Introduction

Many teens that I work with love reading, but I've also worked with a few who don't have a natural interest in it. In order to encourage teens who don't like reading to do more of it, I think it's crucial to find books that actually pique their interest, even if those books are less academically challenging. The books they read in their English Language Arts classes will provide the academic rigor they need to prepare for future academic endeavors; the books they read outside of school should simply be ones they enjoy to foster a deeper love for reading. Exploring some of the top teenage books to read is a great way to help teens discover stories they’ll truly connect with, encouraging them to read more on their own. It's important to recognize that growth can still happen for teens when they read for fun!

If you have a teen and you'd love for them to do some supplemental reading in addition to the reading they're doing for school, here are a few recommendations based on fiction books my own students and I have read and enjoyed together:

1. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Thomas wakes up in a metal box with no memory of his past and finds himself in the Glade, a strange open area surrounded by massive stone walls. He’s not alone, either - dozens of other teenage boys are trapped there too, all in the same situation. Beyond those walls lies the Maze, a constantly shifting nightmare crawling with deadly creatures called Grievers. No one knows who put them there or why, but the rules are clear: work together, survive the Grievers, and maybe, just maybe, find a way out. But when Thomas arrives, everything starts to change…and not in a good way.

2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Bruno isn’t thrilled when his family leaves their cozy home in Berlin for a strange new place he calls “Out-With,” a bleak, isolated house with nothing to do and a mysterious fenced-in area nearby. He’s pretty sure the Fury is punishing his father, the Commandant, for something, and all Bruno wants is to go back to the life he knew. But everything changes when he meets Shmuel, a quiet boy on the other side of the fence. As their friendship grows, Bruno starts to see the world beyond his own in a very different light, and for the first time, he finds a reason to stay.

3. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

In a future where technology has solved every problem, including death, the world runs smoothly, peacefully, and indefinitely. But eternal life comes with a cost: overpopulation. That’s where the Scythes come in. They’re the only ones allowed to permanently end lives, chosen to “glean” a set number of people each year. Citra and Rowan are unexpectedly selected to train under Scythe Faraday, thrown into a world of ethics, power, and fear. As they learn what it truly means to take life in a world that no longer knows death, they’re faced with a chilling truth: only one of them will earn the title of Scythe…and the other might not survive.

4. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

In Mare Barrow’s world, blood determines everything. The elite Silvers, with their god-like powers, rule over the powerless Reds, who are left to struggle and serve. Mare is just another Red, until a shocking accident reveals she has powers of her own. Even more shocking? Her blood is red. To cover up what she is, the royal court pulls her into a dangerous lie, disguising her as a long-lost Silver princess. Now living among people who would kill her if they knew the truth, Mare must play a deadly game of politics, rebellion, and betrayal, because one wrong move could cost her everything.

5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

At the start of World War II, young Liesel Meminger is sent to live with foster parents in a quiet town outside Munich. Life there is unfamiliar, but she slowly finds comfort in the small things, such as playing with Rudy, bonding with her kind-hearted Papa, and cautiously navigating Mama’s tough love. But everything changes when Liesel steals her first book and discovers the power of words. Late nights spent reading with Papa open a new world to her, one that offers escape and meaning. As the war creeps closer to their doorstep, Liesel finds herself caught in a story much bigger—and more dangerous—than she ever expected.

6. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Thirteen-year-old Brian is flying to visit his dad for the first time since his parents’ divorce when disaster strikes: his plane crashes deep in the Canadian wilderness, and he’s the only one who makes it out alive. With nothing but the clothes on his back and a hatchet his mom gave him, Brian is forced to face the harsh reality of survival. Alone, hungry, and surrounded by nature he doesn’t understand, he must learn how to adapt, endure, and push past limits he didn’t know he had, all while hoping someone will find him in time.

7. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Lyra Belacqua has always run wild through the halls of Jordan College, never expecting her life to be anything more than dusty books and harmless mischief. But when children start disappearing, including her best friend, Lyra is pulled into a dangerous journey that stretches far beyond her world. Armed with a truth-telling device called the alethiometer and joined by a shape-shifting daemon and unlikely allies, she uncovers a dark conspiracy involving kidnapped children, powerful forces, and secrets too big to ignore. As the mystery deepens, Lyra realizes she might be at the center of something far greater than she ever imagined.

8. A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Long before he became the infamous President Snow, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus is just trying to hold on to his family's fading legacy in a post-war Capitol. With the tenth Hunger Games approaching, he's given a rare chance to mentor, but instead of being assigned a strong, promising tribute, he gets Lucy Gray Baird, a girl from lowly District 12. At first, it feels like a punishment. But as the Games unfold and Lucy Gray surprises everyone, Coriolanus starts to see an opportunity, one that could make or break his future. In a world where power is everything, he’s about to learn just how far he's willing to go to get it.

9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins is a quiet hobbit who enjoys his cozy home, good food, and staying far away from anything unexpected. But when the wizard Gandalf shows up with a group of rowdy dwarves and a plan to reclaim their stolen treasure from the dragon Smaug, Bilbo is swept into an adventure he never asked for. Along the way, he faces trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and even stumbles upon a mysterious ring that seems more important than it first appears. What starts as a reluctant journey turns into something much bigger, as Bilbo discovers courage—and cleverness—he didn’t know he had.

10. A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

One morning, twelve-year-old Gerta wakes up to find her world literally split in two: overnight, the Berlin Wall has gone up, dividing East and West Germany. Worse, her father and brother are trapped on the other side, with no way back. Life in East Berlin becomes strict, tense, and dangerous, and Gerta can't stop thinking about escape. When she discovers a risky way her family might be able to reunite, she has to decide how much she’s willing to risk for freedom. Every choice could mean discovery and punishment, but staying silent might cost her everything.

Conclusion

Some of these books are classics that every middle schooler should read, especially those who want a story that will keep them engaged all the way through, but they’re also great choices for high schoolers looking for something lighter yet meaningful. These top teenage books to read provide the perfect balance of entertainment and thought-provoking themes to encourage reading as a lifelong habit. Contact me today if you'd like me to personally demonstrate to your teen how much fun reading can be!