21 YA Historical Fiction Books to Read Now
Looking for the best historical fiction books for teens? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve been a fan of historical fiction since my teenage years, but back then I had to just read adult HistFic.
Now, the market is booming with YA historical fiction stories for teenagers and young adults. It makes it so much easier for teens to relate to the time period when they are reading about characters who are their own age.
I wish I had been able to read all the books below when I was younger, but I’m enjoying reading them now! We hope you like the stories below too. Let us know if we are missing any of your favorites.
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Must-Read Young Adult Historical Fiction
Plot
The story alternates between Huey as a teenager grappling with his new life in the city at a prep school, and his childhood in the south during a summer in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement when he learned just how complicated it was to be a bi-racial child.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I was so drawn into Huey’s story that I lost track of time. When it was over, I craved more of Hansen’s storytelling.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Black History Book List
The Black Kids
Author: Christina Hammonds Reed
Year: 2020
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This book is set in 1992, in LA, during the Rodney King riots. Ashley is an affluent black girl at a private school, who is forced to reckon with what her blackness means to herself, her friends, and her family.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Police Brutality
Why Kirsten loves it
To compare this book to The Hate U Give is doing it a disservice. The similarities exist in all the best ways, but I don’t want people to think they can read one or the other. This is a raw, authentic look at a very dark time in American history.
Find this book in: Black History Books / YA Historical Fiction / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Fun Books for Teens
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
When I heard about the prequel to The Hate You Give, I was very nervous to pick it up. Eventually, I decided to listen, and WOW. I was blown away by this historical fiction book for teens. Again.
This is the story of Mav before he was a dad. Or rather, on the cusp of becoming a dad. We learn about his early life in his neighborhood, his high school years when he sold drugs, and the story behind the birth of his children.
As he struggles between gang life and the riches it brings, over the harder life of honest work, we go along for the ride. I loved learning what turned Mav, a favorite character from T.H.U.G., into the incredible father he became.
Classic YA Historical Fiction
Anne of Green Gables
Author: L. M. Montgomery
Year: 1908
Genre: Classic
Age: 10+
More info: Anne of Green Gables #1
Plot
I was immediately drawn to Anne upon first reading this story. She is smart, precocious, and has a way of making everyone love her while simultaneously finding new ways to get into trouble.
Anne is an orphan sent to live with siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert who wanted a male orphan to help them on the farm. Anne was sent to them instead. She is bright, loquacious, and wins their hearts.
Why Kirsten loves it
I cherish this entire book series and the TV miniseries inspired by it. I vividly remember watching Megan Follows as Anne completely transfixed. I was so enamored, that I remember asking my grandmother to get me the books to read!
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of my all-time favorite books. Something is comforting about this cozy book that makes me read it repeatedly. It is a beautiful book about friendship and found family. Because of this book, I hope to visit Prince Edward Island one day.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books / Friendship Books / Realistic Fiction / Books with Green in the Title / Fun Books for Teens
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
This children’s story is the book that sparked my interest in witch books. It’s all about Kit Tyler, a child new to colonial America, who befriends a woman named Hannah Tupper.
But the townspeople believe that Hannah is a witch, and soon Kit is swept into a trial similar to the Salem Witch Trials. She has to prove her innocence or risk being killed like a witch. This is one of the best classic historical fiction books for teens.
Classic YA Historical Fiction Retellings
Sherwood by Meagan Spooner
Sherwood is a young adult historical fiction retelling of Robin Hood with Maid Marian at the center. In this version, Robin died in the crusades and it’s actually Marian that is robbing the rich and giving to the poor.
I adored how this story puts a female at the center of one of the most known fairytales.
Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon
This was a fun little classic ya historical fiction retelling based on Oliver Twist. I found it to be a lovely little extension of the story.
The concept is that during all of Oliver Twist, Ollie was actually a girl in disguise so this story picks up where Oliver Twist ended. There is a romantic element (of course) but it’s also about accepting your past and staying true to yourself.
Pride and Premeditation
Author: Tirzah Price
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Historical Mystery
More info: Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This Pride and Prejudice retelling is a murder mystery! In this version of the story, Mr. Bennett is a barrister and Lizzie is desperate to prove herself and be the first female barrister.
But while she offers to help Mr. Bingley find the real culprit of the murder he’s been accused of, she ends up butting heads with her rival, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and Associates.
Why Kirsten loves it
This delightful take on the classic story was a refreshing and fun book. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / YA Historical Fiction / Pride and Prejudice Retellings
Romance Historical Fiction Books for Teens
The Davenports
Author: Krystal Marquis
Year: 2023
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Age: 15+
More info: The Davenports #1
Plot
The Davenports is a Gilded Age story about a successful Chicago Black family who made a name for themselves after slavery was abolished. Now the talk of the season, the three Davenport children are all looking for their spouses and trying to buck societal norms in the process!
Be warned! This story ends on a cliffhanger!
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Classism, Slavery
Why Kirsten loves it
What a fun read! I was eager to start a new Historical Fiction romance series and the cover of this one drew me right to it. I was rooting for all the characters and have been eagerly awaiting the second book in the series.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books to Teens / Beach Reads 2023 / YA Historical Fiction / Books like Bridgerton / Fun Books for Teens / Best YA Romance Books
Plot
This is an LGBTQ graphic novel that I read in a few hours. Prince Sebastian is a prince by day and Princess Crystallia by night. The only one who knows his secret is his seamstress who hopes to make a name for herself with her fashion.
Trigger Warnings
Homophobia, Transphobia
Why Jackie loves it
My son read it twice because he “loved the message that it’s okay to be yourself”. I don’t normally read graphic novels, but, I loved it!!! What a wonderfully inclusive, feel-good story.
Find this book in: Novels About Fashion / Best Books for 13-year-olds / YA Historical Fiction Books
Reputation by Lex Croucher
Gossip Girl meets Pride and Prejudice? YES, PLEASE! Georgianna is thrust into the world of the Regency elite in. Lower-class Georgianna is thrust into the elite circle of regency society, and it might just be her downfall.
This bitchy, riotous take on the regency era had me gasping with shock and flipping the pages at the speed of light. I would love to see this story adapted to the big (or small) screen like the Bridgerton book series.
Young Adult Historical Fiction Celebrity Book Club Picks
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
Late Summer 2021 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Some YA historical fiction books are incredibly appealing to adult readers, and other YA stories fall flat.
Unfortunately, the latest Reese’s Book Club pick falls into
I cared about what happened to Jo but I found myself bored throughout this Gilded Age book for teens.
Anatomy: A Love Story
Author: Dana Schwartz
Year: 2022
Genre: Gothic Historical Fiction
More info: Winter 2022 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Instant New York Times #1 Bestseller
Book 1 of 2 in the Anatomy Duology
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 17+
Plot
This gothic YA historical fiction is centered around Hazel, a 16-year-old woman who lives in Edinburgh Scotland with her mother and younger brother. She has always had an obsession with anatomy and wants to be a surgeon despite the fact that no women are allowed to study to become doctors.
In order to study and pass her exam, she must have dead bodies to look at. Enter Jack, who earns extra money by taking bodies from their graves at night. Now there is some romance added to this book and you will never guess where it’s going.
Why Jackie loves it
This was such a quick read with amazing details to keep the story moving. Some surprise details really added to the story. The ending, however, felt very rushed to me- especially when compared to the rest of the book. This is such an original thriller horror book.
Find this book in: 12 Thriller Horror Books/ Best YA Romance Books / YA Historical Fiction Books
YA Historical Fiction Books about War
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Three tales in one, this realistic fiction story is told in alternating chapters by three narrators. The stories feature Josef, a Jewish refugee fleeing WWII Germany, Isabel a Cuban girl on her way to Miami in 1994, and Mahmoud a Syrian refugee seeking asylum in Germany in 2015. The chapters rotate between the three characters and their stories do connect at the end in a meaningful and moving way.
The characters are all about 13-years-old but shoulder burdens that would be hard for an adult to handle. Gratz accurately portrays each child’s struggle with both grace and clarity – not shying away from difficult emotions and even death. If you love this YA historical fiction book, we have a list of Powerful WWII Books for Kids.
Lovely War
Author: Julie Berry
Year: 2019
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
In this novel, Aphrodite is telling the story of 2 wartime couples who show that love can thrive no matter the obstacles in their path. Pianist Hazel meets new solider James at a party in London before he’s off to the battlefields of war. Meanwhile, Audrey is a gifted musician off to fight in the 15th New York Infantry, an all-Black regiment sent to Europe to help win World War 1. There, he meets Colette, a Belgian singer whose life has already been devastated by the war.
Over the course of the story, both couples navigate the complexities of a wartorn romance while Aphrodite tries to use their tale to get out of a pickle involving her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares during WWII.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, PTSD, War
Why Kirsten loves it
This book’s premise had me a little skeptical, Greek Gods telling a love story set in WWI? I didn’t think it was up my alley. I must have had it recommended to me almost a dozen times now, and now I’m the one recommending this young adult fantasy novel. It was two, sort of three, love stories in one historical romance book, but it touched on racism, PTSD, and the sacrifices of war. It was so well handled that I was sad to see it end.
Find this book in: Greek Mythology Retellings/ YA Historical Fiction / YA Fantasy Books / Historical Romances / Fun Books for Teens / Best YA Romance Books
Plot
This historical fiction book for teens was such an unexpected beauty for me. Books about the Holocaust are most often inherently extremely heavy. I love the way this book is a fairy tale retelling of Briar Rose (AKA Sleeping Beauty) that turns it into a story about the Holocaust.
Rebecca grew up hearing her grandmother’s version of Sleeping Beauty. Now, her grandmother’s dying wish is for Rebecca to uncover her true story.
Trigger Warnings
Genocide, Antisemitism, Death
Why Kirsten loves it
It does not trivialize the atrocities of that time but rather, it makes the subject more approachable to a younger audience. Beautifully written and well done. This is one of the books for a 13-year-old that adults will love and a must-read from WWII books for kids!
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Fairy Tale Retellings / Books about the Holocaust / Classic Book Retellings / Fun Books for Teens
Plot
This magical realism book is narrated by Death. Death tells the story of Liesel, a young girl in Nazi Germany in 1939. Liesel is living with her foster parents and learning to read from stolen books. She also shares these books with the Jewish man who is hiding in her basement.
Trigger Warnings
Death, Antisemitism, War
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is a brilliant, powerful, poignant, and unforgettable look at Nazi Germany. It’s becoming part of many school curriculums for good reason. I’ve never read a story that encapsulates life for ordinary children during this harrowing time in history.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / YA Historical Fiction Books / Books about the Holocaust / Coming-of-age Books for Teens
YA Historical Fantasy Books
My Lady Jane
Author: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Year: 2016
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
More info: The Lady Janies #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
I listened to this young adult historical fiction book and it was such a unique twist on the historical tale of Lady Jane Grey, the 9 Days Queen. Instead of Catholics and Protestants, this book gave us people who could transform into animals and those who could not. It was ridiculous but funny and the authors cleverly wove in historical details and sayings attributing them to the characters.
Why Kirsten loves it
Ok, this story barely resembles the history it was inspired by, but it’s absolutely hysterical and incredibly fun! Part of the fun is knowing the history and spotting what was made different in the story, but an added element was the incredible voices done by the audiobook narrator. Make sure you read this before watching the adaptation!
Find this book in: YA Fantasy Books / YA Historical Fiction / Best Historical Fiction / Fun Books for Teens / Best Books for 13-year-olds / Best YA Romance Books
Serpent and Dove
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Year: 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: Serpent & Dove Book 1 of 3
New York Times Bestseller, B&N YA Book Club Pick, Indiebound Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Louise Le Blanche is a witch and Reid Diggory is a witch hunter, but when they are forced to be married Lou has to keep her identity a secret and try not to fall for her handsome husband. Could you ask for anything more from enemies-to-lovers books?
She is trying to change his mind about being a witch hunter while hiding her true identity. She is also using the inside knowledge to save her witch friends. Set in the pre-industrial age in Paris, France, this book is perfect for lovers of YA!
Why Kirsten loves it
This book has funny, fierce heroines, a steamy love story, and a cast of characters that is diverse. I devoured all thee books in this series in a week.
Find this book in: YA Books About Witches / Young Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Historical Fantasy Book / Books Set in Paris / YA Historical Fiction Books / The Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books / Best YA Romance Books
All That Glitters (Enchanteé #1) by Gita Trelease
Camille is an orphan who must use magic to transform pieces of metal into money in order to buy food for her sister. But when the magic starts to fail, Camille must use dark magic to transform herself into a baroness in the court of Louis the 16th. The magic is beautiful in this young adult fantasy novel.
Soon, the dark magic takes its toll and Camille must make a choice between reality and magic. When revolution erupts, Camille must determine how to survive. This YA historical fiction is a great one.
My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand
The latest book by this writing trio is another historical fantasy with a twist. This time it’s Mary Queen of Scots’s story that gets the magic treatment.
Mary can transform at will into a mouse, but she needs to keep it a secret as shape-shifting is frowned upon. Can she be the Queen the country needs, win Francis’s heart, and keep her secret? This is such a fun historical fiction book for teens and a great YA pick from books about Scotland!
