Book Recommendations for High Schoolers

Suzanne Collins

In a future society, teens are forced to compete in a televised survival event controlled by the government. The book is good because it shows how power, media, and fear can control people while following a main character who questions the system. 

One of my favorites from high school! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

George Orwell

This novel takes place in a world where the government watches everything and controls what people think and say. It is good because it makes readers think about freedom, truth, and how language can be used to manipulate society. 

One of my favorites from high school! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jason Reynolds 

& Brendan Kiely

The story is told from two different teenage perspectives after an incident involving police violence. It is good because it shows how the same event can be experienced very differently depending on who you are. 

Margot Lee Shetterly

This nonfiction book tells the true story of Black women mathematicians who worked at NASA during the space race. It is good because it highlights overlooked history and shows how intelligence and persistence can challenge discrimination. 

Malala Yousafzai

This memoir shares Malala’s real-life experiences growing up in Pakistan and fighting for girls’ education. It is good because it shows courage, resilience, and the impact one voice can have on the world. 

James Dashner

A group of boys are trapped in a mysterious place surrounded by a deadly maze with no memory of their past. The book is good because it focuses on problem-solving, leadership, and uncovering the truth. 

Orson Scott Card

A young boy is trained through games and simulations to help defend Earth from alien threats. It is good because it explores strategy, responsibility, and the pressure placed on young people to make adult decisions. 

Erika L. Sánchez

This novel follows a teenager struggling with family expectations, grief, and her own identity. It is good because it honestly shows mental health, cultural pressure, and the difficulty of growing up. 

Veronica Roth

In a future society, people are sorted into groups based on personality traits. The book is good because it questions whether people can truly fit into just one category. 

S.E. Hinton

The story follows two rival groups of teens divided by class and circumstance. It is good because it deals with loyalty, identity, and how labels affect the way people are treated 

Ernest Cline

Set in a future where most people escape into a virtual world, the story centers on a high-stakes competition. It is good because it combines technology, pop culture, and questions about reality and connection. 

Marjane Satrapi

This graphic memoir tells the author’s childhood story during the Iranian Revolution. It is good because it explains complex historical events through a personal and relatable perspective. 

John Green

The novel follows two teens who meet while dealing with different types of cancer. It is good because it focuses on love, loss, and what it means to live fully despite uncertainty. 

One of my favorites from high school! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

This graphic novel series recounts Congressman John Lewis’s role in the American Civil Rights Movement. It is good because it presents important history in a visual format that makes events easier to understand. 

Daniel Keyes

The story follows a man who undergoes an experiment meant to increase intelligence. It is good because it raises questions about ethics, intelligence, and how people treat others. 

Stephenie Meyer

This novel follows a teenage girl who becomes involved with a mysterious vampire family in a small town in Forks, Washington. It is good because it blends romance and fantasy while exploring choice and belonging.