Good Reads for Teens

Published on April 23, 2024

Good Reads for Teens

Looking for teen books, but need a place to start? These are award-winning books recommended for teens.

South Dakota Teen Choice Awards 

Every year, the South Dakota Library Association publishes a list of quality books for adolescents. The books are selected from among the many teen and adult books that have received positive reviews by national reviewing periodicals.

2024 Middle School Winner:     2024 Middle School Runner Up:    

 Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis

 

 This Light Between Us by Andrew Fukuda

 

 2024 High School Winner: 2024 High School Runner Up:
 Don't Look Back by Achut Deng  Blue Lock, volume 1 by Muneyuki Kaneshiro

 

Morris Award

The William C. Morris YA Debut Award honors a book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in YA literature.

2023 Winner:

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum

2023 Finalists:

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen FergusonWake the Bones by Elizabeth KilcoyneThe Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

Printz Award

The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. The award is sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association.

2023 Winner:

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

2023 Honor Books:

Icebreaker by A.L. GraziadeiWhen the Angels Left the Old County by Sacha LambScout's Honor by Lily AndersonQueer Ducks (and Other Animals) by Eliot Schrefer

Alex Awards

The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.

2023 Winners:

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie IrwinBabel: an Arcane History by R.F. KuangChef's Kiss by Jarret MelendezDaughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan Solito by Javier ZamoraThe High Desert: a Memoir by James SpoonerThe Kaiju Preservation Society by John ScalziTrue Biz by Sara NovicWash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser and Robyn SmithI'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Nonfiction Award

The Young Adult Library Services Association's (YALSA) Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults during a November 1 to October 31 publishing year.

2023 Winner:

Victory. Stand! : Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile

2023 Finalists:

Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex OgleAmerican Murderer by Gail JarrowA Face for Picasso: a memoir by Ariel HenleyUnequal: a Story of America by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau