Book Reviews (Commonwealth Union) Although the undeniable rise of Young Adult (YA) novels has been most prominent during the last two decades, this genre of fiction draws its roots back to the 1960s. While the books are typically targeted at an audience ranging from 12 to 18 years of age, these novels can be quite enjoyable even for older readers. YA books often explore coming-of-age themes that relate to and capture the essence of teenage life, and they can have an imaginative twist that makes reading them a unique experience. Here are 10 novels that are among the greatest young adult novels of all time and will give you a reading experience that will last a lifetime.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008)
Celebrated as one of the most prominent dystopian novels of our time, this series has even inspired movie adaptations. Set against the backdrop of a totalitarian Panem, the story revolves around an annual Hunger Games where two child contestants are taken from each district in the nation and placed in an arena to eliminate each other in a televised fight to the death. Following Katniss Everdeen, a teenager who volunteers to take the place of her younger sister, the plot is a turbulent and emotionally gripping ordeal of how she changes the future of the games and the world she lives in forever.
- The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (2020)
Readers eagerly anticipated the release of the next volume in the series, The Inheritance Games. Telling the story of Avery, a sharp-witted but troubled teen who gets named in a billionaire’s will, Barnes pulls us into a world of riddles and puzzles and high society dramatics. A lover of mystery novels or not, this novel is bound to get you hooked.
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle (1962)
Fishing into the older novels, A Wrinkle in Time, is a definite standout. First published in 1962, the novel is a space travel adventure that dips into fantasy, theology, and science, resulting in an intriguing plotline that battles cosmic evil. Introducing the protagonist Meg Murry, the story follows her on a journey to find her lost father with the help of the eccentric ladies Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which.
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (2013)
Standing pretty high up in the fantasy genre, Shadow and Bone follows Alina Starkov, a soldier journeying through the Shadow Fold, and discovering that she has magical capabilities. The novel follows her intriguing storyline as she is pulled into a life in the royal court to be trained to use her powers to help a world that has succumbed to war.
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus (2017)
The story revolves around four teens who become murder suspects after a fellow student, who was in detention with them, ends up dead. With scandalous secrets, framing, and plenty of high school drama, McManus follows this novel with two intriguing sequels, with the book also being adapted into a TV series.
- The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)
If you were hooked by the dystopian atmosphere of The Hunger Games, this novel, despite being on the ninth-grade reading list, presents itself as a gripping follow-up. The story presents a young boy—a 12-year-old Jonas—who is selected to be trained by the Giver as Keeper of the Memory. An emotionally charged novel, this trilogy is a perfect read for readers of all ages who are intrigued by futuristic worlds.
- Divergent by Veronica Roth (2011)
Divergent, the debut novel by the beloved author, is a must-read for everyone. Also having been transformed into movie adaptations, this novel presents a world divided into fractions, each based on particular virtues. The novel tells the story of Beatrice Prior, who switches factions as she comes of age and learns to navigate the ruthless system her world is built upon.
- The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (2021)
A perfect read for those who love learning about culture, this award-winning novel follows an Ojibwe teenager—Daunis Fontaine—who has struggled to fit in but is eager to find her place in college. However, as she gets involved with the FBI upon witnessing a murder, her plans start to fall apart.
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (1951)
Universally accepted as one of the most popular young adult novels of all time, The Catcher in the Rye is a classic coming-of-age story full of angst and teenage rebellion. An ode to teenage states of alienation, this novel is a gripping expression of the human desire for connection and the helpless sense of loss.
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. By Judy Blume (1970)
Published in 1970, this novel is yet another coming-of-age set in the suburbs revolving around 16-year-old Margaret moving from the city to the suburbs. Raised in an interfaith marriage, she grapples to find her place in the world. With themes of friendship, religion, and adolescent anxieties, this novel is a solemn nod to growing up that every reader must explore at least once in their life.
