10 Best Books For 11-16 Year Olds, Ahead of World Book Day
03 Feb, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- The best books for 11-16 year olds this World Book Day.
- 5 books recommendations for 11-13 year olds.
- 5 books recommendations for 14-16 year olds.
- Where the latest Teaching jobs are and how to apply for them.
Making a noise about books and the importance of reading can be a difficult task for Teachers, even on World Book Day.
According to the National Literacy Trust, 2024 was the lowest level of reading enjoyment recorded since 2005. This is a particular crisis for secondary schools as reading enjoyment saw a significant decline among secondary students, decreasing from 40.4% in 2023 to 30.7% in 2024.
Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Headteachers play a vital role in nurturing a love for reading in secondary schools. Recommending the right genre of books to teenagers is crucial to ensure young people have the opportunity to develop their skills and discover their reading preferences.
Throughout this blog, you’ll discover a curated list of books which are tailored to younger and older teenagers, ahead of this year's World Book Day.
The best books to read in secondary schools for 11-13 year olds
The best books to read in secondary schools for 11-13 year olds:
- Quiet Storm.
- The Wall Between Us.
- The Boy in the Tower.
- I Am Malala.
- Heartstopper.
Quiet Storm
Kimberly Whittam (2023)
Year 7 can be a challenging and overwhelming time for students, especially those who struggle with their mental health. A Quiet Storm focuses on the story of Storm, an 11 year old girl starting high school who finds speaking up, social situations and making friends difficult. One day, Storm breaks a school record and becomes the new star of the athletics team, a challenge that pushes her to finally speak her mind.
No doubt a lot of students, especially those in Year 7 can relate to Storm and some of her experiences with mental health and social issues. By reading this book, 11-13 year olds can see the power in speaking up for themselves no matter how shy or quiet they are. This story empowers shyness and encourages introverted young people to embrace who they are and to value their own strengths. The book covers topics such as bullying, sport, and diversity, and students can learn about the importance of valuing the support of others and understanding other people's needs.
The Boy in the Tower
Polly Ho-Yen (2014)
A story of friendship and survival, the Boy in the Tower is a science fiction novel about a boy named Ade who lives on the seventeenth floor of a tower block in London. When monster plants overrun the city, Ade’s anxious mother refuses to evacuate and Ade tries to make sense of what is going on around him.
The confusing situation Ade finds himself in, is similar to that which 11-13 years old experienced during lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being written before the pandemic, the book shares similar themes of isolation and fear which makes the story of the Boy in the Tower even more relevant and impactful.
With the story taking place in a believable urban, multicultural environment that is rarely represented in literature or in the media, a lot of students can relate and identify with the situation.
The Wall Between Us
Dan Smith (2023)
Another great book recommendation for 11-13 year olds is The Wall Between Us, a historical fiction novel about two best friends, whose loyalties are tested and worlds are divided by the Berlin Wall in 1961.
Set in Germany in the 1960s and told through newspaper articles, journal entries, letters and secret messages, the format of this book engages school students and gives them the opportunity to walk in the shoes of characters in a different time.
Teachers can educate students about the Berlin Wall by delving into the reasons behind its construction and examining what life was like during the Cold War. Even though the story is rooted in the history of Germany and post-war Europe, it is told from the perspective of two 12-year-olds in a way that young readers can understand and comprehend.
The Wall Between Us teaches students about overcoming barriers and the value of friendship.
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman (2016)
Supporting LGBTQA+ students in the classroom is a crucial part of a Teachers role and exploring books with LGBTQA+ characters at the forefront helps students feel comfortable discussing topics related to gender, sexuality, and identity.
Heartstopper is a LGBTQ+ young graphic novel that follows the teenage romance between two boys and is filled with lessons about diversity, representation and inclusivity especially within the LGBTQA+ community.
Heartstopper’s themes of love, friendship and coming out, gives schools the opportunity to address real issues that teenagers face including bullying, homophobia and mental health.
Being a graphic novel, Heartstopper enhances vocabulary and critical thinking skills and offers a more visual, engaging and accessible experience for young readers, especially those interested in the arts, drama, art and directing.
Fans of the book can also watch a Netflix adaptation of the story featuring Kit Connor and Joe Locke.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai (2013)
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban is a true story about a young girl's campaign for human rights, especially a woman's right to education.
As a teenager, Malala defied the Taliban in Pakistan, risking her life to expose their efforts to suppress education and highlight its vital importance for all children in Pakistan.
Similar to the Diary of Anne Frank which is explored in primary school, I Am Malala, is a story told from the real point of view of a teenage girl who experienced difficulty and faced oppression yet made a difference with her courage and resilience. Both of these life narratives inspire and give a voice to young girls despite the risks and danger.
I Am Malala is an introspective and educational experience for young readers, one that can spark conversations about religion, gender, education and equality in the classroom. The book encourages students to form opinions and recognise universal human values, not just those found in the classroom or at home.
Due to the violence and nature of Malala’s story, it can be quite a controversial read but is one that many believe should be explored in secondary schools.
The Best Books To Read In Secondary Schools for 14-16 year olds
The best books to read in secondary schools for 14-16 year olds:
- To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Be Resilient Be You: The Teenage Guide.
- The Boy Who Steals Houses.
- The Book Thief.
- Happy Head.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee (1960)
To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming-of-age novel studied in American schools that provides teenagers with an insight into the darker aspects of society, human nature and injustice.
The story is told through the eyes of a young girl nicknamed Scout growing up in a fictional town in Alabama in the 1930s.
Her father is a lawyer who defends a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Scout and her brother witness the racism and turmoil that unfolds and even experience mocking as a result of their fathers action and willingness to help a black man.
Since the story is narrated by Scout as an adult reflecting on her past, teenagers can relate to her naivety, vulnerability, and innocence as she navigates the challenges of growing up and transitioning into womanhood. Students can also identify with Scout’s confusion at other people’s actions, attitudes and prejudiced feelings.
Teachers can recommend To Kill a Mockingbird to their students as it can help them develop empathy, understand the effects of racism and encourage conversations around cultural concerns, fears, agreements and disagreements.
Be Resilient Be You: The Teenage Guide
Becky Goddard-Hill (2025)
A good book to recommend to secondary school students on World Book Day is one that focuses on self help and development.
This guide gives teenagers the tools and activities they need to build their resilience and embrace their mistakes. The book stresses the importance of being resilient in order to tackle challenges and bounce back from any setbacks.
Resilience is an important skill for teenagers to develop as it can help them succeed academically and personally. Be Resilient Be You: The Teenage Guide promotes positivity and encourages teenagers to reflect inwards and recognise their strengths.
Teachers can use keywords and tips from this guide to help students overcome challenges and pressures, as well as navigate the complexities of teenage life.
The author has also written guides that teach teenagers other valuable skills and lessons including how to be confident and happy.
The Boy Who Steals Houses
C.G. Drews 2019
In secondary schools, visibility and representation is vital for raising awareness and educating young minds. The Boy Who Steals follows 15-year-old Sam and his brother as they navigate life after being abandoned by their family.
Sam’s older brother Avery has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and only Sam understands his needs. This book provides a real life look at the way people are treated including how autism is represented and the responsibilities of looking after someone with ASD.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities like ASD can be explored in the classroom to give students the opportunity to learn how to be compassionate, understanding and supportive to ensure equality and safety for all.
The Boy Who Steals tackles themes of love, devotion and family as well as homelessness and finding a home.
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak (2005)
History is an essential subject in secondary education and some students may find it easier to understand dark subjects by reading a story in a historical context.
The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, a young girl in Nazi Germany who is sent to live with a foster family. Over time, Liesel develops a love for reading and begins stealing books. She writes about her life and experiences in a book she titles The Book Thief, which is later discovered and narrated by Death.
Teaching students about historical events through a fictionalised story helps them to understand how people thought, felt and acted in the past and makes young people think about how they might have responded in the same situation.
The Book Thief provides a realistic portrayal of life in Nazi Germany during World War ll, but from the perspective of a young girl who is impacted by war. Being a more personal account reminds students of the power of words in difficult times and having the courage to overcome hardships. Schools can explore the narrative technique of the Book Thief and remind students of the value of reading beyond World Book Day.
HappyHead
Josh Silver 2023
Poor mental health can have a negative impact on a teenager's social and academic development. Addressing mental health in secondary schools is crucial, and books can be an effective way for Teachers to start conversations about the best way to support students with anxiety and the growing teen mental health problem.
HappyHead is a dystopian thriller about Sebastian, a teenager who has been given the opportunity to become happier. He arrives in an experimental mental health retreat centre aimed at eradicating teenage unhappiness, but begins to question what’s going on and realises that there isn’t a quick, easy fix for mental health struggles.
The aim of the book is to de-stigmatise mental health challenges and provide teenagers with practical advice and educational insights to navigate their emotional and psychological wellbeing.
HappyHead finds a natural and sensitive way to address the mental health issues and societal pressures students face. The book allows teenagers to identify with and better understand the complexity of human emotions. Being told in the first-person, present-tense, provides a more immersive and engaging experience for readers.
Teaching jobs
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