Toppsta - Childrens Books – Reviews

Modern Classics for Teens

We are living through a golden age for Young Adult literature. There is an embarrassment of choice of exciting and inspiring books for teenagers (and the many adults who enjoy them too!).

There are certain books that are absolute must-reads and we have put together our own list of our top 10 Modern Classics for Teens.

These books are guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and keep you reading late into the night, but, like all the best teen reads, they also tackle important themes like racism, mental health, neurodiversity and more.

With exciting adventure books for teens, epic fantasy reads and high school coming-of-age stories, there is something for everyone here. Some are the start of bestselling young adult series, others are standalone stories for teenagers.

So check them out and get reading!

And for more inspiration on the best books & series for teens check out our other blogs:

10 Best Dystopian Books for Teens
Romance Books for Teens
Mysteries & Thrillers for Teens
10 Best Classics for Teens

Georgina Atwell

Toppsta

2021-03-31

2020-08-01

Modern Classics for Teens

All the Bright Places

Now a major film starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith on Netflix.

A compelling and beautiful story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who wants to die.

Theodore Finch constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself, but each time something good stops him.

Violet Markey exists for the future, counting the days until she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief for her late sister.

When they meet on the ledge of a tower, what might have been their end turns into their beginning.

It's only with Violet that Finch can truly be himself - a funny guy who's able to find the joy in life.
And when Violet's with Finch, she forgets to count away the days and starts to live them.

But as Violet's world grows, Finch's begins to shrink. He's trying to cling on to all the good things in his life, but will it be enough this time?

'If you're looking for the next The Fault in Our Stars , this is it' - Guardian

'This book is amazing - I couldn't put it down' - Zoe Sugg

'A searingly honest and heartbreakingly poignant tale about the power and beauty of love' - Heat

'Sparkling' - Entertainment Weekly

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The Hate U Give

Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2018

Winner of the Children's Book of the Year 2018 at the British Book Awards

#1 New York Times bestseller

Now a major motion picture, starring Amandla Stenberg

A Teen Vogue Best YA Book of the Year

"Stunning." - John Green
"A masterpiece."-The Huffington Post
"An essential read for everyone." - Teen Vogue
"Outstanding." - The Guardian

Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl's struggle for justice.

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The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-time

Christopher is 15 and lives in Swindon with his father. He has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. He is obsessed with maths, science and Sherlock Holmes but finds it hard to understand other people. When he discovers a dead dog on a neighbour's lawn he decides to solve the mystery and write a detective thriller about it. As in all good detective stories, however, the more he unearths, the deeper the mystery gets - for both Christopher and the rest of his family.

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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

The story of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the cover, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about.

If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence.

We hope you never have to cross such a fence.

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A Wrinkle in Time

Disney takes the classic sci-fi adventure, A Wrinkle in Time to the silver screen! With an all-star cast that includes Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, and newcomer Storm Reid, the major motion picture brings the world of Wrinkle to life for a new generation of fans.

Meg always felt she was different and when she and her little brother Charles Murry go searching for their lost father, they find themselves travelling on a dangerous journey through a 'wrinkle in time'. As the cosmic evil forces of darkness threaten to swallow the universe, Meg must overcome her insecurities and channel all her inner strengths - her stubbornness, anger and ultimately her love - to save her family. An exciting mixture of fantasy and science fiction, which all the way through is dominated by the funny and mysterious trio of guardian angels known as Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which, A Wrinkle in Time is an empowering story about the battle between good and evil and the power of love.

This movie tie-in edition of the timeless novel features the complete, unabridged original text, and an introduction by the film's director, Ava DuVernay.

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The Maze Runner

The first book in the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series - now a series of major motion pictures starring Dylan O'Brien! SEE THE FILMS. READ THE BOOKS. ENTER THE MAZE ... When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there - or what's happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything - even the Grievers, half-machine, half-animal horror that patrol its corridors, to try and find out. Loved The Maze Runner? Make sure to check out the sequel The Scorch Trials!

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The Fault in Our Stars

A striking black edition of the multi-million #1 bestseller, now a major motion picture starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once."

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

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Twilight

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. When she meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen - a vampire - her life takes a thrilling and terrifying romantic turn.

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The Book Thief

SPECIAL 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION with exclusive extra behind-the-scenes material from the author

It is 1939. In Nazi Germany, the country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier - and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed forever when she picks up a single object, abandoned in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook , and this is her first act of book thievery. So begins Liesel's love affair with books and words, and soon she is stealing from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library . . . wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times, and when Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, nothing will ever be the same again.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

Now a major film from Twentieth-Century Fox starring Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower YA edition

A modern cult classic, a major motion picture and a timeless bestseller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story.

Charlie is not the biggest geek in high school, but he's by no means popular.

Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie is attempting to navigate through the uncharted territory of high school . The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and music - when all one requires to feel infinite is that perfect song on that perfect drive. Standing on the fringes of life Charlie has a unique perspective of the world around him, but there comes a time to stop being a wallflower and see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion has become a modern classic. Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating and through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

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1st August 2020

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