YA Novels That Empower Teens

On The Table Read, “the best book magazine in the UK“, are you looking for the best novels that empower teens? We’ve got just the list for you, so read on for all the information!

Being a teen in today’s environment is challenging. High expectations, intense academic pressure, and the stress of attempting to plan one’s future too early can all take their toll. Relationships, including platonic ones, have their ups and downs, as we all know. It’s not hard to see why adolescents’ self-assurance takes such a knock; growing up comes with many big and confusing emotions. Most of all, we need messages that encourage and uplift teens that help them grow in strength and self-love.

We’ve put together this collection of novels that empower teens because they include just the advice they need at the precise moment they need it.

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

Even though not nearly new, “The Hunger Games” series of books are still relevant to this day; these novels break gender stereotypes and are sure to empower your teen. A sixteen-year-old Katniss views being chosen to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games as a death sentence.

However, she is no stranger to the brink of death; thus, surviving is instinctual for her. The result is that she unexpectedly becomes a possible winner. To succeed, however, she must trade off her survival with that of others and her own life with the love she has for those she leaves behind.

“Stand beautiful” by Chloe Howard

Has your teen ever experienced bullying or betrayal? How critical are they of the person they perceive when they look in the mirror? Has a life-changing event impacted them negatively? As we’ve learned from our friends at Centennial Moving, a relocation can be a hard blow to an adolescent’s self-esteem. International speaker, TEDx speaker, and anti-bullying author Chloe Howard, who was born with a clubfoot and endured intense physical and emotional pain, as a result, will help any teen overcome the pain and struggles of their own life through this book.

“Who put this song on?” by Morgan Parker

“Who Put This Song On?” is an honest investigation of Morgan, a 17-year-old girl, and her thoughts and feelings about her own identity, mental health, and early adolescence. Living in a mostly white neighborhood as a black teen, she learns to navigate the struggles of depression and race issues. Morgan desperately needs to find safety, so she seeks it out via therapy, music, and her diary. In doing so, she meets her people, a group who, like her, know what it’s like to feel out of place. Being yourself is more than just a superpower; it’s a survival skill, and “Who Put This Song On?” is an unforgettable and urgent reminder of that.

“Shoot your shot” by Vernon Brundage Jr

This is one of the greatest books out there for kids looking for motivation, and it’s especially good for those who have a passion for athletics. It is structured like a basketball game, with four distinct halves or “quarters,” as in a basketball game. The uplifting and energetic messages of this book go well with a sunny afternoon playlist, so throw on some happy tunes and read on!

The likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry are just a few of the legendary athletes whose wisdom is shared throughout this book. The goal of “Shoot Your Shot” is to give readers the confidence they need to achieve their goals in any area of life, be it sports, school, the arts, or anything else.

“A tree grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith

Francie, the story’s protagonist, is 11 years old, and the story begins in the early 1900s. The novel acknowledges the complexities of family connections, including love, disappointment, hope, commitment, denial, and loss, despite the family’s financial hardships and the father’s recurrent unemployment and drinking.

We watch Francie develop into a self-reliant young lady with a strong will and sharp mind who wants a better life but must do so on her terms. Francie’s story, which parallels the tree she saw growing up in her disadvantaged neighborhood as a child, shows that one’s environment and upbringing do not have to dictate one’s life. And if you’re planning a move, it can show your children that any place can be home. Include your kids in the move, and let them pack their things, especially if you’re going cross-country. “A tree grows in Brooklyn” has many good messages; your teens will love it!

“I am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai

One young woman came up after the Taliban seized the Swat Valley in Pakistan. Malala Yousafzai spoke out for the right to an education. When she was fifteen years old and riding the school bus home from school in 2012, she was shot in the head and barely expected to live. The amazing turnaround in her health has instead propelled her on an astonishing adventure. She was just 16 years old when she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is one of the novels that empower teens and will teach them they can make a difference in this world.

“The Ultimate Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens” by Megan MacCutcheon

This book aims to help teenagers overcome their fears and uncertainties so that they may go on in life with a sense of self-assurance. Whether it’s a teen wondering about their future career in the entertainment industry or simply a teen who wants to gain more friends, this book won’t miss the mark. Because the advice is simple and easy to implement, readers may do the exercises on their own without assistance. Content-based on real-life examples aids comprehension by making direct application to the reader’s own experience.

Final words

Young people all throughout the world may still get strength and knowledge from novels that empower teens. Teenagers need support as they navigate the tricky situations they’re encountering for the first time. Through inspiring narratives, these books teach important life lessons and present effective techniques for self-care. After reading them, the adolescent in your life will have a better sense of who they are and where they’re going.

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