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9th grade reading books for teens aged 14-15

Grade 9 books – this recommended reading list has been curated and compiled by teachers and librarians for final year middle school / junior high and freshman high school students in the 9th Grade, aged 14-15. There is a range of exciting and thought-provoking books to suit all abilities, including easy readers and more difficult texts. This list of 9th grade reading recommendations contains titles by Jeff Zentner, Jason Reynolds, Liz Kessler, Adam Silvera, Victoria Aveyard, William Golding, Rick Yancey, Marjorie Rawlings, and more.

Books for Grade 9 – our recommendations

In the wild light by jeff zentner.

Cash’s world is about to change when his best friend Delaney gets them both full-ride scholarships to an elite school. He’ll be able to leave behind a life dominated by his father’s ill health and his late mother’s drug addiction. But can he bear to move away from his grandparents and hometown? This award-winning novel is an emotional engrossing read.

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Does the Death Cast predict someone’s time of death, or is it all just fake news? Orion Pagan and Valentino Prince are two very different characters who are both about to find out after their lives unexpectedly intertwine. This dystopian page-turner prequel to ‘They Both Die at the End’ melds emotion, conflict, and cliffhangers. It’s a gripping read.

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds

This unique mixed media words and art mash-up explores the meaning of the very oxygen we breathe. Part poetry, part cut up, and part art project Ain’t Burned All the Bright takes a look at life for a black family during the COVID pandemic in America. It’s an exceptional and engaging book to spark discussion in book clubs and to inspire less confident teens to read critically.

Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates

Based on a true story: a young African prince, Amos, was sold into slavery, aged 15. Transported to Massachusetts, he was auctioned and began 45 years as a slave. Courageous, and retaining his dignity, he never stopped dreaming of freedom – and finally, his hopes were realized.

Nothing by Janne Teller

A modern masterpiece that has won awards worldwide. Teen Pierre Anton decides that nothing matters in life and climbs into a tree. He will not move, in spite of all the efforts of his fellow students to prove him wrong. A challenging read that asks questions teens will relate to. Controversial, thought-provoking and at times disturbing.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

A group of boys is marooned on a deserted island and left to fend for themselves. What could possibly go wrong? An ideal book to study in 9th grade literature classes.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

A reluctant airman in WW2 gets closer and closer to achieving enough flights to go home but is thwarted every time in this absurdist portrayal of power and bureaucracy. This book is excellent for studying time shifts and narrative plotting.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

A highly rated and award-winning book. Written in hard-hitting and sharply crafted verse, it tells a cautionary tale of revenge. 15-year-old Will, gun at the ready and ready to kill, is forced to face the potential consequences of his actions as he descends the elevator of his building. This book is a harsh expose of the peer pressures felt by young men.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

In a dystopian world where humans are bred and controlled, can one man bring normal life back to society? A challenging read for students in grade 9.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

In this classic Pulitzer Prize winning story of prejudice, a white lawyer represents a black man accused of the most heinous of crimes in the South. Voted the best novel of the 20th century by American librarians.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Disillusioned with school, 16-year-old Holden Caulfield escapes to New York for three days where the reader finds out more about Holden’s life and Holden finds out more about how ‘phony’ the people and the world are. A classic coming-of-age story.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

The gripping multi-award-winning debut novel by John Green follows teenage Miles Halter as he leaves boarding school in search of “The Great Perhaps”. A great coming-of-age story, and a good novel to study and compare with The Catcher in the Rye.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The first book in a quintet of science fiction stories about human survival after a devastating alien invasion. Gripping and fast-paced, this series of novels will appeal to reluctant readers.

Monster by Walter Dean Meyers

The intelligent and distinctive story of Steve Harmon, charged with being the lookout in a homicide drug store robbery gone wrong is presented as a strangely detached screenplay written by Steve as a way of coping with the system and situation he finds himself trapped inside.

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

In a dystopian society divided by blood, regular people serve the rich and powerful and the silver-blooded rule with superpowers, Mare Barrow finds out she has a power, a power that changes her life forever. Dark and poignant, this is an epic thriller.

Taking Hold by Francisco Jiménez

A beautifully written autobiography that charts Franciso’s journey from growing up in California and moving to Columbia University in New York. A great story of resilience.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Two unlikely friends, George – small, quick-witted and sharp, and Lennie, large, and childlike find themselves enveloped in injustice and inevitable danger. Will they find a way to escape?

Every Day by David Levithan

A unique story about a teenager, A, who wakes up in a different life and different body each day. In many ways, A has come to terms with this – until A meets Rhiannon whom he wants to stay with every day. A great book for studying character and plot in the 9th grade. A great class reader for 9th grade students.

Under the Bridge by Michael Harman

When hotshot skateboarder Indy drops out of school after a family argument, his brother Tate tries everything to save him from a rapid descent into a life of crime. Gritty and powerful, this book will appeal to reluctant readers.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

A clever and thought-provoking graphic novel about Jin Wang who struggles to fit in at his new High School. When a visiting cousin ruins his hard-earned reputation, where will he turn? A great story of isolation and rejection and an ideal format for reluctant readers.

March by John Lewis

This graphic novel masterpiece which features vivid artwork chronicles the life of Congressman John Lewis during the civil rights movement. Widely praised, this book is a Coretta Scott King Honor book.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

When Dill’s father becomes the town pariah, he soon starts to feel the heat. Travis and Lydia are the only friends he has left, but can they help see him through to the end of school and graduation day? This book offers a harsh look at growing up in a small town in the Bible Belt and is useful to provoke discussion.

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

An intriguing story that blends science fiction, alternative realities, and superheroes into a gripping and pacey thriller. Yael, a death camp prisoner who can shapeshift, plans to impersonate a famous motorcycle racer to assassinate an ageing Hitler in a reimagined 1956. But can she escape the attention of Luka and Felix long enough to maintain her disguise? Ideal for reluctant readers, this novel features a stunning climax. A startling read for teens in the 9th grade.

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

When Ed Kennedy inadvertently stops a bank robbery, he finds himself thrust into a strange and unpredictable world where he delivers messages and makes problems vanish. But who is sending him the messages and orchestrating everything he does and what is the bigger picture? A clever mystery, peppered with plot devices and clues and written in a less formal style – this book will appeal to the more reluctant reader in grade 9.

Shadowmancer by GP Taylor

Obadiah Demurral is the epitome of evil, trying to take over not just the world, but the universe with magic and spells. Raphah, Kate, and Thomas are perhaps the only ones who can stop him. Packed with atmospheric descriptions of smuggling and ancient magic – this is a gripping read for middle graders or reluctant teen readers in grade 9 who enjoy fantasy and magic.

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

When Rosie’s parents start arguing and yelling non-stop, she goes off with her friend Windy in search of excitement and escape. This summer, however, they find much more than they bargained for. This is a powerful graphic novel page-turner and coming-of-age story.

Haunt Me by Liz Kessler

A love story with a difference. Joe is a ghost who lives in his old house after his family moves on. When a new family arrives, Erin, a lonely and bullied teenager, shares Joe’s space. A relationship develops and complications abound.

Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

A classic tale of mystery, murder, and bumps in the night. Sherlock Holmes investigates the curse of the Baskervilles and the legend of a gigantic hound that roams the bleak, marsh-infested moors. Full of peculiar suspects and strange phenomena. A gripping read for 9th grade teens who enjoy mysteries and adventures.

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

An award-winning science-fiction novel, set in Opium, a country between Mexico and the United States. A complex story of drugs, power, treachery, and cloning; this fast-moving text follows the adventures of Matt, his allies, and his foes. A good book to discuss in 9th grade literature classes.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

A powerful autobiography from Maya Angelou. Living with her grandmother, Maya and her brother feel abandoned and despised by the local community. Back with their mother in St. Louis, eight-year-old Maya is attacked by a man and is left traumatized. Many years later, kindness, her strength of character and her love of literature allow her to feel free.

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Regarded as one of the hundred best novels of all time, this classic book is an enduring anti-war polemic. Elements of science fiction and time travel combine with WW2 experiences. A must-read.

The Yearling by Marjorie Rawlings

Jody Baxter is a young boy who lives in the 1870s with his impoverished family in the Florida backwoods. The story revolves around a fawn called Flag which Jody adopts and grows up with. In this coming-of-age tale, Jody lives through hunger, fear, and loneliness; anger and rejection – but ultimately finds peace through the love of his family.

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

A classic best-selling book that was described by The New York Times as ‘original, remarkable, and finally heartbreaking … impossible to put down.’ An account, in their own words, of the battles, broken treaties and massacres that left the American Indians landless and defeated.

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

In this complicated love story, Natasha has to fight deportation back to Jamaica, and Daniel is being pushed by his Korean parents to get on with his life. These two young people, with nothing in common and different ambitions, meet, and this sets off a sequence of events that will change their lives.

Revolutionary Summer by Joseph Ellis

A brilliant examination of the people, the politics and the military battles in the summer of 1776 in America. The actions of both sides are brought together into a single story explaining how British actions provoked an American response and vice versa. A more challenging read for 9th grade students.

Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

The Magisterium draws the reader into an alternative world. Glenn and Kevin have lived next to The Rift for 16 years – but they have never been allowed to cross to the other side. Events conspire and when they are forced to leave home, there is only one way to go – across the Rift and into the unknown. A gripping and compelling read.

The Odyssey by Homer

The classic Greek poem about Odysseus and his ten-year journey home after the fall of Troy. The contemporary slant and lyricism capture the scale of Homer’s epic poetry in an absorbing retelling of the mythical legend.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A classic novel that has been a bestseller for over 30 years. Set in a New England boarding school for boys during WW2, the relationship between Gene and Phineas is tested, stretched and altered forever. Innocence is lost and the world changed. A great book for students in grade 9.

Merriam-Webster’s School Dictionary

With over 100,000 word definitions and 28,000 usage explanations this dictionary for students aged 14+ has been specifically designed for high school grades. It also includes synonyms, etymology, illustrations, and a Handbook of Style, making this an ideal resource for college preparation and personal statement writing.

Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this 9th grade book list, as well as classroom sets of any of these books and many more, from Bookshop.org. Or buy the 20 most popular titles from this list from Amazon – ideal for gifts or stocking your school library. If you are ordering from outside the US, have a look at our ‘worldwide orders’ page which makes this process easy.

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This booklist was last updated on February 9th, 2024 and first published in 2017 .

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50 Must-Read​ Books for Ninth Graders

by AuthorAmy

Welcome to Amy’s Bookshelf! Here, teachers will find carefully curated book lists for each grade level from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Moving forward, new lists filled with book recommendations will be published weekly. Sometimes, these lists will be organized around a specific theme, like a holiday or seasonal event. Other times, they will feature rockstar books – books practically guaranteed to get your students reading. 

Before jumping into reading recommendations, a few words about how books are selected.

First, it is so important that teachers prioritize reading interest over reading level. Students will often choose to read well above or below their reading level if they are particularly interested in a book or topic. Teachers only hurt students by limiting them to a specific selection of titles grouped according to an arbitrary number or level. Think of the books on these lists as starting places for you and your students, but if a student wants to read up (or down), that is a-ok.

Also, please note that these lists lean heavily toward modern selections as opposed to the classics many teachers are familiar with. A true renaissance is happening in children’s literature today, and the books coming out are truly exciting. One of the factors that makes this such an exciting time for kid lit is how diverse the selections are in terms of genre, characters and subject matter. These lists will feature fiction and nonfiction selection as well as graphic novels, novels written in verse, and more.

Any book list or classroom library worth its salt includes books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters, racially diverse characters, characters with disabilities, characters in the foster care system, characters from a wide variety of socioeconomic and religious backgrounds, and so on. Importantly, the diversity of the characters doesn’t always need to be the focus of the literature – in other words, a book featuring a black character or gay character doesn’t need to be about those individuals exploring their blackness or their gayness; those characters can have kid problems that apply to all children regardless of their race or sexual orientation. Similarly, students should be encouraged to read stories featuring people of diversity all year long – not just during a month set aside to celebrate a specific heritage.

One final note: today’s children’s literature does not shy away from frank discussions of gender, race, sex, sexuality, abuse, mental illness, and more – nor should it. I will not censor books from these lists based on these controversial areas. What books you recommend will depend on the specific district you work in and your clientele. I encourage you and your students to read widely without fear.

Ninth Grade

Ninth grade is when many students enter high school, and is generally the division between middle grade and young adult literature. Young adult literature features teens in the midst of adolescence. Often, they are facing greater challenges and have greater independence than protagonists in middle grade books. You’ll see that the books on this list begin to treat heavier topics, and authors often write candidly and with truth. 

Just so you know, Bored Teachers may get a small share of the sales made through the Amazon affiliate links on this page.

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Get it HERE .

Melinda got invited to THE high school party of the summer but the party got out of hand and she called the cops to break up the party. Now, she’s starting ninth grade as a social pariah. No one knows why Melinda calls the cops, but readers figure out pretty quickly that something traumatic happened at the party. The rest of the novel is about Melinda finding her voice to speak up about what happened. 

2. Long Way Down

by Jason Reynolds

Long Way Down is as good as young adult literature gets, it’s an absolute must read. Will’s brother Shawn has been killed by gang violence, so Will grabs a gun to avenge his brother, gets on an elevator, and begins a 60-second elevator ride down that will change his life. At each floor, the elevator stops and the ghost of someone in Will’s life who has been killed by gun violence gets on and talks to Will. It’s a novel in verse, and it’s powerful. 

3. Every Day

by David Levithan

Narrator and genderless protagonist A wakes up every day in a different body. A lives a day in the life of that person, then wakes up the next day as someone else. A does everything A can to leave that day’s life unimpacted, until A meets Rhiannon, who A falls in love with. This is a remarkable exploration of the nature true love and how it exists outside of physical appearance and gender. 

4. Eleanor and Park

by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park could not be more different, but the two become friends and fall in love on the bus ride to and from school. But whereas Park comes from a loving, safe family home, Eleanor’s homelife contains dark secrets that haunt her and her ability to believe she is deserving of love. 

5. Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson

Jade is an aspiring artist, and she tries to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along to help her find success. She commutes to an elite private school every day and is especially looking forward to a chance to go on the school’s study abroad trip this year when she is suddenly enrolled in a mentoriship program called Women to Women. Jade is positive she’s selected for this only because she is poor and black, and as a result she resents the placement.  

6. The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch

Miles O’Malley is obsessed with Rachel Carson and aspires to be a naturalist just like her. One night he is exploring the Puget Sound low tide and stumbles across a giant squid. Suddenly, Miles finds himself at the center of a media firestorm. Miles is just navigating the pitfalls of growing up, including his crush on his much-older babysitter and watching his parents’ marriage fall apart. The sea, which once was home, now offers as many questions as it gives answers. 

7. The Whisper

by Pamela Zagarenski

In this picture book about imagination, a girl borrows a book from her teacher but the words leak out on the way home (a helpful fox catches the words as he follows along behind). When the girl sits down to read the now-wordless story, she hears a whisper telling her to imagine the story however she’d like. 

8. Hidden Figures Young Readers Edition

by Margot Lee Shetterly

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were NASA’s human computers tasked with performing the difficult mathematical calculations needed to launch rockets into space. In spite of this intensely important work, the black women rarely received the respect they deserved. The civil rights movement and the gender equlity movement are both highlighted in this remarkable nonfiction work.

by Jennifer Mathieu

Vivian Carter’s mom was a Riot Girl in the 90s punk era, but Vivian finds herself hard-pressed to stand up for herself, especially in the face of the sexism she notices at her school. She decides to start an anonymous feminist magazine she distributes at school. Pretty quickly, the zine catches on and the school finds its has a revolution on its hands. 

10. The Crossover

by Kwame Alexander

Narrator Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan are 12-year-old basketball superstars. Josh is also an aspiring rapper, so his story is told in verse. This is the story of their championship year, a year in their lives when basketball and relationships collide. A year of growing up.  

11. How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

by Georgia Bragg and illustrated by Kevin O’ Malley

What could be a gross, gruesome book ends up being darkly humorous. As the title suggests, this is the nonfiction account of how 19 famous people met their demise, from Albert Einstein to King Tut. It’s morbid but entertaining. 

12. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader’s Edition by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

William Kamkwamba lives in Malawi, and when a drought strikes his village, his family’s crops fail and they are left without a livelihood. William, a budding scientist, turns to the library for a solution and ends up constructing a windmill to bring electricity back to the family farm. It’s an incredible true story.

13. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

In this memoir in verse, author Jacqueline Woodson shares how it felt to belong to two places growing up. Her time was split between New York and South Carolina, which were starkly different experiences during the civil rights movement. Brown Girl Dreaming won the National Book Award. 

14. American Born Chinese

by Gene Luen Yang

This graphic novel explores identity, nationality, and heritage as the central character, Jim Wang, just wants to be seen as an all-American boy, not as the Chinese-American student in his school. 

15. Boxers (and Saints)

by Gene Luen Yang 

Boxers and Saints is a two-volume graphic novel. The companion books explore the Chinese Boxer Rebellion from opposite sides of the violent conflict. In Boxers, Little Bao leads an army of “boxers” (or kung fu-fighting commoners) against the enemy. 

16. I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Reader’s Edition)

by Malala Yousafza i with Patricia McCormick

Ten-year-old Malala Yousafzai watches her beloved Pakistan overtaken by the Taliban. She is suddenly told she is not allowed to go to school but defies this new order. She is shot point-blank in the head and, against all odds, survived. She is now a global advocate for education and women’s rights. 

17. Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card

by Sara Saedi

In this true account, Sara Saedi has lived in the United States since she was two years old, but it is only at age 13 that she discovers her family’s undocumented status. Now she has one more fear to add to her list of adolescent worries – being deported! This story grapples with big political issues like immigration and teen issues like acne and unibrows.

18. We Contain Multitudes

by Sarah Henstra

Jonathan Hopkirk and Adam “Kurl” Kurlansky are assigned to write letters to each other for an English class pen pal project. Their letter-writing turns into a secret love, which homophobia threatens to destroy.

19. Persepolis

by Marjane Satrapi

This is the author’s graphic novel memoir about growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution. The author gives readers a glimpse into the day-to-day life in Iran as well as the political conflict the country is embroiled in. 

20. Atlantia

by Ally Condie

Environmental devastation has driven the human race to construct an underwater city called Atlantia. Only select people are allowed to repopulate Above. Rio dreams about seeing the world outside of Atlantia, but her twin sister robs her of the opportunity. 

21. Love and First Sight

by Josh Sundquist

Will is blind, and at 16, this means his life looks a bit different than others teenagers. When he is given the chance to undergo an experimental surgery to give him sight, he takes the chance but soon discovers the sighted world is more complicated than he expected. 

22. Caraval

by Stephanie Garber

Scarlett and Tella live under the cruel thumb of their father, but when an invitation to Caraval arrives just before Scarlett’s arranged marriage, she risks everything to see the performance she has dreamed of since she was a child. The world of Caraval turns out to be more than Scarlett bargained for, and soon she is tangled in a web of intrigue. This is the first in a trilogy. 

23. Talking Leaves by Joseph Bruchac

Uwohali’s father Sequoyah can talk of nothing but the strange markings he has invented, making villagers talk of witchcraft. But Sequoyah has invented an alphabet and wishes to share this new knowledge with his people. This is a really interesting foray into historical fiction and the origins of the Cherokee alphabet.

24. The Secret History of Us

by Jessi Kirby

After a horrific car accident, Olivia wakens with amnesia. She has no memory of anything that defines her, and this includes no memory of courtship with her boyfriend Matt. This is the story of Olivia trying to navigate through who she is now versus who everyone told her she was before the accident.  

25. Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time

by Tanya Lee Stone

Girl Rising is a global campaign for girl’s education. The Girl Rising campaign has produced a film and now this book with the same name. Each looks at barriers to women’s education in the world today, from sex trafficking to poverty. Each works to get girls an education and change the world. 

26. Does My Head Look Big in This?

by Randa Abdel-Fattah

At 16, Amal decides to start wearing a hijab, the headdress of her Muslim faith, full time. With this decision comes hatred and prejudice. Amal is not trying to stand out and would prefer to be noticed for other things beyond her hijab. 

27. The Upside of Unrequited

by Becky Albertalli

Molly is a self-proclaimed fat girl who has never been kissed. Or, more accurately, she’s never let a boy kiss her for fear of rejection. Two new boys enter her orbit – one, the handsome hipster type, and the other a chubby Tolkein fan, and Molly learns a thing or two about attraction. 

28. Landscape with Invisible Hand

by M.T. Anderson

An alien race called the vuvv lands on earth and offers up advanced technology and medicine for free. Ironically, the new tech means a lot of people on earth are out of work, including Adam’s parents. Adam and his girlfriend Chloe hatch a scheme to give the vuvv what they love, which is vintage earth culture. Together, they produce a pay-per-view TV show featuring their dates. One problem – they are growing apart. 

29. Beastly

by Alex Flinn

The beast of Beauty and the Beast lore lives in modern day New York after a witch in his high school class cast a spell on him. Like the beast in the classic fairy tale, this beast must learn a few lessons before he can break the spell. This is the first book in the Kendra Chronicles. 

by Marissa Meyer

Cinder is a cyborg on a futuristic earth. A plague moves through the human population just as Cinder becomes involved with Prince Kai. This Cinderella retelling is classic fairy tale meets science fiction. It’s the first in a series of books known as the Lunar Chronicles. 

31. Girl, Stolen

by April Henry

Griffin steals a car, only to find 16-year-old Cheyenne Wilder sleeping in the backseat. While kidnapping hadn’t been on Griffin’s list of plans, when he finds out that Cheyenne’s parents are rich, his plans change. 

32. One of Us is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

Four students in after-school detention witness the death of their classmate, Simon. When the police rule Simon’s death a homicide, the four teenagers find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation, and thanks to Simon’s gossip blog, all four of them have a motive. This story is told in the perspectives of each of the four suspects. 

33. Dumplin’

by Julie Murphy

Willowdean, nicknamed Dumplin’ by her beauty queen mother, knows she’s a big girl, but she rocks her body with self-confidence. Until, that is, she starts crushing on Bo, who seems to like her back. Their budding relationship has Willowdean tangled up in self-doubt, so she decides to do something drastic to get her confidence back – she enters the local beauty pageant. 

34. Turbulent by T.L. Payne

An electromagnetic pulse wipes out communication devices across the nation. Maddie, an ultra-marathon runner, is in an airport when the EMP hits, and it’s a matter of time before chaos descends. She runs for her life along with a young orphaned girl. 

35. A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle

Vicky’s family is spending their summer taking care of her terminally ill grandfather on the small island he calls home. Meanwhile, she finds herself with three boys competing for her interest, and she’s not sure she’s ready for what any of them are offering. This is a complex story about living in the face of death. 

36. The Bean Trees

by Barbara Kingsolver

Taylor Greer’s main goal in life is to get out of Kentucky without getting pregnant. As soon as high school is over, she heads west and along the way acquires a Cherokee child who she might just end up mothering. At its heart, this is a novel about realizing that your plans don’t mean an awful lot in the face of the universe. 

37. The Chocolate War

by Robert Cormier

Jerry attends an all-boys prep school and makes the defiant decision to refuse to sell chocolate in the school fundraiser. This decision, this bucking of tradition, places Jerry squarely in front of a secret society, and it’s not long before an all-out war breaks lose. 

38. Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro

Moss’ father was killed by police, and now as a high school student, Moss finds that he and his friends are increasingly profiled by police and security guards at his school. The students decide to push back against police and profiling, and tensions rise to a breaking point. 

39. Spinning

by Tillie Walden

Spinning is the author’s memoir in graphic novel form. In it, she remembers her tumultuous adolescence. She grew up questioning her sexuality while trying to conform to the strict behavior and dress codes of the figure skating teams she belonged to. She may have been a good skater, but she hated it, instead desiring to pursue art.

40. The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins 

In a dystopian America, 12 districts each agree to send one boy and one girl to the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on national television. When Katniss Everdeen’s sister Prim is selected to compete, Katniss takes her place and, once at the Capitol, becomes an unstoppable force of rebellion. This is the first in a trilogy. 

by Marie Lu

In this dystopian novel, America has become the Republic. June, raised to be an elite military solider, soon finds herself hunting Day, the prime suspect in her brother’s murder. This is the first in a trilogy. 

42. Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith

by Deborah Heiligman

This biography of Charles Darwin explores the relationship between Darwin and his wife Emma. Emma was a woman of great Christian faith, and her husband’s theory of evolution by natural selection prompted much discussion in their marriage, just as it does in today’s public schools. 

43. A Northern Light

by Jennifer Donnelly

Mattie works at a hotel, where one night a guest urges her to take a bundle of letters and burn them. The guest is dead by morning and Mattie realizes the letters could hold the key to her murder. 

44. The Night Gardener

by Jonathan Auxier

Two orphaned children wind up as servants at an Irish manor, and they quickly realize something spooky is happening. The house is cursed by the Night Gardener, who may appear to grant wishes when really the price of those wishes is quite hight. 

45. Wonder Woman: Warbringer

by Leigh Bardugo

The DC Icons series takes DC superheroes and gives them teenaged backstories written by all-star young adult authors. The Wonder Woman installment features Diana Prince as an Amazon princess who breaks the rules and rescues a mortal from certain death. But supernatural interference is forbidden, and Diana has just made a huge mistake. 

46. The Afterlife of Holly Chase

by Cynthia Hand

A Christmas Carol gets updated for the young adult set. Holly Chase is a modern-day Scrooge, or at least a teenage girl version. She’s spoiled and bratty and most certainly does not bask in the magic of the Christmas season. The three ghosts try to save her, but she won’t be saved. So she dies. And finds herself working for Project Scrooge, a supernatural organization that tries to save Scrooges around the world every Christmas. 

by Scott Westerfield 

Tally lives in a futuristic world where everyone undergoes an extreme makeover when they reach their sixteenth birthday, turning them from an “ugly” into a “pretty.” Everyone wants to be pretty, except Tally’s friend Shay. When Shay runs away, Tally goes after and finds that a dark underbelly exists in her seemingly perfect world. 

48. For Every One

This slim book by Jason Reynolds is a poem he originally read for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. It’s an inspirational poem encouraging anyone who has dreams (all of us!) to keep pushing to achieve greatness. 

49. The Boy in Striped Pajamas

by John Boyne

Get ti HERE .

Bruno is the nine-year-old son of a man who runs a concentration camp. Bruno is never, ever to go near the fence surrounding the camp, but Bruno ignores these instructions because he plans to grow up to be an explorer. One day, he does approach the fence and soon begins developing a friendship with a young Jewish boy inside. This book is powerful and devastating. 

50. Undertow by Michael Buckley 

The Alpha, a strange, ocean-dwelling race of creatures, emerges from the ocean onto Coney Island. Lyric is called upon to help the Alpha prince, Fathom, adjust to land life and they begin to develop a relationship. 

Other book lists from Amy’s bookshelf you’ll love: 

• 50 Must-Read Books for Kindergarteners
• 50 Must-Read Books For First Graders
• 50 Must-Read Books for Second Graders
• 50 Must-Read Books For Third Graders
• 50 Must-Read Books for Fourth Graders
• 50 Must-Read Books For Fifth Graders
• 50 Must-Read Books For  Sixth Graders
• 50 Must-Read Books for Seventh Graders
• 50 Must-Read​ Books for Eighth Graders

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Best Books for 9th Graders

Kickstart the high school reading journey with these acclaimed books for 9th graders, ranked by frequency of recommendation across trusted book blogs and articles..

25 Must-Read Contemporary Books for 9th Graders

Katisha Smith

Katisha is a former military brat who studied engineering because she couldn’t hack it as a writer. You can find her on the internets talking books, movies, pop culture, beauty or whatever is floating her boat at the moment.

View All posts by Katisha Smith

Ninth grade may be the most important year of high school . Research suggests that what happens during a student’s freshman year essentially determines whether they stay in school or become dropouts. Therefore, it’s important for teens to find books that are entertaining as well as engaging to help keep them on the straight and narrow path toward a high school diploma. While many lists recommending books for 9th graders will be filled with “classics” written by dead white people (and mostly by men), a worthy list will contain plenty of contemporary books plus a few graphic novels that capture and hold the attention of today’s teens.

Speaking of lists of must-read books for 9th graders…The following list of books definitely fit the bill.

Memoirs and Nonfiction Books for 9th Graders

For new high schoolers who enjoy reading YA nonfiction , these are books by and about extraordinary teens doing extraordinary things from bravely fighting Nazis to living their most authentic truth.

Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings

Jazz Jennings has been one of the youngest voices in the discussion about gender identity. Her many projects included launching a YouTube channel and starring in I Am Jazz . Jazz faced bullying, discrimination, and rejection, but continued to persevere and educate others about her life as a transgender teen.

With the support of her parents, Jazz began her transition at the age of 5. When the general public was less knowledgeable and even less accepting of the transgender community, she shared her story in an interview with Barbara Walters . Following this groundbreaking interview, Jazz became one of the most recognizable activists for transgender children and teens.

In this memoir, Jazz reflects on her experience in the public eye and how this experience helped shape mainstream attitudes toward the transgender community.

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The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip M. Hoose

Fifteen-year-old Knud Pedersen is deeply ashamed of his home nation of Denmark for not resisting Germany occupation. If the adults won’t take action against the Nazis, Knud, his brothers, and their schoolmates are determined to resist them. Named after fiery British leader Winston Churchill, the members of the Churchill Club committed countless acts of sabotage against the Germans. Although the boys were eventually arrested, their exploits and imprisonment sparked nationwide Danish resistance. 

In The Boys Who Challenged Hitler , Hoose interweaves his own narrative with recollections from Knud in this inspiring story of young war heroes.

Glimmer of Hope: How Tragedy Sparked a Movement by The March for Our Lives Founders

On February 14, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was the site of one of the worst mass shootings in American history. Seventeen students and teachers were killed. Seventeen more were seriously injured. In response to this senseless tragedy, a group of surviving students created March for Our Lives , one of the largest marches in American history and largest youth-led movements in the world to fight for sensible gun control legislation in the United States.

Founders of the movement share personal essays, speech excerpts, and social media posts in Glimmer of Hope that chronicle their lives from the day of shooting to their return to school two weeks later followed by the march in Washington, D.C.

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Live s by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

This is the true story of an American girl, a boy from Zimbabwe, and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. 

It started with Caitlin’s class assignment to write to a student living in another country. When Caitlin saw Zimbabwe written on the board, it sounded like the most exotic place she ever heard of, so she enthusiastically chose it. For Martin’s class of 40 kids, there are only 10 letters. Luckily, Martin is the top student, so he received the first pen pal letter, which started a six-year correspondence that forever changed two lives. 

Science Fiction and Fantasy Books for 9th Graders

Did someone say “ Hey YA! ” or “ SFF Yeah! ”? When it comes to these YA science fiction and fantasy books, the answer is “Yes!” Lucky for all the SFF-loving 9th graders, we are sharing book series because why enjoy an adventure in one book when you can enjoy it in two (or even more) books.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

If you devoured Children of Blood and Bone , then its sequel Children of Virtue and Vengeance should be on the top of your TBR list. 

Zélie and Amari have succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orïsha, but their powerful ritual has not only reignited the powers of the maji but of the nobles as well. Now, Zélie struggles to unite the maji in an Orïsha where the enemy is just as powerful while protecting the new maji from the monarchy’s wrath. With civil war on the horizon, Zélie must find a way to bring the kingdom together or watch as Orïsha tears itself apart.

Goddess in the Machine by Lora Beth Johnson

When Andra wakes up in a hot, dirty cave, it’s the year 3102 and she’s drowning. When Andra went into a cryonic sleep, she expected to wake up a hundred years later. Instead, she wakes up after 1,000 years, and everyone keeps calling her Goddess. Andra knows she isn’t special, but she plays along in order to figure out why she was left in stasis and how to return to Earth.

Johnson is currently working on a sequel to Goddess in the Machine .

Legend by Marie Lu

Inspired by Les Misérables , Lu created a teenage version of the conflict between Valjean and Javert in Legend .

The western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Fifteen-year-old June comes from an elite family living in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts and is being groomed for the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, 15-year-old Day is one of the Republic’s most wanted criminal. 

June and Day are from different worlds and have no reason to cross paths until June’s brother Metias is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. From there, they are caught in a game of cat and mouse as June seeks revenge for Metias’s death. In a shocking turn of events, the truth of what really brought them together is revealed.

The Legend series continues with Prodigy , Champion , and Rebel .

First Test by Tamora Pierce

The Protector of the Small series begins with First Test followed by Page , Squire , and Lady Knight .

In the medieval realm of Tortall, Keladry of Mindelan (known as Kel) is the first girl to take advantage of the decree permitting women to train for knighthood. Not all of Tortall’s citizens believe a woman is up to such task, and Kel faces harsh criticism and discrimination. However, Kel is determined to achieve her goal and not even Lord Wyldon, the training master who is dead set against girls becoming knights, will deter Kel from succeeding.

Rebelwing by Andrea Tang

Business is booming for Prudence Wu, a black market-media smuggler. In between studying at the prestigious New Columbia Preparatory Academy, Pru spends her time selling banned media to the less fortunate citizens of the United Continental Confederacy (UCC). When a drop goes awry, Pru narrowly escapes capture from UCC enforcers with the help of a sentient cybernetic dragon. Soon Pru, along with friends Anabel, Alex, and Cat, are drawn into a revolution against the UCC.

The story of Rebelwing continues in Renegade Flight (February 2021, Razorbill).

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

The dream chooses the dreamer, and Lazlo Strange has always believed his dream chose poorly. Since he was 5 years old, Lazlo has been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep. What happened in Weep 200 years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries like the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. Lazlo must seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

Continue the dream with the astonishing and heart-stopping sequel Muse of Nightmares .

Books for 9th Grade Sports Fanatics

If your 9th grader is all about sports, then introduce them to these YA books about sports . They are sure to enjoy them in between playing the sports ball.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

In the first book of the Hundred Oaks series, Catching Jordan , Jordan Woods is an athletic superstar. She is the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. Jordan’s teammates, including her BFF Sam, see her as their leader and as one of the guys. That is just fine with Jordan as long as she gets a scholarship to a powerhouse university, but everything Jordan has worked for is threatened when Ty Green joins the team. Not only is he an amazing quarterback, he is exceptionally cute. For the first time, Jordan feels vulnerable both on and off the field.

Game by Walter Dean Myers

Drew Lawson knows basketball is taking him places, namely becoming a big star in the NBA. He has to rely on his skills on the court because his grades in the classroom aren’t going to land him into great college. Unfortunately, his plan has run into a problem: Coach has been favoring Tomas, the new player from Europe, but Drew won’t let anyone disrespect his game or derail his prospects.

A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy

Sixteen-year-old Abby Lipman is on track to win the state championships and qualify for the Olympic trials. Her dreams are derailed after a fainting incident at a swim meet, and Abby is diagnosed with a deadly heart condition. Now, Abby must discover who she is without swimming, the one thing that’s defined her entire life.

Running Full Tilt by Michael Currinder

Like most siblings, Leo and Caleb have a complicated relationship, but Caleb’s violent outbursts often send Leo running. When their family is forced to relocate due to Caleb’s uncontrollable behavior, Leo tries to embrace his new school by joining the cross-country team. Things begin to look up for Leo when he befriends fellow runner Curtis who teaches him strategy and introduces Leo to Mary. It doesn’t last long when Caleb becomes resentful of Leo’s success and new friends and escalates his attacks on Leo. He can’t keep running from his problems with Caleb, but maybe Leo can find a solution with help from Curtis and Mary.

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

Even with his promising basketball skills, the only place where 15-year-old Matt Wainwright feels like himself is in English class where he can express his inner thoughts in quirky poems and essays. Matt also desperately hopes his lifelong best friend, Tabby, reciprocates his feelings until she starts dating Liam Branson, senior basketball star. Losing Tabby to Branson was bad enough, but Matt soon discovers he’s close to losing everything that matters most to him.

Romance Books for 9th Graders

For the 9th graders who love love, we have the following young adult romance books they won’t be able to put down.

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Frank Li finds himself caught between the traditional expectations of his Korean parents and his American upbringing in Southern California. When it comes to romance, Frank’s parents have one rule, “Date Korean,” which complicates Frank’s love life. He’s fallen for Brit Means who is smart, beautiful, and white . Fellow Korean American friend, Joy Song, is in a similar predicament. Together, Frank and Joy make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but pretending to date Joy may leave him wondering if he ever really understood love (or himself) at all.

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the best, most epic summer of her life, but there’s plenty standing in her way. She’s the giant dancing hot dog at Magic Castle Playland, which will be closing at the end of the summer unless Lou can find a way to keep the park open. To make matters worse, her best friend Seely, who is always up for anything, won’t help Lou win the heart of her crush, the dreamy Diving Pirate Nick. Seely doesn’t even want Lou to set her up with the perfect girl.

I Kissed Alice by Anna Birch (Author) and Victoria Ying (Illustrator)

Fans of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and Fangirl will find another must-read romantic comedy about lovers, enemies, and possible friends in I Kissed Alice . 

Rhodes and Iliana could not be more different, but that is not why they hate each other. As students at Alabama’s Conservatory of the Arts, highly-gifted Rhodes and hard-working Iliana are competing for the coveted Capstone scholarship. Both escape the pressure of the intense competition on a fanfic site where they are unknowingly collaborating on a graphic novel. In real life, Rhodes and Iliana are the worst of enemies, but online, I-Kissed-Alice and Curious-in-Cheshire are starting to really like each other. 

Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

After getting suspended for confronting her teacher who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Qatar for an early start to spring break. She resolves to try the newer version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then Zayneb crosses paths with Adam.

Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Adam has stopped going to class. Instead, he is intent on preserving the memory of his mom alive for his little sister and keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Adam and Zayneb are playing roles while keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, they bond until sunrise over their love of Froot Loops and movies. Jack knows he’s falling hard. Soon, Kate is meeting Jack’s friends, Jillian and Franny, and easily wins them over, too. Then, Kate dies.

Their story should end there, but Kate’s death sends Jack back to the moment they first met. Kate is healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack thinks he’s losing his mind, but if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he will take it. However, Jack will learn his actions have consequences. When one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he must decide what he’s willing to do to save the people he loves.

Must-Read Books About 9th Graders

What’s better than reading a book that mirrors your own life experience? Nothing…except maybe super fast wifi. The following books center high school freshmen and give the ups and downs of everyday life in high school.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Charlie is a shy, introverted, wise beyond his years, yet socially awkward freshman. Although he is not the biggest geek in school, Charlie is definitely not popular. Charlie is a wallflower caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Luckily, Charlie is rescued from the bleak loneliness of standing on the sidelines and fringes of life by a circle of friends who embrace him and his unique perspective.

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar

Being a high school freshman is hard for Scott. Seniors take your lunch money. The girls he’s known forever are suddenly beautiful and unattainable; Scott is trying (and failing) to capture the attention of freshman goddess Julia. Above all else, Scott never seems to get enough sleep, and his mother just announced she’s pregnant.

Inspired by the upcoming arrival of his new sibling, Scott decides to write a manual with tips on how to survive high school. In the process, Scotts becomes involved in almost every activity high school has to offer. While he tries to find his place in the confusing world of high school, Scott is recording every detail for his younger sibling.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

“Speak up for yourself. We want to know what you have to say.”

From the first day of her freshman year at Merryweather High School, Melinda knows this is a lie. She is a friendless outcast because she called the cops to bust an end-of-summer party. Now, no one will talk (let alone listen) to Melinda.

As time passes, Melinda becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking. Her only solace is in art class. Through her art project, she is finally able to face what really happened at that party: Melinda was raped by an upperclassman who also attends Merryweather. When she has another violent encounter with him, Melinda fights back and refuses to be silent again.

Surviving High School by Lele Pons with Melissa de la Cruz

Lele Pons, one of the coolest girls on the web , teams up with bestselling YA author Melissa de la Cruz in this debut novel.

At her new school in Miami, Lele sits alone at lunch until her online fame catapults her from bullied loser to the most popular kid in school. Now, Lele faces a new set of challenges dealing with relentless drama, ruthless cliques, and unexpected celebrity all while trying to make her parents proud and keep her grades up.

Need more books for 9th graders? Check out these hot Summer 2020 YA Books !

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Home / 6-12 Years Old / 140 Curated List Of 9th Grade Reading Books For Children Aged 14-15

140 Curated List Of 9th Grade Reading Books For Children Aged 14-15

In this post, discover engaging and age-appropriate reading materials for 9th-grade students aged 14-15. We’ll delve into a curated list of books that cater to their developmental needs and offer intriguing stories and themes that resonate with their age group. From classic literature to contemporary young adult novels, we’ll provide recommendations that foster a love for reading, stimulate critical thinking, and nurture their growing literary interests. Explore our guide on 9th Grade Reading Books for enriching literary experiences.

Welcome to our exclusive collection of 9th-grade reading books meticulously chosen to cater to the evolving minds of 14-15-year-olds.

At this pivotal stage in education, our selection aims to align with academic standards and spark curiosity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world.

These books, ranging from timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, are chosen for their ability to challenge perceptions and encourage critical thinking.

Each story is a gateway to different cultures, histories, and ideas, making reading an educational journey and a personal adventure. This collection serves as a bridge, preparing young adults for more complex concepts and narratives.

It’s more than just a reading list; it’s a tool for intellectual and emotional growth, ensuring that students excel in their studies and develop a lifelong passion for learning and exploration.

Did You Know? Did you know that reading can significantly improve memory and concentration? Engaging with complex narratives and characters enhances cognitive functions, making it an excellent brain exercise for teens, especially those preparing for the academic challenges of high school and beyond.

What Makes Reading Important For 9th Graders Aged 14-15?

Reading is vital for 9th graders aged 14-15 for several reasons

Cognitive Developments

At this age, students undergo significant cognitive growth. Reading complex texts enhances critical thinking, comprehension, and analytical skills.

Vocabulary Expansion

Exposure to diverse literature expands vocabulary and improves language skills, essential for academic success and effective communication.

Emotional Growth

Literature allows students to explore different emotions and situations, aiding in emotional maturity and empathy development.

Cultural Awareness

Reading books from various cultures and historical periods broadens understanding and appreciation of different perspectives and societies.

Preparation for Higher Education

Regular reading prepares students for the more demanding academic work in higher grades, including college..

Concentration and Focus

In an age of digital distractions, reading enhances the ability to concentrate and maintain focus over extended periods.

Lifelong Learning

Instilling a reading habit at this age sets the foundation for lifelong learning and curiosity.

How Can This List Of 120 Books Enhance A Teen’s Reading Experience?

This list of 120 books can enhance a teen’s reading experience in various ways:

• Diverse Genres: Offering a wide range of genres, from science fiction to historical fiction, ensures that every teen finds books that resonate with their interests and encourages consistent reading.
• Complex Themes: These books introduce complex themes and ideas, challenging teens to think critically and develop a deeper understanding.
• Character Development: The Rich, diverse characters in these stories help readers understand different perspectives, fostering empathy and social awareness.
• Language Skills: Exposure to varied writing styles and vocabularies enhances language proficiency, crucial for academic success.
• Cultural Exposure: The list includes books from different cultures, providing a window into diverse societies and traditions.
• Inspiration and Motivation: Inspirational stories can motivate teens to pursue their dreams and face challenges with resilience.
• Preparation for Advanced Studies: These books prepare teens for higher-level reading and analysis, essential for advanced studies.
• Enjoyment and Relaxation: Beyond educational value, reading is an essential source of enjoyment and relaxation for mental health.

What Are 20 Classic Novels Every 9th Grader Should Read?

1. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: Explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth in the American South.

2. “1984” by George Orwell: A dystopian novel that delves into themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and individuality.

3. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: Focuses on teenage alienation and loss of innocence.

4. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: A critique of the American Dream set in the Roaring Twenties.

5. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Explores themes of love, class, and societal expectations in 19th-century England.

6. “Animal Farm” by George Orwell: A satirical allegory of totalitarianism, set in a farmyard.

7. “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding: A story about the descent into savagery of a group of stranded boys.

8. “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë: A coming-of-age story that highlights themes of morality, religion, and feminism.

9. “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury: A dystopian novel about the dangers of censorship and conformist society.

10. “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley: Explores the dark side of a technologically advanced society.

11. “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë: A complex tale of passion and revenge set in the Yorkshire moors.

12. “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville: An epic tale of obsession and revenge, exploring complex themes.

13. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain: Highlights issues of race and identity in pre-Civil War America.

14. “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens: A story of personal growth and social mobility in Victorian England.

15. “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in Puritan New England.

16. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley: A gothic tale questioning the limits of scientific exploration and morality.

17. “The Odyssey” by Homer: An epic poem detailing Odysseus’ adventurous journey home from the Trojan War.

18. “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare: A tragic exploration of revenge, betrayal, and madness.

19. “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens: Set in London and Paris during the French Revolution, it explores themes of resurrection and transformation.

20. “Dracula” by Bram Stoker: A foundational work of the horror genre, exploring themes of sexuality, colonialism, and the supernatural.

Fun Fact Did you know that “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll was inspired by a real 10-year-old girl named Alice Liddell? Carroll crafted this imaginative world during a boat trip with Alice and her sisters in 1862.

What Are 20 Modern Novels Perfect For 9th Graders? 

21. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins: A dystopian novel about survival and rebellion in a futuristic society.

22. “Harry Potter Series” by J.K. Rowling: A magical tale of friendship , courage, and the battle between good and evil.

23. “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green: A poignant story about love and coping with terminal illness.

24. “Percy Jackson Series” by Rick Riordan: A fantasy-adventure series blending modern life with Greek mythology.

25. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak: Set in Nazi Germany, it’s a powerful story about the impact of books and words.

26. “Divergent” by Veronica Roth: A thrilling dystopian novel exploring themes of identity and choice.

27. “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas: Addresses issues of racism and police violence in contemporary America.

28. “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio: A heartwarming tale about a boy with a facial difference, teaching kindness and acceptance.

29. “Looking for Alaska” by John Green: A coming-of-age story dealing with love, loss, and meaning themes.

30. “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell: A story about two misfits falling in love over comic books and mixtapes.

31. “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner: A gripping dystopian novel about survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

32. “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel: A philosophical adventure story exploring themes of faith and survival.

33. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs: A mysterious tale blending fantasy with historical fiction.

34. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky: Explores adolescence, friendship, and the journey of self-discovery.

35. “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher: A thought-provoking story about the impact of bullying and suicide.

36. “ City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments)” by Cassandra Clare: A fantasy series set in a world filled with angels and demons.

37. “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai: The inspiring true story of a young girl’s fight for education.

38. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry: A dystopian novel questioning the price of societal conformity and perfection.

39. “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli: A heartwarming story about coming out and finding love.

40. “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir: A gripping fantasy set in a brutal, Roman-inspired world.

Trivia/Fun Fact The famous dystopian novel “1984” by George Orwell, often a staple in high school reading lists, was actually written in 1948. Orwell simply reversed the last two digits of the year as a nod to the future he was imagining.

What Are 20 Science Fiction And Fantasy Books Suitable For Teens?

41. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card: A gripping tale about a young boy trained to fight in an interstellar war.

42. “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien: A classic fantasy adventure involving a quest for treasure guarded by a dragon.

43. “Dune” by Frank Herbert: A complex saga of politics and power on a desert planet.

44. “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer: A futuristic retelling of Cinderella set in a world with cyborgs.

45. “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan: The first in a series that mixes modern-day with Greek mythology.

46. “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman: A blend of fantasy and science in a parallel universe.

47. “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard: A tale of power and rebellion in a world divided by blood.

48. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline: A virtual reality adventure with 1980s pop culture references.

49. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins: A dystopian story of survival in a harsh future society.

50. “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo: A fantasy novel set in a world inspired by Russian folklore.

51. “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner: Teens must navigate a deadly maze in this dystopian novel.

52. “Legend” by Marie Lu: A thriller set in a dark, futuristic United States.

53. “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo: A heist story set in a richly detailed fantasy world.

54. “Illuminae” by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: A novel told through documents, emails, and interviews.

55. “Scythe” by Neal Shusterman: In a world without death, scythes are the only ones who can end life.

56. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs: A mysterious island, time loops, and peculiar children.

57. “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle: A classic tale of time travel and the battle between good and evil.

58. “The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey: The human race faces extinction after multiple alien attacks.

59. “Steelheart” by Brandon Sanderson: One group seeks to resist in a world ruled by supervillains.

60. “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau: Teens discover secrets about the existence of their underground city.

Fun Fact The iconic “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling was initially rejected by multiple publishers. Rowling’s manuscript was finally accepted by Bloomsbury, a small British publishing house after the CEO’s eight-year-old daughter read the first chapter and loved it.

What Are 20 Mystery And Thriller Books That Will Engage 9th Graders?

61. “Sherlock Holmes Series” by Arthur Conan Doyle: Classic detective stories featuring the iconic Sherlock Holmes.

62. “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie: A suspenseful tale where guests on an island mysteriously disappear.

63. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon: A mystery novel narrated by a boy with autism.

64. “The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin: A gripping puzzle where heirs compete to solve a millionaire’s death mystery.

65. “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus: A twisty story where five students enter detention, but only four leave alive.

66. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs: A blend of mystery and fantasy involving a secret world.

67. “Paper Towns” by John Green: A teen embarks on a journey to find a missing girl he loves.

68. “The Name of the Star” by Maureen Johnson: A thriller set in London with a Jack the Ripper copycat killer.

69. “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart: A suspenseful story about a wealthy, seemingly perfect family.

70. “Holes” by Louis Sachar: A young boy unravels a mystery while digging holes at a detention center.

71. “I Am the Messenger” by Markus Zusak: A cab driver receives mysterious messages to help others.

72. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson: A dark, modern mystery involving family secrets and a missing woman.

73. “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner: Teens must solve the mystery of the maze to survive.

74. “Lockwood & Co. Series” by Jonathan Stroud: Teenage ghost hunters solve deadly mysteries in a haunted London.

75. “The Secret of the Old Clock” by Carolyn Keene: The first in the Nancy Drew series, a classic mystery for young readers.

76. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn: A psychological thriller about a woman’s disappearance and her husband’s quest to find her.

77. “Pretty Little Liars Series” by Sara Shepard: A series about friends with secrets, lies, and a mysterious stalker.

78. “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown: A fast-paced thriller involving a historical puzzle.

79. “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold: A murder mystery narrated by the victim from the afterlife.

80. “A Study in Charlotte” by Brittany Cavallaro: A modern take on Sherlock Holmes, featuring descendants of the original characters.

Fun Fact Agatha Christie, the renowned mystery writer, once disappeared for 11 days in 1926, creating a real-life mystery. Her disappearance sparked a massive manhunt, and she was eventually found in a hotel, claiming to have amnesia.

What Are 20 Non-Fiction Books That Are Informative For Teens?

81. “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai: The inspiring story of a young girl’s fight for education in Pakistan.

82. “A Brief History of Time” by Stephen Hawking: An accessible guide to understanding the universe.

83. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank: A powerful memoir of a Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.

84. “Educated” by Tara Westover: A memoir about the struggle for self-invention and education.

85. “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer: The story of a young man’s journey into the Alaskan wilderness.

86. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot: Explores the story behind the first immortal human cells grown in culture.

87. “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson: A groundbreaking book that sparked the environmental movement.

88. “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba: The true story of a Malawian teenager who built a windmill to save his village.

89. “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand: The survival story of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini.

90. “Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner: Explores the hidden side of everything using economics.

91. “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly: The untold story of the African American women who helped win the space race.

92. “Night” by Elie Wiesel: A memoir about survival in Nazi concentration camps.

93. “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote: A pioneering work of the true crime genre.

94. “Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell: Investigates the factors contributing to high success levels.

95. “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls: A memoir of resilience and redemption in a dysfunctional family.

96. “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser: Examines the local and global influence of the U.S. fast food industry.

97. “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari: Chronicles the history of the human species.

98. “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” by Mary Roach: An exploration of the scientific use of human cadavers.

99. “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah: A memoir of growing up in apartheid South Africa.

100. “The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery: Explores the emotional and physical world of octopuses.

Fun Fact Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl” was not actually written as a diary. It was intended as a memoir, rewritten by Anne after she heard a radio broadcast encouraging people to document their experiences during the war.

What Are 20 Graphic Novels And Comics Appropriate For 9th Graders?

101. “Maus” by Art Spiegelman: A powerful portrayal of the Holocaust using cats and mice as characters.

102. “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi: An autobiographical graphic novel about growing up during the Iranian Revolution.

103. “American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang: A story about identity and acceptance, blending myth and reality.

104. “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier: A coming-of-age autobiography about dental drama and navigating school life.

105. “Nimona” by Noelle Stevenson: A fantasy tale with humor about a young shapeshifter and a villain.

106. “Ghost World” by Daniel Clowes: A darkly comic story about the transition from teenage to adult life.

107. “March” by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell: A graphic memoir of the civil rights movement.

108. “Saga” by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples: An epic space opera/fantasy comic book series.

109. “Ms. Marvel” by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona: A story about a Muslim girl with superpowers in New Jersey.

110. “Batman: Year One” by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli: A reinvention of Batman’s origin story.

111. “The Sandman” by Neil Gaiman: A dark fantasy series blending mythology and history.

112. “Bone” by Jeff Smith: An adventurous and comical saga in a fantasy setting.

113. “Anya’s Ghost” by Vera Brosgol: A story about a girl who befriends a ghost, exploring identity and friendship.

114. “Squirrel Girl” by Ryan North and Erica Henderson: A light-hearted comic about a superhero with the powers of a squirrel.

115. “Lumberjanes” by Noelle Stevenson and others: A series about a group of girls at a summer camp encountering supernatural creatures.

116. “A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel” by Madeleine L’Engle, adapted by Hope Larson: A graphic adaptation of the classic science fiction novel.

117. “The Arrival” by Shaun Tan: A wordless narrative about an immigrant’s experience in an imaginary world.

118. “Through the Woods” by Emily Carroll: A collection of spooky and eerie short stories.

119. “Black Hole” by Charles Burns: A story about teenagers dealing with a strange plague.

120. “Y: The Last Man” by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra: A post-apocalyptic world where all men have died except one.

Fun Fact “Maus” by Art Spiegelman, a profound graphic novel about the Holocaust, made history as the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1992. This groundbreaking achievement helped elevate the status of graphic novels in the literary world.

What Are 20 Biographies And Autobiographies That Inspire Teens?

121. “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai: The powerful story of a young girl’s fight for education and survival against the Taliban.

122. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank: A poignant account of a Jewish girl hiding from Nazis during WWII.

123. “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela: The inspiring autobiography of the South African leader’s journey from prisoner to president.

124. “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson: A comprehensive biography of the Apple co-founder’s professional and personal life.

125. “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand: The survival story of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini.

126. “Becoming” by Michelle Obama: The former First Lady’s personal account of her life and her journey to the White House.

127. “Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future” by Ashlee Vance: The story of the entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX.

128. “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba: A teenager’s journey to build a windmill and save his village.

129. “Educated” by Tara Westover: A memoir of a girl who escaped her restrictive upbringing to pursue education.

130. “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera: The life of the influential Mexican artist and her remarkable journey.

131. “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly: The untold story of the African American women mathematicians at NASA.

132. “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah: The comedian’s account of growing up in apartheid South Africa.

133. “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer: The story of Christopher McCandless’s adventurous journey into the Alaskan wilderness.

134. “Night” by Elie Wiesel: A harrowing first-person account of survival in Nazi concentration camps.

135. “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow: The biography that inspired the hit Broadway musical, telling the story of the American Founding Father.

136. “A Beautiful Mind” by Sylvia Nasar: The life of John Nash, a mathematical genius who struggled with schizophrenia.

137. “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls: A memoir of resilience and redemption in a dysfunctional family.

138. “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik: The life story of the influential Supreme Court Justice.

139. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” as told to Alex Haley: The influential and controversial story of Malcolm X’s life and legacy.

140. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou: The first in a series of autobiographies by the poet detailing her early years.

Fun Fact Did you know that “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank has been translated into over 70 languages? Since its first publication in Dutch in 1947, it has become one of the world’s most widely read books.

Key Takeaway

• Enhanced Critical Thinking: These books introduce complex themes, encouraging analytical skills and deeper understanding.
• Improved Language Proficiency: Exposure to varied vocabularies and writing styles sharpens language and communication skills.
• Cultural Awareness: Reading about diverse societies and histories broadens global perspectives.
• Emotional Intelligence: Engaging with different characters’ struggles fosters empathy and emotional maturity.
• Inspiration and Motivation: Stories of resilience and triumph ignite ambition and determination.
• Academic Preparedness: Exposure to various literature equips students for advanced studies and standardized tests.
• Creativity and Imagination: Diverse genres and narratives stimulate creative thinking.
• Lifelong Learning Habit: Cultivating a reading habit lays the foundation for continuous personal and educational development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of books are best for 9th graders.

9th graders benefit from a mix of classic literature, modern novels, non-fiction, graphic novels, and biographies. This variety ensures exposure to different writing styles, themes, and perspectives, aiding their development.

How Can Reading Improve Academic Performance?

Regular reading enhances vocabulary, improves comprehension and writing skills, and fosters critical thinking. It also prepares students for more complex texts and topics in higher education.

Are Graphic Novels And Comics Beneficial for Teen Readers?

Absolutely. Graphic novels and comics can improve visual literacy, engage reluctant readers, and discuss complex themes in an accessible way. They’re a legitimate and valuable part of a teen’s reading diet.

Why Include Non-Fiction Books in a Teen’s Reading List?

Non-fiction books expose teens to real-world issues, historical events, and diverse perspectives, enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

How Does Reading Fiction Benefit Teenagers Emotionally?

Fiction allows teens to experience various emotions and situations vicariously. It helps develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and a better understanding of human experiences and relationships.

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Classic Works of Literature for a 9th Grade Reading List

20 enduring works that will whet young readers' appetites

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Although there has been debate over the past few decades about requiring high school students to read the classics , these works still appear on many 9th grade reading lists. Written at a level appropriate for most freshmen, they will nonetheless challenge students to develop stronger reading, writing, and analytical skills, and they also encourage discussion about many aspects of the human condition . 

'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque

This frankly told tale of the horrors of war was written by someone who lived it while fighting as a German soldier in World War I. The book is narrated by 20-year-old Paul Bäumer, whose experiences of the extreme mental and physical stress of soldiering—and the emotional detachment from civilian life once back home—spin a cautionary tale humanity has yet to heed.

'Animal Farm' by George Orwell

Orwell 's devastating satire of the move from tyranny to revolution and back to tyranny remains as relevant a tale of totalitarianism masquerading as equality today as it was when it was published in 1945, targeting the abuses of Soviet Russia.  

'Black Like Me' by John Howard Griffin

In 1961, Griffin, a White journalist, set out to journey through the American South in the guise of a Black man (he had his skin temporarily darkened) to report on the realities of life under segregation. Along the way, he confronts his own prejudices and bursts the myth that racism is more paranoia than reality.​

'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck

This novel is the first in Buck’s famous trilogy of life in China before World War I, some of it based on her own experiences. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932, was instrumental in Buck’s winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1938, and was turned into a successful film. The book topped the bestseller lists once again in 2004 when it was chosen as the main selection of Oprah’s Book Club.

'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens

A novel at once comedic and tragic, "Great Expectations" centers on a poor young man by the name of Pip, who is given the chance to make himself a gentleman by a mysterious benefactor. Dickens ' classic presents a fascinating overview of class, money, and corruption during the Victorian Era.

'Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe' by Edgar Allan Poe

He gave us some of the most memorable lines in all of American literature, some of them downright chilling, yet Poe was more than just a writer of horror. He was also a master of mystery, adventure, and often humor, all written with the same lyrical command of the English language. 

'The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter' by Carson McCullers

When McCullers published this, her first novel, at only 23 years of age, it became an instant sensation. Much about the book’s young heroine, Mick Kelly, will resonate with teenagers today, who may experience the same yearning for independence and self-expression.  

'Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle

The third of the famed mystery writer’s crime novels to feature Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle 's book has long been a favorite of high school English teachers. Not only is it one of the reference texts for almost all detective fiction to follow, but it is also a model of how to craft character, build suspense, and bring action to a satisfying conclusion.

'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' by Maya Angelou

The first in a series of seven autobiographical books written by Angelou , this book was first published in 1969. A searing portrait of Angelou’s transformation from a victim of rape and racism into a self-possessed, dignified young woman is a heartening example for anyone seeking to overcome oppression.

'The Iliad' by Homer

" The Iliad " is an epic poem attributed to Homer and the oldest extant piece of European literature. Divided into 24 books, it's an adventure story set in the final years of the Trojan War  that introduces readers to some of the most famous conflicts and characters in all of classic literature.

'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë

"Jane Eyre" is on the surface a romance novel (one that no doubt established many conventions of the genre), but it is also a great piece of literature. In its heroine, Brontë 's readers discover a remarkably resourceful and intelligent young woman who comes of age thanks to her inner strength and the redemptive power of love.

'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott

It has been called a proto-feminist novel for the way in which the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—are written as fully rounded women with ideas, ambitions, and passions. Readers are likely to find inspiration in one or more of the sisters as they carve out lives for themselves despite the hardships of growing up in New England during the Civil War.

'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding

The Guardian 's breakdown of the 100 best novels of all time calls "Lord of the Flies "a brilliantly observed study of adolescents untethered from rules and conventions." Far from creating paradise on the island in which this group of English schoolboys has been stranded, they create a dystopian nightmare in which the impulse of savagery far outweighs that of civility.

'The Odyssey' by Homer

This sequel to "The Iliad" tells of the 10-year journey back home taken by Odysseus (Ulysses in Roman mythology) after the fall of Troy. Like its predecessor, "The Odyssey" is an epic poem that imbues its main character with the experiences and qualities that we have come to identify with the heroic.

'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck packs quite a punch in this novella of two migrant workers, George and his friend Lennie, a man of imposing physicality but the mind of a child. The story takes place during the Great Depression and deals with themes of racism, sexism, and economic disparity.

'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway

More than just a simple tale of an old Cuban fisherman who catches an enormous fish only to lose it, Hemingway 's story is a tale of bravery, heroism, and one man's battle with challenges both external and internal.

'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles

Set at a boys' boarding school in New England during the early years of World War II, the novel centers on the friendship between introverted, intellectual Gene and handsome, athletic Finny. The friendship becomes in Gene's mind a tangle of supposed slights and possible treachery and how what results will reverberate through both of their lives.

'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' by Betty Smith

Another coming-of-age story, this one chronicles the life of Francie Nolan, age 11 when the book begins, from 1902 to 1919. Big things blossom in Francie's small sphere in Williamsburg, Brooklyn: love, loss, betrayal, shame, and, ultimately, hope.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee

Lee's book on racial inequality in the American South of the 1930s is probably the most-read book in American literature, and for good reason. The Pulitzer Prize-winner deals with heavy issues, yet as seen through the eyes of 6-year-old Scout Finch, it is a poignant reminder of the power of kindness and the quest for justice.

'The Yearling' by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

An instant success when it was published in 1938, this tale of the care a young boy gives to a wild animal is as uplifting as it is heart-wrenching. The ultimate lesson is that within the harsh realities of life there is also beauty and purpose.

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100 Best 9th Grade Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best 9th grade books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee, Sissy Spacek, et al | 5.00

Eric Berkowitz The case is about racism, but it’s also about white sexual fear of the black man, and the failed effort of white America to stop intermixing. I think the notion of the scary black man still permeates the American justice system today. I don’t think To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the greatest pieces of literature ever, but it is a very good window into the ingrained sexual fear that permeated at... (Source)

Scott Turow It’s dated in many ways; it’s extremely sentimental. But it’s beautifully done – you can’t take a thing away from it. (Source)

David Heinemeier Hansson Really liking this one so far. I’m sure a lot of people here probably read it in high school or whatever, but it wasn’t on the Danish curriculum, so here I am! (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

The Odyssey

Homer | 4.88

After enduring the Trojan War, Odysseus begins the treacherous journey home to Ithaca. On the way, he faces ravenous monsters and vengeful gods. But the real battle awaits, as his kingdom is under siege by unruly suitors vying for his wife’s hand—and his son’s head. To reclaim his throne and save his family, Odysseus must rely on his wits…and help from the unpredictable gods.

Homer’s The Odyssey was composed around 700 BC. It is one of the earliest epics in existence and remains one of the most influential works of literature today.

Revised edition: Previously...

Revised edition: Previously published as The Odyssey , this edition of The Odyssey (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions.

Ted Turner When I got to college, I was a classics major, and that was mainly the study of Greek - and to a lesser extent Roman - history and culture, and that fascinated me: the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Aeneid by Virgil. (Source)

Max Porter I still have an image of Odysseus in my head from when I was a child – he’s very Anglo-Saxon and stubbly, a bit like Michael Fassbender (Source)

Janine di Giovanni The thing I loved about Ulysses was that he’s so in love with adventure and with love. (Source)

Animal Farm

George Orwell and Christopher Hitchens | 4.86

Whitney Cummings [Whitney Cummings recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show".] (Source)

Vlad Tenev When I was in sixth grade I remember being very upset by the ending of [this book]. (Source)

Sol Orwell Question: What books had the biggest impact on you? Perhaps changed the way you see things or dramatically changed your career path. Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 (though Huxley's Brave New World is a better reflection of today's society). (Source)

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare, Dr. Barbara A. Mowat, Paul Werstine Ph.D. | 4.81

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

Suzanne Collins | 4.80

Bill Gates [On Bill Gates's reading list in 2012.] (Source)

Robert Muchamore A brutal, exciting, action-based sci-fi novel. Hugely popular and excellent fun. (Source)

Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel | 4.79

Johanna Reiss Elie Wiesel wrote..that he was considering running into the barbed wire once, but he didn’t because his father needed him. (Source)

Steven Katz Probably the best known memoir that has been written about the experience of the death camps. (Source)

Laurie Halse Anderson | 4.68

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie | 4.65

Rand Fishkin Empathy is at the core of my beliefs, and this is one of the best books I’ve ever read that fosters empathetic thinking. It’s also a great reminder of how hard it is to accomplish anything when your life circumstances and surroundings negatively contribute to progress and a great reminder to stay humble. (Source)

Lord of the Flies

out of 5 stars5,34 | 4.65

Scott Belsky [Scott Belsky recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show".] (Source)

Chigozie Obioma William Golding imbues some of these children with wisdom that would read, in the hands of a lesser author, as implausibly knowing (Source)

Disco Donnie @JoshRHernandez1 I love the book “Lord of the Flies” so just started watching The Society (Source)

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck | 4.62

Barack Obama When he got to high school, the president said, his tastes changed and he learned to enjoy classics like “Of Mice and Men” and “The Great Gatsby.” (Source)

Steve Benjamins I think all of John Steinbeck’s books are uplifting. He sees the best in humanity and it leaves me feeling warm and generous. I always love this paragraph in Of Mice and Men that hints at the tension between business and humanity: "It has always seemed strange to me that the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honestly, understanding, and feeling are the concomitants of... (Source)

Don't have time to read the top 9th Grade books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Stephen Chbosky | 4.61

Richard Speight Jr. A pal for 30 years, @StephenChbosky ‘s first book #ThePerksofBeingaWallflower had a MASSIVE impact on me & countless others. Then came his great movies. Now..THE NEXT BOOK! Be like me & buy it THE DAY it comes out. (Then harass him until he agrees to put me in the movie! 🎥 🤠) https://t.co/02bMKPgF9A (Source)

Jamie Grayson Holy shit there’s no way this book is that old because that really ages me but I COMPLETELY agree. This book is a masterpiece and a must-read. Lessons about being human are in there and those are important right now. https://t.co/fF1spEFrUH (Source)

Rae Earl It is a tremendously powerful study of PTSD, a mental health issue that isn’t talked about enough (Source)

George Orwell | 4.60

Richard Branson Today is World Book Day, a wonderful opportunity to address this #ChallengeRichard sent in by Mike Gonzalez of New Jersey: Make a list of your top 65 books to read in a lifetime. (Source)

Steve Jobs called this book "one of his favorite" and recommended it to the hires. The book also inspired one the greatest TV ad (made by Jobs) (Source)

D J Taylor In terms of how technology is working in our modern surveillance powers, it’s a terrifyingly prophetic book in some of its implications for 21st-century human life. Orwell would deny that it was prophecy; he said it was a warning. But in fact, distinguished Orwell scholar Professor Peter Davis once made a list of all the things that Orwell got right, and it was a couple of fairly long paragraphs,... (Source)

The Book Thief

Markus Zusak | 4.56

Lydia Ruffles The (Source)

The Glass Castle

Jeannette Walls | 4.53

The Story of a Childhood (Persepolis, #1)

Marjane Satrapi | 4.52

Pooneh Ghoddoosi I read the book and it was great, but more people saw the film because it was nominated for an Academy Award. And after seeing the movie, so many people I knew came up to me and told me that they thought it was exactly the story of my life. And not just me, but most of my Iranian friends had the same feeling of “Oh God, that could have been me, I could have written that book – it could have been... (Source)

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)

Suzanne Collins | 4.51

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Mark Haddon | 4.51

Simon Baron-Cohen In fiction the writer has some licence to deviate from what is real – it’s a work of art, ultimately, for people’s interest and enjoyment, but I think that the character is very recognisable of many people with Asperger syndrome. I think the author has done a very good job. (Source)

Vanessa Keng I've always loved fiction - mainly crime and legal thrillers, but there's something wonderful about reading a completely different style of writing from what I'm used to. I found myself absorbed in the narrative of guilt and love in The Kite Runner, and The Curious Incident told me a story from a completely different perspective. (Source)

Robert Muchamore Mark Haddon wrote a spy series for eight- or nine-year-olds and then he suddenly comes out with this rather brilliant novel. Is it an adult book? Is it a kids’ book? So many people can read it and approach it. (Source)

The Fault in Our Stars

John Green | 4.51

Elon Musk Must admit to liking [this book]. Sad, romantic and beautifully named. (Source)

James Comey @johngreen You should not be. It is a great book. Was recently in Amsterdam and walked some of the scenes with your huge fan, my youngest daughter. Loved hearing from you and meeting you at Kenyon. (Source)

The Catcher in the Rye

J. D. Salinger | 4.50

Bill Gates One of my favorite books ever. (Source)

Woody Allen It was such a relief from the other books I was reading at the time, which all had a quality of homework to them. (Source)

Chigozie Obioma He sees everybody as phony because they take life too seriously. (Source)

Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury | 4.46

Timothy Ferriss This classic work on state censorship remains as relevant in today’s world of digital delights as it was when published in the black-and-white world of 1953. In a futuristic American city, firefighter Guy Montag does not put out blazes; instead, he extinguishes knowledge and promotes ignorance by conducting state decreed book burnings. After an elderly woman chooses a fiery death with her books... (Source)

Ryan Holiday I’m not sure what compelled me to pick Fahrenheit 451 back up but I’m so glad I did because I was able to see the book in a very different context. Bradbury’s message (made explicit in his 50th Anniversary Afterword) is much less a warning against government control and much more about a road to hell paved by people attempting to rid the world of offensive speech and conflicting ideas. In a world... (Source)

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

Rick Riordan | 4.45

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card | 4.40

Mark Zuckerberg Oh, it’s not a favorite book or anything like that, I just added it because I liked it. I don’t think there’s any real significance to the fact that it’s listed there and other books aren’t. (Source)

Timothy Ferriss At one point, this was the only book listed on Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook page. If it’s good enough to be the sole selection of the founder of Facebook, maybe there’s something to it. The plot: In anticipation of another attack from a hostile alien race, the search for a brilliant military strategist has led to Ender Wiggin. In space combat school, Ender stands out, demonstrating exceptional... (Source)

Travis Kalanick About a kid who is trained by the military to play video games [...] But he realizes at the end that the video games he was playing were an actual war. (Source)

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Auste | 4.39

Meg Rosoff It’s a coming-of-age story, because she throws aside her prejudices but also sees the house and realises that she could be quite comfortable and maybe realises how important that is. (Source)

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini and Simon & Schuster Audi | 4.37

James Altucher Excellent novel. (Source)

Magda Marcu I’m currently reading “The Kite Runner”. I never have expectations from books, I let them surprise me as I get into the story. Learning about characteristics of different cultures, in this case the Afghan one, it’s one aspect I am interested in. (Source)

Looking for Alaska

John Green | 4.36

Angel Dei My favorite John Green book 😭😭 https://t.co/Aqkvmuu9Q5 (Source)

In the Heart of the Sea

The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Nathaniel Philbrick | 4.35

Ryan Holiday Wow, did you know that Moby Dick was based on a true story? There was a real whaling ship that was broken in half by an angry sperm whale. But it gets even more insane. The members of the crew escaped in three lifeboats, traveling thousands of miles at sea with little food and water until they slowly resorted to cannibalism(!) Besides being an utterly unbelievable story, this book also gives a... (Source)

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)

Suzanne Collins | 4.35

Charlotte Brontë, Michael Mason | 4.34

Orphaned as a child, Jane has felt an outcast her whole young life. Her courage is tested once again when she arrives at Thornfield Hall, where she has been hired by the brooding, proud Edward Rochester to care for his ward Adèle. Jane finds herself drawn to his troubled yet kind spirit. She falls in love. Hard.

But there is a terrifying secret inside the gloomy, forbidding Thornfield Hall. Is Rochester hiding from Jane? Will Jane be left heartbroken and exiled once again?

John Sutherland There is an interesting debate … that the real heroine of Jane Eyre is not the plain little governess but the mad woman in the attic, Bertha Mason (Source)

Tracy Chevalier The idea of marriage is that two people are going to become one, but here you know—because of the mad woman in the attic—that it’s one thing about to be split in two. (Source)

Audrey Penn My next one is Jane Eyre. She was orphaned and sent to a very rich aunt, who had her own very selfish children. Jane Eyre was not the perfect child and she was sent to live in a girls’ school. She made one friend, but unfortunately the little girl died, so she had to toughen up. She grew up there and learned everything she needed to know about teaching. She was a very good artist, she played a... (Source)

The Outsiders

S. E. Hinton | 4.32

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho | 4.29

Daniel Ek It was fascinating to talk to [the author] about how this book came to be such a hit—he never backed down, and he allowed people to read it for free in order to then boost sales—much like how Spotify’s freemium model was perceived in the early days. (Source)

Eric Ripert Speaks of everyone having an ultimate goal in life, but most of us are too afraid to pursue it. The encouragement to fulfill your dreams is very inspirational! (Source)

Brené Brown There's a great quote in [this book]: When you're on the right path the universe conspires to help you! (Source)

The Great Gatsby

Francis Scott Fitzgerald | 4.28

Bill Gates Melinda and I really like [this book]. When we were first dating, she had a green light that she would turn on when her office was empty and it made sense for me to come over. (Source)

Marvin Liao For Non-Business, I'd have to say Dune (Herbert), Emergency (Strauss), The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) or Flint (L'Amour). I re-read these books every year because they are just so well written & great stories that I get new perspective & details every time I read them. (Source)

Twilight (Twilight, #1)

Stephenie Meyer | 4.28

Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher | 4.28

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens, Margaret Cardwell, Kate Flint | 4.27

Marvin Liao My list would be (besides the ones I mentioned in answer to the previous question) both business & Fiction/Sci-Fi and ones I personally found helpful to myself. The business books explain just exactly how business, work & investing are in reality & how to think properly & differentiate yourself. On the non-business side, a mix of History & classic fiction to understand people, philosophy to make... (Source)

Robert Douglas-Fairhurst What the rest of Great Expectations shows is that having Christmas lasting all the way through your life might not be a good thing. Having a Santa Claus figure who keeps throwing gifts and money at you when they’re not necessarily wanted or deserved might be a handicap. (Source)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

J. K. Rowling | 4.27

Joe Lycett guys i just read this book called harry potter well worth checking out it’s about a really interesting magic lad (Source)

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)

Rick Riorda | 4.27

The Hate U Give

Angie Thomas | 4.25

Bianca Belair For #BlackHistoryMonth  I will be sharing some of my favorite books by Black Authors 7th Book: The Hate U Give By: Angie Thomas @angiecthomas The movie was really great, but it just hits different when you read the book! https://t.co/rxMH5Uu6JN (Source)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré | 4.24

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Veronica Roth | 4.23

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)

Rick Riordan | 4.22

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)

Frankenstein

Mary Shelle | 4.22

Michael Arrington Shelley wrote this book as a teenager, and most of us read it in high school. Often credited as the first science fiction novel. You can read just about any political viewpoint you want into the book, and there are strong undertones that technology isn’t all good. But what I get out of it is the creativeness that can come with solitude, and how new technology can be misunderstood, even perhaps by... (Source)

Adam Roberts Brian Aldiss has famously argued that science fiction starts with Mary Shelley’s novel, and many people have agreed with him. (Source)

The Lovely Bones

Alice Sebold | 4.22

Alice Sebold's haunting and heartbreaking debut novel, The Lovely Bones , unfolds from heaven, where "life is a perpetual yesterday" and where Susie narrates and keeps watch over her grieving family and friends, as well as her brazen killer and the sad detective working on her case. As Sebold fashions it,...

Alice Sebold's haunting and heartbreaking debut novel, The Lovely Bones , unfolds from heaven, where "life is a perpetual yesterday" and where Susie narrates and keeps watch over her grieving family and friends, as well as her brazen killer and the sad detective working on her case. As Sebold fashions it, everyone has his or her own version of heaven. Susie's resembles the athletic fields and landscape of a suburban high school: a heaven of her "simplest dreams," where "there were no teachers.... We never had to go inside except for art class.... The boys did not pinch our backsides or tell us we smelled; our textbooks were Seventeen and Glamour and Vogue ."

The Lovely Bones works as an odd yet affecting coming-of-age story. Susie struggles to accept her death while still clinging to the lost world of the living, following her family's dramas over the years like an episode of My So-Called Afterlife . Her family disintegrates in their grief: her father becomes determined to find her killer, her mother withdraws, her little brother Buckley attempts to make sense of the new hole in his family, and her younger sister Lindsey moves through the milestone events of her teenage and young adult years with Susie riding spiritual shotgun. Random acts and missed opportunities run throughout the book--Susie recalls her sole kiss with a boy on Earth as "like an accident--a beautiful gasoline rainbow." Though sentimental at times, The Lovely Bones is a moving exploration of loss and mourning that ultimately puts its faith in the living and that is made even more powerful by a cast of convincing characters. Sebold orchestrates a big finish, and though things tend to wrap up a little too well for everyone in the end, one can only imagine (or hope) that heaven is indeed a place filled with such happy endings. --Brad Thomas Parsons

J. R. R. Tolkien | 4.21

Cressida Cowell The Hobbit is such a richly imagined fantasy that, especially as a child, you can live in it. It is so completely immersive. (Source)

Lev Grossman First up, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, by JRR Tolkien. But you knew I was going to say that. This one book, which was published in 1937, defined so many variables for the fantasy tradition that are still in place today. Tolkien’s extraordinary achievement was to recover the epic landscapes of Anglo-Saxon myth, bring them back to life, and then to take us through them on foot, so we could... (Source)

The Shining

Stephen King | 4.21

Daisy Johnson If you think you know the story because you’ve seen the film then you’d be wrong. This book is an absolute classic and a great way into the vast King oeuvre. (Source)

R J Ellory I have always rated Stephen King. I think he is so much more than just a commercially successful horror writer. (Source)

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Ned Vizzini | 4.21

Rae Earl It covers something the other books don’t cover which is relapse (Source)

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khaled Hosseini | 4.20

Ann Miura-Ko I would encourage people to read it because it gives you a sense of Afghanistan’s incredible history and the role women have played within that history (Source)

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens | 4.20

Amelia Boone Remains one my favorites to this day. (Source)

Antonio Villaraigosa As mayor of a large metropolis, the living conditions of our residents are always present in my mind. Every decision I make, I try to evaluate if it will help improve the quality of life of every Angeleno. But Dickens really dissects both the aristocrats and the revolutionaries, to show that change is never easy. As progressives, we value government’s role and power to improve our cities and... (Source)

May Witwit I started a paper about the historical reality in this book. And as I studied it more deeply I got depressed because the things that were happening were similar to Iraq. How the mob could be turned against people by devious minds. They just killed people without even knowing them. The people who were killed were probably very good people, you never know. You just can’t kill haphazardly, heads... (Source)

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)

Rick Riordan | 4.19

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley | 4.19

Yuval Noah Harari The most prophetic book of the 20th century. Today many people would easily mistake it for a utopia. (Source)

Ellen Wayland-Smith It is a hilarious, and also very prescient, parody of utopias. Huxley goes back to the idea that coming together and forming a community of common interests is a great idea – it’s the basis of civil society. At the same time, when communities of common interests are taken to utopian degrees the self starts to dissolve into the larger community, you lose privacy and interiority; that becomes... (Source)

John Quiggin The lesson I draw from this is that the purpose of utopia is not so much as an achieved state, as to give people the freedom to pursue their own projects. That freedom requires that people are free of the fear of unemployment, or of financial disaster through poor healthcare. They should be free to have access to the kind of resources they need for their education and we should maintain and... (Source)

Things Fall Apart (The African Trilogy, #1)

Chinua Achebe | 4.19

Barack Obama As 2018 draws to a close, I’m continuing a favorite tradition of mine and sharing my year-end lists. It gives me a moment to pause and reflect on the year through the books I found most thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain loved. It also gives me a chance to highlight talented authors – some who are household names and others who you may not have heard of before. Here’s my best of 2018... (Source)

Jacqueline Novogratz The first book I read by an African author. Achebe is unflinching in his portrayal of the challenges of change, the relationships of colonialism, and power/powerlessness. (Source)

Sam Kiley I think what’s so fantastic about it is that it’s sort of portentous, if that’s the right word, in that it captures that moment between the end of colonisation and independence, and the inevitable crushing of Africa’s dreams. I can’t remember exactly when it was written, but it was very early on in the process. It sounds really pessimistic – I mean, it’s a beautifully written book, but it’s the... (Source)

The Giver (The Giver, #1)

Lois Lowry | 4.18

A Long Way Gone

Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

Ishmael Beah | 4.18

And Then There Were None

Agatha Christie | 4.17

The World's Bestselling Mystery "Ten . . ." Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion off the Devon coast by a mysterious "U.N. Owen." "Nine . . ." At dinner a recorded message accuses each of them in turn of having a guilty secret, and by the end of the night one of the guests is dead. "Eight . . ." Stranded by a violent storm, and haunted by a nursery rhyme counting down one by one . . . one by one they begin to die. "Seven . . ." Who among them is the killer and will any of them survive?

Rian Johnson @AdamLanceGarcia I think And Then There Were None is her best book, but The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd and Curtain are probably tied for my personal favorite. (Source)

Yann Martel | 4.17

Crank (Crank, #1)

Ellen Hopkins | 4.16

Farewell to Manzanar

A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment

Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, James D. Houston | 4.16

The Count of Monte Cristo

Alexandre Dumas père, Robin Buss | 4.15

Ryan Holiday I thought I’d read this book before but clearly they gave me some sort of children’s version. Because the one I’d read as a kid wasn’t a 1,200 page epic of some of the most brilliant, beautiful and complicated storytelling ever put to paper. What a book! When I typed out my notes (and quotes) after finishing this book, it ran some 3,000 words. I was riveted from cover to cover. I enjoyed all the... (Source)

Sol Orwell I have to go with Count of Monte Cristo. An unparalleled revenge story. (Source)

Chris Kutarna The Count of Monte Cristo it is about revenge and the cost of revenge. Being careful what you wish for. The other theme is about riches and wealth and what is truly valuable. (Source)

The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2)

Rick Riordan | 4.15

The Bean Trees (Greer Family, #1)

Barbara Kingsolver | 4.15

Eclipse (Twilight, #3)

Stephenie Meyer | 4.14

Paper Towns

John Green | 4.13

Kathryn Stockett | 4.13

Twin Mummy And Daddy I love a good book and The Help is exactly that! In fact it’s an amazing book! Read my review over on the blog today! https://t.co/efaf9aRGOK #TheHelp #KathrynStockett #bookreview #bookblogger #mummybloggers #daddybloggers #pbloggers #mbloggers @UKpbloggers @UKBloggers1 #books (Source)

Rainbow Rowell | 4.13

Ashley C. Ford @ALNL I love this book (Source)

Laura Wood A powerful and moving story about identical twins trying to find their individual identities outside of their own powerful relationship. (Source)

Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)

Kristin Cashore | 4.13

The Secret Life of Bees

Sue Monk Kidd | 4.12

The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne Frank, B.M. Mooyaart, Eleanor Roosevelt | 4.12

Tim Fargo @Quixoticnance Good point, Nancy. The museum is a powerful experience, esp. when you've read her book. (Source)

Catalina Penciu I'm a huge fan of personal stories and biographies like this one. (Source)

Alice Little I remember being a fourth grader and trying to check out [this book] and being told it was grossly inappropriate and going so far as to have my parents take it to the school board and petition for me to be allowed to read this book. (Source)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)

J.K. Rowling | 4.11

Maude Garrett @GeekBomb Best use of time travel in a book or series to date (Source)

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1)

Douglas Adams | 4.10

Elon Musk I guess when I was around 12 or 15... I had an existential crisis, and I was reading various books on trying to figure out the meaning of life and what does it all mean? It all seemed quite meaningless and then we happened to have some books by Nietzsche and Schopenhauer in the house, which you should not read at age 14 (laughter). It is bad, it’s really negative. So then I read Hitchhikers Guide... (Source)

Timothy Ferriss If Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Star Wars had a love-child, it would read something like this. This colorful novel by Douglas Adams begins with Arthur Dent narrowly escaping the Earth’s destruction as it is bulldozed to make room for a hyperspace bypass. Beyond the bizarre characters and plot twists, Adams proves that despite how bleak ones situation might be, there’s always something to... (Source)

Mexican Whiteboy

Matt De La Peña | 4.09

Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4)

Stephenie Meyer | 4.09

Flowers for Algernon

Daniel Keye | 4.08

Irina Botnari It’s pretty hard to pick only one favorite book because as we get wiser (to be read: get older ☺) our interests change and so do our books, but it’ll stick to the plan. The highlight of this year for me was Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. The idea behind is heartbreaking and completely brilliant, being in the same time so perfect and so horribly disturbing. (Source)

Be More Chill

Ned Vizzini | 4.07

Holes (Holes, #1)

Louis Sachar | 4.07

A Separate Peace

John Knowles | 4.07

Bill Gates [On Bill Gates's reading list in 2011.] (Source)

Meg Rosoff What I really love about it is that it’s one of the very few novels that I read as a kid that deal with that really intense kind of friendship between boys, a kind of presexual love story that grows up at boarding schools when there are no women around. I became very affected by it because of the subtlety of the psychological portrait of the two. (Source)

I Am the Messenger

Markus Zusak | 4.07

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

John Boyne | 4.06

The House on Mango Street

Sandra Cisneros | 4.06

Craig Miller For those asking, I actually read two books in February. "The House on Mango Street" is one of the most interestingly written books I've ever digested--a beautiful work. And I loved the Shatner book because I love Shatner. #newyearsresolutionstillgoingstrong https://t.co/4TVPbjJAEJ (Source)

Eleanor & Park

Rainbow Rowell | 4.06

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Anonymous | 4.06

Ryan Holiday I read this on my honeymoon (probably the only person on the beach reading it, if I had to guess). Especially when I learned after that a new introduction paragraph had been discovered only recently. His tomb may have been found recently too. Imagine if Homer’s works had only been discovered in the mid 1800’s after being lost to history for thousands of years. How crazy would that be? Reading the... (Source)

Stephen Cave Gilgamesh is a hero in the ancient mould. He’s half-god, enormously strong, a bit randy, a bit dim, and he goes through adventures which embody the human experience writ large. He starts off as the king of a small kingdom, making a nuisance of himself – enforcing droit du seigneur, sleeping with women on their marriage night, pushing other men around, being a bit of an arse. So the gods make a... (Source)

Walter Dean Myers | 4.05

Luis Valdez, Edna Ochoa | 4.05

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott, Frank Merrill, Alice L. George | 4.04

Amy Chua Marmee is a character that really resonates for me. She’s obviously not Chinese, but she believes that integrity and hard work are the most important things in life. She holds her daughters to very high standards. She doesn’t sugarcoat much. She also reveals to her rebellious daughter Jo, the star of the book and a character loosely modeled on Louisa May Alcott herself, that she had a bad temper... (Source)

Anne Thériault @mmarmoset I love that book so much, and then I got to see Patty Smith perform the year I read it, and she made a Little Women reference during the show, and my heart overflowed (Source)

Jay Kleinberg Nancy Drew is another series which follows in those footsteps. The book is all led by her. I think if one looks in the magazine literature it would be hard to find a similar character at that time. These were stories initially published in a magazine and then bound together as a book. (Source)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)

Jenny Han | 4.04

Laura Wood When Lara Jean has a crush on a boy she writes a letter to him, which she doesn’t post. One day the letters all get posted and she has to deal with the fall out of that. (Source)

Homer, Robert Fagles, Bernard Knox | 4.04

John Gittings Homer, like Shakespeare, encompassed all humanity in his work, and in The Iliad he encompasses peace as well as war. (Source)

Kate McLoughlin A lot of people who had public school educations, classical educations, might have gone into the First World War thinking that they were fighting Homer’s war. (Source)

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)

Marissa Meyer | 4.04

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)

J.K. Rowling | 4.04

American Born Chinese

Gene Luen Yang, Lark Pien | 4.03

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Betty Smith | 4.03

Stephen Dubner I read it over and over in part because I felt it was describing to me what my parents’ life was like when they were kids. (Source)

Tracy Chevalier It’s about an Irish-American family living in Brooklyn at the beginning of the 20th century. (Source)

The Host (The Host, #1)

Stephenie Meyer | 4.03

Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)

Victoria Aveyard | 4.02

Zoe The Red Queen series is about a girl living in a world where the colour of your blood determines your status. (Source)

New Moon (Twilight, #2)

Stephenie Meyer | 4.02

Go Ask Alice

Anonymous | 4.02

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)

Cassandra Clare | 4.01

Tuesdays with Morrie

Mitch Albom | 4.01

Delirium (Delirium, #1)

Lauren Oliver | 4.01

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)

Veronica Roth | 4.01

Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)

Leigh Bardugo | 4.01

The Joy Luck Club

Amy Tan | 4.00

Armistead Maupin The novel is structured around the four corners of the mahjong table. The device makes clear the distance between the old world of China and the new world that these women inhabit in San Francisco. The novel focuses on the memories and secrets that these women carry about their mothers and their daughters. It shows modern Chinese-Americans dealing with cultural differences across generations.... (Source)

Lord Loss (The Demonata, #1)

Darren Shan | 4.00

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36 Books For 9th Graders: Recommendations And Their Amazon Links

December 11, 2023 //  by  Natalie Willet

Spanning the genres of science fiction, fantasy, romance, adventure, and more, these 36 books feature characters that are diverse, relatable, and sure to resonate with 9th graders ages fourteen and up.

1. Together, Apart by Erin A.Craig, Brittney Morris, and more

2. straight punch by monique polak.

A timely collection of short stories about young people finding love and romance -- in all its forms -- during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tessa's late-night graffiti habit has landed her at New Directions, a last-chance school in a rough neighborhood. The school's boxing program teaches her how to fight in and out of the ring.

3. Fresh Ink by Jason Reynolds, Nicola Yoon, and more.

A best friend moves away; a young woman introduces her girlfriend to her family, and a friendship grows at a cosplay convention in this collection of short stories.

4. Jackpot by Nic Stone

Rico has a lot on her plate: her gas station cashier job, taking care of her little brother and helping out her mom. A missing lottery ticket may hold the key to changing her life.

5. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Twin brothers Josh and JB live and breathe basketball. Readers follow their journey as they navigate challenges and heartbreaks, both on and off the court.

6. Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds

Aside from being Spider-Man, Miles Morales is a typical teenager. He gets suspended from school and begins to question not only himself but the world around him. Can he get himself together in time to save his community?

7. They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

On the last day of their lives, strangers Marcus and Rufus meet on the app Last Friend, determined to find someone with whom to have one last adventure.

8. How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days (The Tale of Bryant Adams) by Megan O'Russell

When Devon finds a magical cell phone, it takes him on a series of misadventures. Along the way, he meets wizards and mythical creatures and manages to drag his longtime crush into the titular mess.

9. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

In a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by global warming, North American Indigenous people possess special qualities, for which they are hunted. 16-year-old Frenchie fights to save himself, and his family.

10. Fast Pitch by Nic Stone

Shenice is determined to lead her softball team to victory in the regional championships. When old family secrets are unearthed, Shenice must discover the truth before her team's chance at victory is ruined.

11. Starry-Eyed: 16 Stories That Steal The Spotlight, by Ted Michael and Josh Pultz

16 short stories about the glamour, glitz, and grit of performing in front of live audiences.

12. The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

In a world taken over by extreme virtual reality, a dangerous hacker runs wild. Only another hacker can catch him - will Michael be able to infiltrate the darkest corners of virtual reality to stop him?

13. The Box In The Woods by Maureen Johnson

Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell is invited to Camp Wonder Falls to help solve the case of four murdered camp counselors but quickly learns she may be in over her head.

14. What if It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Ben and Arthur first meet at a New York City post office and wonder if their budding relationships will lead to friendship, romance, or disappointment.

15. Bronxwood by Coe Booth

Tyrell's got adult problems. His father has just been released from prison, his brother is in foster care, and he's living with drug dealers. Can he help his family without getting into serious trouble?

16. Instructions For Dancing by Nicola Yoon

Evie Thomas doesn't believe in love. Then she meets an open-hearted boy named X at a dance studio. As they waltz and tango together,  Evie questions everything she thought she believed about love.

17. The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams

Jess Morgan discovers she might be related to a famous,  (supposedly) assassinated princess. With the help of a cute college student, she digs into a mystery that's both historical and deeply personal.

18. Darius The Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Darius is not sure he'll ever fit in -- whether it's in America or Iran. Visiting family in Iran for the first time, Darius makes a new friend named Sohrab, who shows him that, actually, he may be more than okay.

19. Dancing At The Pity Party by Tyler Feder

Tyler Feder tells the story of losing her mother to cancer in this poignant, candid, and gently funny graphic novel .

20. Heartbreakers and Fakers by Cameron Lund

Penny Harris makes a mistake that costs her both her best friend and boyfriend. Determined to win them back, she befriends a boy who makes her wonder if she really wants her old life back.

21. Unbroken: An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive, by Laura Hillenbrand

In 1943 during World War II, Lieutenant Louis Zamperini's plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Floating alone on a rickety raft, he must battle sharks, hunger, thirst, and enemy aircraft to survive.

22. Guys Write For Guys Read: Boys' Favorite Authors Write About Being Boys by Jon Scieszka

Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and Simpsons creator Matt Groening are all contributors in this collection of stories on what it means to be a young man growing up today.

23. Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Otherworld is a virtual reality game so immersive and visceral that players quickly become addicted. A young gamer named Simon discovers how far some people are willing to go to feed their addiction.

24. Black Wings Beating (The Skybound Saga, Book 1 of 3), by Alex London

The world of Black Wings Beating is one in which survival depends on falconry. Twins Brysen -- a great falconer, and Kylee -- who has rejected the family gift, must journey into the mountains to trap the Ghost Eagle.

25. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Determined to get his Latinx family to accept him, trans teenager Yadriel tries to summon the ghost of his murdered cousin so that he may set him free.

26. Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith

A transgender boy recovering from a frightening assault meets a girl in grief. Neither of them is ready to fall in love, but it may be just what they need.

27. Crown Chasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer

A fantasy-action story in which a girl is reluctantly thrust into a quest to find a hidden seal that will determine the next ruler of the empire.

28. Not So Pure And Simple by Lamar Giles

A light-hearted story about a boy trying to win the attention and affection of his crush. It explores the themes of teenage sexuality, religion, and masculinity.

29. How To Pack For The End Of The World by Michelle Falkoff

Amina joins forces with other young activists to learn survival skills for the end of the world, but typical teenage problems soon become the focus.

30. Over The Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker

Two exceptional children climb over a stone wall one morning and are pulled into a world of strange creatures, mystery, and danger. They only have each other if they want to make it back home.

31. Punching The Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

A wrongfully incarcerated 16-year old boy tries to maintain hope and dignity in prison.

32. Watch Over Me by Nina Lacour

After she ages out of foster care, Mila accepts a teaching job in the forests of northern California. She hopes for a fresh start but is haunted by ghosts new and old.

33. I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

The lives of two teenage girls become intertwined when one is convicted of murder and the other decides to investigate the mysterious case.

34. Turtle Under Ice by Juleah del Rosario

A grieving teenage girl tries to understand her sister's mysterious disappearance and realizes she may be part of the reason her sister is gone.

35. Patron Saints Of Nothing by Randy Ribay

When his cousin is killed in the Philippines, Jay's family won't talk about what happened. He decides to fly there on his own to discover the truth.

36. Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

18-year old Gu Miyoung is secretly a gumiho, a multi-tailed fox who must devour the energy of others to survive. When she meets Jihoon, their relationship could destroy both of them.

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The Best Book-Report Books for Middle Schoolers

No need to dread a book report! When kids find titles that are engaging, interesting, and thought-provoking, they're hooked. If it's fiction, students can dissect plot, theme, and characters. If it's nonfiction, they can plunge into a subject that fascinates them or learn a lot about something they've never heard of before. Here's a list of surefire selections for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. For even more ideas, check out 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12 .

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Inspiring wartime journal reveals teen's inner life.

The Apothecary, Book 1

Cold War kids use magic to save world in brilliant novel.

Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story)

Young refugee's story is told in memories, myths, fables.

Goodbye Stranger

Bittersweet, lovely story of friendship and social media.

Genesis Begins Again

Teen learns to love herself in uplifting tale of misfits.

Hold on tight for an intense tale of survival.

A Long Walk to Water

Touching take on Lost Boys of Sudan, based on true story.

One Crazy Summer

A gem, with strong girl characters, '60s black history.

Poverty, being unhoused explored in hopeful tale.

The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights

Little-known disaster gets overdue, in-depth treatment.

The Red Badge of Courage

Compelling Civil War novel questions morality of battle.

Uglies: Uglies Quartet, Book 1

Thoughtful sci-fi about the price of beauty.

Interned girl, Native boy find common ground in moving tale.

All-American Muslim Girl

Captivating coming-of-age tale explores identity, racism.

American Ace

Moving, fast-paced novel-in-verse; great for teen boys.

Bomb: The Race to Build -- and Steal -- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Complex, suspenseful story of developing The Bomb.

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club

Thrilling true story of teenagers who stood up to the Nazis.

Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings

Poignant memoir-in-verse recalls Cuban American's childhood.

Long Way Down

Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge.

My Name Is Not Easy

Fascinating story of Alaskan kids growing up in the 1960s.

Other great lists from our editors

• Coming-of-Age Books
• Books to Help Your Kid Survive Middle School
• How to Raise a Reader
• Help Your Kids Find Books with Diverse Characters
• How Comics Helped My Kid Love Reading

• Grades 6-12
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42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students

Inspire your students to share their love of books.

Responding to what you read is an important literacy skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids learn about the world. And although students don’t need to dive deeply into every single book they read, occasionally digging into characters, settings, and themes can help them learn to look beyond the prose. Here are 42 creative book report ideas designed to make reading more meaningful.

1. Concrete Found Poem

This clever activity is basically a shape poem made up of words, phrases, and whole sentences found in the books students read. The words come together to create an image that represents something from the story.

2. Graphic Novel

Have students rewrite the book they are reading, or a chapter of their book, as a graphic novel. Set parameters for the assignment such as including six scenes from the story, three characters, details about the setting, etc. And, of course, include detailed illustrations to accompany the story.

3. Book Snaps

Book Snaps are a way for students to visually show how they are reacting to, processing, and/or connecting with a text. First, students snap a picture of a page in the book they are reading. Then, they add comments, images, highlights, and more.

4. Diary Entry

Have your students place themselves in the shoes of one of the characters from their book and write a first-person diary entry of a critical moment from the story. Ask them to choose a moment in the story where the character has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a diary entry.

5. Character To-Do List

This fun activity is an off-the-beaten-path way to dive deep into character analysis. Get inside the head of the main character in a book and write a to-do list that they might write. Use actual information from the text, but also make inferences into what that character may wish to accomplish.

6. Mint Tin Book Report

There are so many super-creative, open-ended projects you can use mint tins for. This teacher blogger describes the process of creating book reports using them. There’s even a free template for cards that fit inside.

7. Fictional Yearbook Entries

Ask your students to create a yearbook based on the characters and setting in the book. What do they look like? Cut out magazine pictures to give a good visual image for their school picture. What kind of superlative might they get? Best looking? Class clown? What clubs would they be in or lead? Did they win any awards? It should be obvious from their small yearbooks whether your students dug deep into the characters in their books. They may also learn that who we are as individuals is reflected in what we choose to do with our lives.

8. Book Report Cake

This project would be perfect for a book tasting in your classroom! Each student presents their book report in the shape of food. See the sandwich and pizza options above and check out this blog for more delicious ideas.

9. Current Events Comparison

Have students locate three to five current events articles a character in their book might be interested in. After they’ve found the articles, have them explain why the character would find them interesting and how they relate to the book. Learning about how current events affect time, place, and people is critical to helping develop opinions about what we read and experience in life.

10. Sandwich Book Report

Yum! You’ll notice a lot of our creative book report ideas revolve around food. In this oldie but goodie, each layer of this book report sandwich covers a different element of the book—characters, setting, conflict, etc. A fun adaptation of this project is the book report cheeseburger.

11. Book Alphabet

Choose 15 to 20 alphabet books to help give your students examples of how they work around themes. Then ask your students to create their own Book Alphabet based on the book they read. What artifacts, vocabulary words, and names reflect the important parts of the book? After they find a word to represent each letter, have them write one sentence that explains where the word fits in.

12. Peekaboo Book Report

Using cardboard lap books (or small science report boards), students include details about their book’s main characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Then they draw a head and arms on card stock and attach them to the board from behind to make it look like the main character is peeking over the report.

13. T-Shirt Book Report

Another fun and creative idea: Create a wearable book report with a plain white tee. Come up with your own using Sharpie pens and acrylic paint. Get step-by-step directions .

14. Book Jacket

Have students create a new book jacket for their story. Include an attractive illustrated cover, a summary, a short biography of the author, and a few reviews from readers.

15. Watercolor Rainbow Book Report

This is great for biography research projects. Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. Then, they draw lines from the image to the edges of the paper, like rays of sunshine, and fill in each section with information about the person. As a book report template, the center image could be a copy of the book cover, and each section expands on key information such as character names, theme(s), conflict, resolution, etc.

16. Act the Part

Have students dress up as their favorite character from the book and present an oral book report. If their favorite character is not the main character, retell the story from their point of view.

17. Pizza Box Book Report

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas that use upcycled materials, try this one using a pizza box. It works well for both nonfiction and fiction book reports. The top lid provides a picture of the book cover. Each wedge of the pizza pie tells part of the story.

18. Bookmark

Have students create a custom illustrated bookmark that includes drawings and words from either their favorite chapter or the entire book.

19. Book Reports in a Bag

Looking for book report ideas that really encourage creative thinking? With book reports in a bag, students read a book and write a summary. Then, they decorate a paper grocery bag with a scene from the book, place five items that represent something from the book inside the bag, and present the bag to the class.

20. Reading Lists for Characters

Ask your students to think about a character in their book. What kinds of books might that character like to read? Take them to the library to choose five books the character might have on their to-be-read list. Have them list the books and explain what each book might mean to the character. Post the to-be-read lists for others to see and choose from—there’s nothing like trying out a book character’s style when developing your own identity.

21. File Folder Book Report

Also called a lap book, this easy-to-make book report hits on all the major elements of a book study and gives students a chance to show what they know in a colorful way.

22. Collage

Create a collage using pictures and words that represent different parts of the book. Use old magazines or print pictures from the Internet.

23. Book Report Triorama

Who doesn’t love a multidimensional book report? This image shows a 3D model, but Elisha Ann provides a lesson to show students how to glue four triangles together to make a 4D model.

24. Timeline

Have students create a timeline of the main events from their book. Be sure to include character names and details for each event. Use 8 x 11 sheets of paper taped together or a long portion of bulletin board paper.

25. Clothes Hanger Book Report Mobile

This creative project doesn’t require a fancy or expensive supply list. Students just need an ordinary clothes hanger, strings, and paper. The body of the hanger is used to identify the book, and the cards on the strings dangling below are filled with key elements of the book, like characters, setting, and a summary.

26. Public Service Announcement

If a student has read a book about a cause that affects people, animals, or the environment, teach them about public service announcements . Once they understand what a PSA is, have them research the issue or cause that stood out in the book. Then give them a template for a storyboard so they can create their own PSA. Some students might want to take it a step further and create a video based on their storyboard. Consider sharing their storyboard or video with an organization that supports the cause or issue.

27. Dodecahedron Book Report

Creative book report ideas think outside the box. In this case, it’s a ball! SO much information can be covered on the 12 panels , and it allows students to take a deep dive in a creative way.

28. Character Cards

Make trading cards (like baseball cards) for a few characters from the book. On the front side, draw the character. On the back side, make a list of their character traits and include a quote or two.

29. Book Report Booklets

This clever book report is made from ordinary paper bags. Stack the paper bags on top of each other, fold them in half, and staple the closed-off ends of the bags together. Students can write, draw, and decorate on the paper bag pages. They can also record information on writing or drawing paper and glue the paper onto the pages. The open ends of the bags can be used as pockets to insert photos, cut-outs, postcards, or other flat items that help them tell their story.

30. Letter to the Author

Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell them three things you really liked about the story. Ask three questions about the plot, characters, or anything else you’re curious about.

31. Book Report Charm Bracelet

What a “charming” way to write a book report! Each illustrated bracelet charm captures a character, an event in the plot, setting, or other detail.

32. Fact Sheet

Have students create a list of 10 facts that they learned from reading the book. Have them write the facts in complete sentences, and be sure that each fact is something that they didn’t know before they read the book.

33. Cereal Box TV Book Report

This book report project is a low-tech version of a television made from a cereal box and two paper towel rolls. Students create the viewing screen cut-out at the top, then insert a scroll of paper with writing and illustrations inside the box. When the cardboard roll is rotated, the story unfolds.

34. Be a Character Therapist

Therapists work to uncover their clients’ fears based on their words and actions. When we read books, we must learn to use a character’s actions and dialogue to infer their fears. Many plots revolve around a character’s fear and the work it takes to overcome that fear. Ask students to identify a character’s fear and find 8 to 10 scenes that prove this fear exists. Then have them write about ways the character overcame the fear (or didn’t) in the story. What might the character have done differently?

35. Mind Maps

Mind maps can be a great way to synthesize what students have learned from reading a book. Plus, there are so many ways to approach them. Begin by writing a central idea in the middle of the page. For example, general information, characters, plot, etc. Then branch out from the center with ideas, thoughts, and connections to material from the book.

36. Foldables

From Rainbows Within Reach , this clever idea would be a great introduction to writing book reports. Adapt the flap categories for students at different levels. Adjust the number of categories (or flaps) per the needs of your students.

37. Board games

This is a great project if you want your students to develop a little more insight into what they’re reading. Have them think about the elements of their favorite board games and how they can be adapted to fit this assignment. For more, here are step-by-step directions .

38. Comic strips

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas for students who like graphic novels, try comic strips. Include an illustrated cover with the title and author. The pages of the book should retell the story using dialogue and descriptions of the setting and characters. Of course, no comic book would be complete without copious illustrations and thought bubbles.

39. Timeline

Create a timeline using a long roll of butcher paper, a poster board, or index cards taped together. For each event on the timeline, write a brief description of what happens. Add pictures, clip art, word art, and symbols to make the timeline more lively and colorful.

40. Cereal Box

Recycle a cereal box and create a book report Wheaties-style. Decorate all sides of the box with information about the book’s characters, setting, plot, summary, etc.

41. Wanted Poster

Make a “wanted” poster for one of the book’s main characters. Indicate whether they are wanted dead or alive. Include a picture of the character and a description of what the character is “wanted” for, three examples of the character showing this trait, and a detailed account of where the character was last seen.

42. Movie Version

If the book your students have read has been made into a movie, have them write a report about how the versions are alike and different. If the book has not been made into a movie, have them write a report telling how they would make it into a movie, using specific details from the book.

What creative book report ideas did we miss? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most popular kids’ books in every grade..

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Home » Articles & Blogs » 9th Grade Reading List - Best Books for 9th Graders

9th Grade Reading List - Best Books for 9th Graders

These are the acclaimed books we suggest your student should be reading during the 9th grade of high school. This is a unique and curated reading list. It has not  been ripped from a public school or common core book list. Each book is listed with a short explanation of its importance and is linked to an Amazon product listing where it can be easily purchased in print or ebook (Kindle) format.

Classifying this book is difficult because it fits into so many genres. The Hobbit can be classified as a novel, a fairy tale, a fable, a romance, or an epic. This 1937 novel is impossible to read without diving into discussions about the challenges faced by the characters. Price Check

The Odyssey

The Giver by Lois Lowry.

The dystopian novel is one of the best works of youth fiction. This book teaches us to never take our humanity and freedom for granted.

Price Check

Romeo & Juliet

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

The Red Badge of Courage

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The Princess Bride

Price Check Kindle

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

The old man and the sea, all quiet on the western front, to kill a mockingbird, lord of the flies, slaughterhouse-five.

Possibly the world's greatest anti-war book.

Great Expectations

Adventures of huckleberry finn.

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How to Write a Book Report

Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:

Book Report Fundamentals

Preparing to write, an overview of the book report format, how to write the main body of a book report, how to write a conclusion to a book report, reading comprehension and book reports, book report resources for teachers .

Book reports remain a key educational assessment tool from elementary school through college. Sitting down to close read and critique texts for their content and form is a lifelong skill, one that benefits all of us well beyond our school years. With the help of this guide, you’ll develop your reading comprehension and note-taking skills. You’ll also find resources to guide you through the process of writing a book report, step-by-step, from choosing a book and reading actively to revising your work. Resources for teachers are also included, from creative assignment ideas to sample rubrics.

Book reports follow general rules for composition, yet are distinct from other types of writing assignments. Central to book reports are plot summaries, analyses of characters and themes, and concluding opinions. This format differs from an argumentative essay or critical research paper, in which impartiality and objectivity is encouraged. Differences also exist between book reports and book reviews, who do not share the same intent and audience. Here, you’ll learn the basics of what a book report is and is not.

What Is a Book Report?

"Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

This article, written by a professor emeritus of rhetoric and English, describes the defining characteristics of book reports and offers observations on how they are composed.

"Writing a Book Report" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab outlines the steps in writing a book report, from keeping track of major characters as you read to providing adequate summary material.

"How to Write a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

This article provides another helpful guide to writing a book report, offering suggestions on taking notes and writing an outline before drafting. 

"How to Write a Successful Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

Another post from ThoughtCo., this article highlights the ten steps for book report success. It was written by an academic advisor and college enrollment counselor.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and an Essay?

"Differences Between a Book Report & Essay Writing" ( Classroom)

In this article from the education resource Classroom,  you'll learn the differences and similarities between book reports and essay writing.

"Differences Between a Book Report and Essay Writing" (SeattlePi.com)

In this post from a Seattle newspaper's website, memoirist Christopher Cascio highlights how book report and essay writing differ.

"The Difference Between Essays and Reports" (Solent Online Learning)

This PDF from Southampton Solent University includes a chart demonstrating the differences between essays and reports. Though it is geared toward university students, it will help students of all levels understand the differing purposes of reports and analytical essays.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and a Book Review?

"How to Write a Book Review and a Book Report" (Concordia Univ.)

The library at Concordia University offers this helpful guide to writing book report and book reviews. It defines differences between the two, then presents components that both forms share.

"Book Reviews" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s writing guide shows the step-by-step process of writing book reviews, offering a contrast to the composition of book reports.

Active reading and thoughtful preparation before you begin your book report are necessary components of crafting a successful piece of writing. Here, you’ll find tips and resources to help you learn how to select the right book, decide which format is best for your report, and outline your main points.

Selecting and Finding a Book

"30 Best Books for Elementary Readers" (Education.com)

This article from Education.com lists 30 engaging books for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. It was written by Esme Raji Codell, a teacher, author, and children's literature specialist.

"How to Choose a Good Book for a Report (Middle School)" (WikiHow)

This WikiHow article offers suggestions for middle schoolers on how to choose the right book for a report, from getting started early on the search process to making sure you understand the assignment's requirements.

"Best Book-Report Books for Middle Schoolers" (Common Sense Media)

Common Sense Media has compiled this list of 25 of the best books for middle school book reports. For younger students, the article suggests you check out the site's "50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12."

"50 Books to Read in High School" (Lexington Public Library)

The Lexington, Kentucky Public Library has prepared this list to inspire high school students to choose the right book. It includes both classics and more modern favorites.

The Online Computer Library Center's catalogue helps you locate books in libraries near you, having itemized the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries.

Formats of Book Reports

"Format for Writing a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

Here, Your Dictionary supplies guidelines for the basic book report format. It describes what you'll want to include in the heading, and what information to include in the introductory paragraph. Be sure to check these guidelines against your teacher's requirements.

"The Good Old Book Report" (Scholastic)

Nancy Barile’s blog post for Scholastic lists the questions students from middle through high school should address in their book reports.

How to Write an Outline

"Writer’s Web: Creating Outlines" (Univ. of Richmond)

The University of Richmond’s Writing Center shows how you can make use of micro and macro outlines to organize your argument.

"Why and How to Create a Useful Outline" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab demonstrates how outlines can help you organize your report, then teaches you how to create outlines.

"Creating an Outline" (EasyBib)

EasyBib, a website that generates bibliographies, offers sample outlines and tips for creating your own. The article encourages you to think about transitions and grouping your notes.

"How to Write an Outline: 4 Ways to Organize Your Thoughts" (Grammarly)

This blog post from a professional writer explains the advantages of using an outline, and presents different ways to gather your thoughts before writing.

In this section, you’ll find resources that offer an overview of how to write a book report, including first steps in preparing the introduction. A good book report's introduction hooks the reader with strong opening sentences and provides a preview of where the report is going.

"Step-by-Step Outline for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This article from Classroom furnishes students with a guide to the stages of writing a book report, from writing the rough draft to revising.

"Your Roadmap to a Better Book Report" ( Time4Writing )

Time4Writing offers tips for outlining your book report, and describes all of the information that the introduction, body, and conclusion should include.

"How to Start a Book Report" ( ThoughtCo)

This ThoughtCo. post, another by academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, demonstrates how to write a pithy introduction to your book report.

"How to Write an Introduction for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief but helpful post from Classroom  details what makes a good book report introduction, down to the level of individual sentences.

The body paragraphs of your book report accomplish several goals: they describe the plot, delve more deeply into the characters and themes that make the book unique, and include quotations and examples from the book. Below are some resources to help you succeed in summarizing and analyzing your chosen text.

Plot Summary and Description

"How Do You Write a Plot Summary?" ( Reference )

This short article presents the goals of writing a plot summary, and suggests a word limit. It emphasizes that you should stick to the main points and avoid including too many specific details, such as what a particular character wears.

"How to Write a Plot for a Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

In this article from a resource website for writers, Patricia Harrelson outlines what information to include in a plot summary for a book report. 

"How to Write a Book Summary" (WikiHow)

Using Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as an example, this WikiHow article demonstrates how to write a plot summary one step at a time.

Analyzing Characters and Themes

"How to Write a Character Analysis Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kristine Tucker shows how to write a book report focusing on character. You can take her suggestions as they are, or consider  incorporating them into the more traditional book report format.

"How to Write a Character Analysis" (YouTube)

The SixMinuteScholar Channel utilizes analysis of the film  Finding Nemo to show you how to delve deeply into character, prioritizing inference over judgment.

"How to Define Theme" ( The Editor's Blog )

Fiction editor Beth Hill contributes an extended definition of theme. She also provides examples of common themes, such as "life is fragile."

"How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story" ( ThoughtCo )

This blog post from ThoughtCo. clarifies the definition of theme in relation to symbolism, plot, and moral. It also offers examples of themes in literature, such as love, death, and good vs. evil.

Selecting and Integrating Quotations

"How to Choose and Use Quotations" (Santa Barbara City College)

This guide from a college writing center will help you choose which quotations to use in your book report, and how to blend quotations with your own words.

"Guidelines for Incorporating Quotes" (Ashford Univ.)

This PDF from Ashford University's Writing Center introduces the ICE method for incorporating quotations: introduce, cite, explain.

"Quote Integration" (YouTube)

This video from The Write Way YouTube channel illustrates how to integrate quotations into writing, and also explains how to cite those quotations.

"Using Literary Quotations" (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)

This guide from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writing Center helps you emphasize your analysis of a quotation, and explains how to incorporate quotations into your text.

Conclusions to any type of paper are notoriously tricky to write. Here, you’ll learn some creative ways to tie up loose ends in your report and express your own opinion of the book you read. This open space for sharing opinions that are not grounded in critical research is an element that often distinguishes book reports from other types of writing.

"How to Write a Conclusion for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief article from the education resource  Classroom illustrates the essential points you should make in a book report conclusion.

"Conclusions" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center lays out strategies for writing effective conclusions. Though the article is geared toward analytical essay conclusions, the tips offered here will also help you write a strong book report.

"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Pat Bellanca’s article for Harvard University’s Writing Center presents ways to conclude essays, along with tips. Again, these are suggestions for concluding analytical essays that can also be used to tie up a book report's loose ends.

Reading closely and in an engaged manner is the strong foundation upon which all good book reports are built. The resources below will give you a picture of what active reading looks like, and offer strategies to assess and improve your reading comprehension. Further, you’ll learn how to take notes—or “annotate” your text—making it easier to find important information as you write.

How to Be an Active Reader

"Active Reading Strategies: Remember and Analyze What You Read" (Princeton Univ.)

Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning recommends ten strategies for active reading, and includes sample diagrams.

"Active Reading" (Open Univ.)

The Open University offers these techniques for reading actively alongside video examples. The author emphasizes that you should read for comprehension—not simply to finish the book as quickly as possible.

"7 Active Reading Strategies for Students" ( ThoughtCo )

In this post, Grace Fleming outlines seven methods for active reading. Her suggestions include identifying unfamiliar words and finding the main idea. 

"5 Active Reading Strategies for Textbook Assignments" (YouTube)

Thomas Frank’s seven-minute video demonstrates how you can retain the most important information from long and dense reading material.

Assessing Your Reading Comprehension

"Macmillan Readers Level Test" (MacMillan)

Take this online, interactive test from a publishing company to find out your reading level. You'll be asked a number of questions related to grammar and vocabulary.

"Reading Comprehension Practice Test" (ACCUPLACER)

ACCUPLACER is a placement test from The College Board. This 20-question practice test will help you see what information you retain after reading short passages.

"Reading Comprehension" ( English Maven )

The English Maven site has aggregated exercises and tests at various reading levels so you can quiz your reading comprehension skills.

How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension

"5 Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension" ( ThoughtCo )

ThoughtCo. recommends five tips to increase your reading comprehension ability, including reading with tools such as highlighters, and developing new vocabulary.

"How to Improve Reading Comprehension: 8 Expert Tips" (PrepScholar)

This blog post from PrepScholar provides ideas for improving your reading comprehension, from expanding your vocabulary to discussing texts with friends.

CrashCourse video: "Reading Assignments" (YouTube)

This CrashCourse video equips you with tools to read more effectively. It will help you determine how much material you need to read, and what strategies you can use to absorb what you read.

"Improving Reading Comprehension" ( Education Corner )

From a pre-reading survey through post-reading review, Education Corner  walks you through steps to improve reading comprehension.

Methods of In-text Annotation

"The Writing Process: Annotating a Text" (Hunter College)

This article from Hunter College’s Rockowitz Writing Center outlines how to take notes on a text and provides samples of annotation.

"How To Annotate Text While Reading" (YouTube)

This video from the SchoolHabits YouTube channel presents eleven annotation techniques you can use for better reading comprehension.

"5 Ways To Annotate Your Books" ( Book Riot )

This article from the Book Riot  blog highlights five efficient annotation methods that will save you time and protect your books from becoming cluttered with unnecessary markings.

"How Do You Annotate Your Books?" ( Epic Reads )

This post from Epic Reads highlights how different annotation methods work for different people, and showcases classic methods from sticky notes to keeping a reading notebook.

Students at every grade level can benefit from writing book reports, which sharpen critical reading skills. Here, we've aggregated sources to help you plan book report assignments and develop rubrics for written and oral book reports. You’ll also find alternative book report assessment ideas that move beyond the traditional formats.

Teaching Elementary School Students How to Write Book Reports

"Book Reports" ( Unique Teaching Resources )

These reading templates courtesy of Unique Teaching Resources make great visual aids for elementary school students writing their first book reports.

"Elementary Level Book Report Template" ( Teach Beside Me )

This   printable book report template from a teacher-turned-homeschooler is simple, classic, and effective. It asks basic questions, such as "who are the main characters?" and "how did you feel about the main characters?"

"Book Reports" ( ABC Teach )

ABC Teach ’s resource directory includes printables for book reports on various subjects at different grade levels, such as a middle school biography book report form and a "retelling a story" elementary book report template.

"Reading Worksheets" ( Busy Teacher's Cafe )

This page from Busy Teachers’ Cafe contains book report templates alongside reading comprehension and other language arts worksheets.

Teaching Middle School and High School Students How to Write Book Reports

"How to Write a Book Report: Middle and High School Level" ( Fact Monster)

Fact Monster ’s Homework Center discusses each section of a book report, and explains how to evaluate and analyze books based on genre for students in middle and high school.

"Middle School Outline Template for Book Report" (Trinity Catholic School)

This PDF outline template breaks the book report down into manageable sections for seventh and eighth graders by asking for specific information in each paragraph.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( Classroom )

In this article for Classroom,  Elizabeth Thomas describes what content high schoolers should focus on when writing their book reports.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kori Morgan outlines techniques for adapting the book report assignment to the high school level in this post for The Pen & The Pad .

"High School Book Lists and Report Guidelines" (Highland Hall Waldorf School)

These sample report formats, grading paradigms, and tips are collected by Highland Hall Waldorf School. Attached are book lists by high school grade level.

Sample Rubrics

"Book Review Rubric Editable" (Teachers Pay Teachers)

This free resource from Teachers Pay Teachers allows you to edit your book report rubric to the specifications of your assignment and the grade level you teach.

"Book Review Rubric" (Winton Woods)

This PDF rubric from a city school district includes directions to take the assignment long-term, with follow-up exercises through school quarters.

"Multimedia Book Report Rubric" ( Midlink Magazine )

Perfect for oral book reports, this PDF rubric from North Carolina State University's Midlink Magazine  will help you evaluate your students’ spoken presentations.

Creative Book Report Assignments

"25 Book Report Alternatives" (Scholastic)

This article from the Scholastic website lists creative alternatives to the standard book report for pre-kindergarteners through high schoolers.

"Fresh Ideas for Creative Book Reports" ( Education World )

Education World offers nearly 50 alternative book report ideas in this article, from a book report sandwich to a character trait diagram.

"A Dozen Ways to Make Amazingly Creative Book Reports" ( We Are Teachers )

This post from We Are Teachers puts the spotlight on integrating visual arts into literary study through multimedia book report ideas.

"More Ideas Than You’ll Ever Use for Book Reports" (Teachnet.com)

This list from Teachnet.com includes over 300 ideas for book report assignments, from "interviewing" a character to preparing a travel brochure to the location in which the book is set.

"Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report" (National Council of Teachers of English)

In this PDF resource from the NCTE's  English Journal,  Diana Mitchell offers assignment ideas ranging from character astrology signs to a character alphabet.

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Students from grades 9-12 engage in captivating stories with complex characters and strong plots. This list of best-selling books will prompt stimulating discussions. Themes like the refugee crisis and self-identity will teach your student about themselves and the world around them. 

Try Sunshine , a touching story of author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who attended a camp as a counselor for sick children and their families when he was in high school. Anticipating an emotionally challenging time, Jarrett instead discovers that Camp Sunshine is instead full of hope and determination, something that winds up rippling through Jarrett's own life. 

Meanwhile, The Library of Broken Worlds introduces a world full of magic to fantasy fans. As the daughter of a library god, Frieda has spent her whole life roaming its ever-shifting tunnels and communicating with gods. But when Frieda meets Joshua and Nergui, she is determined to help them save their people. But in order to do so, Frieda must venture deeper into the library than she'd ever imagined, all the while confronting atrocities from the past and the truth of her own origins. 

Use these unforgettable stories to guide classroom discussions about truth, history, human nature, and the power of friendship. These novels will help your students appreciate powerful stories with good messages. 

Shop best-selling books for grades 9-12 below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store. 

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Please Note: A Beka does not sell their materials to Exodus Books. The following overview is meant to help you evaluate A Beka as a curriculum, and give you some other options to consider as well.

Designed as supplements to A Beka’s reading and literature programs, these are simply reprints of older books for students to read and report on. There are no teacher editions, no review questions, and only some of them have any kind of introduction or forward; a few are lightly illustrated.

To be used for middle and high school students, these books are either explicitly Christian or illustrate important virtues like perseverance and courage. Many are biographies of key figures from Elizabeth I to David Livingstone to Booker T. Washington. Others are historical fiction like The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott or On His Own by Horatio Alger, Jr.

Texts vary in length, but all of them are unabridged book length. A Beka calls them Book Report Books since students are to read them and write a précis of plot and characters as well as analysis of the book’s themes. There is nothing specifically directing this sort of assignment in any of the texts, however, so you could just as well use other books of your own choosing for the same purpose.

If you’re concerned about the content of your kids’ reading material these are safe choices, chosen as much for their literary quality as for their moral nature. There is also plenty of history—in the biographies it is straightforward, in the historical fiction it is present but less blatant. For educational and character-building literature that you won’t have to screen beforehand, these are good choices.

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Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

60 of the Best Books for 8th Graders

The best books for eight graders (who are usually around age 13) are upper middle-grade and young YA titles! That’s what you find recommended on this list. Still, I tend to lean toward conservative choices, especially for kids who are still under the age of 16. So I’ve included books about crushes, body image, sexual harassment and consent, and identity. Many of these books are personal favorites that I would certainly hand to my favorite 13 year olds.

For newer books for 8th graders, check out our brand new list of  books for 13 year olds .

Click on the graphics to head over to the book’s Amazon page.

Disclaimer: I use affiliate links for Amazon and will make a cent or two if you buy using these links. It’s a great way to support a blog(ger) you love.

Get a printable of this list  to take to your library. Just pop your email in the box below and it’ll come right to you!

Mary Underwater

Published: April 7, 2020

Mary Murphy feels like she’s drowning. Her violent father is home from prison, and the social worker is suspicious of her new bruises. An aunt she’s never met keeps calling. And if she can’t get a good grade on her science project, she’ll fail her favorite class.

But Mary doesn’t want to be a victim anymore. She has a plan: build a real submarine, like the model she’s been making with Kip Dwyer, the secretly sweet class clown. Gaining courage from her heroine, Joan of Arc, Mary vows to pilot a sub across the Chesapeake Bay, risking her life in a modern crusade to save herself.

Published: May 11, 2021

Mary O’Malley is tired of keeping secrets. Secrets like her older brother, Jonny’s, drug use. Starting seventh grade is tough enough without the upheaval her brother is bringing to their family.

It seems the only person who might understand is Griffen Connolly, whose older sister runs with Jonny in the wrong crowd. Mary thought Griff was too cool, too popular for her. But now he wants to hang out with her, and listen.

When two girls Mary thought were her friends decide to slam another girl online, Mary tries to look the other way. Then the girls turn on Mary, and suddenly, she doesn’t have a safety zone. Her brother is out of control, her family’s energies are all spent on him. There is only one person she can turn to. But can she trust Griff? Or is he one of the bullies?

13 and Counting

Published: August 6, 2019

With winter break almost over and seventh grade spinning beyond their control, best friends Kaylan and Ari write a new list of 13 resolutions to make the New Year, middle school, and their friendship even more amazing before they go to separate camps next summer.

But what happens when their bestie bucket list reveals issues in their friend group? Can they want totally different things and still be BFFs?

Told in the alternating POVs of Ari and Kaylan—and with goals inspired by suggestions from readers—this contemporary coming-of-age story is bound to be the most heartbreaking and hilarious Friendship List yet.

Taking Up Space

Published: May 18, 2021

Sarah loves basketball more than anything. Crushing it on the court makes her feel like she matters. And it’s the only thing that helps her ignore how much it hurts when her mom forgets to feed her.

But lately Sarah can’t even play basketball right. She’s slower now and missing shots she should be able to make. Her body doesn’t feel like it’s her own anymore. She’s worried that changing herself back to how she used to be is the only way she can take control over what’s happening.

When Sarah’s crush asks her to be partners in a cooking competition, she feels pulled in a million directions. She’ll have to dig deep to stand up for what she needs at home, be honest with her best friends, and accept that she doesn’t need to change to feel good about herself.

Related :  Alyson Gerber on Taking Up Space

Published: July 25, 2017

JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world . . .

ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America . . .

MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe . . .

All three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers — from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of  tomorrow . And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.

This action-packed novel tackles topics both timely and timeless: courage, survival, and the quest for home.

Give Me a Sign

Published: July 11, 2023

Lilah is a teen with hearing loss but who isn’t profoundly deaf. So she has always felt caught in the middle — not deaf enough to be part of the Deaf community and not fully hearing to fit in completely there either. But when she becomes a counselor at a summer camp for deaf and blind kids, her experiences (and the boy she falls in love with) change the way the views her disability.

I loved this beautiful exploration of Deaf culture with a nostalgic summer camp setting and sweet first love. This book is a great addition to the slim pickings of  YA books about disability . I’d recommend this for readers ages 13+ who want to learn more about deafness and Deaf culture + are looking for a summer camp romance.

Cuba in My Pocket

Published: September 21, 2021

When the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 solidifies Castro’s power in Cuba, twelve-year-old Cumba’s family makes the difficult decision to send him to Florida alone. Faced with the prospect of living in another country by himself, Cumba tries to remember the sound of his father’s clarinet, the smell of his mother’s lavender perfume.

Life in the United States presents a whole new set of challenges. Lost in a sea of English speakers, Cumba has to navigate a new city, a new school, and new freedom all on his own. With each day, Cumba feels more confident in his new surroundings, but he continues to wonder: Will his family ever be whole again? Or will they remain just out of reach, ninety miles across the sea?

Red, White, and Whole

Published: February 2, 2021

The year is 1983 and 13-year-old Reha is caught between two cultures: her Indian family and community at home; and the all-American experience at school and with her white “school best friend.” But it’s not all rosy. Her mother doesn’t approve of Reha acting more American than Indian. She makes all of Reha’s clothes herself and is upset when Reha says she would like to go to the school dance.

Reha is understandably frustrated at her mother’s lack of understanding, but she’s about to have more problems. Her mom is diagnosed with leukemia and Reha’s life is turned upside down. Between school, family issues, and navigating her affection for a boy in her neighborhood, Reha has her plate full.

This is a heartwarming and heartbreaking verse novel about mothers and daughters, the eighties, and straddling two cultures. This moving middle-grade novel with a protagonist coming of age in the midst of a traumatic life experience will appeal both to younger and older readers between ages 10-14

Related :   Rajani LaRocca on Red, White and Whole, Family and the 80’s

Carry Me Home

Published: August 24, 2021

Twelve-year-old Lulu and her younger sister, Serena, have a secret. As Daddy always says, “it’s best if we keep it to ourselves,” and so they have. But hiding your past is one thing. Hiding where you live—and that your Daddy has gone missing—is harder.

At first Lulu isn’t worried. Daddy has gone away once before and he came back. But as the days add up, with no sign of Daddy, Lulu struggles to take care of all the responsibilities they used to manage as a family.

Lulu knows that all it takes is one slip-up for their secret to come spilling out, for Lulu and Serena to be separated, and for all the good things that have been happening in school to be lost.

But family is all around us, and Lulu must learn to trust her new friends and community to save those she loves and to finally find her true home.

I Love You So Mochi

Published: May 28, 2019

Japanese-American, Kimi Nakamura is fashion-loving teen who spends her time designing and sewing bold, creative outfits. The only problem is that her mother — a graphic designer who always wanted to be an artist — expects Kimi to become a “real artist.” To her, Kimi’s designs should remain a “hobby.”

Although Kimi has already been accepted to a reputable fine art college, she hasn’t told her mother that she’s dropped out of Advanced Fine Art and hasn’t painted anything all semester. When her mother finds out and is sorely disappointed, Kimi takes advantage of her estranged grandparents’ offer to visit Kyoto.

This is a delightful, delicious young adult novel, perfect for anyone desperate for a trip to Japan on a page. Yet, it isn’t all fluff. It features a determined, artistic heroine and sheds light on all the ways parental pressures can change a person’s path in life. I would highly recommend this novel to fans of  American Panda , fashion aficionados, and anyone whose dreams have run contrary to parental wishes.

Related:  72 Asian YA novels to Read ASAP

Big Apple Diaries

Published: August 17, 2021

Big Apple Diaries  is Alyssa Bermudez’s graphic memoir detailing her life experiences in New York City between the 7th and 8th grades. Her middle school years also coincide with the attack on 9/11 and the book documents the impact on her and her circle.

I enjoyed this relatable and enjoyable coming-of-age  graphic memoir . Managing crushes, schoolwork, and a living in two homes  after her parents divorce , young Alyssa is also  actively doodling/journaling  — a skill she will continue to use. This is a much-needed personal account of 9/11 that will appeal to a younger audience. I would recommend this one to kids ages 11 and up.

The Love Report

Published: June 13, 2023

Grace and Lola are BFFs who decide to do a project to study love. Their research (if you can call it that) opens their eyes to how fickle romantic love can be (especially among infatuated teens), the negative effects of stereotypes (a goth has more to her personality than the way she dresses, an assumed “bimbo” is more than just a pretty face). But it also forces them to examine their own friendship and how well they show up for each other.

I loved the illustration style in this book and I liked the way the story connects to both girls’ families and the depiction of toxic masculinity and its impact on young boys. This book covers many themes, from parental separation to sexual harassment, but I think what it does best is extolling the value of female friendships through the ups and downs of life. I’d hand this to older kids ages 11+

Published: September 12, 2017

14-year-old David is a quintessential middle child. His sister Bridgette is in college and the family’s academic success story. Mal, his younger brother is on the autism spectrum, although his family prefers not to use the autism label. Mal is almost non-verbal and only says the word “okay.” David has always has a large appetite and an interest in competitive eating, but after he accidentally leaves a $2000 bill on his mother’s credit card, he’s forced to join a pizza-eating contest to win the grand prize of $5000.

This is an engaging, funny, true-to-life story about competitive eating,  navigating friendship dilemmas , understanding an  autistic sibling , and finding one’s place in their family. David is easy to love and the family dynamics in this story are truly heartwarming. I would totally hand this to anyone looking to read  more “boy books.”  

Breathing Underwater

Published: March 30, 2021

Thirteen-year-old Olivia is excited about going on a road trip back to California with her sister and their uncle and aunt. Their family moved to Tennessee from California three years ago, and the girls had buried a time capsule before their move. Olivia’s big sister Ruth is now 16 and clinically depressed. She has good and bad days and is on medication to manage her depression.

Olivia feels responsible for Ruth’s happiness and has a plan to recover their time capsule, while doing a photo project during their trip to remind Ruth of good times and make her just a little happier. But she soon finds out that with mental illness, it’s not always so simple.

This a beautifully written, moving middle grade novel about sisterhood, art, and loving a sibling with a mental illness. This book portrays depression realistically, showing the highs and lows while reminding loved ones that sometimes loving people the way you know how to is the best you can do. Fans of books about road trips, family stories, or emotional stories will love this quiet middle grade novel.

The Next Great Jane

Published: May 19, 2020

Jane Brannen wants nothing more than to become a famous author like Jane Austen–she just needs to figure out the key to literary success! Her chance to uncover the secret arrives when bestselling author J. E. Fairfax visits her tiny town of Whickett Harbor. Unfortunately, a hurricane rolls in and Jane gets stuck with the author’s snobbish son, Devon, instead.

But when the skies clear, Jane realizes the wind has blown in something worse than annoying boys: Her mother, Susan, and Susan’s new fiancé, Erik, have flown all the way from Hollywood to file for custody and bring Jane back to California. Now she needs to find a mate for her marine biologist father and figure out what’s truly important about Whickett Harbor, so she can prove to her mother that this is where she’s meant to stay.

Gabe in the After

Published: June 28, 2022

Two years after a global pandemic, twenty survivors (most of them children) have relocated from their coastal Maine island full of sad memories to a mansion on a small, neighboring island where they have school and farm chores. When Gabe and his dog, Mud, find Relle Douglas alone in the woods on the mainland, they take the strange new girl across the channel to live with them. 

Relle changes the island with her hopeful attitude. She tells big stories and makes plans for activities like talent shows. Despite a growing crush, Gabe doesn’t quite understand the point of it all; why have a talent show at the end of the world? But when tragedy strikes, Gabe sets out on a dangerous journey to try and find other survivors where the world might be normal. Like Before. 

Nikki on the Line

Published: March 5, 2019

13-year-old Nikki Doyle feels one step closer to her pro basketball player dreams when she gets signed on to an elite-level club team. But her mother doesn’t have enough to pay for the club, and so Nikki offers to watch her little brother after school so they can save on daycare money. Unfortunately, playing for the club isn’t nearly as easy as Nikki expects.

Shorter than her teammates and suddenly no longer point guard on the new team, she feels out of place. What’s more, her new busy schedule means she can’t hang out with the team as much as she’d like. On top of that, a new genetics project at school reminds Nikki that her biological father was a sperm donor. Between juggling all her responsibilities and proving herself a valuable member of the team, it feels like everything is on the line for Nikki.

Rhythm and Muse

Published: May 30, 2023

High school junior Darren Johnson lives in his head. There, he can pine for his crush—total dream girl, Delia Dawson—in peace, away from the unsolicited opinions of his talkative family and showboat friends. When Delia announces a theme song contest for her popular podcast,  Dillie D in the Place to Be,  Darren’s friends—convinced he’ll never make a move—submit one of his secret side projects for consideration.

This was very sweet! I loved the message of putting yourself out there instead of living in your head. I also liked that while we’re in Darren’s head, we learn enough about his love interest that she’s not just a manic-pixie dream girl. This young YA features lovely teen-parent relationships and main characters who attend church without it being a preachy book. I thought it was really fun and perfect for younger teens 12+ with nearly no language!

Published: August 28, 2018

It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chat–by themselves, with no adults to listen in. There, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for “A Room to Talk”), they discover it’s safe to talk about what’s bothering them–everything from Esteban’s father’s deportation and Haley’s father’s incarceration to Amari’s fears of racial profiling and Ashton’s adjustment to his changing family fortunes.

When the six are together, they can express the feelings and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world. And together, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives.

Good Enough

Published: February 19, 2019

12-year-old Riley has an eating disorder and now she can’t do the things she used to love doing — like art and running. Her parents check her into a treatment facility with other girls who have eating disorders.

I liked this book about a girl in treatment for anorexia. The author does a fantastic job depicting the experience of struggling with an eating disorder and how non-linear the healing process can be. The story feels authentic and is highly insightful about the therapy process. I also liked the diary-style format .

Abby, Tried and True

Published: March 9, 2021

When Abby Braverman’s best friend, Cat, moves to Israel, she’s sure it’s the worst thing that could happen. But then her older brother, Paul, is diagnosed with cancer, and life upends again. Now it’s up to Abby to find a way to navigate seventh grade without her best friend, help keep her brother’s spirits up during difficult treatments, and figure out her surprising new feelings for the boy next door.

Turning Point

Published: September 15, 2020

This book focuses on Monique (Mo) and Rasheeda (Sheeda)’s friendship and how it changes over a summer when both girls are drawn into different pursuits. Mo is off at a ballet intensive with Mila, while Sheeda is stuck at church (with her church “friends”) feeling like she has no life.

At the ballet intensive, Mo comes face to face with her competitive attitude which is fueled by feelings of not “fitting in” with the mostly white, skinny ballet dancers. Even though she makes a couple of friends (who basically lovingly force her to befriend them), she’s insecure at times, afraid to be vulnerable because everything feels so different. On the other hand, Sheeda is desperate for something new. Unfortunately, she falls into a risky situation with Mo’s brother whom she happens to have a crush on.

This is a compulsively readable upper middle-grade book for kids ages 11+ that explores a horde of important themes–everything from  female friendships ,  body image , sexual harassment, religion, racial prejudice, to ballet. If you’re looking for a middle-grade book about ballet, I’d highly recommend this one.

Related :  23 Best Middle-Grade Books About Body Image and Body Positivit

Nowhere Boy

Published: August 7, 2018

Fourteen-year-old Ahmed is stuck in a city that wants nothing to do with him. Newly arrived in Brussels, Belgium, Ahmed fled a life of uncertainty and suffering in Aleppo, Syria, only to lose his father on the perilous journey to the shores of Europe. Now Ahmed’s struggling to get by on his own, but with no one left to trust and nowhere to go, he’s starting to lose hope.

Then he meets Max, a thirteen-year-old American boy from Washington, D.C. Lonely and homesick, Max is struggling at his new school and just can’t seem to do anything right. But with one startling discovery, Max and Ahmed’s lives collide and a friendship begins to grow. Together, Max and Ahmed will defy the odds, learning from each other what it means to be brave and how hope can change your destiny.

When the Vibe Is Right

Tess Crawford wants to be a Carnival costume designer, but she won’t be able to do that if her uncle’s designing business closes. Business has been slow, and they need a social media presence to compete with newer designers. Enter the funny Brandon, social media expert extraordinaire, whom Tess can’t stand.

This was certainly enjoyable, with lots of information and love for the Trini carnival and a nice approach to grief, vulnerability, and pursuing dreams. I iked the male protagonist’s sunshine to mellow out Tess’s grumpiness. Overall, really fun and wonderful on audio. Great for teens ages 13+

Beverly, Right Here

Published: September 24, 2019

It’s the summer of 1979. 14-year-old Beverly Tapinski leaves home and arrives at the Seahorse Court RV community in Florida. She’s grieving the death of her (and the Three Rancheros’ dog, Buddy) and has left her friend Raymie without even saying goodbye. Beverly’s alcoholic mother, Rhonda doesn’t care much about what happens to her.

All alone and away from home, Beverly meets an older, eccentric woman named Iola. Iola takes Beverly in and the two begin to build a friendship despite Beverly’s initial resistance. She also gets a job as a busgirl at a fish place, even though she hates fish. Then she meets 16-year-old Elmer, who wants to study engineering at Dartmouth.

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

Published: May 16, 2017

For Arturo, summertime in Miami means playing basketball until dark, sipping mango smoothies, and keeping cool under banyan trees. And maybe a few shifts as junior lunchtime dishwasher at Abuela’s restaurant. Maybe. But this summer also includes Carmen, a poetry enthusiast who moves into Arturo’s apartment complex and turns his stomach into a deep fryer. He almost doesn’t notice the smarmy land developer who rolls into town and threatens to change it. 

Arturo refuses to let his family and community go down without a fight, and as he schemes with Carmen, Arturo discovers the power of poetry and protest through untold family stories and the work of José Martí.

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter

Published: May 5, 2020

Keiko is thrilled that her two BFFs, Jenna and Audrey, are reuniting with her after their first ever summer apart. But when Jenna returns from Texas, she doesn’t seem to fit back in seamlessly anymore — probably because they stopped texting each other after a while. It doesn’t help that Audrey seems boy-crazy and has never really gotten on too well with Jenna anyway.

As Jenna and Audrey’s friendship deteriorates over the fall, Keiko feels torn between both girls. She also rekindles some old friendships that threaten her relationship with Audrey. As a result, confrontation-averse, peace-making Keiko is forced to decide whether or not she will stand up for herself in her friendship with Audrey.

On top of everything else, Keiko’s family seems to be changing: her mom is working later and later, and seems to be avoiding coming home — and her little sister seems to keeping a secret. Will Keiko keep it all together?

Violets Are Blue

Published: October 12, 2021

12-year-old Wren lives with her mom after her parents’ divorce. Her dad has moved to New York City and married his lover (with whom he was unfaithful to her mother), who is now expecting twins. Wren is also a special effects makeup aficionado. Caught up in a new school, navigating new friendships, and balancing her relationships with her parents — whose relationship with each other is strained — Wren notices her mom has begun behaving strangely.

I loved this engaging middle grade book with a relatable, creative protagonist dealing with parental substance abuse. It also spotlights the reality of coping with parental divorce after infidelity and thereafter adjusting to a new blended family. Fans of stories with kids who love arts and crafts, as well as musical theater, will also enjoy this book. 

Summer at Meadow Wood

Vic and her little brother have been sent off to summer camp for eight weeks. Although summer at Meadow Wood seems to be a regular occurrence, Vic is convinced that the reason they’ve been “shipped off” this time is different. Besides, things are going poorly between her parents. As a result, she’s not excited to be there. Still, she tries to make it work, reconnecting with her friends in Yarrow camp while trying to be a good camp sister to a younger camper, Vera.

When her mom says she doesn’t have money to pay for canteen for Vic and her brother, Vic starts working at the farm with one of the camp owners, Earl. She also goes with him to the market — which she gets paid for. Eventually, Vic learns more about the state of her parents’ relationship and forms closer bonds with everyone at camp and even a certain boy at the market.

Maid for It

Published: September 5, 2023

Franny and her mom are finally bouncing back from her mother’s battle with opioid addiction when her mom gets in an accident and is prescribed opioids for the pain. Now her mom can’t do her cleaning jobs and the bills are piling up. The last time that happened, her mother relapsed. So Franny decides she’ll keep doing her mom’s jobs behind her back to keep them afloat and keep her mom out of rehab.

Like everything Sumner writes, this was impossible to put down. It has just about everything middle grade readers love in a good book: the struggle to find good friends, family drama, a strong-willed protagonist, secrets, and suspense. There’s also plenty of info about addiction, which is why this is better for kids ages 10+

All Summer Long

Published: May 1, 2018

Thirteen-year-old Bina has a long summer ahead of her. She and her best friend, Austin, usually do everything together, but he’s off to soccer camp for a month, and he’s been acting kind of weird lately anyway. So it’s up to Bina to see how much fun she can have on her own.

At first it’s a lot of guitar playing, boredom, and bad TV, but things look up when she finds an unlikely companion in Austin’s older sister, who enjoys music just as much as Bina. But then Austin comes home from camp, and he’s acting even weirder than when he left. How Bina and Austin rise above their growing pains and reestablish their friendship and respect for their differences makes for a touching and funny coming-of-age story.

Published: March 28, 2017

Rachel Brooks has finally scored a spot as a forward on her soccer team. She just needs one more doctor’s visit to check on her scoliosis — one she hopes will be the last.

Unfortunately, the doctor has bad news for her: the curve has worsened and she’ll have to wear a back brace. Worse still, she needs to be in a back brace for twenty-three hours a day. How will she still play soccer? What will her friends think? And what about Tate, the boy she’s crushing on?

This is an important, realistic story of a girl dealing with scoliosis in middle school. With an immersive, charged plot, this story touches multiple themes from scoliosis, to soccer,  family , the  death of a parent , and even the emotions of welcoming a new sibling.

The Many Meanings of Meilan

Meilan Hua’s world is made up of a few key ingredients: her family’s beloved matriarch, Nai Nai; the bakery her parents, aunts, and uncles own and run in Boston’s Chinatown; and her favorite Chinese fairy tales.

After Nai Nai passes, the family has a falling-out that sends Meilan, her parents, and her grieving grandfather on the road in search of a new home. They take a winding path across the country before landing in Redbud, Ohio. Everything in Redbud is the opposite of Chinatown, and Meilan’s not quite sure who she is–being renamed at school only makes it worse.

She decides she is many Meilans, each inspired by a different Chinese character with the same pronunciation as her name. Sometimes she is Mist, cooling and invisible; other times, she’s Basket, carrying her parents’ hopes and dreams and her guilt of not living up to them; and occasionally she is bright Blue, the way she feels around her new friend Logan. Meilan keeps her facets separate until an injustice at school shows her the power of bringing her many selves together.

Almost American Girl

Published: January 28, 2020

Robin is 14 when she and her mother leave for one of their regular visits to the US. Except, this time it’s not Hawaii or any other vacation hotspot — it’s Alabama. Robin’s mother has been encouraging her to learn English like she has been doing, but Robin is uninterested, preferring to enjoy her Korean comics and spending time with her friends buying stationery and Korean street food.

When they arrive in Huntsville, Robin realizes that her mother is there to visit a man she has been corresponding with. His family welcomes them, but Robin feels out of place since she can neither speak nor understand English. She dreams of returning to Korea when the vacation is over. However, Robin is in for a shocker as her mom announces that she’s marrying this man, and she and Robin are staying put in America. Her whole life changes forever, as she struggles to assimilate, while handling the ups and downs in her mother’s relationship.

What About Will

Published: September 14, 2021

Twelve-year-old Trace Reynolds has always looked up to his brother, mostly because Will, who’s five years older, has never looked down on him. It was Will who taught Trace to ride a bike, would watch sports on TV with him, and cheer him on at Little League. But when Will was knocked out cold during a football game, resulting in a brain injury–everything changed.

Now, seventeen months later, their family is still living under the weight of “the incident,” that left Will with a facial tic, depression, and an anger he cannot always control, culminating in their parents’ divorce. Afraid of further fracturing his family, Trace begins to cover for Will who, struggling with addiction to pain medication, becomes someone Trace doesn’t recognize. But when the brother he loves so much becomes more and more withdrawn, and escalates to stealing money and ditching school, Trace realizes some secrets cannot be kept if we ever hope to heal.

Something More

Published: June 6, 2023

Fifteen-year-old Jessie, a quirky loner obsessed with the nineties, is diagnosed as autistic just weeks before starting high school. Determined to make a fresh start and keep her diagnosis a secret, Jessie creates a list of goals that range from acquiring two distinct eyebrows to getting a magical first kiss and landing a spot in the school play. Within the halls of Holy Trinity High, she finds a world where things are no longer black and white and quickly learns that living in color is much more fun. But Jessie gets more than she bargained for when two very different boys steal her heart, forcing her to go off-script.

Truly Madly Royally

Published: July 30, 2019

Zora Emerson is not here to play. She’s enrolled in a prestigious summer program, and is ready to use what she’s learning to change the world (or at least her corner of New Jersey, for now). Zora’s not expecting to vibe with any of her super-privileged classmates. So she’s shocked to find she’s got chemistry with Owen Whittelsey, who is charming, funny, undeniably cute…and turns out to literally be a prince. As in, his parents are the king and queen of a small European country.  What?

This is a charming young adult novel featuring a positive representation of Black teens. There are also strong undercurrents of community outreach,  strong female friendships , and being true to oneself. If you’re a sucker for royal romances, this one will steal your heart. Perfect for readers ages 12+

Related :   65 Black Young Adult Novels to Add to Your TBR

Muddle School

Published: September 7, 2021

For every adolescent who’s ever believed they’re all alone in their misery, here’s a hilarious graphic novel about a new kid awkwardly trying to navigate the social pressures of making friends, dealing with crushes, avoiding bullies — a.k.a. middle school! Dave doesn’t have high hopes for himself on his first day at a new school in a new town called Muddle. But he has no idea just how bad things are going to be.

Getting knocked into a mud puddle by a trio of bullies. Having his secret crush revealed to the entire math class. And then that snot bubble … No, Dave is totally not killing it at Muddle School. He may just have to resign himself to dorkdom, content with drawing in his sketchbook to deal with life. But then Dave begins working on a time machine for the science fair and he gets a brilliant idea. What if he goes back in time to that first day of school?

What if he has a redo, and avoids doing all the dumb and embarrassing stuff he did? Could that turn everything around for him? Could Dave actually become … cool?

Related :  90 Best Middle Grade Books Releasing in Fall 2021

Piecing Me Together

Published: February 14, 2017

Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she’s ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And Jade has: every day she rides the bus away from her friends and to the private school where she feels like an outsider, but where she has plenty of opportunities. But some  opportunities  she doesn’t really welcome, like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Just because her mentor is black and graduated from the same high school doesn’t mean she understands where Jade is coming from. She’s tired of being singled out as someone who needs help, someone people want to fix. Jade wants to speak, to create, to express her joys and sorrows, her pain and her hope. Maybe there are some things she could show other women about understanding the world and finding ways to be real, to make a difference.

Published: January 1, 2017

Blade never asked for a life of the rich and famous. In fact, he’d give anything not to be the son of Rutherford Morrison, a washed-up rock star and drug addict with delusions of a comeback. Or to no longer be part of a family known most for lost potential, failure, and tragedy, including the loss of his mother. The one true light is his girlfriend, Chapel, but her parents have forbidden their relationship, assuming Blade will become just like his father.

In reality, the only thing Blade and Rutherford have in common is the music that lives inside them. And songwriting is all Blade has left after Rutherford, while drunk, crashes his high school graduation speech and effectively rips Chapel away forever. But when a long-held family secret comes to light, the music disappears. In its place is a letter, one that could bring Blade the freedom and love he’s been searching for, or leave him feeling even more adrift.

The Queens of New York

Best friends Jia Lee, Ariel Kim, and Everett Hoang are inseparable. But this summer, they won’t  be  together.

Everett, aspiring Broadway star, hopes to nab the lead role in an Ohio theater production, but soon realizes that talent and drive can only get her so far. Brainy Ariel is flying to San Francisco for a prestigious STEM scholarship, even though her heart is in South Korea, where her sister died last year. And stable, solid Jia will be home in Flushing, juggling her parents’ Chinatown restaurant, a cute new neighbor, and dreams for an uncertain future.

As the girls navigate heartbreaking surprises and shocking self-discoveries, they find that even though they’re physically apart, they are still mighty together.

Dress Coded

Published: July 7, 2020

Molly Frost is FED UP…

Because Olivia was yelled at for wearing a tank top.

Because Liza got dress coded and Molly didn’t, even though they were wearing the exact same outfit.

Because when Jessica was pulled over by the principal and missed a math quiz, her teacher gave her an F.

Because it’s impossible to find shorts that are longer than her fingertips.

Because girls’ bodies are not a distraction.

Because middle school is hard enough.

And so Molly starts a podcast where girls can tell their stories, and before long, her small rebellion swells into a revolution. Because now the girls are standing up for what’s right, and they’re not backing down.

How to Be a Girl in the World

Published: August 11, 2020

Lydia hasn’t felt comfortable in her own skin since the boys at her school started commenting on the way she looks in her uniform. Her cousin and friends think she should be flattered, but the boys—and sometimes her mom’s boyfriend, Jeremy—make Lydia uncomfortable and confused. Even more confusing is when Jeremy hovers too close and hugs a little too long.

Then her mom surprises her by buying a dilapidated house in their neighborhood. Lydia hopes to find a little bit of magic in their new home. But just like the adults in her life, and God, and her friends, the magic Lydia deeply believes in eventually loses its power to keep her safe.

And as seventh grade begins, Lydia wonders: Is there a secret to figuring out how to be a girl in the world?

Maybe He Just Likes You

Published: October 1, 2019

For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the boys (and fellow trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it’s his birthday, and asks her for a “birthday hug.” He’s just being friendly, isn’t he? And how can she say no? But Callum’s hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels…weird. According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like?

But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus. In the halls. During band practice—the one place Mila could always escape.

It doesn’t feel like flirting—so what is it? Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to respect others—and herself.

The Truth According to Blue

Published: May 12, 2020

Thirteen-year-old Blue Broen is on the hunt for a legendary ship of gold, lost centuries ago when her ancestors sailed to New York. Blue knows her overprotective parents won’t approve of her mission to find their family’s long-lost fortune, so she keeps it a secret from everyone except her constant companion, Otis, an 80-pound diabetic alert dog. But it’s hard to keep things quiet with rival treasure hunters on the loose, and with Blue’s reputation as the local poster child for a type 1 diabetes fundraiser.

Blue’s quest gets even harder when she’s forced to befriend Jules, the brainy but bratty daughter of a vacationing movie star who arrives on the scene and won’t leave Blue alone. While Blue initially resents getting stuck with this spoiled seventh grade stranger, Jules soon proves Blue’s not the only one who knows about secrets — and adventure.

Will Blue unravel a three hundred year-old family mystery, learn to stand up for herself, and find the missing treasure? Or is she destined to be nothing more than “diabetes girl” forever?

Goodbye Stranger

Published: August 4, 2015

Long ago, best friends Bridge, Emily, and Tab made a pact: no fighting. But it’s the start of seventh grade, and everything is changing. Emily’s new curves are attracting attention, and Tab is suddenly a member of the Human Rights Club. And then there’s Bridge. She’s started wearing cat ears and is the only one who’s still tempted to draw funny cartoons on her homework.   It’s also the beginning of seventh grade for Sherm Russo. He wonders: what does it mean to fall for a girl—as a friend?   By the time Valentine’s Day approaches, the girls have begun to question the bonds—and the limits—of friendship. Can they grow up without growing apart?

Published: April 18, 2023

When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. Going into it, Jarrett was worried: Wouldn’t it be depressing, to be around kids facing such a serious struggle? Wouldn’t it be grim?

But instead of the shadow of death, Jarrett found something else at Camp Sunshine: the hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. Not only was he subject to some of the usual rituals that come with being a camp counselor (wilderness challenges, spooky campfire stories, an extremely stinky mascot costume), but he also got a chance to meet some extraordinary kids facing extraordinary circumstances. He learned about the captivity of illness, for sure but he also learned about the freedom a safe space can bring.

Closer to Nowhere

Published: October 6, 2020

For the most part, Hannah’s life is just how she wants it. She has two supportive parents, she’s popular at school, and she’s been killing it at gymnastics. But when her cousin Cal moves in with her family, everything changes. Cal tells half-truths and tall tales, pranks Hannah constantly, and seems to be the reason her parents are fighting more and more. Nothing is how it used to be. She knows that Cal went through a lot after his mom died and she is trying to be patient, but most days Hannah just wishes Cal never moved in.

For his part, Cal is trying his hardest to fit in, but not everyone is as appreciative of his unique sense of humor and storytelling gifts as he is. Humor and stories might be his defense mechanism, but if Cal doesn’t let his walls down soon, he might push away the very people who are trying their best to love him.

Told in verse from the alternating perspectives of Hannah and Cal, this is a story of two cousins who are more alike than they realize and the family they both want to save.

Published: August 31, 2021

Four girls from different backgrounds are selected to become “The Flyers” for  Spread Your Wings Magazine . Elena is a shy Latina who lives in her best friend’s shadow and is uncomfortable about the pubescent changes in her body. Harlow is a Japanese-American wannabe journalist, Cailin, a young influencer, and Whitney, a Black fashionista who secretly has panic attacks. The girls spend a week in New York City together than bonds them as friends and gives them the courage to find their voices.

Friends Forever

Shannon is in eighth grade, and life is more complicated than ever. Everything keeps changing, her classmates are starting to date each other (but nobody wants to date her!), and no matter how hard she tries, Shannon can never seem to  just be happy .

As she works through her insecurities and undiagnosed depression, she worries about disappointing all the people who care about her. Is something wrong with her? Can she be the person everyone expects her to be? And who does she actually  want  to be?

With their signature humor, warmth, and insight, Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham have crafted another incredible love letter to their younger selves and to readers everywhere, a reminder to us all that we are enough.

Sorry for Your Loss

Evie Walman is not obsessed with death. She does think about it a lot, though, but only because her family runs a Jewish funeral home. At twelve, Evie already knows she’s going to be a funeral director when she grows up. So what if the kids at school call her “corpse girl” and say she smells like death? They’re just mean and don’t get how important it is to have someone take care of things when your world is falling apart. Evie loves dusting caskets, polishing pews, and vacuuming the chapel―and on funeral days, she dresses up and hands out tissues and offers her condolences to mourners. She doesn’t normally help her parents with the grieving families directly, until one day when they ask her to help with Oren, a boy who was in a horrific car accident that killed both his parents. Oren refuses to speak and Evie, who is nursing her own private grief, is determined to find a way to help him deal with his loss.

Keeping It Real

Published: October 19, 2021

Keeping It Real  is Paula Chase’s latest upper middle grade offering. It follows Marigold Johnson, daughter of the media moguls who own Flexx Unlimited. Marigold’s friend and crush, Justice hates their private school where both kids are part of the token number of Black kids. Marigold on the other hand tries to conform to white expectations and fit in with the kids and both she and Justice quarrel about this regularly.

When Justice gets into Flexx Unlimited’s fashion program for teens, Marigold wants to get in as well to avoid summer boredom and spend time with Justice — despite warnings from both parents that she may not fit in with the other kids who are from lower income families. But when her parents get her into the program, one girl in particular, Kara can’t seem to stand Marigold. Add that to the tension between Marigold and Justice and Mari’s summer internship seems more stressful than inspiring.

The Unofficial Lola Bay Club

Sixth graders Iris and her best friend Leeza love singer Lola Bay. But after some mean girls take over their plan to start an official Lola Bay fan club, the girls befriend eighth-grader Dana, who says she’s starting an “unofficial” fan club.  Leeza quickly gets bored and finds other interests, while Iris is delighted to be friends with an older girl. But soon, Dana’s actions start to worry Iris. She keeps hacking into websites, then she uses Iris’s parents’ credit card to buy tour tickets! Can Iris find help before it’s too late?

Published: January 12, 2021

Alone  is Megan E. Freeman’s debut survival middle-grade novel in verse. It follows 12-year-old Maddie who gets abandoned by some twist of fate when her entire town is mysteriously evacuated. Left alone with no human in sight, she bonds with a Rottweiler named George who is one of many abandoned pets. Soon after, they lose power and then water and Maddie has to fend for herself using a variety of ingenious means and the town resources at her disposal, including an empty library, grocery store, neighbors’ homes — you get the picture.

Maddie is alone for months and has to safeguard herself from wild animals, terrible weather, and dangerous intruders, on top of the fear and loneliness of being all by herself.

I Know Your Secret

Published: December 7, 2021

The email arrives Sunday night:  Do exactly what I say, when I say it, or I will reveal your secret.

On Monday morning, seventh graders Owen, Gemma, Ally, and Todd, who have nothing in common and barely know each other, must work together and follow the instructions of an anonymous blackmailer. None of them want to go along with the blackmailer’s instructions, but each of them have a secret they must protect at all costs.

Set during a single day of school, the students race against the clock to complete a disquieting set of tasks, with fast-paced chapters detailing each moment of the day interspersed with a later interview-style recording made by the quartet.

Where We Used to Roam

Published: March 23, 2021

Where We Used to Roam  is Jenn Bishop’s fourth middle grade book! I had read two of her books before this one, and loved both! In this story, we meet Emma whose ordinary life is upended when her beloved older brother Austin develops an addiction to opioids. In the midst of her brother’s health issue, Emma is also dealing with a strained friendship with her BFF, Becca from whom she seems to be growing apart. So she is half-relieved when her parents send her off to Wyoming to be with family friends while they get Austin to a rehab facility.

In Wyoming, Emma becomes interested in bisons and makes a new friend with whom she shares more than she knows. She deals with her emotions about Austin’s addiction and her issues with Becca until an unexpected event cuts her trip short.

Related:  Jenn Bishop on Where We Used to Roam

The Shape of Thunder

The Shape of Thunder  follows two former best friends Quinn and Cora whose lives have been altered by a tragic event. Quinn’s brother Parker killed Cora’s sister in a school shooting. Understandably, this created a rift between both girls, even though they still deeply care for each other and have been friends since kindergarten. As they approach the first anniversary of the shooting, Quinn thinks she’s found a way to undo what happened and reaches out to Cora to work with her.

The story is told from alternating points of view (Quinn and Cora) as both girls try to figure out time travel, while processing the grief and trauma they both hold.

Related :  Jasmine Warga on The Shape of Thunder (+ Giveaway!)

This Time It’s Real

Published: February 7, 2023

When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine…and a  massive  secret to keep.

Eliza made her essay up. She’s never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?

Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She’ll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend — he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city.

But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little  too  convincing, all of Eliza’s carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?

There they are: 60 of the best books for eighth graders! Yes, a few of these books are yet to be released, but they tackle serious issues like parental addiction and parental abuse. I’m getting through my ARCs of these books and I can tell you, they’re worth pre-ordering!

Have you read any of these books? Which of them would you recommend for your eighth graders? And which awesome books for eighth-graders would you add to this list?

More Book Lists

• The best  books for fifth graders
• My favorite  books for sixth graders
• The best  books for seventh graders

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• About Afoma Umesi

Afoma Umesi is the founder and editor of Reading Middle Grade where she curates book lists and writes book reviews for kids of all ages. Her favorite genre to read is contemporary realistic fiction and she'll never say no to a graphic novel.

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December 29, 2020 at 3:56 pm

Next Great Jane is wonderful! And you know how I adore Refugee! 🙌

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60 Best 6th Grade Books in a Series

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Find the best, most compelling middle grade 6th grade books in a series for 11-year-olds to keep them reading more books and for longer time periods. Because there’s nothing like a good book…and it’s even better when your favorite book is in a series!

Here in Colorado, many elementary schools include 6th grade while others have the 6th graders in middle school. I loved having a sixth grader class in my elementary school. Which do you prefer? 6th grade is usually age 11 and 12.

6th grade reading is becoming more sophisticated. Now children are reading books about even more complex and sophisticated topics and themes such as coming of age, mental health, eating disorders, body image, and other real life situations. Kids are reading books that relate to their lives as well as transport them into the lives of others, whether in realistic fiction or science fiction or historical fiction.

This list of books includes the fiction genres of fantasy, science fiction, humor, historical fiction, mystery, adventure, and realistic fiction with books about many different topics and themes. I hope these recommended books hit the spot and your young readers find their next favorite book!

See the 5th grade books in a series list here .

Go to the 7th grade books in a series list here .

Download a free printable pdf of this book list!

6th Grade Books in a Series for 11-Year-Olds

Fantasy & sci-fi.

Amari and the Night Brothers  by B.B. Alston FANTASY Fantastic fantasy world-building, excellent writing, a strong female heroine of color, and a surprise plot twist ending are just a few of the reasons you’ll love this middle grade book . Amari gets a message from her missing brother that says she’s a magician and should attend a special school. At the magical school, she discovers she has outlawed dark magic. Even though she’s not welcome, Amari is determined to stay in the school and find her brother.

Hither and Nigh  by Ellen Potter FANTASY Guaranteed to enthrall with masterful storytelling and wildly inventive world-building,  Nell is forced to join the Last Chance Club or be expelled from school. The club focuses on magic and begins Nell’s search to find her missing brother. She leaves her world of Nither to the magical world of Nigh where she hopes to track the poachers who kidnapped her brother. 

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief  by A.F. Steadman FANTASY In Skandar’s world with bloodthirsty  unicorns  and unicorn riders, he’s denied as a unicorn rider until a mysterious woman sneaks him in.  He learns he and his unicorn have the forbidden 5th spirit element like the evil Weaver whose been wreaking destruction and stealing unicorns.  His new friends help him hide the magic and control his unicorn who hates pretending to be a water elemental. But he and his unicorn’s elemental magic may be the only ones who can stop the Weaver.

Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts by Erika Lewis FANTASY Fast-paced with Celtic mythology, read about a foster child attending a magical school and searching for answers about her mysterious heritage. Kelcie is a foster kid raised in the human world. At the Academy, she discovers that she’s a mistrusted elemental called a Saiga, a mistrusted elemental, and finds friends who help her learn about her unique powers. They’ll also fight the monsters who continue to attack Kelcie. 

The Ruins of Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice by John A. Flanagan FANTASY Will is apprenticed to become a Ranger. Ss he develops a relationship with his master and learns what being a Ranger is all about (spying for the kingdom), he embraces his new life. When an old enemy of the kingdom sends out dangerous beasts to attack Will’s master, Will is instrumental in getting help and killing the creatures. A ction, fantasy, adventure, friendship, excellent writing — this book has it all! Boxed Set HERE.

Edge of Extinction The Ark Plan by Laura Martin DYSTOPIAN Cloned dinosaurs have taken over the earth, so Sky and her fellow humans live below ground. Sky discovers that her missing (maybe traitor?) father left her a note to find him. She decides to leave the underground city to find her dad. Barely outside a day, she and her friend Shawn are rescued from hungry dinosaurs by a boy who lives in a treetop enclave. When Noah’s soldiers attack, Sky realizes that everything she believed about Noah was wrong. This is one of my favorite book series for 6th graders!

The Fog Diver  by Joel Ross SCI-FI / DYSTOPIAN The world is covered by a deadly “fog” that kills humans so the humans live only on the highest mountain peaks. Our heroes, a band of scavenging orphans, are trying to find something in the world below that they can sell in order to travel to another city where they can treat the cloud sickness of their beloved mother figure. Excellent suspense in a fascinating world with interesting characters and plot.

Masterminds  by Gordon Korman SCI-FI This is one of our favorite 6th grade books with suspense and surprise! Eli and his friends discover that their utopian town is all a big science experiment. Kids cloned from criminal masterminds are being studied by a group of scientists posing as parents in a “perfect” closed community. Once the kids discover the truth, they escape but what will they do next? Find the masterminds?

Hera: The Goddess and her Glory  by George O’Conner MYTHOLOGY / GRAPHIC NOVEL Both my kids love O’Conner’s graphic novels and can’t wait for his next book,  Hades .  If you’re big Greek mythology fans, check out his other books,  Athena  and  Zeus: King of the Gods .

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff FRACTURED FAIRY TALE Rump learns that he’s trapped in his mom’s magical “rumple” which requires him to make straw into gold for any trade another person offers. The miller takes advantage of this , leaving Rump without options or any control. With the help of his troll friends, his friend Red, and his aunts, Rump finds a way to stop the magical curse and give the queen back her child.

The Academy written by TZ Layton If your reader likes soccer, underdogs, and excellent writing, this book will be their new favorite!  Leo is a relatable character from a small town who loves his lizards, video games, and soccer. He’s scouted and invited to the Dragons soccer summer camp with a chance to be in their prestigious academy if he does well. But everyone else in the camp has more experience and training. Even worse, Leo can be lazy so he must confront his bad habits and train extra hard to learn the basics that other players already know. Even still, Leo makes new friends, overcomes a bully, and finds mentors who genuinely care about his success. MESMERIZING & amazing.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks REALISTIC On her 12th birthday, Zoe discovers a letter from her incarcerated biological father named Marcus. She secretly writes back and asks if he’s guilty. Marcus says he’s innocent and he can prove it, which sets Zoe on a quest for truth for herself, even if her mom and dad forbid it. She enlists the help of her Grandma and her best friend, Trevor. You won’t be able to put down this winsome story with a heroine 6th grade readers will love in a story that illuminates social justice with themes of family, friendship, and love.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander REALISTIC Because this is written in verse, this is a fast read but packs a big punch . Basketball player and twin Josh narrates his life in quarters, just like the game he plays. He writes about missing his twin when his twin, Jordan, gets a girlfriend; about getting in trouble when he hits Jordan in the face with a basketball; and about watching his father as his heart fails. This is a coming-of-age, gripping story about a boy just trying to figure out life.

Adventure / Mystery

City Spies  by James Ponti ADVENTURE When Sara, a foster kid and hacker, gets in trouble again, her new so-called lawyer recruits her to be an MI6 spy.  Sara joins a team of other kids, trains quickly, and is immediately sent undercover to break open a big case in Paris. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I predict you’ll  love every second of this action-packed story! It’s filled with great characters and an interesting twisty plot. You won’t be able to put this series down.

The Van Gogh Deception by Deron Hicks ADVENTURE One of the best edge-of-your-seat mystery and adventure book series for 6th graders. A boy with no memory is found at the National Gallery staring at a Degas sculpture. Strangely, this boy does know a great deal about art and artists. Soon we learn he’s being hunted by a team of professional bad guys. The boy, Art, and his foster sister escape from several kidnapping attempts and begin to unravel who he is and what’s going on.

Ali Cross by James Patterson ADVENTURE / MYSTERY If you want an enthralling adventure & mystery that you can’t put down, read this one next. It’s Christmas Eve and Ali’s friend Gabe is missing, his FBI agent dad is falsely accused of murdering an old man, and someone broke into their house while they were at church and stole his dad’s service weapon. Ali knows he has to try to fix things, starting by finding his friend Gabe. Don’t miss these 6th grade books, including the next one, Like Father, Like Son .

The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves   by  Tom Phillips MYSTERY Orphaned and sent to the Jersey Home for Boys, John decides to run away and live in the New York Museum of Natural History. But when the Egyptian ruby gets stolen from the museum, John is accused of the theft. Lucky for John, Inspector Toadius McGee, believes in John’s innocence and enlists John’s help in finding the true culprit–and it’s a wild ride of twists and turns.

The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery  (series) by Nancy Springer MYSTERY This Sherlock book series for 6th graders follows the detective adventures of Sherlock’s sister, Enola who I don’t think is the real name of his sister. But I love how Enola is an independent, smart detective in her own right. Delightful!

To Catch a Cheat  by Varian Johnson ADVENTURE Someone is trying to frame Jackson for a prank he didn’t even commit — and they’re doing a great job of it! It will take months to prove the video is falsified, and by then Jackson will have missed the robot contest due to his punishment. Jackson and his friends are determined to prove his innocence but it won’t be easy. A fun plot with twists and turns and the 2nd book after The Great Greene Heist.

Historical Fiction

Chains ,  Forge , Ashes (Seeds of America) by Laurie Halse Anderson HISTORICAL FICTION Live the Revolutionary War time period through the eyes of an African-American girl named Isabel and her friend, Cuzon. Enslaved, escaped, or enlisted, these two are determined survivors. The writing is amazing and the stories, captivating. I love and highly recommend these books; they’ll transport you back into history. Boxed Set Here .

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Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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I have already read some of these series, but I have to agree theses are amazing, you should also include The Land Of Stories.

Don’t forget HALITO GIANNA THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict is written by Trenton Lee Stewart, not Diana Sudyka. It is a great book, and the author is amazing.

Thanks for catching that! Face palm because I know the author and have no idea what happened with my typing. Thanks, again.

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