help ever hurt never essay writing in english 600 words

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Slogan: “Aid Ever, Hurt Never”

Every educated individual should prosecute himself or herself in selfless service to society with humbleness and a pure bosom. All academic differentiations or even observation of religious patterns are of no usage if there is no love in the bosom. Love and compassion are built-in in every individual. Each has to portion this love with others. Failure to portion one’s love is gross ungratefulness to society. to which one owes everything. One should give one’s love freely to others and have love in return. This is the deep significance of human life.

To sublimate the head. one should foster baronial and sacred ideas of service to others. One who does non ache anybody and has feelings of love and compassion to fellow existences is the greatest of work forces. That is why sage Vyasa gave the kernel of the 18 Puranas ( Bibles ) in the apothegm: Aid Ever. Hurt Never.

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Aid rendered. nevertheless little. if it comes from the deeper impulses of service welling in the bosom is every bit good as the offer of life itself. Look about for opportunities to alleviate. deliverance or resuscitate. Train yourselves that you may render aid rapidly and good. Seva is the most paying signifier of asceticism. the most hearty and the most enjoyable. It springs out of Love and spreads Love in profuseness. To assist the helpless is the lone manner to delight Him. to follow and make Him.

Serve people with no idea of high or low ; no Seva is high. no Seva is low. each act of Seva is equal in the oculus of the Lord. It is the preparedness. the joy. the efficiency. the accomplishment with which you rush to make it that affairs. Train yourselves to function God by functioning adult male. in whom there is God installed in the bosom. Convert yourself that the seva of adult male is worship of God.

Attempts to function must jump from torment at the agony of others and the service must be echt attempt to acquire rid of that torment. Make non worry about the consequence. Help every bit much as you can. every bit expeditiously as you can. every bit mutely as you can. every bit fondly as you can. go forth the remainder to God. who gave you the opportunity to server.

You should do every attempt to avoid harming others in any circumstance. You are merely aching yourself when you hurt others. You should non utilize rough words. When you develop human values. you can be free from diseases and even bask good wellness with God’s Grace.

Ahimsa. the virtuousness of non-violence involves much more than abstinence from wounding living existences. One should abstain from doing hurting to any populating being non merely by his workss but even by his words and even in his ideas. One should non entertain any thought of aching or mortifying another.

Service to adult male will assist your deity to bloom. for it will joy your bosom and do you experience that life has been worthwhile. Service to adult male is service to God. For He is in every adult male and every life being and in every rock and stump. Offer your endowments at the Feet of God ; allow every act be a flower. free from crawling worms of enviousness and egoism and full of aroma of love and forfeit. If you have the endowment. utilize it for the glory of God and make it by elating adult male. A manishi ( ordinary adult male ) gets transformed into Maharishi ( sage ) by prosecuting in altruistic service.

You have to transform your life through service. You should give no room for haughtiness or opportunism to the slightest extent in your service activities. Install in your bosom the feeling that the service you render to anyone is service to God. Merely so does service to adult male go service to Madhava.

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12 Inspiring Memoirs and Biographies for Teens

Looking for biographies and memoirs for teens? We got you.

We love handing over an excellent biography or memoir to the young adult readers we know. There’s no better way to help them connect with history and take a walk in someone else’s shoes. Here are some of our favorite recent memoirs and biographies for teens.

Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!

1. Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

Heiligman chronicles the amazing and eccentric lives of the Van Gogh brothers, their relationship with each other, and their work.

2. Ten Days a Madwoman: The Daring Life and Turbulent Times of the Original Girl Reporter by Deborah Noyes

Known for her groundbreaking work exposing the mistreatment of patients in an asylum, Nellie Bly did not let the traditional expectations of female reporters stop her from becoming a pioneering journalist.

3. Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir by Margarita Engle

Written in verse, Engle shares the tension of living between two worlds, Cuba and Los Angeles.

4. Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery

Lowery shares her experience as the youngest marcher fighting for civil rights alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

5. Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, a Life in Balance  by Simone Biles

Gymnast Simone Biles shares her personal journey from foster care to Olympic gold medalist.

6. How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

After witnessing the murders of her mother and younger sister, Sandra Uwiringiyimana escaped a refugee camp in the Congo and immigrated to America. She survived and healed through art and activism.

 7.  Becoming Kareem: Growing up on and off the Court  by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Abdul-Jabbar shares how he overcame setbacks and difficulties to become a leader on and off the court.

8. The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler chronicles the life of Knud Pedersen and his classmates whose efforts to sabotage Hitler lead to the Danish resistance.

9. Lion: A Long Way Home Young Readers’ Edition by Saroo Brierley

Lost on a train at age five, homeless, and then placed in an orphanage, Brierley shares the story of how he spent years wondering about his life, searching for his home, and finally finding it.

10. The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard Young Readers’ Edition by Tim Howard

Diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, Tim Howard shares the encouraging story of his childhood, long soccer career, and sudden success.

11. Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi

Saedi recounts her childhood as an undocumented Iranian living in America.

12. The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime that Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater

The lives of two teens from very different neighborhoods are forever changed and bound together by a horrific crime.

What are your favorite biographies for teens? Come and share in our  WeAreTeachers Helpline group on Facebook.

Plus, some of our favorite high school reading lists .

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10 Contemporary Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs for Teens

Real-life personal stories to inspire today's teens

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For some teens, reading the life stories of others—whether they're famous authors or victims of a civil war—can be an inspiring experience. This list of highly recommended contemporary biographies , autobiographies , and memoirs written for young adults includes life lessons about making choices, overcoming monumental challenges, and having the courage to be a voice for positive change.

Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos

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In his autobiographical memoir, "Hole in My Life" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2004), award-winning children’s and young adult author Jack Gantos shares his compelling story about making a single choice that altered his destiny. As a young man of 20 struggling to find direction, Gantos seized an opportunity for quick cash and adventure, signing on to help sail a 60-foot yacht with a cargo of hashish from the Virgin Islands to New York City. What he hadn’t anticipated was getting caught. Winner of the Printz Honor Award, Gantos holds nothing back about his experiences with prison life, drugs, and the consequences of making one very bad decision. (Due to mature themes, this book is recommended for ages 14 and up.)

While Gantos clearly made a huge mistake, as evidenced by his critically acclaimed body of work, he was able to turn his life back around. In 2012, Gantos won the John Newbery Medal for his middle-grade novel "Dead End in Norvelt" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2011).

Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton

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"Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board" (MTV Books, 2006) is Bethany Hamilton's story. At 14, competitive surfer Bethany Hamilton thought her life was over when she lost her arm in a shark attack. Yet, despite this obstacle, Hamilton found the determination to continue surfing in her own creative style and proved to herself that the World Surfing Championships were still within reach.

In this true account, Hamilton chronicles the story of her life before and after the accident, inspiring readers to overcome obstacles by finding and focusing on an inner passion and determination. It's a wonderful story of faith, family, and courage. (Recommended for ages 12 and up.)

A movie version of ​​"Soul Surfer" was released in 2011. Hamilton has since written a number of inspirational books spun off from her original memoir.

The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara

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Brutally attacked by rebel soldiers who cut off both her hands, 12-year-old Mariatu Kamara from Sierra Leone miraculously survived and found her way to a refugee camp. When journalists arrived in her country to document the atrocities of war, Kamara was rescued. Her tale of survival as a victim of civil war to becoming a UNICEF Special Representative, "Bite of the Mango" (Annick Press, 2008) is an inspiring story of courage and triumph. (Due to mature themes and violence, this book is recommended for ages 14 and up.)

No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row by Susan Kuklin

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In their own words, four young men sent to death row as teenagers speak candidly with author Susan Kuklin in the unflinching nonfiction book, "No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row" (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 2008). The youthful offenders talk openly about the choices and mistakes they made, as well as about their lives in prison.

Written in the form of personal narratives, Kuklin includes commentary from lawyers, insights into legal issues, and the backstories leading up to each young man’s crime. It's a disturbing read, but it offers teens a perspective on crime, punishment, and the prison system from people their own age. (Due to mature subject matter, this book is recommended for ages 14 and up.)

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous and Obscure

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“He said goodbye with YouTube links.” What happens when you ask teens ranging from high-profile to just your average kid to summarize their hopes, dreams, and troubles in just six words? That's just what the editors of Smith Magazine challenged teenagers across the nation to do. The resulting collection, "I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous and Obscure" (HarperTeen, 2009), contains 800 six-word memoirs ranging in emotion from comical to profound. These fast-paced, intuitive takes on adolescent life, written for teens by teens, read like poetry and just might inspire others to think up their own six-word memoirs. (Recommended for ages 12 and up.)

Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

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Reminiscent of heart-tugging characters like Gilly Hopkins ("The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson) and Dicey Tillerman ("The Tillerman Series" by Cynthia Voigt), the life of Ashley Rhodes-Courter is a series of real-life unfortunate events that are the everyday reality for too many children in America. In her memoir, "Three Little Words" (Atheneum, 2008), Rhodes-Courter recounts the 10 harrowing years she spent in the foster care system, poignantly giving voice to children trapped in circumstances beyond their control. (Recommended for ages 12 and up.)

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

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In the early 1990s, 12-year-old Ishmael Beah was swept up in Sierra Leone’s civil war and turned into a boy soldier. Although gentle and kind at heart, Beah discovered he was capable of horrific acts of brutality. The first part of Beah’s memoir, "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2008), depicts the frighteningly easy transformation of a typical child into an angry teen with the ability to hate, kill, and wield an AK-47. The final chapters of Beah’s story are about redemption, rehabilitation, and ultimately, coming to the United States, where he attended and graduated college. (Recommended for ages 14 and up.)

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

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"I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives" (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2015) is a true-life tale that begins in 1997 when “typical 12-year-old American girl” Caitlin Alifirenka is tasked with a pen pal assignment at school. Her correspondence with a 14-year-old boy named Martin Ganda from Zimbabwe will eventually change both of their lives.

In the letters that go back and forth, readers learn that Alifirenka leads a life of middle-class privilege, while Ganda’s family lives in crushing poverty. Even something as simple as sending a letter is often beyond his means, and yet, Ganda makes “the only promise that I knew I could keep: that I would always write back, no matter what.”

The narrative takes the form of a dual pen-pal autobiography told in alternating voices and woven together with the help of writer Liz Welch. It covers the six-year period from Alifirenka's first letter to Ganda’s eventual arrival in America where he'll be attending college, thanks to a full scholarship arranged by Alifirenka's mom. Their inspiring long-distance friendship is a testament to just how much two determined teens can accomplish when they put their hearts and minds to it. (Recommended for ages 12 and up.)

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai

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"I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliba" written by Malala Yousafza and Christina Lamb (Little, Brown and Company, 2012) is the autobiography of a girl who more than anything, wanted to learn—and was nearly put to death for her efforts.

In October 2012, 15-year-old Yousafzai was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school in her native Pakistan. This memoir traces not only her remarkable recovery but the path that led her to become the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize . It’s an account of a family touched first-hand by the brutality of terrorism, and the indomitable will of a girl who will not relinquish her education at any cost.

In a society dominated by males, it is also the heartening story of unconventional and courageous parents who bucked convention by encouraging their daughter to be all that she could be. Yousafzai's revelations are a bittersweet homage to all the remarkable accomplishments she’s achieved—and the price both she and her family have had to pay for her to achieve them. (Recommended for ages 12 and up.)

Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition by Katie Rain-Hill and Ariel Schrag

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"Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition" by Katie Rain-Hill and Ariel Schrag (Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014) is the story of a 19-year-old transgender teen who grew up as a boy, but always knew she was a girl. Bullied and suicidal, Rain-Hill finds the courage to follow her truth, and with her mom’s help, is able to transform both her body and her life.

This first-person memoir not only explores what it means to identify as transgender and what it takes undergo gender reassignment surgery but also gives a non-sugarcoated account of the challenges Rain-Hill faced once the body she was living in finally aligned with her gender identity.

It’s all told with self-deprecating humor and disarming candor that draws readers in, while at the same time, reinventing the standard teen coming-of-age tale and the meaning of what it is to be “normal.” (Recommended for ages 14 and up.)

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20 Best Biographies for Teens Teachers Recommend

April 20, 2022 //  by  Jaclyn Hamod

Biographies can provide powerful reading material for teens. For reluctant readers, biographies are a great way to immerse themselves in a true story. Reading inspiring books allows young adults to learn valuable life lessons that go beyond their own experiences.  Learning about the successes and failures of others is important for what lies in the future for teenagers.  Here is a list of 20 middle school biographies that teenagers would benefit from reading.

1. The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

A perfect book for middle schoolers.  No matter the size of your group, big or small, and whatever your goal is, Daniel Coyle takes you through the culture chemistry principles that can turn individuals into teams with the capabilities to create and accomplish great things.

2. Educated: A Memoir

A heartfelt story exploring the role of education in 17-year-old protagonist Tara Westover's coming of age. Westover's journey to literacy opens up a whole new world for her - but will she find her way home?

3. Into the Wild

How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of life, reflection, and struggle in the wilderness.

4. Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery

Scott Kelly is a four-time space veteran and holds the American record for the longest consecutive days spent in outer space.  In his life story, we gain a deeper understanding of the human imagination and persevering strength.

5. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

An Army Air Forces bomber crashes into the Pacific Ocean and is captured by the Japanese. Zamperini faces desperation with ingenuity; suffering, hope, resolve, and humor.

6. First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

A story of a childhood survivor of the Cambodian genocide, this is a war crime narrative that reveals the unnerving strength of a small girl and her family.

7. Twelve Years a Slave

A reliable and accurate eyewitness account of the daily lives of slaves; in particular, an authentic narrative of a man starved of his freedom.

8. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Perfect for casual readers, this bestselling memoir by the creator of Nike shares the company's early stages as a start-up and how it evolved into one of most iconic household names and profitable brands in the world.

9. The Story of My Life by Hellen Keller

The remarkable story of Helen Keller's blindness and deafness.  A truly inspirational biography that shows the struggles and joys of her life.

10. The Bell Jar

A look into the life of Esther and her deep, dark descent into insanity which feels all too real and rational.

11. The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom

In the Dutch Underground, Corrie Ten Boom and her family become leaders in hiding Jewish people from the Nazis.

A brave and inspiring story of Will Smith - his learning curve that leads to an alignment of success, inner happiness, and human connection.

13. Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster

A trek in 1996 to Mount Everest that leads to a disastrous expedition that claims the lives of eight climbers.

14. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

Drawing on experiences as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Julie Smith shares the skills needed to navigate typical life challenges while also taking control of your mental health and emotions.

15. Becoming

A deep reflection on Michelle Obama and her experiences that have shaped her to be one of the most iconic women in our era.

16. Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

A story of an American childhood during the Civil Rights Movement that shaped Octavia Butler into the science-fiction storyteller that she became.

17. Up From Slavery: An Autobiography

An African-American history story where freedom, self respect, educational programs and industrial training are worth fighting for black Americans.

18. Up Close: Jane Goodall

The story of a young woman from London who travels to Africa to revolutionize views on chimpanzees, forest conservation, and women in scientific fields.

19. Autobiography of a Face

A heart-wrenching story about the author's disfiguring cancer and how she dealt with the pain and healing. In a world that obsesses over physical attributes, she looks for acceptance, inner peace and love.

20. We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist and author of many biographies for teens. A story that paints a vivid picture of what it's like to live in a refugee camp during war and border conflicts.  A fascinating story that reminds us that every displaced person has hopes and dreams.

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Best Memoirs for Kids and Teens

Kids crave authentic stories, and what's more authentic than the story of a life written by the person who lived it? These compelling memoirs and autobiographies reveal the challenges and triumphs of ordinary people, often in extraordinary situations -- from war, poverty, and physical disability to athletic stardom, social activism, and the search for love and acceptance. These books can help build empathy, make kids feel less alone in their struggle, and inspire young readers as they see what people went through to get where they are. For more stories of kids' lives, check out our Coming-of-Age Books and Books with Stories of Extraordinary Women .

Just Help! How to Build a Better World

Inspiring portrait of service urges kids to give back.

My Journey to the Stars

Exciting memoir rockets future astronauts to space.

Chasing Space Young Reader's Edition

Stellar memoir of an elite athlete and astronaut's journey.

Mo'ne Davis: Remember My Name: My Story from First Pitch to Game Changer

Inspirational memoir of Little League history maker.

Real Friends

Painfully honest, hopeful memoir of coping with frenemies.

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day

Lyrical memoir in verse traces fight for MLK Day.

Charming, funny comics memoir of growing up deaf.

Just Pretend

Making fantasy fiction helps tween cope in heartfelt memoir.

Funny, moving memoir is great for younger comics fans.

This Is Your Time

Powerful true tale of girl who desegregated school in 1960.

A First Time for Everything

Delightful details of the author's first Euro trip and kiss.

Be Prepared

Smart, funny account of summer camp discomfort.

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court

Thoughtful memoir by basketball star and civil rights icon.

The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor

Inspiring memoir teaches kids to dream big.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Captivating poems depict coming-of-age in tumultuous 1960s.

Colin Kaepernick: Change the Game

Super Bowl QB's early years make engaging memoir.

The Dumbest Idea Ever

Funny, affecting memoir of growing up crazy for comics.

Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith

Inspiring autobiography by Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas.

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World

Inspiring memoir of teen Nobel laureate shot by Taliban.

Permanent Record: Young Readers Edition

Exciting spy memoir hits digital privacy, exposing secrets.

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Top 10 Biography And Autobiography Books for 9-12 Year Olds

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The Ultimate Guide to Best Books for Teens by Age

Kelly Jensen

Kelly is a former librarian and a long-time blogger at STACKED. She's the editor/author of (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY: 33 VOICES START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH and the editor/author of HERE WE ARE: FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD. Her next book, BODY TALK, will publish in Fall 2020. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen .

View All posts by Kelly Jensen

If you’re looking for the best books for teens, you’re in luck. We’re in the midst of a strong age for YA, building upon the legacies of early YA books, but now, more than any time before, the best books for teens are showcasing diverse and inclusive voices and experiences. Chances are you can pick up an outstanding book simply by perusing your local library or bookstore. While that’s certainly a boon, it’s also what makes it challenging to narrow down where to begin — or where to continue — your journey into YA books. There’s just so much to choose from.

Whether you’re a first time YA reader or hoping to discover some underrated gems, this guide to the best books for teens by age will help anyone, from the average readers to adults who help readers find books.

The best children’s books by age guide went up to 8th grade, or around ages 12 to 14. This guide will go from 9th grade through 12th. These are some of the best books you can read when it comes to YA lit.

As always, remember that every reader is different. Some 12th graders may prefer different books than the ones here, while some 9th graders may seek out the books included on the list for 12th graders. These are meant to be places to begin or continue a journey, not define that journey. The books collected on this list are all young adult books and include fiction, nonfiction, and comics that fall into both categories. Navigating through to additional lists will help you also find great adult literature and classics for teens.

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Books for Teens by Age, 14–18

Jump to: books for high school freshmen | books for high school sophomores | books for high school juniors | books for high school seniors

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Books for High School Freshmen | Books for 14-year-olds and Books for 15-year-olds

Freshman year can be scary. There are so many changes that come with entering high school, and both the expectations and responsibilities skyrocket for many 14- and 15-year-olds.

It’s also a challenge in terms of reading, particularly as the workload with school and homework makes precious little free time for leisure available. Here are some of the best books for high school freshmen and books for 14-year-olds and 15-year-olds. These books will hold reader attention while also offering both a place to find themselves and a place into which they can escape from their real world.

Among some of the best books for 9th graders :

Legend by Mari Lu

“Inspired by  Les Misérables , Lu created a teenage version of the conflict between Valjean and Javert in  Legend .

The western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Fifteen-year-old June comes from an elite family living in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts and is being groomed for the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, 15-year-old Day is one of the Republic’s most wanted criminal. 

June and Day are from different worlds and have no reason to cross paths until June’s brother Metias is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. From there, they are caught in a game of cat and mouse as June seeks revenge for Metias’s death. In a shocking turn of events, the truth of what really brought them together is revealed.

The Legend series continues with  Prodigy ,  Champion , and  Rebel .”

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

“Even with his promising basketball skills, the only place where 15-year-old Matt Wainwright feels like himself is in English class where he can express his inner thoughts in quirky poems and essays. Matt also desperately hopes his lifelong best friend, Tabby, reciprocates his feelings until she starts dating Liam Branson, senior basketball star. Losing Tabby to Branson was bad enough, but Matt soon discovers he’s close to losing  everything  that matters most to him.”

“‘Speak up for yourself. We want to know what you have to say.’

From the first day of her freshman year at Merryweather High School, Melinda knows this is a lie. She is a friendless outcast because she called the cops to bust an end-of-summer party. Now, no one will talk (let alone listen) to Melinda.

As time passes, Melinda becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking. Her only solace is in art class. Through her art project, she is finally able to face what really happened at that party: Melinda was raped by an upperclassman who also attends Merryweather. When she has another violent encounter with him, Melinda fights back and refuses to be silent again.”

Being Jazz: My Life As a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings

“Jazz Jennings has been one of the youngest voices in the discussion about gender identity. Her many projects included launching a  YouTube channel  and starring in  I Am Jazz . Jazz faced bullying, discrimination, and rejection, but continued to persevere and educate others about her life as a transgender teen.

With the support of her parents, Jazz began her transition at the age of 5. When the general public was less knowledgeable and even less accepting of the transgender community, she shared her story in an  interview with Barbara Walters . Following this groundbreaking interview, Jazz became one of the most recognizable activists for transgender children and teens.

In this memoir, Jazz reflects on her experience in the public eye and how this experience helped shape mainstream attitudes toward the transgender community.”

>>Find 25 of the best books for 9th graders here<<

The above are but the tip of the ice berg. Add a pile more of the best books for 14-year-olds and best books for 15-year-olds with these guides. Note that many of these lists would make excellent resources for sophomores, juniors, and seniors as well:

• The best graphic novels for teens
• Excellent poetry books for teens
• Books for reluctant readers* age 14 and 15
• Fabulous short stories for high schoolers

Books for High School Sophomores | Books for 15-year-olds and Books for 16-year-olds

Sixteen isn’t the universal age when all young people get a driver’s license, but for many teens, this is a rite of passage. Sophomore year can be a tricky one for many teens: you’re not old enough to be completely independent, but you’re getting more and more freedoms, both at home and in school.

Sophomore year is also when a number of teens take on their first part-time jobs.

Where demands on time were tough for teens entering high school, being on that precipice sophomore year can make that time even more narrow.

Here are some excellent books for sophomores, perfect for pleasure reading or for use in school assignments.

Among the best books for 10th graders :

The Perks of Being a Wallflower  by Stephen Chobsky

“ The Perks of Being a Wallflower  is an epistolary novel told from the perspective of Charlie, an introverted high school freshman as he navigates the complexities of daily interactions. It is a novel that deals with many of the issues that high schoolers face as well as touching on mental illness and the ways in which that can affect our ability to relate to others.”

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

“When Daniel falls for Natasha on the eve of her deportation, he makes it his mission to get her back. While the love story is the primary focus of the novel, it also grapples with the very real issues of immigration and other intense topics that affect the lives of people in this country.”

Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound  by Andrea Davis Pinkney

“This book is a great glimpse into the origins of Motown and how this genre of music has shaped so much of the music we listen to today. This is one of the best books for 10th graders that have an interest in music and want to learn more about its origins.”

Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

“After her family is killed by a corrupt warlord, pirate Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course across the seas in search of vengeance. Her crew, made up of other women who’ve lost everything, join her on this quest for revenge and do all that they can to keep each other alive along the way.”

>>Find 20 of the best books for 10th graders here<<

For even more outstanding books for 15-year-olds and books for 16-year-olds, try these:

• 13 of the best hard-hitting YA books
• A wide range of YA books set around the world
• 100 must-read LGBTQIA YA books
• A roundup of some of the best YA thrillers
• Sink your reading teeth into diverse YA horror

Books for High School Juniors | Books for 16-year-olds and Books for 17-year-olds

If there’s anything most people remember from high school, it’s that junior year was the most challenging. Between even more responsibilities, classes that push you to your limits, standardized tests, college entrance exams for those hoping to go onto higher education, and being still too far away from that coveted degree, it’s hard not to feel the anxiety well in your chest.

But junior year isn’t all bad. There are plenty of great things about being a junior, too: you’re an upperclassman. You’ve got this high school thing kind of figured out. You can see the end line. You might have the chance to attend prom and other big events.

When it comes to reading, books for 16-year-olds and books for 17-year-olds are abundant and packed with exciting stories, compelling characters, and situations that feel so REAL, whether set in the modern world or an entirely fantastical one.

Here are some of the best books for 11th graders:

Dry  by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman

“We’ve seen tons of teens lead the fight against global climate change. For those who aren’t as well-informed about climate change,  Dry  is a perfect read. It imagines a near-future where Southern California has run out of water. Panic ensues and a small group of kids ends up together, all trying to survive. The novel is fast-paced, exciting, and terrifying. It’s a commentary about climate change as well as human behavior.”

I, Claudia  by Mary McCoy

“Don’t sleep on this book: it was a Printz Honor Book and, despite the unfortunate cover art, is a compelling high school political drama. This book is for anyone who loves political and interpersonal drama. It’s narrated by Claudia, a novice historian. She recounts her rise to power in her high school’s prestigious student government. Despite seeing the abuses of her predecessors, Claudia can’t help but fall victim to the corruption of power.”

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

“Juniors are on the cusp of adulthood, and with that comes the right to vote. It’s important for 11th graders to be knowledgable about current events. “Stamped” lays out the history of racist ideas in America, how it affects teens today, and how we can reach an antiracist future.”

>>Find 21 of the best books for 11th graders here<<

Don’t stop there, though. Make your way through these best YA books for juniors, too:

• Young Adult books set in each state
• Must-read YA books with little or no romance
• Award-winning YA books
• Outstanding contemporary YA novels of the 2010s
• YA books about sports
• A roundup of the best short YA books

Books for High School Seniors | Books for 17-year-olds and Books for 18-year-olds

Senior year is both the most exciting and most terrifying year of high school. With it comes tremendous freedom, and that freedom means making a ton of new choices. Do you go to college? Get a job? Attend a trade school? Take a gap year? Are you responsible for family at home and can’t make any decisions until you know what your presence or absence at home might mean?

Many seniors turn 18, too, opening up the door to legal adulthood and many of the rights and privileges therein.

And, of course, senior year means celebrations aplenty, between prom, graduation, and other milestone events honoring a decade and a half of hard work in school.

So what are some of the best books for high school seniors? For those entering into adulthood? Here’s a look:

Finding Yvonne  by Brandy Colbert

“Since she was 7, Yvonne has never been without her trusted violin. With high school graduation around the corner, Yvonne must face the hard truth that even with years of dedication, she might not be good enough for the prestige conservatory she’s dreamed of attending. Full of doubt about her future and frustrated with her strained relationship with her father, Yvonne finds comfort in a street musician and fellow violinist named Omar. He’s mysterious, charming, and the opposite of familiar and reliable Warren, the boy who has her heart. When Yvonne becomes unexpectedly pregnant, she must make the most difficult decision of her life.”

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns  by Julie C. Dao

“Xifeng is 18 years old and beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness as Empress of Feng Lu, if she embraces the darkness within her. Xifeng longs to fulfill that destiny foreseen by the witch Guma, but is the price of the throne worth the cost? In order to achieve her promised greatness, Xifeng must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the dark magic within her.”

The Downstairs Girl  by Stacey Lee

“By day, 17-year-old Jo Kuan is a lady’s maid for the daughter of one of Atlanta’s wealthiest men. By night, she is the author behind “Dear Miss Sweetie,” a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady. As the column gains popularity, Jo uses the power of her pen to challenge society’s ideas on race and gender, but she is not prepared for the backlash. While opponents seek to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. When she crosses paths with Atlanta’s most notorious criminal, Jo must decide if the girl who lives in the shadows is ready to step into the light.”

This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work  by Tiffany Jewell and Aurelia Durand

“From  anti-bias antiracist (ABAR) educator  Tiffany Jewell comes this #1  New York Times  bestseller for young people (and everyone else) who are ready to wake up, take action, and work to become antiracist. Readers will learn about privilege, inclusion, and conscious/unconscious bias with straightforward information and historical facts. Then they will put what they learned to work with action items and prompts for reflection.”

>>Find 21 of the best books for 12th graders here<<

Of course, there are so many more excellent books for 17-year-olds and books for 18-year-olds. Some more starting points:

• YA books for older teen reluctant readers *
• Excellent YA verse novels
• Dig into the longest YA books you can read
• The best Asian American YA books on shelves
• YA books with 19-year-old main characters
• Fantastic adult books for teen readers

*Note: the phrase “reluctant readers” is a loaded one. Consider this particular list, as well as other lists aimed at readers who may be less enthusiastic for reading or who may be challenged by reading for any number of reasons (English isn’t their first language, they have anxiety about their reading skills, they haven’t been given choice in the kinds of materials they consume, among others) a powerful tool for inviting a wide array of more accessible books into the lives of emerging readers.

Don’t miss these guides, either, including compelling YA nonfiction on audio , YA comics for new comic readers , books for the college bound , and must-read queer comics for teens .

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26 Excellent Nonfiction Books for Teens

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These nonfiction books for teens are excellent.  Real-life stories, biographies, memoirs, and informational texts are inspiring and educational. I suspect you’ll read them and then want to share them with all your friends and family.

In these books, you may be reading about people who did amazing things, usually despite great odds. There’s hope-giving power in these nonfiction true-life stories. For teens, and for us not-teens, too. Other books will educate you about a topic — fashion or historical inventions.

Excellent Nonfiction Books for Teens

Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition)  by Margot Lee Shetterly I loved this book about female African Americans who made an impact in the space program.  It’s a blend of the historical realities and inspiring life stories of four mathematically talented women who worked to build this country’s aviation and aeronautical programs starting from the Civil Rights era to the Space Race and the Cold War to the fight for gender equality.  The text includes black-and-white photographs documenting the women’s lives and the historical events which add to the reader’s understanding.   Hidden Figures  educates and inspires readers. I’m looking forward to seeing how the movie translated what I read here.

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition)   by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick This is a powerful,  well-told personal memoir from the wise, self-reflective perspective of Malala Yousafzai . Malala draws readers in with her accounts of daily life in Pakistan — the sounds, smells, sights, habits. We are hooked from the first page. As the stage is set, we learn how her country used to be and the fearful place it became with the Taliban’s influence. After she is shot for her blog writing in support of educating females, she’s taken to England for recovery and safety. The confusion and contrast between the countries and cultures really stand out during this time. But what is even more striking is Malala’s hope, positivity, and belief in what she stands for. You can’t read this nonfiction book for teens and not be changed.

Never Caught, The Story of Ona Judge: Young Readers Edition  by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve This is not just an important story based on the true life of an escaped slave of George Washington’s, it’s also a cautionary tale about idealizing historical icons. Because people, as it turns out, are deeply flawed… George Washington included.  At age 10, Ona becomes Martha Washington’s personal slave.  After 13 years of this thankless work with no pay, no days off, no freedom to have a feeling,…many of those years in Philadelphia, Ona learns that Martha plans to send Ona as a wedding gift to Martha’s cruel granddaughter. With the help of freed slaves, Ona escapes north which results in an angry George Washington who tries to capture her back without a trial. Luckily that doesn’t happen and Ona lives free until her death.

An Invisible Thread: A Young Readers Edition  by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski A true story with  messages of kindness, trust, and friendship that will renew your faith in humanity . Laura first meets Maurice when he’s 11-years-old and begging on the street corner, eventually spending a meal a week with him at McDonald’s. For YEARS. Laura treats Marice with respect and friendship — never, ever pity and she makes their time together educational, too — cooking from a recipe, sharing a Christmas experience for the first time, and things like that. The end of the book shows Marice as an adult with his own family who is still close friends with Laura.

Bomb: The Race to Build –and Steal–the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon  by Steve Sheinkin Another knock-out nonfiction book for teens from the talented Steve Sheinkin! I’m so impressed by how Sheinkin makes this story come ALIVE like it’s an adventure/mystery/thriller and not real life. Well, they do say truth is stranger than fiction. But usually, it’s written like it’s duller than dirt. This book is a great exception — mesmerizing. I wasn’t even interested in the topic until I started reading.

The Making of America: Susan B. Anthony  by Teri Kanefield (ages 12+) You’ll admire the perseverance and dedication of  Susan B. Anthony who worked tirelessly to advocate for women’s rights and the rights of African Americans . Women now days can own property, vote, divorce abusers, have custody of their children, and are citizens because of the efforts of Susan B. Anthony and others. I hope this book becomes required reading for middle schoolers — both boys and girls. It’s also beneficial for kids to know how much one person can do to make a difference in the world.

Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America  by Susan Campbell Bartlett I love how the author writes this using the facts and clearly stating when there are gaps in the accounts, making conjectures very clear. It’s a great book — and frankly , fascinating to understand the details of solving and then proving that Mary was the common thread of illnesses.  It also asks the questions of Mary’s rights weighted with the rights of the public. This would be a great book club selection!

Path   to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist  by Sylvia Acevedo Sylvia Acevedo’s story shows her incredible intelligence, drive, and determination.  She grows up poor in New Mexico greatly impacted by her Mexican-American heritage, Head Start, and the Girl Scouts. Sylvia credits the Girl Scouts with not just teaching her life skills but showing her that she could do hard things and that her life could be more than being a housewife. She is an amazing woman who becomes a rocket scientist and influential leader. I highly recommend this well-written nonfiction book for teens.

Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina  by Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince An orphan who was thought never to be adopted due to her skin condition, Michaela was adopted from an orphanage in West Africa.  Even at the orphanage, she wanted to be a ballerina — and her determination and hard work paid off.  Now she’s the youngest principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

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Whoppers: History’s Most Outrageous Lies and Liars  by Christine Seifert I read this nonfiction book aloud to my kids — it was SO fun because it prompted great discussion and interaction. They couldn’t believe that people would make up such outrageous lies.  Learn about historical people who told incredible wild whoppers  — from people you’ve heard of like Charles Ponzi to people you’ve never heard of like George Psalmanazar.

The Faithful Spy: A True Story! Deitrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hilter   by John Hendrix Bonhoeffer was a Christian minister who believed, unlike most of his peers, that he should not go along with Hitler who put himself above God in the church.  I am endlessly fascinated by why people do what they do in their lives which is why I loved reading about Bonhoeffer, seeing his journey as not just an outspoken critic of Hitler but someone who decided that he must also act to try to stop Hitler. This biography is illustrated with several colors in an appealing visual layout.

Rad American Women A – Z   by Kate Schatz, illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl I learned a ton from this book because many of these inspiring women aren’t well known.  Each woman gets a full-page bio with information about what makes her a role model and “rad.”  Read about ladies like Wilma Mankiller, Nellie Bly, Lucy Parsons, and Hazel Scott.

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club  by Phillip Hoose If you’re teaching leadership or becoming change-makers, use this book!  Knut and his friends couldn’t endorse their country of Denmark’s position on allying with the Nazi’s so they decided to do what they could to fight back.  Even though they were just teenagers, they managed small acts of sabotage. But more than that, they inspired a full Danish resistance movement!

Untamed The Wild Life of Jane Goodall  by Anita Silvey, forward by Jane Goodall This book series contains some of the best nonfiction books you can read! Untamed  is an excellent depiction of Jane Goodall’s life with kid-friendly language and appealing layouts of colorful photos. Interesting insets throughout describe tips for kids and information such as sign language. I love the Gombe Family Scrapbook at the end with some of the significant chimps in Jane’s life. I also found it really interesting to learn how this English girl read about Africa as a child and fell in love with it.

Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science by Jeannine Atkins Three girls’ lives, Maria Merian, Mary Anning, and Maria Mitchell, are showcased in this beautiful verse. Each girl’s interest is explained and elaborated. We see how these interests grew into something more, into the passions and discoveries that become their life’s work. I love the flow of the poems and the celebration of these ground-breaking women.

Elon Musk and the Quest for a Fantastic Future (Young Readers Edition)   by Ashlee Vance Elon’s story is fascinating.  His unique history, intelligence, and vision are unique and worth knowing. The ins and outs of his businesses give readers insight into the mind of Musk, a mind that is quite extraordinary. Anyone, teen or adult, interested in being an entrepreneur should read this book. Musk shows that it’s not a straight line to success; that vision, hard work, failures, and perseverance are the basic ingredients. As far as the writing goes, the book is dense with many details you may or not find as interesting as me. But for those of you who are interested in Tesla and the SpaceX project, you’ll devour these details.

If you enjoy reading nonfiction books like these, you might also like:

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind  by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer Code Talker: a Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War II  by Joseph Bruchac In the Heart of the Sea (Young Readers Edition)  by Nathaniel Philbrick The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition) The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue  by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman Irena’s Children: Young Readers Edition a True Story of Courage  by Mary Cronk Farrell and Tilar J. Mazzeo

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Audiobooks for Teens

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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I would add Obsessed to this list for sure. The Borden Mysteries/Lizzie Borden and also Ten Days a Madwoman. MS/HS kids love them!

Can’t wait to read these — thanks for the suggestions!

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Make Your Own List

The Best History Books for Teenagers

Recommended by alex (age 16).

It's tricky finding history books for teenagers at an age when they are too old for children's books, but not yet ready to read long, weighty tomes with lots of footnotes. Alex , a UK-based history fan who previously chose books for us age 10 , returns to Five Books to recommend his selection of the best history books for teenagers.

Interview by Sophie Roell , Editor

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916 by Alistair Horne

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William Shirer

Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia by Marc Favreau

Pompeii by Robert Harris

1 An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

2 the price of glory: verdun 1916 by alistair horne, 3 the rise and fall of the third reich: a history of nazi germany by william shirer, 4 spies: the secret showdown between america and russia by marc favreau, 5 pompeii by robert harris.

How did you choose these history books ?

All these books have been books that I’ve read over the last year. They’re pretty general and I feel like they cover a good (or at least semi-good) range of subjects across the 19th and 20th centuries. They are Eurocentric, mainly because that is the part of history I’m most interested in. Even though I’m also interested in more specific topics, I think the books I’ve chosen are the best for a wider audience and reading for teenagers.

Do you think there’s a good range of history books available for teenagers?

There is a good range, but they are pretty hard to find, because there are a lot of books that are focused on sources, facts and analysis. I feel what makes a history book appeal to a teenager is if it’s both easy reading and interesting. I guess the books I’ve chosen today are a mix, but more storytelling versus facts. If it’s just facts and sources, it overwhelms you and doesn’t help you with the story of history.

What do you mean by sources? Are you talking about primary sources ?

I’m not sure. In exams, it seems to be more about facts and footnotes. Some footnotes are useful and help build on information, but sometimes I feel it’s over the top. It’s more about proving an opinion and showing something rather than telling the story of what happened.

Which book shall we start with?

I think we’ll start with my favourite book on this list, and that’s Robert Harris , An Officer and A Spy . It’s a retelling of the story of the Dreyfus Affair. It’s fiction, but it’s based on the actual history of the story, and it’s got facts, references to the real ambassadors, generals and diplomats who took part.

It tells the story of the Dreyfus Affair from the viewpoint of Georges Picquart, who was the man who investigated it, who was at the time part of the French intelligence service. So the story follows him and his uncovering of the Dreyfus Affair and how people in high places in the French army and government had been actively working against Dreyfus, to protect the honour of the French army, even after the truth came out that he was in fact innocent.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of it, can you explain what the Dreyfus Affair was?

The Dreyfus Affair was a series of events from the 1890s to roughly 1906, where a Jewish officer in the French army, Alfred Dreyfus, was accused of leaking military secrets, the designs of an artillery cannon, to the Germans. This was highly charged, due to the fact that only 20 years earlier, Germany had inflicted a humiliating defeat on the French in the Franco-Prussian War. (Well, Prussia had inflicted it).

Alfred Dreyfus was blamed for this, even though he had had no opportunity of getting the information on the cannon. He was probably blamed due to being Jewish. Then Colonel Picquart, as happens in the book, investigated the case and found that a French major, Ferdinand Esterhazy, had in fact been the real culprit in the leaking of the designs. Picquart was constantly blocked from revealing this information and there were many trials and eventually Esterhazy was brought to court and Dreyfus was released after years on a solitary island with horrible conditions.

How long did it take Dreyfus to clear his name?

He was convicted of treason in 1894, and declared innocent in about 1906, so the whole thing lasted 12 years.

What’s your next favourite history book a teenager might like?

My second favourite is Alistair Horn, The Price of Glory . It’s about the battle of Verdun in 1916 and covers the entire history. Out of the three Alistair Horne books I’ve read, it’s definitely the one I rank the highest. It’s incredibly interesting, almost taking Verdun, the battle, day by day. It’s very detailed and feels really human. It has stories about people delivering food while the fighting happens, about the air war, the political messages, generals being changed, and how little things cause massive outcomes in the end. For example, a Thuringian peasant was responsible for the taking of Fort Douaumont , the biggest fort in the entirety of the Verdun complex. The French were not defending it and he just crawled through a window. Later, two German companies turned up and took Fort Douaumont without a shot.

The book also shows how incredibly close things were. If it had not been snowing three days before, and weather conditions had permitted an attack on the day originally planned, Verdun would have almost certainly fallen. It was only due to the bravery of certain French soldiers in the face of a huge overwhelming force that Verdun managed to be held until sufficient reinforcements could bolster the defences.

Taking a step back, Verdun was one of the worst battles of World War One. The British always talk about the Somme, but…

Yes, for the British it was the Somme and Passchendaele, but for the French and the Germans, Verdun is definitely portrayed in national history as the singular most bloody meat grinder in the entire war. They share this collective memory of World War I. It bled Germany dry. The German army never again had the same fighting capabilities. The French just view it as a matter of national pride, how they defended France till the end, how every bit of soil was sacred.

How bad were the casualties at Verdun?

The Germans lost about 350,000; France also had similar numbers, maybe a bit more.

Okay, what’s the next book for teenage historians you’re recommending?

The next book is probably the most famous of the ones I’ve chosen. It’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer. It’s just a very good history of the Third Reich. It’s helped me a lot to understand what the Nazis did in day-to-day life in Germany, and the German public’s opinion of the war. It also gives you really, really in-depth knowledge of the war as it’s happening. I think that’s why it’s so famous. I wouldn’t rank it as highly as the other two books because it doesn’t have the same storytelling potential. But I still find it incredibly interesting on day-to-day events, from an American guy in the middle of the German Reich.

William Shirer was a journalist in Berlin, is that right?

Yes. He was kicked out eventually. But I think he was there from 1933 to 1941, basically on the inside.

What makes the book really good is that it’s also about the buildup of Germany before World War Two. That’s helped me in my history course as well. It shows how the Nazis controlled Germany.

There’s a lot on the background of Adolf Hitler and his family that I didn’t know.

That’s also really interesting, explaining the formation of the Nazi Party, and how it came to be. The stories of Hitler, Himmler, Göring: how those Nazi high commanders basically came from relatively normal lives—Himmler was a chicken farmer—and turned into this party that caused so much destruction.

Let’s talk about your fourth book, Spies by Marc Favreau.

This is about the Cold War and the intelligence war between NATO , focusing on the US, and the Soviet Union. It’s got lots of interesting stories and facts about things that went on, like the Americans building some sort of bugging device on an underground Soviet communications cable in Berlin. Even though the CIA thought it was this incredible achievement, apparently the Soviets had already known about it for seven months and they just fed fake information through it.

The book also focuses on smaller stories, like a British spy defecting to North Korea, and eventually to the Soviets. It’s got stories from every corner of the game or battle that happened in the backrooms of the USSR and NATO.

I think this book is actually aimed at teenagers or young adults. I’m not sure the other books you’ve chosen are.

Yes, it’s very much telling a story. It’s a nonfiction narrative. It goes through all the way from the early Cold War—the original breakdown in relations and how they were already spying on each other—to the development of technology through the years, till it got to a point where you can just have a single bug on your shoulder. The spying technology went from a giant computer in a room to what could be stored in a briefcase.

The last history book you’re recommending for teenagers is another work of historical fiction. You were considering Mary Renault’s novel about Alexander the Great , but in the end, you chose to go with another Robert Harris book, Pompeii .

Yes, I feel Robert Harris is just really good at telling a story and making it thrilling. The plot really engages you. This is true with his other books as well, like Fatherland and Archangel , even though they’re more alt-history rather than the two that I’ve chosen, which are more based on history. Pompeii is about the eruption of Vesuvius and an aqueduct engineer who finds out about it through the sulphur found in the water supplies of the Roman towns nearby. It’s this plot combined with a power-hungry millionaire, a former slave and his ambition to earn money. It’s got a great ending, and it’s filled with action. It keeps you entertained the entire way through.

And you learn a lot about the eruption of Vesuvius and how it unfolded.

Yes, you can see the individual towns and how it affected them, you hear about places. Even though the book is not a history, you can see how the average person would have viewed the eruption. Like news comes after three days from around the mountain that this town has just been cut off completely. It’s this very slow development of information that really helps you imagine yourself in the moment.

Doesn’t Pliny feature as well?

Pliny does feature and his death, sleeping. In the story, he goes out to try and save the library of a friend, who’s living along the shore. The library has incredibly-filled-with-information books, and Pliny feels he needs the Roman navy to come out and save it. So he went out in a ship to try to save it and he did, I think, but he died.

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March 8, 2023

Five Books aims to keep its book recommendations and interviews up to date. If you are the interviewee and would like to update your choice of books (or even just what you say about them) please email us at [email protected]

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Alex (age 16)

Alex is a 16-year-old boy who lives in Oxfordshire and loves reading about history. He is taking his GCSEs this summer. He previously did an interview on Five Books aged ten, when he recommended the best history books for younger kids . His favourite historical figure is currently William the Silent.

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14 Uniquely Appealing Books for 13- and 14-Year-Old Boys

By denise schipani.

If you’re going to ask a writer to create a list of books that appeal to 13- and 14-year-old boys, ask the writer with boys at or near that age, right? All I have to do is check my sons’ bookshelves, right? Well, no. My 13-year-old is not a reader (something I’ve written about frequently and — I swear — have made my peace with by now), but a biography might occasionally hook him. He’s read at least a little bit of Breakaway: Beyond the Goal , the bio of U.S. women’s soccer star Alex Morgan (and no, he doesn’t have a crush on her!). His younger brother, 11, reads plenty, but his attention and tastes are scattershot. He careens from graphic novels to Percy Jackson to the odd classic (recently, E.L. Konigsberg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler ).

Like any parent, particularly a female one, I puzzle over what might draw in these mysterious males. There’s no magic formula, but certain books, both old and new, seem to have an edge in appealing to boys this age — some combo of adventure and mystery and sports and characters just like them: no longer kids, but beings with three or four toes in the pool of manhood. So here are a few to try:

It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime

by Trevor Noah

At this age, boys may or may not be familiar with Trevor Noah, the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show , but no matter their familiarity, they’ll certainly get caught up in Noah’s incredible coming-of-age story. Born in apartheid South Africa to a Black mother and white father, Noah’s very existence as a mixed-race child was against the law; but no amount of obstacles or tragedy could stop him from becoming the man he is today — particularly with his steadfast mother by his side. Poignant and funny, the young-reader adaptation of Noah’s bestselling memoir is sure to be a hit.

Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation)

by Laura Hillenbrand

Hillenbrand’s story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, who became a WWII pilot and survived a wreck over the ocean and years of horrific abuse in a Japanese POW camp, was electrifying in the original version. Adapted for YA readers, this version allows boys fascinated by war stories, heroism, sports, survival, and just an amazing true adventure story the chance to relish the details in both words and, in this edition, illustrations.

Superman: Dawnbreaker

by Matt de la Pena

Before Clark Kent had a full grasp on his powers or understanding of why he had them in the first place, he was just a teenage boy — one who’d quit the football team freshman year after inexplicably breaking a teammate’s ribs during a scrimmage, while only exerting 50 percent of his strength. Clark has had a hard time fitting in with the other boys since leaving the team, but he has his best friend, Lana Lang, and a mission to save Smallville residents, after learning that people are disappearing from the undocumented worker community.

by Louis Sachar

When Sachar’s book was published in 1998, one review proved prescient: “Kids will love Holes .” Whenever my own middle schooler declares he’s liked a book, he’s compelled to compare it to this, which remains his favorite. The story of Stanley Yelnats (yup, that’s Stanley backwards; even that little detail feels like a nod to early-teen boys’ interests) is one of hard luck — he’s sent to a camp where the boys must dig holes of a certain size and depth every day, to build “character.” But is that what they’re really doing?

Last Reality Series

by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

For boys who would prefer to spend most of their time in the virtual world of video games, this thrilling three-book series might just pique their analog interest. Simon wins the chance to be one of 2,000 lucky gamers to test out Otherworld, a high-stakes, unbelievably realistic virtual reality game that he spends seventeen heady hours in on his first go. But Simon and his friend Kat begin to discover that Otherworld — owned by the inordinately powerful Company — might be so addictive for nefarious, world-altering reasons.

The Martian (Classroom Edition)

by Andy Weir

My own sons loved the movie version of the original edition of this book. I was thinking of getting it for them to pick up, until I heard it was filled with pages of technical explanations that even somewhat-science-geeky teens might get bored or lost by. So imagine how exciting it is to see the “classroom” adaptation on the shelves. Don’t be put off by the section of questions for class discussion. This is the fantastic story of fictional astronaut Mark Watney, who is left behind on a mission to Mars and has to figure out how to survive until his crew can return for him.

by Rodrigo Corral, Alex French, and Howie Kahn

For sneakerheads, it doesn't get much better than this flashy 320-page compendium of the sneaker universe, featuring first-person accounts from some of the biggest names in the game, including creators (Nike’s legendary designer Tinker Hatfield) and collaborators (the incomparable Serena Williams) waxing poetic on the creative process, street style, entrepreneurship, iconic footwear trends, and more. This one-of-a-kind taxonomy will keep your reader endlessly entertained.

Guys Write for Guys Read: Boys’ Favorite Authors Write About Being Boys

by Jon Scieszka

Author Scieszka, who also compiled Guys Read , pulls together a compelling anthology of writing about boyhood from a range of male authors, some of whom are familiar from the middle grade and YA shelves. Think Jerry Spinelli and Chris Van Allsburg. If there’s a theme to the stories, it mirrors what I say to my sons to encourage them to read without sounding like I’m encouraging them to read: Read what you like. Plus, the anthology format means reluctant or easily distracted teens can dip in and out without losing track.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

by Adib Khorram

Socially awkward teen Darius Kellner identifies as a Trekkie more so than he does with his half-Persian roots, but that’s about to change when he goes to Iran for the first time to finally meet his mother’s family in person. There, he meets Sohrab, the boy next door, and the two strike up a friendship that’s unlike any Darius has experienced in the states. A tender and sweetly humorous story of coming-of-age and self-acceptance, Darius’s journey is one that will resound with young-teen readers coming to understand themselves.

The Far Away Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults)

by Lauren Markham

Lauren Markham’s young-reader adaptation of The Far Away Brothers opens with the 12-year-old Flores twins, Ernesto and Raúl, as they have a run-in with a brutal gang in rural El Salvador. Later, the brothers will have to flee for safety, crossing the Rio Grande and Texas desert and eventually being captured by immigration authorities. But their story isn’t over when they’re released to the custody of their older brother in Oakland — Markham follows Raúl and Ernesto as they try to live ordinary teenage lives while also navigating the considerable stresses of immigrating to a country that doesn’t make it painless.

The Last Mission

by Harry Mazer

If your young teen boy is fascinated by all things military, he’ll love Mazer’s book about a boy who lies about his age and becomes a World War II bomber. Just 15 years old, Jack Raab finds his way into the Army Air Force with romantic ideas about war and heroism, and comes face to face with its horrible reality — not least when he ends up in a German POW camp.

Theodore Boone: The Accomplice

by John Grisham

John Grisham brings his legal thrillers to the younger set with the page-turning adventures of Theodore Boone , who knows every judge, policeman, and court clerk in his small town and dreams of being a lawyer himself one day. In the seventh installment, Theo comes to the defense of his friend Woody Lambert, who’s arrested for being a so-called accomplice to armed robbery, though Theo knows better. Perfect for young readers who like their book heroes dauntless and their plots packed with twists and turns.

Russian Roulette

by Anthony Horowitz

This is the final installment of Horowitz’s series of spy thrillers featuring teen spook Alex Rider. Like a modern day and not-quite-ready-for-martinis James Bond, Alex has been through multiple adventures working for the British intelligence agency M16. This tale goes back in time to before his first mission, code named Stormbreaker, when Alex’s uncle was murdered by a Russian spy — leaving Alex alive but alone, angry, and seeking answers.

by Mike Lupica

Michael Arroyo has what all Little League dreamers, well, dream about: a pitching arm that’s sure to lead him straight to the major leagues. So he’s leading a charmed life, right? Not necessarily. Michael and his older brother Carlos are just about on their own. The boys were orphaned after their father got them all out of Cuba. What if Social Services finds them? What kind of heat will he be in then? A riveting and empathetic read with a sports twist.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2021.

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Flight attendant accused of trying to video record 14-year-old girl in plane’s bathroom

A search of the attendant's iCloud account allegedly revealed four recordings of children – ages 7, 9, 11 and 14 – using the lavatory on an aircraft, according to investigators.

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BOSTON (AP) — An American Airlines flight attendant arrested on suspicion of trying to secretly video record a 14-year-old female passenger using an airplane bathroom last September is being held in custody pending trial.

Police have  also alleged that Estes Carter Thompson III , 37, of Charlotte, North Carolina, had recordings of four other minor female passengers using lavatories on an aircraft he had worked on previously.

During an initial appearance Tuesday in federal court in Boston, Thompson agreed to voluntary confinement until trial. He did not enter a plea and a lawyer appointed for Thompson declined to say how he would plead.

Investigators said that about midway through the  Sept. 2, 2023, flight  from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied.

Thompson then told her the first-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. Before she entered the bathroom, Thompson allegedly told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken, they said.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and she saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, officials said.

Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said. The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving. Thompson then immediately went back into the bathroom. Law enforcement officers met the plane at the gate after it landed.

A lawyer representing the family member of the 14-year-old have said  they are suing the airline .

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American Airlines previously issued a statement saying the flight attendant was “immediately withheld from service following the September 2023 incident” and hasn’t worked since.

A search of Thompson’s iCloud account allegedly revealed four additional instances between January and August 2023 in which Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft, according to investigators. Those depicted in the recordings were 7, 9, 11 and 14 years old at the time, they said.

The charge of attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. The charge of possession of child sexual abuse material depicting a prepubescent minor provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison.

Both charges also provide for up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution.

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