Young Adult (YA)
YA fiction targets teenage readers, often exploring identity, relationships, and coming-of-age themes.
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Narrated by Death during World War II, this unique story follows Liesel, a young girl living with foster parents in Nazi Germany. As she learns to read and shares stolen books with others, including the Jewish man hidden in her basement, the story explores the power of words to both destroy and heal, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter (#1)
J.K. Rowling’s debut novel introduces Harry Potter, an orphan who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. Taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry learns about magic, makes lifelong friends, and uncovers secrets about his past—including the dark wizard who killed his parents. As he navigates this new world, he confronts danger and mystery surrounding a magical artifact called the Philosopher’s Stone. Blending fantasy, adventure, and themes of friendship, courage, and identity, the book launched one of the most beloved and influential series in modern literature.
The Little Prince
This poetic novella follows a young prince who travels from planet to planet, encountering strange adults and pondering life’s deeper truths. Told by a narrator stranded in the desert, the story explores themes of love, loss, innocence, and imagination. With deceptively simple language and whimsical illustrations, The Little Prince delivers profound reflections on human nature and relationships—especially through the prince’s bond with a rose. Though written for children, it resonates strongly with adults, reminding readers to see with the heart rather than the eyes. Universally cherished, it’s a philosophical fable that invites reflection on what truly matters.
Honeybee
by Craig Silvey
When fourteen-year-old Sam Watson meets elderly recluse Vic on a bridge late at night, an unlikely friendship blooms. Together, they navigate life’s struggles—from gender identity and mental health to grief and healing. Honeybee is a tender, courageous Australian novel that explores resilience, acceptance, and the redemptive power of connection. It’s both heartbreaking and life-affirming, with a powerful voice at its center.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter (#5)
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns to Hogwarts to find the wizarding world in denial about Voldemort's return. The Ministry of Magic interferes at the school, appointing Dolores Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. As Umbridge enforces strict rules, Harry forms "Dumbledore's Army" to teach fellow students defensive spells. The novel delves into themes of authority, rebellion, and the struggles of adolescence. Rowling expands the series' complexity, highlighting the importance of truth and unity in the face of oppression.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter (#6)
In the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series, Voldemort’s power grows stronger, threatening the wizarding and Muggle worlds alike. As Dumbledore reveals memories critical to understanding Voldemort’s past, Harry discovers a mysterious potions book once owned by the “Half-Blood Prince.” Romance, jealousy, and betrayal swirl at Hogwarts, culminating in a devastating loss that changes the course of the war. Rowling deepens her exploration of identity, destiny, and sacrifice, setting the stage for the series’ emotional and epic conclusion.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter (#2)
In the second installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry returns to Hogwarts only to find the school plagued by mysterious attacks. As he unravels the legend of the Chamber of Secrets and the heir of Slytherin, he faces danger and prejudice while uncovering secrets of the wizarding world. The book deepens the series’ mythology and themes of bravery, loyalty, and the power of choice. Filled with magical creatures, clever puzzles, and growing tension, it cements Harry's role as a true hero.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter (#4)
Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts begins with excitement over the Triwizard Tournament, but soon dark forces emerge as Voldemort begins his rise. As Harry is mysteriously entered into the dangerous competition, he must navigate magical challenges, new friendships, and growing peril. Goblet of Fire marks a turning point in the series, blending fantasy, mystery, and maturing themes of loss and courage.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter (#3)
In Harry’s third year at Hogwarts, the wizarding world is on high alert with the escape of Sirius Black, a dangerous prisoner tied to Harry’s past. As secrets unfold, Harry learns more about his family and the truth behind betrayal and loyalty. Featuring time travel, werewolves, and the chilling Dementors, Prisoner of Azkaban deepens the series' emotional complexity while delivering magic, mystery, and adventure.
The Secret Garden
First published in 1911, this children’s classic tells the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled and lonely girl sent to live with her uncle in a mysterious English manor. There, she discovers a hidden, neglected garden and begins restoring it—alongside her cousin Colin and friend Dickon. As the garden blooms, so do the characters, who undergo emotional and physical transformations. The Secret Garden celebrates the healing power of nature, friendship, and hope. Rich with symbolism and Victorian charm, it remains a timeless tale of personal growth and rejuvenation that continues to captivate readers of all ages.
A Deadly Education
by Naomi Novik
Series: The Scholomance (#1)
At the Scholomance, a magical school with no teachers and deadly consequences, survival is the only curriculum. El Higgins is a powerful but unpopular student who’s trying not to give in to her dark magical potential. As monsters lurk in every corner and alliances are crucial, El must decide who to trust—even the annoyingly heroic Orion Lake. A Deadly Education is the first in The Scholomance trilogy, offering a fresh twist on dark academia. With sharp wit, world-building, and a fierce, flawed heroine, it explores friendship, power, and survival in a school where graduation literally means escape or death.
The Giver
by Lois Lowry
Series: The Giver Quartet (#1)
In a seemingly perfect society without pain or emotion, twelve-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the Receiver of Memory—the only person who knows humanity’s past. As he learns about love, loss, and choice from the Giver, Jonas begins to question the cost of harmony and conformity. The Giver is a haunting dystopian novel that challenges the boundaries of control, memory, and individuality, sparking deep philosophical questions for readers of all ages.
Tomorrow, When the War Began
by John Marsden
Series: Tomorrow (#1)
John Marsden's Tomorrow, When the War Began centers on Ellie and her friends, who return from a camping trip to find their Australian town invaded and their families captured. Faced with the horrors of war, the teenagers must adapt quickly, transforming from carefree youths to resistance fighters. The novel explores themes of survival, courage, and the loss of innocence, as the group navigates the challenges of guerrilla warfare. Marsden's gripping narrative offers a realistic portrayal of adolescence thrust into conflict, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.
Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a haunting allegorical novel about a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. Without adult supervision, their attempt to establish order quickly descends into savagery, revealing the thin veneer of civilization. The story follows Ralph, who tries to maintain order, and Jack, who embraces chaos and violence. As fear, power struggles, and primal instincts take over, the boys’ society collapses. Golding explores themes of human nature, morality, and the inherent darkness within mankind. First published in 1954, it remains a powerful critique of civilization and human behavior.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter (#7)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows concludes the epic saga with a thrilling and emotional showdown between Harry and Voldemort. The final battle for the wizarding world unfolds as Harry, Ron, and Hermione hunt the remaining Horcruxes, facing ultimate sacrifices and discovering the true meaning of life, death, and love in their fight against darkness.
Burn Book
by Kara Swisher
Veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher recounts her decades covering Silicon Valley’s rise, exposing the hubris, brilliance, and bad behavior of the world’s most powerful tech moguls. Part memoir, part media critique, Burn Book offers sharp insights and personal stories about billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and others. It’s a candid, witty, and scathing portrait of tech culture’s outsized influence on society.