Best Books for 13-Year-Olds
Looking for the best books for a 13-year-old? We’ve got the perfect list for you!
Having raised 4 kids through this particular age, we are well-equipped to give suggestions for children with all kinds of book preferences. We’ve got suggestions for fantasy fans and non-fiction readers and every reader in between.
Below, you’ll find lots of great stories divided by category. Many of the books for a 13-year-old have links to book lists with even more recommendations, so be sure to poke around.
The Best Books for 13-Year-Olds
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Fantasy Book for a 13-year-old
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton – Jump to section
The Best Mystery Book for a 13-year-old
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Jump to section
The Best Realistic Fiction Book for a 13-year-old
The Judgment of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum – Jump to section
The Best Historical Book for a 13-year-old
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed – Jump to section
The Best Audiobook for a 13-year-old
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – Jump to section
The Best Book Set at School for a 13-year-old
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – Jump to section
The Best Classic Book for a 13-year-old
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery – Jump to Section
The Best Sports Book for a 13-year-old
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight – Jump to Section
The Best Coming-of-Age Book for a 13-year-old
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros – Jump to Section
The Best Graphic Novel for a 13-year-old
White Bird by R. J. Palacio – Jump to Section
The Best Nonfiction Book for a 13-year-old
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Best Fantasy Books for a 13-Year-Old
The Belles
Author: Dhonielle Clayton
Year: 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: The Belles #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
The people in the world of Orleans are devoid of natural beauty and need The Belles to use their magical treatments to be beautiful. The most powerful of the Belles is known as the favorite and works for the royal family to set trends and perform beauty treatments.
But what happens when a sick queen and a greedy princess have differing views on ruling the people of Orléans and The Belles of the world?
Trigger Warnings
Body shaming, Sexual assault
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved the first book. I finished it and immediately rushed into book 2. The world-building in this YA Fantasy was wonderful and the descriptions of the elaborate beauty treatments painted a vivid picture. The characters were flawed but wonderfully constructed and the teacup pets were adorable.
Find this book in: Books Like the Selection / YA Fantasy / Best Books for 13-year-olds
Peter and the Starcatchers
Author: Dave Berry, Ridley Pearson
Illustrator: Greg Cal
Year: 2004
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 8 – 13
More info: National Best Seller
Plot
This Peter Pan retelling finds Peter aboard a ship of sailors. He and a bunch of other orphans aboard the ship have to protect a treasure locked in a chest hidden on the ship from pirate captain Black Stache. Think of this as the origin story of Tinkerbell, her fairy dust, and how Peter gained his ability to fly.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s one of my kids’ favorite fairy tale retellings. If your child loves Peter Pan, this story is a must-read!
Find this book in: Pirate Books for Kids / Fairy Tale Retellings / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Best Books for 13-year-olds
Artemis Fowl
Author: Eoin Colfer
Year: 2001
Genre: Fantasy
Age: 11+
More info: Artemis Fowl Book 1 of 8
Plot
Artemis Fowl is a kid genius trying to utilize the power of fairies to find his father. With the help of his butler, they kidnap a fairy named Holly Short to restore his family’s fortune and find his power.
However, Artemis underestimates the power of the fairies because he thinks that he is the smartest.
Why Jackie loves it
This fantasy book for tweens is perfect for anyone who wants to see the villain’s perspective and root for them as well. These are the perfect books for Percy Jackson fans.
Find this book in: Books about Con Artists and Thieves / Books like Percy Jackson / Best Fantasy Books for Tweens / Books like KOTLC / Books for a 13-year-old
Mystery Books for 13-Year-Olds
The Inheritance Games
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Year: 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
More info: Book 1 of 5: The Inheritance Games
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I knew I had to read this YA mystery series after it was compared to one of my favorite middle-grade mystery books, The Westing Game.
In this story, Avery, a poor orphan is told she’s just inherited a billionaire’s fortune. His family is determined to get to the money, but Avery has bigger fish to fry – the riddles and puzzles the deceased Tobias Hawthorne left behind for her to solve. As she teams up with unlikely allies, she’s forced to figure out who is a friend or foe. In order to receive the money, she must follow the clues.
Why Kirsten loves it
I flew through this story and can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy!
Why Jackie loves it
I loved everything about this series, from the characters to the plot to the mystery of “why”.
Adaptation Information
Amazon purchased the rights to this book intending to make a TV series with Osprey Productions. Grainne Godfree is writing it and Jennifer Lynn Barnes is one of the producers. Release date is TBD.
Find this book in: Books for 13-year-olds / Best Mystery Books for Teens / Best Puzzle Books / Cozy Mystery Books / Fun Books for Teens / Books Becoming TV Series
Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Author: Alan Bradley
Year: 2009
Genre: YA Historical Mystery
More info: Flavia De Luce #1
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This is the first book in the Flavia De Luce series. This 11-year-old aspiring chemist is a wonderful heroine who is smart and precocious. In this first book, it is 1950 and Flavia has a love of poisons. When she finds a man taking his last breath in a cucumber patch, she is not scared at all, rather, she delights in solving the mystery.
Why Kirsten loves it
Flavia is an absolute delight to read as she’s easily one of the most unique characters in a mystery series. My dad recommended this series to me. I read it, loved it, and promptly passed it on to my 12-year-old. I love that this story works for readers of all generations.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the best first mystery books for younger readers as it does not have violence.
Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Best Books for 13-year-olds / British Mysteries / Mystery Books for Kids / Best Cozy Mystery Books / Fun Books for Teens / Books with Food in the Title
A Study in Charlotte
Author: Brittany Cavallaro
Year: 2016
Genre: YA Mystery
More info: Charlotte Holmes #1
Age Range: 13+
Plot
I enjoyed the first book in the Charlotte Holmes Trilogy. I’ve mentioned before that I am a big Sherlock Holmes fan. This Sherlock Holmes retelling differs from the others because it occurs in modern times.
The central characters are the teenage descendants of Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. In the story, Jamie Watson has just started at an elite boarding school where he meets Charlotte Holmes. Charlotte is not interested in being Jamie’s friend, but when a student dies under suspicious circumstances, they must work together to clear their names.
Why Kirsten loves it
The adolescent angle leaves room for error in Holmes’ deductive reasoning skills. Watson is also a more fleshed-out character who has deductive reasoning skills of his own. This classic retelling wraps up nicely and the characters solve the mystery leaving enough open ends to allow for a sequel.
Find this book in: Sherlock Holmes Retellings / Books Set in High School / Detective Books / Best Books for 13-year-olds / Dark Academia Books / Classic Retellings / Best Cozy Mystery Books / Fun Books for Teens
Best Realistic Fiction Books for a 13-Year-Old
Plot
Blum’s debut novel was a brilliant, must-read for every teen and his sophomore novel was equally as good. Yoyo Gold is a Jewish girl from a strict Orthodox community who strives to be perfect by following all the rules, helping at home, and being a good role model as the daughter of the community Rabbi.
When her best friend is cast out of the community, she is outraged at the double standards for girls and boys, as well as the often hypocritical judgment of her community. After meeting and befriending a reform Rabbi’s daughter, she begins testing the boundaries of her religious beliefs, even going so far as making anonymous TikTok videos calling out the rule breakers in her community thinking it’s a safe way to vent. But when those videos go viral, she’s left to contemplate her role in the community and her values.
Why Kirsten loves it
Not as heavy as Blum’s last book, this story still examined parts of orthodox Judaism that I hadn’t considered before. I understood Yoyo’s struggles to figure out her own beliefs in a tight-knit community steeped in strict tradition and the deep judgment that comes along with it. I was rooting for Yoyo as she found a way to marry her moral compass within her religious beliefs.
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-year-olds / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Plot
A group of four friends spends every summer together on a private island. Money, family, love, and an accident lead to secrets and lies. Featuring complex dynamics between friends and family, this story is both a coming-of-age tale and a mystery all in one.
Trigger Warnings
Fire/Fire injury, Child death
Why Jackie loves it
This book was the perfect suspense which I did not expect. Even though I knew that the narrator was unreliable, I still had no idea where this story was going and I didn’t know it was a Shakespeare retelling of King Lear until years after I read it.
Find this book in: Books with Unreliable Narrators / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 13-year-old / Fun Books for Teens
Far From the Tree
Author: Robin Benway
Year: 2017
Genre: YA Fiction
More info: National Book Award
Age Range: 13+
Plot
This wonderful story is about Grace who was adopted at birth. When she finds herself pregnant, she puts her daughter up for adoption.
This prompts her to look for her biological mother. What she finds are two siblings that she never knew about. This is an amazing story told from multiple points of view. Even though I included it in books that make you cry, you will love every moment.
Why Kirsten loves it
This novel for tweens is the winner of the National Book Award for good reason. I adored this middle-grade fiction book. I spent half of it crying and the other half smiling.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Best Books for 13-year-olds / Feel-good Books / Books to Make You Cry / Fun Books for Teens
Historical Fiction Books for 13-Year-Olds
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
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
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
Best Audiobooks for a 13-Year-Old
The Hate U Give
Author: Angie Thomas
Year: 2017
Genre: YA fiction
More info: National Book Award Longlist · Printz Honor Book · Coretta Scott King Honor Book
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This fantastic and incredibly relevant young adult novel tackles the Black Lives Matter movement. Starr is straddling a line between two worlds. She attends a prestigious prep school where she is one of 2 black children in her grade but she lives in a poor neighborhood 40 minutes down the road.
She switches her personality so that she can fit in wherever she is, never truly being her whole self. When she witnesses her unarmed childhood best friend get killed by a policeman her entire life changes.
She needs to decide what to tell and to whom because her words can have dire consequences for her family and her community.
Trigger Warnings
racism, gun violence, police brutality
Why Kirsten loves it
Angie Thomas’s storytelling in this one was impressive. She was able to portray so many relevant topics in one book and put the reader in Starr’s shoes.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s a truly wonderful coming-of-age story from thought-provoking books set in high school that all young adults should read.
Find this book in: Thought Provoking Books / Best Audiobooks of all Time / Best Books Set in High School / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens
Akata Witch
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Year: 2011
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: New York Times Best Seller
Age Range: 12+
Plot
I absolutely loved this YA fantasy book about Sunny, a twelve-year-old girl who lives with her parents and two brothers in Nigeria. Sunny is albino and teased for her looks. This is one of the fantasy books set in Africa that is a must read!
When Sunny discovers that she is a “free agent”, someone with magical abilities whose parents are not magic, she enters a world she didn’t know existed. Sunny and her three fellow magical students must study and learn their abilities in order to stop the Black Hat Killer before he brings about complete destruction.
Why Jackie loves it
Unlike anything I have read, the story is woven beautifully and is one of the best fantasy books for teens. if you love young adult books about witches, this is at the top of our list.
Find this book in: Novels About Africa / Best Fantasy Books for Teens / YA Books About Witches
Plot
In the small town of Five Fingers, Michigan, live the O‘Donnells and the Angerts, two families feuding for generations. Jack “June” O’Donnell has always stayed away from the Angert family with no real explanation for the cause of the feud.
When June meets Saul Angert, everything changes. She can’t seem to stay away from him and strange things begin to happen. June decides she needs answers and embarks on a journey that will take her to places she never thought were possible.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a perfect YA Fantasy read with just the right amount of romance, conflict, mystery, and magic. It’s such a unique Romeo and Juliet retelling.
Find this book in: Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books / Best Books for 13-Year-olds / Favorite Audiobook Narrators / Best Books of 2017
Books for 13-Year-Olds Set at School
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Year: 2014
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
Imagine if all your past crushes found out you liked them all at once. EEK! That’s what happens to the heroine, Lara Jean Covey when the love letters she wrote get mailed! Now, she’s reached an agreement with her former crush, Peter, to fake a relationship to make his ex jealous. But their relationship is fake —- or is it?
Why Kirsten loves it
I love Lara Jean – she is quirky, cute, and reminds me of me in high school – except she gets to date the most popular boy at school. I love this innocent book for middle schoolers looking for their first romance, though as an adult, I enjoyed this one tremendously!
Find this book in: Fake Dating Novels / Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Netflix Book Adaptations / Books About Sisters / Female Bipoc Authors / Books set in High School / Fun Books for Teens / High School Romance Books / Best YA Romance Books
With the Fire on High
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Year: 2019
Genre: YA Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
This story is set in Philly (which I love) and features a Black woman of Caribbean descent who is entering her senior year of college. Emoni wants to be a world-class chef but struggles with pursuing her passions in the kitchen while balancing the responsibilities of having a toddler.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
After hearing a lot about this particular coming-of-age story, I quickly snatched it up, and let me tell you, the hype is real. It’s a true coming-of-age story that is as delicious to devour as the many recipes described in the book.
Why Jackie loves it
This book reminds me of Lessons in Chemistry because the two main characters have so much in common. Both are trying to balance career and parenthood and both are chefs!
Find this book in: Books Like Lessons in Chemistry / Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books set in High School / Fun Books for Teens
Plot
Doug is ready to win the STEAMS competition at his very competitive middle school. He thinks it’s his chance to show his famous athlete dad and his principal that he deserves to be selected to compete at Gadget-Con.
But he’s teamed up with a band of misfits. Can he bring his team together and win the competition?
Why Kirsten loves it
Told from the perspective of multiple narrators, I highly recommend the audiobook version because of the full-cast narration. My sons (10 & 12) and I listened to this over the summer and enjoyed every minute of it! We loved hearing about the wacky competition and how the team comes together in the end. #gifted by Levine Querido
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-year-olds / Full Cast Audiobooks / School Books
Classic Books for a 13-Year-Old
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
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carrol
Illustrator: Minalima
Year: 1865
Genre: Classic Children’s Fiction
Age: 8 – 12
More info: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland #1
Plot
When Alice falls down a rabbit hole, she enters Wonderland’s magical world, filled with fantastical creatures. As she tries to return to the human world, she endures adventures of epic proportions.
Written over a century ago, Lewis Carroll’s fantasy world of Wonderland is one of the most unique worlds ever written. From the Queen of Hearts to the Cheshire Cat, these characters have inspired countless retellings and movies.
Why Kirsten loves it
Lewis Carroll’s Alice is as trippy as the Disney version leads you to believe. His imagination was fascinating and the story details are so wonderful.
Jackie’s Thoughts
My daughter recently came home with this tween fantasy book from school. It is classic and many children know the story of Alice. While my daughter loves the Disney version of this book, She did not enjoy the original. For her, it was too creepy.
Find this book in: Literary Classics Worth Reading / Fantasy Books for Tweens
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Author: Gregory Maguire
Year: 1995
Genre: Fantasy
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Tony Award-winning musical, soon to be a major motion picture
Age Range: 13+
Plot
Everyone knows the Wicked Witch of the West but not everyone knows how she became that way. She wasn’t always bad. This is the story of a girl who would grow up to become one of the most hated villains in history. Elphaba is born with green skin and is treated with superstition and dislike. When she enters Shiz University, she is eventually able to make friends
When Elphaba realizes that Animals are threatened with exile, she tries to protect them. After all, they have voices, minds, thoughts, and opinions too. Soon she finds herself in a war with the mysterious wizard.
Why Kirsten loves it
I think of Professor Snape from Harry Potter in the same way. If you love witches and rooting for the bad guys, this book is for you. Like the Broadway play, the movie adaptation of this will be a must-see.
Why Jackie loves it
I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz and could not imagine the Wicked Witch of the West as anything else, until I read this book. This is a brilliantly written book that shows there are always two sides to the story. This is a message that is so strong and remains relevant in our society.
Find this book in: YA Books About Witches / Books Becoming Movies or TV Series / Books Like the Lunar Chronicles / Classic Book Retellings / Adult Books Similar to Harry Potter
Sports Books for a 13-Year-Old
Shoe Dog: Young Readers Edition
Author: Phil Knight
Year: 2017
Genre: YA Nonfiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 10+
Plot
Phil Knight tells the story of the creation of his now-famous company, Nike. From his initial disappointment at being cut from the basketball team to the risks and setbacks of growing a global brand.
Trigger Warnings
Why Jackie loves it
This is a wonderful story for budding entrepreneurs and sneaker addicts alike. This is one of the books for a 13-year-old that adults will love too – there is even an adult edition of the book.
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-Year-Olds
Plot
When Georgie is chosen to play Clara in The Nutcracker, she is so delighted – it’s everything she’s been working towards, even if her best friend didn’t get the part. When rehearsals start, she dances with the nutcracker for the first time and something mysterious happens – she’s brought into another world – literally!
As she tries to help the trapped nutcracker in the other world, she’s dealing with the fallout from her bestie not getting the role. As she’s navigating her old friendship, she starts to make a new friend who just might be able to help her save the nutcracker.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’m always looking for holiday-specific books geared toward tweens. This one delivers a unique spin on a story that most children grow up knowing. I like how it also focused on the ups and downs of friendship.
Find this book in: New Christmas Books for Kids / Christmas Chapter Books
Break the Fall
Author: Jennifer Iacopelli
Year: 2020
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This YA novel is all about Olympic Gymnasts. It follows a fictional gymnast’s quest to make the Olympic team while trying to juggle friendships, family, rivalry, and chronic pain. The book also heavily discusses sexual abuse from a Team USA coach.
Trigger Warnings
Bullying, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship
Why Kirsten loves it
It balances the fun of the games with the seriousness of the assault scandal quite well, particularly for a book geared at young adults.
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-year-olds / Books About Women in Sports / Faux Celebrity Fiction
Coming of Age Books for 13-Year-Olds
The House on Mango Street
Author: Sandra Cisneros
Year: 1984
Genre: YA Fiction
Age: 13+
More info: March 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Plot
This classic kid’s book is about a Latino neighborhood in Chicago. Widely studied (and banned) across the country, Esperanza Cordero’s coming-of-age story defines a generation.
Within its pages, Esperanza is struggling against stereotypes and the expectations of growing up on Mango Street. While she fights to leave her neighborhood behind, she realizes that she can’t outrun the impact the neighborhood had on shaping her.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten loves it
While Jenna recently picked the 25th-anniversary edition for her book club, I have loved this story since I read it in middle school. The way Cisneros writes paints the most vivid picture in my mind.
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Read with Jenna / Books with Food in the Title
Plot
When someone sneaks into the local middle school and vandalizes it with a swastika, nobody can believe it. Dana is the only Jewish girl in the entire town and she starts to feel like more of an outsider than she had before.
Now, more swastikas start to appear and Dana, Michael, and Link begin to take a closer look at who might be doing this. Their investigation brings them closer to the answers as well as crimes of the past.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism
Why Jackie loves it
This story can be hard to read given the rise in antisemitism across the world these last few years, but it’s an important and moving book worth your time.
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-year-olds
The Sun is Also a Star
Author: Nicola Yoon
Year: 2016
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This National Book Award finalist is the story of Natasha and Daniel. They meet 12 hours before Natasha and her family are deported to Jamaica. Where will their story take them? You can’t fall in love in 12 hours, can you?
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Deportation, Suicidal thoughts
Why Jackie loves it
This Young Adult novel is smart and well-written. I loved reading it. Yoon has done something very difficult with this book. She switches back and forth between a few different narrators and still manages to maintain the flow of the story.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books Set in New York / Thought-provoking Novels / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Fun Books for Teens / Best YA Romance Books
Graphic Novels for a 13-Year-Old
White Bird
Author: R. J. Palacio
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction Graphic Novel
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 9+
Plot
White Bird is a story about Grandmère set in the Wonder universe. It tells the story of her young childhood as a young Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France and how someone she once bullied saved her during WWII. Grandmère tells Julian the story over the course of Palacio’s debut graphic novel in a way that is so moving.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism
Why Jackie loves it
This graphic novel came my way through my local bookstore and it was a beautiful surprise for me. I loved Wonder. The story was told beautifully and with compassion. I wondered if I would be disappointed with how a story about the holocaust would translate into a graphic novel and whether the story could be told with an equal amount of compassion. Happily, I was not disappointed at all. It is so poignant and powerful with a message of kindness that is so relevant today.
Find this book in: Full Cast Audiobooks / WWII Books for Kids / Books with Color in the Title / Best Books for 13-year-olds
Plot
Raina Telgemeier has a unique way of incorporating sensitive subjects into her books without making them overwhelming or scary. In Ghosts, Cat’s younger sister, Maya, has Cystic Fibrosis. They have just moved to a new city where the air is easier for Maya to breathe.
Cat has given herself the role of protector of her younger sister and as the festival of Dia De Lost Meurtos draws closer, the two sisters each confront the idea of death in very different ways.
Trigger Warnings
Terminal Illness
Why Jackie loves it
At its heart, Ghosts is a story about family connection. Any of Raina Telegemeier’s books can be considered incredible graphic novels for tweens. She’s won numerous awards and after reading this one, it’s clear why!
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-year-olds / Middle Grade Books for Tweens / Ghost Books / Graphic Novels
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
Non-fiction Books for a 13-Year-Old
Plot
Stevenson’s memoir about his early career is truly eye-opening. As a lawyer and social justice advocate, he has long been at the center of reform for America’s justice system. This book explores his work as a young lawyer working to get wrongly accused inmates off of death row. I had no idea about the scope of injustice toward black men in the criminal justice system until I read the adult version of this book. This edition has been adapted for young readers.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Police Brutality
Why Kirsten loves it
The stories of the inmates on death row who were falsely accused broke my heart. I can’t believe our country doesn’t have more reform in this area. Stevenson’s career is truly incredible and one that should be commended. This book for 13-year-olds is the YA version for kids.
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-year-olds
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
Author: Liza Mundy
Year: 2018
Genre: Young Adult Nonfiction
Age: 9 – 13
Plot
This fascinating book tells the story of the code girls, the women who worked to decode messages during WWII. They worked incredibly hard to save the men on the frontlines, yet their work has been largely overlooked. Mundy shines a light on their story, which was almost lost completely.
Why Kirsten loves it
It was a truly fascinating read! I loved finding out about the trials and tribulations of the real-life heroes of the war. I love the kids version of the same WWII non-fiction book too.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Best Books for 13-year-olds
Humble Pi
Author: Matt Parker
Year: 2020
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: International Bestseller
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This book revolves around math and how we use it in everyday life. Throughout the book, readers learn about real-life mistakes, mishaps, and near misses that all came about because of mathematical errors. Who knew math could be so entertaining?
Why Kirsten loves it
My math-obsessed 12-year-old got this from my sister and devoured it in just a few days. While reading, he regaled us all with funny anecdotes and stories from its pages. He wears a shirt that says it’s all fun and games until someone divides by zero – a scenario this book talks about after exactly that mistake stalled a battleship in the middle of the ocean!
Find this book in: Best Books for a 13-year-olds
Helpful Tips
- Don’t force your teenager to read a genre or book they don’t like – it won’t turn them into life-long readers.
- Despite the on-going debate on this subject, consuming graphic novels and audiobooks does count as reading!
- Each of the books on this list appear on other book lists across the website. Find a book you (or your child) enjoys and explore other book lists that book is on!
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre should a 13-year-old read?
13-year-olds are just like any other readers, they should be the genre they find most fascinating. At this age, fantasy and mystery books are popular but romance and even non-fiction books start to become more appealing to the growing mind.
What are the best books for 13-year-olds?
A hard question to answer, but some of my favorites from each genre include To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed.
Related Content
Epilogue
Finding age-appropriate books for 13-year-olds can be a challenge, but take it from me, these will all be a hit in your home! Did you find any books for a 13-year-old to add to your home library?
Book Lists by Genre
Are you looking for more books in your favorite genre? This hub will let you choose which genre to dive into!
This list is pretty good, im thirteen but have already read lord of the rings and the inheritance cycle and most of these books, could you maybe add some higher level books?
We absolutely can. In fact, my 12-year-old is already reading some adult books at a higher reading level. Are you only interested in fantasy or would you like other suggestions?
I absolutely love The Inheritance Games! I was Delighted to find it here. You even interested me into reading We Were Liars, and it was great!
Hi! I’m thirteen and I read continually. I’ve wanted to know if I’m advanced in my reading or not. Most books are either too short or too easy, and I want to read the proper level of books. I read lots of the books in this list when I was 8-9, so I don’t feel it’s quite right for me. I love reading books that are a challenge, and that love caused me to read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy before I was out of elementary school. If you know any books would help me out of my reading predicament, then I would love to hear suggestion.
Hi Charity!
I’d recommend our YA book lists for you!
With a 13 year old girl we are having conversations that her dad or i did not have till high school with our parents. Thank you for this feedback and review so that we can choose books that are helping us have these conversations on her level and not where we were at her age. Keep up the great work.
Thank you! I think books open up a world of discussion which can be helpful to initiate tough talks. I’m with you on this parenting thing. It’s hard and if we can make even one part of parenting easier, we are thrilled to be able to do so!
I am happy I came across your blog (better late than never). I am always encouraging my son to read as much as possible – all genres. Recently, he has been dealing with some issues at school and feeling like he doesn’t really fit in so I have been on the hunt for some feel good “relatable” books that might make him feel better and something we can discuss together. I have found in the past that books really allow us to start a dialogue about some trickier subjects. I am going to keep browsing through your YA recommendations because I am sure I will find a lot to work with. I wanted to recommend a book to you (and other mothers) who may be in a similar situation as myself called “Mentors and Tormentors” by Tim Jones. This book follows a 14-year-old boy, Wendall. It is written as fiction (so it definitely kept my son’s interest) but it covers a lot of really important subjects: bullying, depression, self-respect, etc. Wendall meets a variety of different characters (good and bad) who teach him a variety of lessons along the way. I highly recommend this book for pre-teens and teens. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for writing this it was very extremely helpful now i have way more options of books to read, you probably won’t get this and I dont know what year you made this but it has helped me so much and again thank you so much!
I’m so happy to hear that it helped! We wrote it in 2022, but we update it all the time. 😊 Let us know if you find anything you like!