Our Teen Collections have books and other materials created 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:
Teen nonfiction, also known as young adult (YA) nonfiction, is based on facts, real people, and real events but is written in a similar style to teen fiction, making it more appealing and relatable to teens. It covers the same topics as children's or adult nonfiction, and is told in a variety of formats such as comic, scrapbook, or verse. It's not just for book reports anymore! Teen nonfiction features hot-button issues, high interest topics, and leisure reads to provide reliable sources and keep readers informed.
Teen fiction, known as young adult (YA) fiction, is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to ages 12 to 18.
Teen fiction, whether in the form of novels or short stories, has attributes that distinguish it from the other age categories of fiction. The majority of teen fiction portrays a teen as the protagonist, rather than an adult or a child. The subject matter and story lines are typically consistent with the age and experience of the main character, but teen fiction spans the entire spectrum of fiction genres. The settings of teen fiction are limited only by the imagination and skill of the author.
Themes in teen fiction often focus on the challenges of youth. This happens so often that the entire age category is sometimes referred to as problem novels or coming of age novel. Writing styles of teen fiction range widely, from the richness of literary style to the clarity and speed. Despite its unique characteristics, teen fiction shares the fundamental elements of fiction with other stories: character, plot, setting, theme, and style.
