Books About Anxiety & Worry for Ages 12–18

Anxiety in adolescence can be paralyzing. Social anxiety, performance anxiety, the spiral of worst-case thinking that feels impossible to interrupt. These 554 books take all of it seriously and offer characters who are learning to function alongside the worry rather than waiting for it to disappear.

554 books

Fat Glenda #3

Fat Glenda Turns Fourteen

Lila Perl

After regaining lost weight, Glenda is deeply unhappy until she discovers the world of plus-size modeling. This new oppo

Ages 10–14

Clone

Malcolm Rose

Jordan Finch's dad is on the verge of human cloning, but Jordan has seen the devastating effects on animals. When a myst

Ages 9–12

A Series of Unfortunate Events #2

The Reptile Room

Lemony Snicket

For readers who cheer for underdogs and unravel mysteries, join the Baudelaire orphans as they desperately try to expose

Ages 8–12

Crooked Smile: What It Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, & Crime

Jared Klickstein

Jared Klickstein shares his raw, personal journey from a secretive childhood with addict parents to homelessness on Skid

Ages 16–18

Something Beyond Paradise

Jan Slepian

Franny, 17, longs for a dance career while dealing with an unhappy mother and a grandmother with fading memory in Hawaii

Ages 14–18

Pet Trouble #2

Loudest Beagle on the Block

Tui T. Sutherland

Shy Ella gets a new beagle, Trumpet, who helps her connect with the world. But when she practices for the school talent

Ages 8–12

Emmie & Friends #2

Positively Izzy

Terri Libenson

Izzy, a creative dreamer, struggles with schoolwork, while Bri, a shy academic, longs to be seen as more than just her g

Ages 8–12

Golden Boys

Sonya Hartnett

For the young person navigating the unsettling truth that family appearances can be deceiving, revealing dark secrets be

Ages 12–17

Crashing in Love

Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Twelve-year-old Peyton, determined to find her perfect first boyfriend and ideal summer, finds her plans derailed when s

Ages 8–12

The Book of Dust #2

The Secret Commonwealth

Philip Pullman

Twenty-year-old Lyra Silvertongue finds her quiet college life shattered when her daemon witnesses a murder, forcing her

Ages 12–18

Click #5

Crunch

Kayla Miller

Olive loves trying new things, but with guitar lessons, film making, Berry Scouts, and school reform, she's completely o

Ages 8–12

Rosemarked #2

Umbertouched

Livia Blackburne

In this thrilling sequel, Zivah and Dineas return from a failed mission to find their people on the brink of war. They m

Ages 12–18

Alice #19

Including Alice

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Alice's world is shifting as her father remarries and her brother moves out. She struggles to adjust to these major life

Ages 10–14

Class Trip

Robert Munsch

For kids who love silly class trip antics, this story also explores a shy boy's anxieties about fitting in and unexpecte

Ages 4–12

Bad Kitty (Nick Bruel) #9

Bad Kitty Takes the Test

Nick Bruel

After a string of bad behavior, Bad Kitty's cat license is revoked. To regain her feline status, she must face the ultim

Ages 8–12

Lolo's Light

Liz Garton Scanlon

Millie faces an unimaginable tragedy when her neighbors' infant dies unexpectedly on her watch. This honest and empathet

Ages 8–12

The Canyon's Edge

Dusti Bowling

Nora is still reeling from her mother's death when a climbing accident leaves her stranded and fighting for her life in

Ages 10–14

Andie's Moon

Linda Newbery

Andie, a young artist in 1969 London, finds her best paintings inspired by the moon. As the world anticipates the moon l

Ages 8–12

Someday Angeline #2

Dogs Don't Tell Jokes

Louis Sachar

For the middle grader learning to embrace their true self while navigating the tricky world of friendships and fitting i

Ages 10–14

Sonny's War

Valerie Hobbs

Fourteen-year-old Cori navigates profound changes in the late 1960s as she grapples with her father's unexpected death a

Ages 10–14

Anastasia Krupnik #7

Anastasia Off Her Rocker

Lois Lowry

Anastasia Krupnik is sure her parents are making her crazy and her hormones are to blame. Convinced she needs psychiatri

Ages 8–12

The Star Shards Chronicles #1

Scorpion Shards

Neal Shusterman

Six outcast teenagers discover an evil force has taken control of them, feeding on their destructive desires. They must

Ages 8–12

Anastasia Krupnik #4

Anastasia, Ask Your Analyst

Lois Lowry

For the child navigating the chaotic, often hilarious, journey of self-discovery, school projects, and family quirks in

Ages 10–13

A Resurrection of Magic #2

Sacred Scars

Kathleen Duey

Exiled Somiss hoards ancient magic while Sadima and Franklin secretly record it. Generations later, students Hahp and Ge

Ages 12–18

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