Finding the right book for teen readers can be challenging. learning liftoff can help with this list of recent releases, based on major award recipients (including caldecott, newbery, coretta scott king), bestseller lists, and reader reviews.
You are reading: Good books for 13 year olds 2015
kwame alexander crossing
age range: 10 years
kwame alexander not only received the john newbery medal for the author of the most distinguished contribution to american children’s literature, but his book was a winner of the coretta scott king honor award. highly acclaimed, it is a sports-themed book that is not just a sports book. written in rhythmic free verse, it is a story of basketball and brotherhood from the perspective of its 12-year-old narrator and his twin brother. Josh Bell describes life with her twin, Jordan, on and off the basketball court. When Jordan starts dating and Dad’s health declines, Josh has to prioritize his coming-of-age story.
brunette girl dreaming by jacqueline woodson
age range: 10 years
Through a series of poems, the author tells the story of growing up in ohio, south carolina and new york during the turbulent civil rights era and how he became a writer. it is a personal memory packed with historical information. “superbly written,” according to the school library journal. and the new york times book review also praises the book: “ms. Woodson writes with an accurate understanding of young people’s thinking, offering an eloquent and poetic narrative that is not simply a story. . . but a mature exploration of adult issues and self-discovery.” This book, which received the Newbery Honor, also won the Coretta Scott King Author Award and a Silbert Honor.
all the bright places of jennifer niven
age range: 14 years
Winning Goodreads Young Adult Fiction, this book tells the intense story of Theodore Finch (fascinated by death and the ways he might kill himself) and Violet Markey (counting down the days until high school graduation when she can escape from his indiana city). after meeting on the ledge of their school bell tower, their relationship takes shape. Finch helps Markey get over his sister’s death, but he can’t solve his own problems. “absorbing and compelling, like watching a train wreck,” writes commonsensemedia.org. Niven raises many questions about life, death, suicide, mental illness, physical and emotional abuse, and how we stigmatize those in pain we cannot see. With considerable use of strong language and sexual innuendo, this reading is best for grades ten and up.
queen of shadows by sarah j. mass
age range: 12 years old
Winner of Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Goodreads, this is the fourth volume of the New York Times best-selling series. This book details Celaena Sardothien (Queen of Terrasen) and her epic journey to her home to rescue her once-glorious kingdom and take revenge on the past. With everything on the line, she will battle relatives to restore her kingdom and fight for her enslaved people, including a young man trapped in a horrible prison.
the Romanov family: assassination, rebellion & the fall of imperial russia by candace fleming
age range: 12 years old
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While the Russian Empire faces intense social unrest and World War I, Tsar Nicholas II does nothing to help the country. His poor leadership leads to disastrous results for his family and for Russia. This detailed and unadorned history of Russia’s last imperial family includes descriptions of massacres and executions. Photographs and first-hand accounts from peasants and workers help put this period of social upheaval into perspective. Noting that he leaves readers with “much to discuss and analyse”, the school library magazine review gave him six stars. this book received the orbis pictus award, which recognizes outstanding non-fiction for children.
rick riordan’s sword of summer
age range: 11-16
Voted best on the list of good adult fantasy reads for middle grade readers, the author is best known for his Percy Jackson & the olympic series In this book, 16-year-old Magnus Chase, living alone on the streets of Boston, discovers that he is the son of a Norse god. Employing the wits and cunning he once used to avoid police and truant officials (as well as a long-lost weapon he searches the nine worlds to acquire), he confronts giants and monsters hell-bent on taking over the world. world. the hero makes a fatal decision, but as the book’s description says: “sometimes the only way to start a new life is to die.”
what about ali benjamin’s jellyfish
age range: 11 years old
A critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller, this coming-of-age story is a 2015 National Book Award Finalist. After losing her best friend in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced to herself that the tragedy was caused by a rare jellyfish. Doing everything in her power to prove her theory, she travels the world on a harrowing journey that uncovers life, death, and the wonders of nature. she learns that love and hope can be found close to home, as well as on the other side of the world. commonsensemedia.org writes: “Readers of all ages will have plenty to think about about pain, hope, science as a field of study, friendship, and much more on many levels.”
I’ll give you the jandy nelson sun
age range: 13 years old
this winner from michael l of yalsa. printz award for a book that exemplifies excellence in young adult literature, tells the story of twins struggling to get by after a family tragedy. It is told through the voices of 13-year-old artist Noah and 16-year-old daredevil Jude. commonsensemedia.org points out: “the novel includes three love stories, the awakening of sexuality, devotion to art, a tragic death, betrayal, remorse, and sorry there are some swear words. . . teens drinking, bullying and raping.”
popular: ancient wisdom for a modern geek by maya van wagenen
age range: 12-18 years old
A reader favourite, this book won the Library Services Association for Young Adults (YALSA) Nonfiction Award. the author details her experience in eighth grade, using a 1950s popularity guide in an attempt to confront the social hierarchy of her school. teens and tweens will bond. As noted by CommonsenseMedia.org: “Maya’s teacher uses some pretty blunt words about body parts and STDs when it comes to sex education. . . . pregnant girls get into fist fights at school. There’s a photo of the smoke from a gunfight across the border in Mexico. . . . this book could spark great conversations about what it means to be popular.”
this summer by mariko tamaki
age range: 13 years old
The first graphic novel to receive a Caldecott honor, this book was also a finalist for the Michael L. printz award. Nicely illustrated by the author’s cousin Jillian Tamaki, it’s about the transition from childhood to adolescence and the ways that friendships and family connections can change over the course of a season. Note that the book contains vivid language and its themes include unwanted teen pregnancy, miscarriage, and suicide.
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also consider
challenger deep by neal shusterman: this national book award winner deals with mental illness as a bright high school student struggles with the concept of mutiny on a ship headed for the deepest point below of the earth’s surface.
Kara McGuire’s Smart Spending: The Teen’s Guide to Cash, Credit, and Costs of Living: Common sense strategies and clear explanations of economic principles to help young adults manage their finances.
the bray carnival by jessie ann foley: the book was a book by michael l. a printz award finalist, and the author was named a finalist for yalsa’s william c. morris award for excellence among newcomers writing for teens.
I lived on the hill of the butterflies by Marjorie Agosín: Winner of the Pura Belpré Award as the work that best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience.
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and Steve Sheinkin’s Secret History of the Vietnam War: Non-fiction account of whistleblower daniel ellsberg, going from obscure government worker to expose government lies during the nixon era. finalist for the national book award.
Sequel to Rainbow Rowell: Complete with ghosts, vampires, and some humor, this love/mystery story follows the triumphs and heartaches of the author’s best-selling fangirl Simon and Baz.
It’s your world: get informed, get inspired and get going! by chelsea clinton: The former first daughter talks about her vision to make the world a better place with stories of children who have made an impact.
gabi, a girl in pieces by isabel quintero: the writer received yalsa from william c. morris award, which celebrates first-time writers writing for teens. The book recounts the difficult final year of an aspiring poet as she prepares for college.
The Boys in the Boat: The True Story of an American Team’s Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics by Daniel James Brown: Young Athletes Set Goals and Exceed Them with courage and determination.
Be sure to check out our other children’s book reviews for more gift ideas on learning take off!
See Also: 30 Book Awards You Should Know About (Trad & Self-Pub!)