Marianne – our Reading Champion for 2025 and Boys’ school librarian is back with her review of the best Young Adult Books she read in 2024. From thrilling adventures to heartfelt coming-of-age stories, these must-reads are perfect for teens.
Young Adult Books are available for children between the ages of 12 and 18, indicating that the content can vary enormously. I have added guidance to the age groups I think are best suited. If you are looking for 8-12 we call that middle grade and you can find them here.
In my experience, it’s more of a problem getting this age group to read from year 9 onwards. Excuses range from ‘too much homework’, ‘I need to revise’, or they want to chill on their phone. There is an incredible ‘lazy’ barrier, where they cannot be bothered to do anything, the defiance teenage years bring on, ‘you can’t tell me what’s good and what’s not’, and of course peer pressure. If the friends don’t read books, then why should your child be different?
Why Reading is Important for Teenagers
You may be wondering why. What good is reading for my child now they are in secondary school. Well the benefits are huge and you only have to visit the Book Trust website to download a pdf but in a nutshell, kids who read do better. It’s proven, see the research and sources below.
Amongst the benefits are
- helps them develop critical thinking skills,
- expands their vocabulary,
- improves communication abilities,
- gain exposure to new ideas and perspectives,
- cultivate empathy by allowing them to see the world through different characters’ eyes, all of which are important for personal growth and success in school and work life.
Many young adult books become crossovers, enjoyed by adults too so if you do get them for your teenagers, check them out yourself, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
My only advice is to keep shoving good books their way, and if they don’t like one, pass it on to another, and don’t give up!
Best Young Adult Books read in 2024
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Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher
Deserved winner of the Carnegie Shadowers Award 2024, it was certainly my choice. This powerful story about Erik, whose life is falling apart since the death of his father, is written in verse and is an excellent choice for reluctant readers. As Erik’s behaviour continues to go downhill, he starts attracting the wrong crowd finding himself in the world of drug dealing, trapped houses and violence. When his sister’s lives are put at risk, Erik will have to cross one more line. (11 – 18)
We Were Liars by E Lockhart
A TikTok phenomenon. This psychological suspense novel is set on a private island owned by a beautiful and distinguished family where four friends (Liars) meet every year to spend the summer together. A tale that weaves love, truth, a revolution and an accident and lies. Many, many lies. (14+)
The Door Of No Return by Kwame Alexander
An historical fiction novel set in the 19th century in Asante (modern day Ghana) written in verse, where Kofi ends up fighting for his life. What happens next takes Kofi on a harrowing journey away from everything he loves. The story shows the wholeness of African lives before they walked through the ‘door of no return’ and were shipped to the Americas. (11-14)
Gloves off by Louisa Reid
Written in verse, Gloves Off tells the story of Lily who, bullied at school, learns to box to fight back. It is a difficult and challenging undertaking where she meets a friend, Rose who shows her there is another life out there. (12-18)
The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
A ‘romantasy’ where Violet, who is expected to live a life as a scholar surrounded by books, is forced into the world’s deadliest training ground. She must fight to join the army’s elite dragon riders. Many cadets want to kill Violet to improve their own success, others want to destroy her because of her name so Violet must use everything she’s got to survive, because the only ways out of this training ground are to graduate or die. (18+ very spicy!)
Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen
This book kicks off with high tension when 15-year-old Sarah is orphaned when her mother is killed at a checkpoint. Set in WWII, Sarah takes on a dangerous mission that no one else will try. (13 – 16)
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
“The Handmaid’s Tale for the Insta generation.” THE TIMES
There are two options for girls, 1. Follow the Doctrine, apply your mask and work hard to be crowned at the ceremony, and be a Pretty or 2. Fight the rules like Joni does. Leave your face free of make-up and work hard for the Education and be an Objectionable.
Or maybe make up your own rules and reclaim your power if you can. (14+)
There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake
Shelby’s mum likes to keep her safe because anything can happen. So the seventeen-year-old barely goes out, is home-schooled and rarely meets anyone. However, when Shelby is knocked down by a car, her mother turns up at the hospital and the two drive off on an adventure. But everywhere Shelby looks, a coyote is telling her not to believe. Who is Shelby? (12+)
Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
14 year old Ronny wants to be a rapper but after a tragedy, his mum decides to move out of London and Ronny finds himself, a black kid in a mostly white school. He feels an outsider and tries to keep his head down. But when a poet visits the school, Ronny realises that rap is like the spoken word and maybe he still can achieve his dreams. 12+
Us In The Before And After by Jenny Valentine
Grab the tissues for this one. One single tragic act, and a sudden death force Elk and Mab into an intensely emotional story that explores the bond of friendship, love, and ghosts. Beautifully written and a real page turner. 12+
King Of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
Anton and his friends are the kings of year 9 and don’t care about anything. But when he gets into trouble, his mother does! She sends Anton to make new friends with the Happy Campers and he has to spend time with the school’s biggest loser, Matthew. Only when Matthew saves his life does Anton rethink and give his new friend a chance which leads to him questioning everything he held important until that moment. Hilariously written, it will have you chickling all the way through. 11+
Handle With Care by Louisa Reid
16 year old Ruby gives birth at school in a history class. She didn’t even know she was pregnant, she’d only had sex once. Her world is thrown into chaos and keeping the baby isn’t an option but she cannot tell anyone who the father is, especially her best friend Ashley. If Ashley finds out the truth, she’ll lose her best friend too. It’s when Ruby realises what she and her baby need that she takes matters into her own hands. Heartbreaking and will stay with you long after you finish the last page. (14 – 18)
These Young Adult books read during 2024 offer a diverse range of stories, from powerful verse novels to thrilling adventures and heartfelt dramas. Whether your teen is an avid reader or just getting started, these librarian-recommended picks are sure to captivate, inspire, and spark meaningful discussions. Remember, the best way to get teens reading is to keep introducing them to stories they can connect with—and maybe enjoy a few yourself along the way! Which one will you pick up first?