Teen Reading Lists: Home

Here you can browse through all kinds of reading lists for teens! Teen books, known as Young Adult literature (abbreviated as YA), is literature written for, published for, or marketed to ages 12 to 18. However, not every title is meant for the entire age range. Here are some age ranges that titles have: 12+, 14+, 16+.

These specific ranges are based on themes and content. They are determined by publishers, vendors, and professional reviewers.

How do I find out what books are right for my age or my teen's age?

There are several ways you can find this by using our catalog!

When you search for a book, click on the title and scroll down. If you click the "Explore Series, Librarian Recommendations: Lists, and more" tab, the professional reviews are listed. Most of the reviews suggest the age or grade level they would recommend the book to. They can sometimes vary, so it is always best for the teen's guardian to look over the books themselves to determine if they are the right fit for their teen.

You can also click the "Content from NoveList" tab. This provides the Lexile Measure and Accelerated Reader level. The Lexile Measure determines the text difficulty and reader ability (reading comprehension), which helps young teens reading at a higher level and older teens reading at a lower level find books that fit their speed while still suiting their age. Accelerated Reader levels determine the appropriateness (Interest Level or IL) and text difficulty (Book Level or BL) of books. They roughly correspond to grade levels: Lower Grades (K-3), Middle Grades (4-6), Upper Middles Grades (6+), and Upper Grades (9-12).

Still not sure? Consult with our Teen Services Librarian! She can show you how to use the library's catalog to find suggested age ranges. She also offers personalized book recommendations! There are various ways to get personalized recommendations to fit everyone's needs:

• Visit the library to talk to our librarian about your book preferences (it is recommended to call or email ahead to set up a meeting time). She will keep selecting books for you to look over until you find the perfect one!
• Call or email our librarian with your book preferences, and she will respond with book recommendations and descriptions. She can also put the ones you would like on hold for you.
• Join Teen Book Box! Available in our spring and fall semesters, Teen Book Box offers monthly boxes filled with treats and a book selected just for you. All you need is a Library card and to fill out a registration form online that tells our librarian your book preferences.

Explore our reading lists below or at the top of the page:

• Official Reading Lists
  Official reading lists such as Texas Lone Star, Maverick, and Topaz.
• Realistic Fiction
  For real though.
• Mystery & Thriller
  What is the butler or was it...the librarian?
• Fantasy
  One genre to rule them all.
• Science Fiction
  The truth is out there. Or in the library.
• Inspirational & Gentle
   Faith-based fiction along with titles for that avoid sensitive content.
• LGBTQ+
  Fiction with authentic representation.
• Books for Emerging Readers
  Perfect for teens who don't show much interest in reading or are struggling with reading!
• Unique Book Types
  They march to the beat of their own drum.
• Graphic Novels & More
  Great stories told artistically.
• Nonfiction
  Books that stick to the facts.
• Audiobooks
  On-the-go reads for today's teens.
• Read-Alikes
  They're not the same, but they'll help you through a book hangover.

Helen Hall Library's Teen Advisory Board (TAB) members share their thoughts about books, movies, library events, and so much more!

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