Books About Adolescence · 180 titles considered

The Best Adolescence Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about adolescence? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Red, White, and Whole
Eliza and Her Monsters
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Adolescence

Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2016

Ghost

By Jason Reynolds · Book #1 in the Track series

A young sprinter must outrun his past to achieve greatness on the track team.

208 pages· 39,201 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 53,925 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2012

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Two teens form a life-changing friendship, uncovering truths about themselves.

390 pages· 64,842 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 689,647 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2019

Genesis Begins Again

A girl battles self-doubt and family turmoil to find self-love.

Newbery Medal (2020)Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award (2020)
370 pages· 76,058 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 9,033 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Red, White, and Whole

An Indian American girl faces her mother's illness, torn between cultural worlds and expectations.

224 pages· 21,311 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 8,221 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Glitter Gets Everywhere

A girl navigates grief and change after moving from London to New York.

320 pages
4.3/5 Goodreads · 545 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2017

Eliza and Her Monsters

An online creator's secret identity is exposed, threatening her world and newfound offline connections.

420 pages· 76,968 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 65,586 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

We Dream of Space

Three siblings face personal struggles as the Challenger launch looms, altering their lives forever.

400 pages· 47,156 words· Est. 6 hour read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 9,119 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Hey, Kiddo

A boy navigates life with an absent father and addicted mother.

320 pages· 15,721 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 35,655 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2000

Hope Was Here

A small-town diner becomes the battleground for a mayoral race against corruption.

186 pages· 42,314 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 21,594 ratings
$19.80Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2015

The Boy in the Black Suit

Matt's life is falling apart until he meets Lovey, who might just help him find hope again.

272 pages· 67,181 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 9,082 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
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Browse by age

Adolescence Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about adolescence for preschool and elementary-age readers.

When My Worries Get Too Big!

Ages 6–10 · 2004

Help children manage anxiety with practical strategies and interactive tools.

Grandma's Tipi

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A summer at Standing Rock reveals family secrets and timeless traditions.

Skim

Ages 14–17 · 2008

A goth teen navigates love and loss amidst school chaos.

Lola Levine and the Halloween Scream

Ages 6–10 · 2017

A young girl navigates the challenges of Halloween and friendships

Mei's Wild Ride

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A teenage girl transforms into a giant red panda and must navigate her relationships and identity.

View all adolescence picture books
Browse by age

Adolescence Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about adolescence for developing and independent readers.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Ages 9–12 · 1970

A girl navigates friendship and faith, seeking her own spiritual path.

Mosquitoland

Ages 12–18 · 2015

A girl's journey to her sick mother reveals unexpected truths and challenges her sanity.

The Catcher in the Rye

Ages 15–18 · 1951

A teen escapes prep school, navigating New York's chaos and his own turmoil.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Ages 8–12 · 2007

Middle school misadventures test a boy's friendship and self-discovery through his diary entries.

The Last Straw
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

The Last Straw

Ages 8–12 · 2009

Greg must toughen up or face military school. Can he avoid his dad's plans?

Taylor Before and After

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A tragic accident shatters Taylor's world. Can she rebuild her life from the pieces left behind?

Double Down

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Greg's plan to make a movie for fame might just double his troubles.

Robot Revolution

Ages 8–12

A boy navigates the challenges of having a genius inventor mother and a sister with a severe immunodeficiency condition.

Wrecking Ball

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A home renovation spirals into chaos, revealing unexpected dangers for Greg's family.

Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl

Ages 9–12 · 2010

Nikki juggles two parties, a crush, and a mean girl's schemes. Can she handle the chaos?

I Can't Take It!
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1299

I Can't Take It!

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A humorous collection of comic strips about a sixth-grader's daily life and misadventures.

Old School

Ages 8–12 · 2015

Can Greg survive when his town goes electronics-free, or is old school too tough for him?

Keep exploring
Books about feelings and emotionsBooks about death, grief, and bereavementBooks about family problemsBooks about self-acceptanceBooks about abuseBooks about aeronautics, astronautics and space scienceBooks about cancerBooks about coming of age

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