Ages 12–18

10,774 books for children ages 12–18

Young adult books take children seriously as thinkers. The questions get harder here: identity, justice, love, loss, the dawning awareness that the world is more complicated than anyone let on. These 10,774 books trust teenagers to handle complexity and reward them for it.

Simple BASIC

Gaby Waters, Paul Shreeve

For children eager to understand the early days of personal computing and learn the fundamentals of BASIC programming, t

Ages 8–12

Annie's Life in Lists

Kristin Mahoney

For the child navigating big changes, this book offers a relatable story about a fifth grader who uses lists to cope wit

Ages 9–12

African Proverbs for All Ages

Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Nelda LaTeef

For families seeking timeless wisdom and a deeper connection to African culture, this book offers guidance for everyday

Ages 6–12

What Boys Really Want?

Pete Hautman

Follow a high school student as he grapples with the mysteries of relationships, the pressures of school, and the challe

Ages 12–16

Wagnificent #2

The Adventures of Thunder and Sage

Bethanie Murguia

For kids navigating big feelings and new friendships, this adventurous graphic novel explores courage, self-discovery, a

Ages 8–12

Playing in Traffic

Gail Giles

For teens grappling with toxic relationships and hidden agendas, this gripping thriller explores the dark side of attrac

Ages 14–18

Blue Eyes Better

Ruth Wallace-Brodeur

For children navigating the profound sadness of losing a sibling, this story offers a tender look at a family's journey

Ages 8–12

Mighty Justice: The Untold Story of Civil Rights Trailblazer Dovey Johnson Roundtree

Katie McCabe, Jabari Asim

For children inspired by real-life heroes who fought for a better world, this book shares the incredible journey of a pi

Ages 9–14

White Crow

Marcus Sedgwick

For the teen navigating a new town and processing loss, this book offers a chilling mystery, a new friendship, and a sum

Ages 14–18

Ben Braver #2

Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid

Marcus Emerson

For the child who loves gross-out humor and wild adventures, Ben Braver offers a chaotic, laugh-out-loud story full of u

Ages 8–12

Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon

Van Hoang

For the child exploring their cultural roots and the unique magic found in everyday family businesses, this story shines

Ages 8–12

Matthew Meets the Man

Travis Nichols

For teens grappling with the challenges of high school and finding their place, this story offers a relatable look at na

Ages 13–18

Planes, Gliders, Helicopters, and Other Flying Machines

Terry Jennings

For the child who constantly asks, "how does that work?" this book explains the magic of flight with diagrams, illustrat

Ages 8–12

Yukie's Island: My Family's World War II Story

Yukie Kimura, Kōdo Kimura, Steve Sheinkin

For families seeking to understand personal stories of resilience and injustice during WWII, this book shares a Japanese

Ages 8–12

The Ghosts of Heaven

Marcus Sedgwick

For readers who enjoy a deep, thought-provoking puzzle, this unique novel explores obsession, madness, and humanity's en

Ages 14–18

Sharks Nature's Perfect Hunter

Joe Flood

For the child who can't get enough of fascinating sea creatures, this graphic novel dives deep into the incredible world

Ages 8–12

Cilla Lee-Jenkins #2

Cilla Lee-Jenkins: The Epic Story

Susan Tan

For a child adjusting to a new sibling and exploring their biracial identity, this humorous 'memoir' captures the big fe

Ages 8–12

FBI Files #3

Uncovering a Terrorist Agent Ryan Dwyer and the Case of the Portland Bomb Plot

Bryan Denson

For readers curious about how real-life investigative journalism uncovers dangerous plots, this book offers a gripping l

Ages 11–14

Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place

Julie Berry

For readers who love a clever mystery with a dash of dark humor, this book empowers children to consider justice, loyalt

Ages 9–14

Pocket Bios

Anne Frank

Al Berenger

For children learning about difficult historical events, this book introduces the powerful story of Anne Frank's resilie

Ages 9–12

Flight Risk

Jennifer Fenn

For young adults navigating overwhelming pressures and difficult choices, this book explores finding strength and resili

Ages 13–18

Who what Wear

Olivia Bennett

For a child navigating the tricky balance of keeping a big secret while trying to fit in, this book explores the pressur

Ages 9–12

Eagle Drums

Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson

For the child grappling with finding their voice or cultural identity, this story explores resilience, tradition, and th

Ages 9–12

Engineering: The Riveting World of Buildings and Machines

Tom Jackson

For the curious child who constantly asks "how does that work?", this book unveils the scientific secrets behind buildin

Ages 9–13