Books are often used to briefly “escape” the difficult realities of one’s own life; at the same time, stories can encourage teenage readers to find inner strength to resolve life challenges by identifying with the book character and the story’s events. The following recommended books are no exception. They depict various challenges young adults face through relatable characters and artful writing. (Learn about bibliotherapy here.)
Thanks to writer Misty Wilson for several of these teen book recommendations! You can follow her bookstagram @read.fine.print for more Insta-worthy book photos and recommendations. Misty’s Reading Guide (with discussion questions on YA books she recommends) can be downloaded here.
Here are some of our favorite therapeutic books for “tweens” (ages 10 – 13) and teens. Books that are ideal for older teens (14+ years) are marked with an asterisk.
1. ReStart by Gordon Korman
13-year-old Chase Anderson gets a do-over when a fall from his roof causes him to forget his entire life. As he rediscovers what kind of person he was (popular jock, feared bully), he makes new friends and has the opportunity to decide who he wants to be.
2. Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Middle-schooler “Ghost” has a natural talent for running. Coach gives him a chance to pursue his dream of being an athlete if he can only stay out of trouble. Ghost learns about moving on from his past and connecting with others. (Dad is gone due to domestic violence - endangered family w/ gun, drugs briefly mentioned.)
3. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A gorilla lives in a small enclosure with only a stray dog and a nearby elephant to keep him company. The elephant dies soon after a baby elephant arrives, and Ivan promises her she won’t live there forever. He has to do amazing things to keep this promise. Themes: anger, true family (not necessarily your blood relatives), boldness.
4. Holes by Louis Sachar
This popular, award-winning book is the story of a teenager named Stanley Yelnats who is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile detention work camp. He explores themes of justice and redemption, makes some unexpected friends, and finds a chance to break his family’s curse.
5. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
5th grader August struggles with acceptance upon starting middle school due to a facial difference he’s had since birth. Incorporating the perspectives of August’s peers and family, the reader is challenged to rethink the meaning of kindness, friendship, empathy, and worth.
6. Swing It, Sunny by Jennifer & Matthew Holm
In this graphic novel (comic book style), Sunny copes with her brother being away at a school for troubled teens while facing her own challenges of starting middle school, allergy shots, and learning to twirl flags with her new neighbor. She has a best friend, her parents, and her grandpa to support her along the way. Can time heal her relationship with her brother? (Drug use and “wrong friends” mentioned as reason for Sunny’s brother being in trouble.)
7. Mallory McDonald, Super Snoop by Laurie Friedman
Mallory learns the importance of respecting others’ privacy the hard way. Feeling left out and desperate to find out what her brother is up to, she goes against her friend’s advice and her babysitter’s orders to spy on her brother and his girlfriend. After sneaking and then exaggerating about what she sees, Mallory finds herself in a heap of trouble. She’ll need to think hard about how to apologize and earn her brother’s trust back.
8. American Panda* by Gloria Chao
A Taiwanese-American girl goes to college and questions everything her parents taught her. She meets a boy she likes but he’s Japanese, she wants to study dance instead of medicine, she wants to get to know her estranged brother. Themes include Taiwanese culture, doing what’s right vs. family loyalty, and obedience.
9. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Nine-year-old Ada escapes her mother’s abuse when children are shipped out of London because of the war. She flourishes in the home of a lady named Susan, and Ada begins to understand more about what life is really about.
10. Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Bud is a foster kid at the beginning of the story and he is treated terribly so he runs away. On the road during the Great Depression, Bud meets hunger, other homeless people, and charity. In the end, he finds his actual family.
11. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
A young girl matures over the summer of 1793, when yellow fever devastates her town and her family. She learns how to work hard and how to be independent when her family is ripped apart by the illness.
12. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
When her father passes away, Kit moves from Barbados to Puritan New England to live with her strict uncle. It is the seventeenth century when any odd behavior could cause someone to suspect you are a witch. The community turns against her and Kit is put on trial.
13. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Newcomer Stargirl dares to be different by being herself, and Leo is enthralled with her. When their peers don’t accept Stargirl, Leo tries to influence her to be normal. Themes of individuality, belonging, integrity, and love.
14. The Summer of Broken Things* by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Two completely opposite girls go on a trip to Italy together. They have to learn how to get along when they find out they are actually half-sisters. Themes: getting along with people who are different, selflessness, not judging people based on their looks.
Do you know a teen or pre-teen who could relate to one of these books? Please share!