It doesn’t matter how old you are, I firmly believe that everyone can enjoy a young adult book. While they are typically targeted at teenagers since the main characters range from 14-19 years old, these stories can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their age. The following books are impactful and important stories that I firmly believe everyone should read.
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Long Way Down takes place over one elevator ride, just 67 seconds, as a 15-year-old boy decides what to do with the gun in his back pocket after his brother is found dead. It doesn’t matter what age you are, you will not be able to put this book down.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
A Very Large Expanse of Sea follows a Muslim teenager after 9/11. The events are based loosely on the author’s real-life experiences as she over comes the anger and hatred in her everyday life.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary but it’s still incredibly timely for today’s climate. It follows a young girl who has decided to no longer speak when everyone ignored her after a traumatic event.
Dry by Neal Shusterman & Jarrod Shusterman
Dry explores the possibility of what would happen if California ran out of water. It follows a group of teenagers as they are forced to fend for themselves when the taps run dry and no surrounded states or governments are willing to help. I recommend reading this young adult book with water nearby.
A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti
This young adult book is about a teenage girl dropping everything on a whim to run from Seattle to Washington D.C. She becomes a reluctant activist as she deals with a traumatic event in her past. A Heart in a Body in the World is a beautiful and haunting story that will resonate with female readers everywhere, no matter how old you are.
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