I've compiled this list based on a combination of YA books that I enjoyed and books that I see my students reading. You're more than welcome to dis/agree with me on any of these or comment with your own suggestions. Additionally, these are in no particular order.
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| #4 on the List |
- Looking for Alaska by John Green Themes/topics: death, love, adolescence, growing up, suicide, the meaning of life, and self-discovery.
- The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak Themes/topics: the Holocaust, survival, war, mortality, identity, suffering, and courage.
- How to Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller Themes/topics: social issues, crime [duh - see the title], revenge, and internal conflict.
- The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld Themes/topics: dystopia/utopia, social issues, self-discovery, identity, society and class, coming of age, freedom/confinement, and betrayal.
- Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Themes/topics: redemption, solving one's own problems, society, war, sexism [to an extent], pacifism, and alternate realities.
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Themes/topics: coming of age, illness, death, self-discovery, coping with loss.
- Monster by Walter Dean Myers Themes/topics: question of guilt/innocence, identity, prejudice, stereotypes, American justice system, institutionalized racism/crime, life in prison, writing to cope.
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Themes/topics: coming of age, suicide, guilt, blame, betrayal, choices, love.
- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card Themes/topics: youth, manipulation, warfare, isolation, freedom/confinement, competition.
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare Themes/topics: versions of reality, revenge, religion, appearances, art/culture, duty
- Cut by Patricia McCormick Themes/topics: self-injury, coming of age, choices, keeping secrets.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon Themes/topics: versions of reality, isolation, fear, language/communication, freedom/confinement, identity, truth.
- Divergent by Veronica Roth Themes/topics: dystopian, society & class, identity, power, friendship, choices, secrets.
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| #15 on the List |
- The Giver by Lois Lowry Themes/topics: dystopian/utopian, the past/memory, rules/order, isolation, suffering, tradition.
- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Themes/topics:
- Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan Themes/topics: identity, versions of reality, isolation, traditions/customs, lies/deceit.
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner Themes/topics: manipulation, rules/order, fear, sacrifice, justice/judgement, freedom/confinement.
- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Themes/topics: epistolary, coming of age, drugs, alcohol, sex, passivity, family.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Themes/topics: dystopian, society/class, power, politics, sacrifice,
- If I Stay by Gayle Foreman Themes/topics:
- Harry Potter by JK Rowling Themes/topics: good vs. evil, sacrifice, choices, mortality, love, betrayal, society/class.
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Themes/topics: rape, guilt, blame, education, isolation, transformation.
- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi Themes/topics: contrasting regions, coming of age, women/femininity, politics, freedom/confinement, religion.
- Maus by Art Spiegelman Themes/topics: the Holocaust, morality, family, race, ethics, guilt/blame, memory/the past
- Blankets by Craig Thompson Themes/topics: sin, pride, religion, coming of age, trust, sexual abuse
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