14 Books to Get Teens Hooked on Reading

Different genres, plots, characters, chosen for multiple tastes. Which of these books to hook teenagers hooked on reading do you prefer?

Reviewed and approved by the pediatrician Marcela Alejandra Caffulli.

Written by Maria del Mar Garcia Martin

Last update: 18 May, 2023

Adolescence is a faithful companion that produces many memories. While we know that this is a stage of many changes, both physical and psychological, it’s the time when the personality and tastes begin to take shape. Therefore, we want to present you with a list of the best books to get teenagers hooked on reading.

All of them have been chosen because they show different perspectives on life, and this can be very inspiring and revealing for young people. Do you want to know more about them?

Books to get teenagers hooked on reading, the most beautiful habit

Vertigo, by Katharine McGee

From Katharine McGee’s trilogy whose first book is entitled The Thousandth Floor, comes Vertigo. Someone begins to fall from the top of a 1000-story tower, but who dies and why?

If you’re curious, don’t hesitate to delve into the personal stories of its 5 protagonists, who hide a secret through the pages of this book.

2. Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. One of the best books to get teenagers hooked on reading

A group of British boys between the ages of 6 and 12 suffer a plane crash while crossing the Pacific Ocean. After a crash landing, they’re forced to survive on a deserted island, without the help or protection of any adults. How far will they be willing to go to make it?

This story fits into the classics of postwar English literature for establishing important questions related to violence, power, and the need to relate to others.

3. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott

The March sisters live in a New England town. In the story, they and their mother are bankrupt due to the absence of their father, who had to go to war and left them alone.

Undoubtedly, this book is perfect because it allows readers to see the evolution of the protagonists, who have to mature while facing all the difficulties that life presents them. Surely, more than one reader will be able to identify with them.

4. The Orange Girl, by Jostein Gaarder. One of the best books to get teenagers hooked on reading

Little Georg’s father died when he was just a child. One fine day, this 15-year-old passionate, who’s passionate about astronomy, finds a letter from him, written before he died.

It tells the story of his great love for a young girl and ends with a question that young Georg must answer. But before reaching the answer, he’ll write a story with his father that transcends the limits of time and death.

5. Leave the Dead Alone, by J. R. Barat

A threatening letter is the driving force behind the plot of this book. Who’s the young man who mysteriously appears and disappears while Daniel Villena is in town on vacation with his parents?

In this fantastic and intriguing novel, young Daniel will have to find out who it is as soon as possible, as well as why he’s making his dreams into nightmares.

6. Under the Same Star, by John Green

A best seller worth having on your bedside table. Under the Same Star tells a powerful story from the perspective of a teenager with cancer, but it’s much more than that.

Life changes a lot when you find a support group where you feel comfortable, and for the protagonist, this becomes palpable when she meets a boy in the same conditions.

Dare to live a host of new sensations from the hand of its protagonists. Undoubtedly, you won’t regret it.

7. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, by Judith Kerr

The main characters, Max and Anna, are two German children who grow up as the plot progresses. They live in Berlin with their parents during Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, but the family is forced to flee because they come from a Hebrew lineage. In other words, they’re Jewish.

This book depicts a historical reality and is perfect for curious youngsters who want to become a little more aware of World War II and the horror of the Holocaust.

8. The Hush, Hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatrick. Some of the best books to get teens hooked on reading

Hush, Hush is the first volume in the four-part literary series with the same name:

1. Hush, Hush
2. Crescendo
3. Silence
4. Finale

The plot is based on the love story between Patch Cipriano (an angel fallen from heaven to planet Earth) and Nora Grey (a girl who has grown up all her life in normalcy). However, throughout the stories, both will have to face different dangers and discover who they really are.

Classic books that will get teenagers hooked on reading

Undoubtedly, there are books that are unforgettable and will remain in our hearts for life. These are some classics that will mark your adolescence.

9. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. One of the best books to enchant teenagers

This literary piece is recommended for those over 15 years old, as it leads to preparation for adulthood.

The Catcher in the Rye offers a series of tools to face the main dilemmas of life thanks to the experiences of its main protagonist. The adolescent narrates in first person how school failure forces him to enter the dark New York.

Conflicts, drugs, sexual relationships, experiences, anxiety, and depression are just some of the main themes that move without filters through the pages of this classic novel.

10. The Diary of Anne Frank

One of the hardest testimonies of all time falls under the pen of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl trying to flee the Holocaust. Her diary is a clear and shocking depiction of the horrors of Nazism. Although the subject may seem a bit overwhelming, the truth is that it’s a must-read.

In this regard, it’s worth mentioning that the recommended age is between 12 and 15 years old.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

-The Diary of Anne Frank

11. The Portrait of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde

Another all-time classic is the work of the famous Irish author, Oscar Wilde. Because of its mysterious character and the discord between good and evil, the story quickly hooks young people, who are fascinated by the power of the subconscious and the fear of the unknown.

Everyone wants to perpetuate youth and beauty, especially when you’re in your teens. Do you want to find out what Dorian thinks?

12. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

One of the greatest precedents for adventure novels is set by Journey to the Center of the Earth. The central idea is based on the adventure that Axel and his uncle experience when they travel to the ends of the earth, defying the geological laws in force at the time (1864).

In this way, the reader can immerse themself in a very exciting world of challenges and research. This will encourage them to live different adventures and carry out projects that can change the world as we know it.

15. The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka. One of the best books to get teenagers hooked on reading

Gregorio Samsa becomes a kind of bug, overnight. His parents disown him and he stays in his room hiding for fear of reprisals. Undoubtedly, the character created by Franz Kafka is the clearest metaphor for adolescence.

In this time of so many changes, many young people feel a little like Gregor when facing the world. Therefore, we encourage you to read this book to reflect on this.

16. The Harry Potter saga, by J.K. Rowling

Surely you’ve heard of the famous saga of the best wizard of all time. There’s no doubt that over the years, it has managed to captivate young people all over the world. Do you dare to enter Hogwarts and discover which house you would choose?

Open new portals with the best books to get teenagers hooked on reading

This stage overflows with new experiences and continuous changes. Therefore, a good way to live it is to let yourself flow and discover who you are through reading.

It’s important that, during this time, to read books that you like and that express a special meaning. Undoubtedly, these options are perfect to achieve that purpose.

We invite you to let your imagination fly and gain different perspectives on life through reading. When you get into these stories, you’ll start to grow inside.