Although sometimes we may take it for granted, books can have a transformative effect on ourselves and our society. Over the years, social and political change has come about because of literature- just look at Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense," or Upton Sinclair’s "The Jungle."
Books also have a huge effect on readers as people, particularly teenagers, in the sometimes painful years of adolescence, a book can introduce a reader to parts of themselves they never explored.
1. How to Ruin Everything by George Watsky
The first book by the popular spoken word poet, How to Ruin Everything is a compelling, funny collection of essays that touches on subjects such as becoming an international ivory smuggler (no , really) to Watsky's experiences with epilepsy. Brutally honest and written with a razor sharp wit, How to Ruin Everything is a book that everyone can relate to. (Also, if you're unfamiliar with Watsky's rap and spoken word poetry, I highly suggest you look him up on Youtube.)
2. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
One of the most famous works of Beat Era literature, On the Road follows the adventures of Sal Paradise and his enigmatic bad boyfriend Dean Moriarty. Largely based of Kerouac’s own cross country travels with his friend Neal Cassady , On the Road is a book about freedom, about traveling and discovering oneself. It’s a perfect book for any teen struggling to find themselves, and if you’re particularly ambitious, you can read the Original Scroll, which reads as a memoir, using the actual names of Kerouac’s friends and associates who inspired the characters of On the Road. It’s a bit raunchier, but be warned-Kerouac wrote on one typewriter scroll, and there are no paragraph breaks.
3. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
A powerful novel about high school freshman Melinda’s struggle to cope with being raped at a party, Speak is an intense , powerful read that should be on every teen’s bookshelf, regardless of gender. Despite the dark and often heartbreaking nature of the book, Melinda is often quite funny and insightful, and Speak is ultimately a narrative about becoming stronger and confronting your demons.
4. The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
I know, I know-Holden Caulfield is a hit or miss. You either love him and his cynical disdain for "phonies" , or you think he’s a whiny, pretentious brat. But there’s a bit of a rite of passage appeal of The Catcher in the Rye- everyone knows someone who’s just a bit like Holden Caulfield, and whether we realize it or not, there may be a bit of Holden in all of us.
5. Peter Pan by JM Barrie
Peter Pan may seem like an odd choice to include on a list of books for teenagers, but it makes sense when you think about it. The story of the boy who never grew up is really a story about growing up, and it's beautifully written.
6. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Largely autobiographical, Plath's sole novel is the story of Esther Greenwood, a successful, ambitious young woman who finds societal pressure and her burgeoning sexuality are beginning to weigh on her psyche. It's an intense, brutally honest narrative about a young woman's downward spiral.
7. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Originally a short story that later became a full-length novel, Flowers for Algernon is the story of Charley, a mentally challenged young man who participates in experiments that make him a genius. However, the experiments aren't permanent, and Charley must cope with losing the thing he's always wanted. Keep a box of Kleenex nearby when you read this one.
8. Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
The quintessential young adult series, Harry Potter is a wonderful fantasy adventure. Not only do the books grow up with Harry—the first three are more for a middle school audience, while the later books are more adult—it's the sort of series you can read over and over again, without getting tired of it.
9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Although the Victorian vocabulary may be tricky for some readers, this classic, coming-of-age story is worth the effort. Jane is raised an orphan, and grows up to fall in love with the wealthy Mr. Rochester, who isn't what he seems. Bronte's classic deals with issues from gender roles to class conflict, which still resonate with readers today.
10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Lee's classic coming-of-age story depicts the issues of racism and mob mentality in 1930s Alabama. It's a moving, powerful narrative that will stick with readers, and Atticus Finch may just be the coolest dad ever.
