Teen Books for Adults

These unforgettable books, originally marketed as young adult titles, have a lot of crossover appeal for adults. In fact, sometimes more adults check them out than teens! Give one of these titles a try, and then share them with your parents, or with your kids.

Please note: Some books contain mature themes or situations

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation by M.T. Anderson

Various diaries, letters, and other manuscripts chronicle the experiences of Octavian, a young African American, from birth to age 16, as he is brought up as part of an epic and disturbing science experiment in the years leading up to and during the Revolutionary War.

Sara’s Face by Melvin Burgess

Sara wants to be famous, and when legendary rock star Jonathon Heat offers to take her under his wing and pay for cosmetic surgery, it's like a dream come true. But beauty ultimately comes with a hidden price tag, as Sara soon discovers.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Sold into prostitution, Lakshmi lives a nightmare and gradually forms friendships with the other girls that enable her to survive in this terrifying new world. Then the day comes when she must make a decision to risk everything for a chance to reclaim her life.

King Dork by Frank Portman

Tom (a.k.a. King Dork, Chi-mo, Hender-fag, and Sheepie) is a typical American high school loser until he discovers The Catcher in the Rye . When Tom discovers his deceased father’s copy of the Salinger classic, he finds himself at just the tip of a very odd iceberg of clues that may very well unravel several mysteries of high school life.

how i live now by Meg Rosoff

Daisy is sent to England to visit her aunt and cousins. Her aunt goes to Norway for business and the next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy. War is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way .

The Trap by John Smelcer

Johnny worries that his grandfather hasn't returned home from checking his trapline. Cultural pride and reluctance to disrespect an elder get in the way of search plans, and only readers know that Johnny’s grandfather has caught his leg in a trap, several feet away from his supplies, and is unable to free himself.

Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas

Former straight-A student Steve is spiraling downwards. Where did it all go wrong? A counselor steps in and suggests Steve can write something to bring up his failing English grade and we learn about Steve's cold war with his famous father, his dabbling with dadaism, and, most of all, his heavenly-hellish experience with first love.

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Living with Nikki, his unpredictable, psychotic mother has taught Matthew how to survive. He and his sister, Callie, devotedly shelter their younger stepsister from their mother, until Matt sees a spark of hope in Murdoch, Nikki’s new boyfriend .

The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld

In Tally's world, a 16th birthday brings an operation, transforming one from a repellent Ugly to an attractive Pretty. Turning Pretty is all Tally has ever wanted. Her friend Shay would rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally must make a terrible choice.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Liesel, a girl living in World War II Munich scratches out a meager existence when she encounters something she can’t resist: Books. With the help of her foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

September, 2007