While finding short tween books can be tough, it’s even harder to find short books for teens! This is completely understandable in worldbuilding genres like fantasies and high-concept mysteries, but it is frustrating that so few contemporary realistic stories or even romance are on the shorter end of the spectrum. I’ve scrapped up 15 titles for teens of varying ages that are 300 pages, under, or just a liiiittle over. These books are also super high interest and will appeal to kids who love realistic fiction including graphic novels, mysteries, and romance.
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15 Excellent Short Books for Teens
Here are 15 wonderful short books for teens:
Girl Forgotten
Published March 28, 2023
This book is a near-dead ringer for A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder! True crime fan Piper Gray is a new kid in town. For a high school project, she decides to investigate the murder of another student who died 17 years ago and share the results of her investigations on her podcast. There are several differences between both stories, and I liked this one too. The audiobook is good but nowhere as exceptional as AGGGTM. I’d hand this to readers ages 13 and up. 272 pages.
We Were Liars
Published: May 13, 2014
Cadence Sinclair Easton is back on her family’s island after a traumatic incident some years before. The only problem is that she can’t remember what happened, and no one seems to want to tell her. As readers follow Cadence, we’ll see her piece together the shocking events of that summer when class, youthful impulse, and family disagreements changed four lives forever. I found this mystery intriguing and poignant. I think teens will eat it up. Good for ages 14 and up. 256 pages.
Rain Is Not My Indian Name
Published: June 19, 2001
After her best friend’s death, Rain withdraws socially, much to her family’s concern. But when controversy arises around her aunt’s Indian Camp, Rain decides to work as a photographer capturing the campers for the newspaper. On the job, she connects with some of the campers and the journalist on the story. This is a quiet story (slow-paced and slice-of-life but engaging) about interracial dating, Native American identity, community, and managing grief. 144 pages. Good for readers ages 13+
Hands
Published: January 24, 2023
After his stepdad goes to jail for violating his parole and hitting his mom, Trev feels like he needs to get bigger and stronger to protect them when his stepdad is released. But is fighting back the best way? This is a slim, poignant look at what life is like for some kids and why it’s easy to feel like throwing hands is the most effective way to stay safe. The author shows that with community and education, there can be more far-reaching positive effects. 144 pages. Good for ages 11+
Tiger Daughter
Published: August 15, 2023
Wen is a first-gen daughter of Chinese immigrants living in Australia. Her dad is angry because he hasn’t been able to re-qualify as a medical professional in Australia, and he tries to control Wen and her mother’s lives. Wen plans to go to high school far away from their town — she and her best friend at school, another first gen immigrant kid. But when a tragedy occurs in Henry’s family, Wen and her mother must step up to support him if they want to achieve their dreams. This is a brilliant new upper middle grade book about chasing dreams, unwavering friendships, and the value of community, especially in immigrant communities. Good for readers ages 10 and up. 192 pages.
Rhythm and Muse
Published: May 30, 2023
This is a very sweet young adult romance that feels written FOR TEENS! I loved the message of putting yourself out there instead of living in your head. I also liked that while we’re in Darren’s head, we learn enough about his love interest that she’s not just a manic pixie dream girl. There are lovely teen-parent relationships, male friendships, humor, and main characters who attend church without it being a preachy book. It’s really fun and perfect for younger teens ages 12+ with nearly no language! Plus, bonus points for a male lead narrator in a romance. 256 pages.
NerdCrush
Published: February 7, 2023
Ramona is a shy 16-year-old who loves cosplay. After she leaves a picture of her cosplay character with a poem in her crush’s locker, the two start communicating via email. In class, though, she can’t seem to work up the courage to talk to that same crush, Caleb. But when Caleb suddenly starts working at the same restaurant she does, the two form a friendship that forces Ramona to re-evaluate their internet relationship. This is such a sweet young YA story, perfect for older middle schoolers and teens in general. Teens who like cosplay, poetry, and art and those struggling to find a social circle will relate to Ramona’s struggles. I loved this one, and the romance is believable and charming. 272 pages.
Chaos Theory
Published: February 28, 2023
What happens when a genius with bipolar disorder falls for a classmate with an alcohol addiction? That’s the premise of this intense young adult romance. This book tackles so many heavy themes with the gusto of Stone’s writing. I’d recommend it for mature teens ages 16 and up who are looking for empathetic mental illness representation. The audiobook also packs a punch. 288 pages.
Huda F Are You?
Published: November 23, 2021
Huda and her family just moved to Dearborn, Michigan, a small town with a big Muslim population. But Huda doesn’t fit in–when everyone is Muslim, there’s no Muslim clique like there was in her last town, and Huda’s not a sporty hijabi or a fashionista hijabi or a gamer hijabi. She’s just Huda, and she’s not sure what that means. She tries on all kinds of identities and friends, but nothing fits quite right. Until she realizes she can get back to the basics. This is laugh-out-loud funny and perfect for teens who love funny graphic novels/memoirs. 192 pages.
Bubble Trouble
Published: July 18, 2023
Since her mom died during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been just Chloe and her dad. She worries about their finances, so when she has the chance to go on a school trip to Broadway, she’s hesitant to tell him. On a good note, there’s a boy she maybe likes? He works at a boba tea place in her neighborhood, and things are going well until an altercation at the shop ends with Chloe being banned from the boba tea place. What unfolds is a string of chaotic, surprising, and satisfying events, including a boba-making business, two lost lovers reuniting, and a new furry family member. This is a lighthearted, feel-good middle grade romance — the exact kind constantly sought out by kids in this age group. 240 pages.
Promise Boys
Published: January 31, 2023
This book is FANTASTIC — and the audiobook is even better (a top-class full-cast audiobook that feels like a movie). When the principal of the Urban Promise Prep school is murdered in his office, three boys are high on the suspect list: J.B., Trey, and Ramon. They were either in the wrong place or have the wrong reputation or affiliation. Now, they must join forces, along with their loved ones, to find the real killer. I’d hand this to readers ages 14 and up, especially if they loved One of Us Is Lying. 304 pages.
Sunshine
Published: April 18, 2023
When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. He documents this life-changing experience in this wonderful graphic memoir. This book is so moving and includes an author’s note with pictures of the kids mentioned in the story. Good for ages 11 and up. 240 pages.
The Faint of Heart
Published: June 13, 2023
The Faint of Heart is set in a dystopian world where no one but high schooler June has a heart. When a scientist (known simply as The Scientist) discovers that removing your heart takes away negative emotions like heartbreak, sadness, and anxiety, everyone undergoes the procedure. Unfortunately, the procedure also takes away the positive feelings. As June grapples with the loneliness of being the only one with a heart, she discovers a classmate whose heart is now growing back. Both teens work together to find the scientist and get her to reverse the procedure. This is a stellar, unique teen graphic novel about embracing the full spectrum of human emotions, no matter how hard it is. 304 pages.
Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend
Publishers: June 27, 2023
Gary Vo is a Vietnamese-American soon-to-be junior high schooler. Gary and his friend Preston have been at the bottom of the social totem pole forever, and Preston is determined that this is the summer they rise up the ranks. So when two popular classmates approach them with an offer to join their group, the boys are all ears! The task is to steal a bracelet from Gloria Buenrostro (a popular, but mysterious A+ student) so the boys can add it to their collections of tokens from “the hottest girls” in school. Easy enough, no? That is until Gary Vo befriends Gloria and realizes there’s more to her than meets the eye. This is a richly layered, relatable teen novel about what it means to be a man and how to be a good friend. I’d hand this to readers ages 13 and up. 304 pages.
Solo
Published: July 23, 2019
This is an exciting and heartwarming story about Blade, the son of a rockstar who receives shattering family news that leads him to take a life-changing trip. The audiobook is lovely and even features singing. I’d recommend this classic for teens ages 13 and up who love verse novels. And yes, even though this is 463 pages long, it’s a sparse-paged verse novel.
There they are: 15 of the best short books for teens, most of which are 300 pages and under! Which of these books have you read and loved? What did I miss?
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