Top 20 books for tweens and teens
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Top 20 books for tweens and teens
Top 20 books for tweens and teens
We asked Netmums members to tell us what books their tweens and teens have enjoyed reading recently and after sifting through the results we’ve compiled a list of the top picks, which include adventure, science fiction and even the odd classic.
The Fault in our Stars
This story is narrated by a 16-year-old cancer patient named Hazel, who is forced by her parents to attend a support group. There she meets and falls in love with Augustus, a 17-year-old amputee.
While extremely tragic in parts, this is an insightful and sometimes even funny read.
Probably more suited to teens than tweens due to the emotional theme.
Divergent (trilogy)
Fans of The Hunger Games or the Twilight saga are sure to love the Divergent trilogy.
Set in a dystopian world, this New York Times bestseller is captivating from the word go and bound to have any teen hooked.
One word of warning though; while the first two books in the trilogy recieved rave reviews, many people have criticised the third for not being up to par.
Best for teens.
Echo Boy
A futuristic thriller set in 2115.
Echoes are sophisticated, emotionless machines, which are built to resemble humans.
Daniel is an echo; but he soon realises he's not like the others when he falls in love - a feeling he's not supposed to be capable of - with Audrey, a human being.
A powerful and highly original story about love and danger.
Suitbable for teens and tweens.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
A funny, touching, memorable novel, which delves into the life of Charlie, a socially awkward teenager, on the brink of adulthood.
A real coming of age story, which any tween or teen is bound to associate with.
A pleasure to read.
Noughts and Crosses
The first book in the Noughts and Crosses trilogy.
An exciting, fast-paced novel, set in an alternative history where Crosses rule and Noughts - who were once slaves to the Crosses - are the underclass.
Sephy - a daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country - is a Cross and Callum is a Nought. Despite their social differences they have been friends since childhood, but as their friendship blossoms into romance they find themselves in terrible danger.
Contains violence, so more suitable for teens than tweens.
Just Listen
A captivating story about learning to forgive and forget.
Annabel is a young girl who appears to have it all, but when her best friend turns against her and her family starts to fall apart, there's only one person who can save her.
A great book for tweens and teens.
Matched (trilogy)
Set in a futuristic, dystopian world; the Matched trilogy focuses on 17-year-old Cassia and her conflicting feelings for Xander - with whom she was 'matched' by society - and Ky - who is an aberration (someone who has done something wrong or is related to someone who has).
Who does she really love?
If you liked The Hunger Games you'll love this!
Suitable for teens.
13 Reasons Why
When Clay Jensen returns home to discover a package with his name on it, he doesn't realise his life is about to change forever.
Inside he finds several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and first love - who committed suicide.
On the tapes, which he listens to one after the other, Hannah explains there were 13 reasons why she killed herself and Clay was one of them.
This novel is sad, amazing and heartbreaking in equal measures - if you enjoyed The Fault in our Stars, you'll love this.
Best for teens.
The Hunger Games (trilogy)
A fast-paced novel, which despite being set in a dark vision of the near future, shares disturbing parallels to the present.
16-year-old Katniss is forced to take part in the deadliest reality TV show ever - The Hunger Games - a fight to the death on live TV. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.
Contains violence so best for teens rather than tweens.
Uglies
A futuristic novel which follows the life of Tally, a 15-year-old 'ugly' who desperately wants to be a 'pretty'.
But when Tally's friend runs away from the authorities and Tally is forced to make a difficult desicion about whether or not to turn her friend in, she sees a whole new side to the 'pretty' world she had so longed to be a part of.
Perfect for teenage girls.
Wonder
Auggie is a typical 10-year-old boy, who is ordinary in every way. Except for a terrible facial abnormality, which terrifies other children.
As a result he's been home-schooled by his parents, but now he's ready to start a real school and he's dreading it. He just wants to be accepted.
A charming, funny and extremely unforgetable read.
Suitable for tweens and teens.
Holes
Stanley has a history of bad luck, so when a miscarriage of justice sends him to a juvenile dentention centre, he's not in the least bit suprised.
While there an evil warden makes him dig a big hole for no apparent reason other than claiming it's character building.
But Stanley must dig up the truth.
A wonderfully inventive novel, which is both serious and funny.
Great for teens and tweens.
A Wrinkle in Time
A classic children's story which is both a mixture of fantasy and science fiction.
When Charles goes searching through a 'wrinkle in time' for his lost father, he finds himself on an evil planet, which is controlled by a huge pulsating brain called 'It'.
A magical book which challenges the way we think.
Suitable for tweens and teens.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The first book in a series of five begins on a typical Thursday afternoon at Arthur's house.
When all of a sudden the earth gets demolished by a group of poetry-loving Vogons, who want to make way for a new hyperspace bypass and Arthur's best friend annouces he's an alien.
An enjoyable and easy read.
Suitable for teens and tweens.
Jane Eyre
Often described as the greatest love story of all time, Jane Eyre is set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire Moors.
It beautifully details Jane's battle with a cruel guardian, her epic romance with Mr Rochester and her fight against a rigid social order.
This powerful classic is best for the older reader.
To Kill a Mockingbird
When Tom, a black man, is charged with raping Mayella, a white girl, Atticus - a middle-aged lawyer and widowed father of two - agrees to take on the case.
Events quickly spiral out of control when Tom is found guilty - despite significant evidence to the contray. He subsequently attempts to escape from prison and is shot and killed by Mayella's father, who vows revenge on Atticus and his family.
Best for teens.
One Moment
A heartbreaking look at how one moment can change everything you believe in the world around you.
When Maggie's boyfriend, Joey dies unexpectedly she struggles to recall the events leading up to his death. But as her memory slowly returns in snatches she's more confused than ever before.
A real page turner, great for tweens and teens.
City of Bones
Clary Fray is a typical American teenager, but everything changes the night she witnesses the Shadowhunters - secret warriors dedicated to driving demons out of this dimesion and back to their own - commit a murder.
Funny and dark with an unexpected twist at the end.
Suitable for teens.
The Diary of a Young Girl
This true story is a fascinating must-read.
Anne is a 13-year-old girl, who, along with the rest of her family, is forced to go into hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in the 1940s. They spent the next two years living in close quarters in a warehouse in Amsterdam, during which time Anne details her feelings of frustration and her longings as she grows up in such unusual circumstances.
Suitable for teens and tweens.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
Christopher is a 15-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome. He knows what he likes - lists and patterns - and he knows what he hates - the colours yellow and brown. He knows little about human beings and has never ventured further than the end of his road on his own.
But when he discovers his neighbour's dog has been murdered he becomes embroiled in a detective plot which is sure to have young readers hooked.
A truly wonderful read for teens and tweens.
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