In a world where scrolling on social media has become a hobby during free time for many, reading books can seem “boring” or “uninteresting” to most teenagers. But, with the right story, the reader can escape and transport into a new and exciting world. Finding books can be difficult, so here are some of the best books for teenagers in 2025.
The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins:
This number-one New York Times best-selling 2008 dystopian series is set in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. The story follows protagonist Katniss Everdeen as she volunteers to take part in the annual Hunger Games. These books explore themes of survival, sacrifice, and friendship while under the rigid political and social structure of Panem. The series has sparked a cultural phenomenon among fans, and since then has been adapted into six books and five movies (with a new movie coming out in 2026). When asked about the series, freshman Angie Das commented, “I read the first book two years ago, and it still remains my personal favorite amongst the others in the series…. The plot twist at the end of the first book left me speechless and wanting to know what will happen next…” This book is the perfect read for any teenager wanting a page-turning story, and could become a new favorite series as well.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han:
It would be unfair if this “viral” book series was not on this list. This novel turned out to be a culture classic, and it recently acquired a mass following resulting from its television series adaptation premiering in 2022. The book was published 13 years prior to the show, and it follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin as she spends the summer of her sixteenth birthday at the beach house of her mother’s best friend from college, Susannah Fisher. In the midst of the sunny summer nights, Isabel navigates love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. This trilogy has won a multitude of awards over the years, and most recently it has become one of the most talked about series on television. This story is perfect for a reader who enjoys romance and suspense.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott:
Even though this book was published over 150 years ago, it still holds strong today as one of the best historical representations of womanhood in the 19th century. Little Women is a coming-of-age story set in the Civil War era of Massachusetts. The novel portrays the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth – as they grow up and struggle to navigate the challenging and new world of adulthood. When asked if she would recommend this novel, junior Camila Montano explained, “Despite the major difference in time between the book’s publication, I would still recommend Little Women today. The struggles of the sisters and the implication of being a woman in the world can still be applied today even though conditions for being a woman have changed over time. This book is easy to relate to, and the story is extremely enticing… May Scott’s writing makes you feel like you are growing up right with the sisters.” The story investigates themes of family, relationships, love, and following one’s true passion. Since 1869, the novel has been adapted into seven major films, making it a great classic for a reader who wants a more female-oriented story.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky:
The next novel on this list shows that the young adult (YA) genre can be susceptible to heavy topics such as friendship, love, mental health, and trauma, yet still make for an excellent and emotionally moving story. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a coming-of-age story taking place in early 1999 Pittsburgh. The story is told through pen-pal letters written by the protagonist Charlie, an introverted high school freshman, to an anonymous friend. The novel’s recognition of the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community as well as addressing the AIDS epidemic are two of the many reasons why it is still considered relevant to this day. Chbosky’s novel is sophomore Sophia Kostkowicz’s favorite book, and when questioned about the novel’s relevance, she explained, “I think this novel has stayed relevant because it shows the true way a high schooler goes through life trying to make friends and getting sucked into bad habits but still being able to be himself with friends that he loves… this novel gives so much meaning to whomever is reading it, and everyone in high school should read it.” The story’s mass success even called for a feature film in 2012 directed by Chbosky, starring Logan Lerman as Charlie, Emma Watson as Sam, and Ezra Miller as Patrick. This story is perfect for any reader who is going through or has experienced life as a high schooler.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton:
Last but certainly not least, this coming-of-age novel remains a classic even 58 years past its publication. This realistic-fiction novel takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was written to express Hinton’s disappointment with the social cliques in her high school, as well as the lack of representation for the genre itself. The story is narrated by Ponyboy Curtis, a teenager who belongs to a gang entitled the “Greasers.” The novel follows the extreme conflict between the two gangs of the town, the “Greasers” and the “Socs.” The themes of this story include friendship, socioeconomic class, and cycles of violence. The backdrop of 1960s Tulsa provides crucial background information on the struggles of the young main characters. As the novel’s popularity increased over time, it was turned into a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, as well as a musical on Broadway that won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2024. This book is an essential recommendation for a reader who is in middle or high school because of its relatable perspective on common adolescent struggles.
All five of these books are great for any reader who may be willing to try a classic like Little Women or a new story like The Summer I Turned Pretty. No matter the person, these books can hook any reader, make a reader not want to stop reading, and have readers frantically turning to the next page.
