15 Fun Reads With Characters Teens Can Relate To

15 Fun Books With Characters Teens Can Relate To

The History of Young Adult Literature

In Depth

Teenagers enjoy young-adult literature because they can relate to the characters in the story. Whether they're about youthful romance blossoming or fun adventures that get more exciting every chapter, it is easy to understand why YA novels are so popular.

For this list, we picked some fun reads that were written with teens in mind. In no particular order, here are 15 books whose young protagonists face real-life situations and romantic entanglements that make the pages fly by.

At #1 is "Love, Life, and the List" by American author Kasie West. This sweet, fun, contemporary high school romance is about finding one's self. The story is about Abby, who has an unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. The tone is light, but somehow touches family issues such as a mother's mental illness and a father's deployment overseas.

The story is about Abby, who has an unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper.

Next, at #2 is "Since You've Been Gone." The book is set over a long summer period in the picturesque Connecticut town of Stanwich. The main character, Emily, starts out as a timid girl living in the shadow of her eccentric best pal, Sloane. This novel chronicles a unique type of grief, the abrupt loss of a friend who is mysteriously gone without any communication except a letter.

Taking the #3 spot is "The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight." Set over a 24-hour period, this is a novel about family connections, second chances, and young romance. Travelling reluctantly to attend her father's second wedding, Hadley Sullivan comes across an adorable Briton named Oliver, her seatmate on the next plane to Heathrow. As the story unfolds, her adolescent heart reopens, both to a new beau and to her father.

Coming in at #4 is "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda." The sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay protagonist, Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight when an email falls into the wrong hands. Simon has to find a way to come out without alienating his friends. This is a coming-of-age story wrapped in geek romance by Becky Albertalli.

Simon has to find a way to come out without alienating his friends.

At #5 is "Girl Online: The First Novel by Zoella" from the award-winning YouTube sensation Zoe Sugg. It follows the life of Penny, a teenager who blogs about her hidden feelings on boys and her anxieties. In New York, Penny falls in love with Noah, a gorgeous guitarist. This is a heartfelt story that perfectly captures the highs and lows of teen romance, friendship, and growing up in today's digital world.

At the #6 spot is "#Nerd," the first on the Hashtag Series by Cambria Hebert. Rimmel Hudson and Roman "Romeo" Anderson are two people from completely different worlds. Rimmel has to tutor a student to keep her scholarship, and Romeo is forced to have a tutor so he doesn't fail his classes and get kicked off the football team.

Next on the list at #7 is "A Hundred Thousand Words." This story is about a biracial gay character, Toby who has been crushing on his best friend's brother for a long time. Sadly, Levi doesn't take notice of him and just treats him like a little kid. It is a novel about college, decisions, family, loss, love and friendship by Nyrae Dawn.

It is a novel about college, decisions, family, loss, love and friendship by Nyrae Dawn.

At #8 is "The Fame Game" by Hollywood's It-Girl, Lauren Conrad. The main character is Madison Parker who becomes the star of a new show. Now ready for her turn in the spotlight, she will stop at nothing to get it, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison seems to have quite a lot to deal with. Gossip and drama fill the pages of this book.

At the #9 spot is "In Some Other Life," a funny and light novel that teens who are in the midst of making some critical choices can relate to. It is the story of Kennedy Rhodes who turns down an acceptance to an elite private school because of an overwhelming opportunity to date her longtime crush, Austin. This book by Jessica Brody will appeal to anyone longing for a second chance at success.

Coming in at #10, "Tell Me Three Things," is Julie Buxbaum's debut. It follows the life of Jessie, a normal teenager who is just trying to survive high school and all the havoc that comes with it. It speaks to a multitude of youthful experiences, and the root of the story is really all about what it's like to be human. It is a perfect mix of comedy and tragedy, love and loss, and pain and elation.

It follows the life of Jessie, a normal teenager who is just trying to survive high school and all the havoc that comes with it.

Next, at #11 is "Behind the Scenes." The story revolves around Ally Duncan and her best friend, Hollywood star Vanessa Park. To earn money for college, Ally works as Van's assistant. The protagonist finds that life on the set is just as superficial as she suspected, but her thoughts are reversed when she meets Van's costar, Liam. It is an enjoyable novel that merges a handful of topics, including family, illness, friendships, and relationships.

At #12 on the list is "One of Us Is Lying" by Karen M. McManus. This is a murder mystery set in a high school. Four teens are suspects in the death of their classmate, Simon. They were in detention when he died, and according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. The story has many twists and turns, plus romance, social drama, and bullying of all types.

Next, at #13 is "Stay Sweet." This novel by Siobhan Vivian evokes the warmth of rural life and employee comradeship. This story is about a small-town girl, Amelia, whose world revolves around her summer job at an ice-cream stand. She possesses the qualities she needs to achieve her goals but, like many girls, lacks confidence in using them. Readers will witness how Amelia conquers problems as she evolves in the pages of this book.

This novel by Siobhan Vivian evokes the warmth of rural life and employee comradeship.

At #14 is "Let's Get Lost." Adi Alsaid's debut novel is about Leila's road trip to see the Northern Lights in Alaska which takes her across the U.S. and into the lives of a series of desperate teens, including an orphan and a rejected young boy. The loyal, insightful Leila helps them along the way. The story ends with her own literal and figurative road home.

Finally, at #15 is "When Dimple Met Rishi." Sandhya Menon's heartwarming story of 2 college-bound first-generation Indian-American teens with an arranged marriage looming large over their head. Their families arrange for them to attend a summer website and app-development competition in San Francisco, certain that it will be love at first sight when they meet. But reality doesn't quite meet their expectations.