and unforgettable story of a young girl forced to grow up in tragic times.
These are great books for teens and young adults, well deserving of a place in the teenagers bookshelf, offering poignant and memorable stories and characters. For more great teen reads, visit Great Books for Teens and Young Adults.
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 ...
