Top 5 Book Recommendations for Teens aged 11 and upwards
They say nowadays kids are addicted to scrolling on their phones. I think they just haven’t read the right books.
Here are my Top 5 action-packed, adrenaline pumping recommendations to get Teens off their screens!
I am Number Four
Series by Pittacus Lore (James Frey)
Superpowers. Action. Adventure. Mystery. Suspense. Survival.
I am Number Four follows 9 teens, from the alien planet Lorien, scattered around Earth after their home world is destroyed by planet pillagers, Mogadorians. The Mogadorians have found them, and the Loriens are once again hunted.
To face a better chance, the Loriens must find each other. They must also find a way to bring their home planet back to life and eliminate the Mogadorian threat that has turned their eyes to pillaging Earth.
I am Number Four is a high-stakes adrenaline pumping read. It keeps you on your toes, where every decision could mean being found and killed. It is especially hard when you are a teen, trying to make friends, branch out and figure out who you are. Are you human or must you fulfill your duties to revive a planet long gone?
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Series by Rick Riordan
Magic. Powers. Mythical Beasts. Greek Gods. Prophecies. Adventure.
This series follows Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, demi-god and student at Camp Half-blood as he goes on missions and adventures to prove himself worthy, save his friends and to fulfill a prophecy that could either destroy or save the world.
Follow along Percy’s story as he grows up and faces hard choices between doing what is right and what is expected of him.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians bring a refreshing take on Greek mythology and seamlessly weaves it in the fabric of what we know is reality. The imagination the series invokes is endless, and provides a fun read of suspense, high-stakes and courage.
Maze Runner
Trilogy by James Dashner
Action. Suspense. Mystery. Survival. Post-apocalyptic.
The first book in Maze Runner follows main character Thomas’ sudden arrival in an enclosed area known as the ‘Glade’. The Glade has trapped a community of teenage boys, where the only way out is through a deadly maze where dangerous creatures lurk, and if you’re not careful the movement of its walls may crush you or leave you lost forever.
He must uncover the mystery to his lost memories and find a way out before time is up. Will they escape? Or will they all go mad trying?
Maze Runner is an action-packed series, where the suspense, danger and mystery will keep you on edge and turn those pages. Maze Runner perfectly encapsulates the importance of teamwork and trust in your friends to survive impossible scenarios.
Tomorrow When the War Began
Series by John Marsden.
Action. Suspense. Survival. War. Aussie.
Tomorrow When the War Began was the first book I was addicted to. Loaning out all the sequels from the school library from Primary School all the way up to High School.
What was meant to be a perfect get away with friends in Australia’s beautiful outback, turned into a nightmare when Elle and her friends returned to their hometowns empty and in disarray. While they were away, their home had been invaded by a country struggling with overpopulation.
The series follows how Elle and her friends fight back against the invasion to retake their home and save their families.
Tomorrow When the War Began in my opinion is perfectly crafted by John Marsden to show that teens are capable of more than what anyone gives them credit for. They have the capability to survive and adapt to awful situations, immense courage and intelligence. While praising teens, Marsden also does a great job of showing the negative outcomes when kids are forced to grow up too quickly.
Running Tracks
Debut Novel by Jotham Kingston
Slice of Life. Tear-jerker. Loss. Grief. Loneliness. Love. Aussie.
The debut novel by Jotham Kingston follows Anthony Barnett and his Dad as they both grapple with the loss of Ant’s mum a few years prior. Anthony or ‘Ant’ must navigate growing up, first love, loneliness and processing grief without her.
Will Ant be able to make lasting friendships and win his love for running at the Athletics carnival? Or will he fall apart at the seams?
Running Tracks is a thoughtful and beautiful story with a heartwarming ending, perfectly crafted by Jotham Kingston. As a kid, I wish I had read something like this. I think it’s important for teenagers, especially teenage boys to know that someone out there loves them, whether it be friends or a parent. I think this book also provides a window for teens facing similar situations such as loss and depression. I think it could be a useful resource. Something to provide teens comfort and a declaration that they are not alone.
What I learned from all these books:
Friendship.
Whether it be saving the world, saving yourself or saving each other. Nobody needs to shoulder everything alone.
The Loriens needed to band together to be stronger and increase their odds of surviving and reviving their planet. Without Annabeth’s wit and strategy, Percy might have died a long time ago. Same for Thomas, without his friends Minho and Newt. Without Homer’s knowledge in guerilla tactics, or Robin’s faith and resilience, Elle may have given up way before the fight the even began. And lastly, without Molly, the rift between Ant and his father may have just grown larger and larger.
Growing up, beyond the superpowers, the fighting and action sequences, and the mystery, what I think I valued the most (even if I didn’t know it at the time) was the comfort or hope that I would find my circle of friends that would stand with me through the worst times. A group of friends that would be there for me no matter what. And I think that’s what kept bringing me back. A connection.
And I think, that through the endless scrolling, Teens want that too.
So, I hope you’ve enjoyed my recommendations, and I hope it has been useful to someone somewhere, even if it just replaces one screen with a book.
John Lim
Elephant Page Staff