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The 10 Best Young Adult Books of All Time
These young adult books are the stories teens still read most today, and many adults love them too. They cover dystopian adventures, survival stories, mysteries and fantasy, and several have become hit films or TV series. Most suit readers aged about 12 and up.
The Hunger Games#1The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins · first published 2008
Why it is on the list: Over 360,000 US copies in 2025 across two paperback editions; the series has sold about 100 million.
In a future North America, a teenager volunteers to take her younger sister's place in a televised fight to the death staged by the ruling Capitol. A gripping dystopian adventure for teens and adults who like action with a political edge.
Evidence and sources
- 210,834 paperback plus 152,230 deluxe-edition copies sold in 2025 (Circana BookScan, PW) (source)
- 233,749 paperback copies sold in 2023 (PW) (source)
- More than 17.5 million copies sold by March 2012; 100+ consecutive weeks on the NYT list (source)
- Hunger Games series about 100 million copies (source)
- Listed on TIME's 100 Best YA Books (source)
- Series No. 2 on NPR's 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels (source)
- Included in PBS's The Great American Read 100 (source)
- ISBN 9780439023528 shown for paperback (source)
The Outsiders#2The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton · first published 1967
Why it is on the list: The top-selling backlist YA/children's paperback of 2025, with over 313,000 US copies.
In 1960s Oklahoma, a fourteen-year-old from the poor side of town and his friends clash with wealthier rivals, and one violent night changes everything. The book that helped create YA fiction, still loved for its honesty about loyalty and class.
Evidence and sources
- 313,823 paperback copies sold in 2025, first on PW's paperback backlist list (Circana BookScan) (source)
- No. 4 on MPIBA young adult bestsellers, week ending Oct 18, 2026 (source)
- About 15 million copies sold (source)
- Published by Viking in 1967 when Hinton was 18 (source)
- No. 13 on NPR's 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels (source)
- Included in PBS's The Great American Read 100 (source)
- ISBN 9780142407332 (source)
The Giver#3The Giver
by Lois Lowry · first published 1993
Why it is on the list: Sold over 212,000 US copies in 2025 and still on indie YA lists in 2026; Newbery Medal winner.
In a seemingly perfect community without pain or choice, a twelve-year-old boy is chosen to receive the memories no one else is allowed to keep. A short, thought-provoking dystopia often read in middle and high school.
Evidence and sources
- 212,227 paperback copies sold in 2025 (Circana BookScan, PW) (source)
- On NAIBA, NEIBA and GLIBA young adult bestseller lists, week ending Oct 18, 2026 (source)
- Won the 1994 Newbery Medal; sold more than 12 million copies (source)
- Listed on TIME's 100 Best YA Books (source)
- Series No. 11 on NPR's 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels (source)
- Included in PBS's The Great American Read 100 (source)
- On Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime (source)
- ISBN 9780544336261 (source)
Hatchet#4Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen · first published 1987
Why it is on the list: Sold over 209,000 US copies in 2025 and still on indie lists in 2026; a Newbery Honor book.
After a small plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness, a thirteen-year-old boy is left alone with nothing but a hatchet. He must learn to find food, make fire and survive on his own. A gripping survival story especially loved by reluctant readers.
Evidence and sources
- 209,341 paperback copies sold in 2025 (Circana BookScan, PW) (source)
- On national, NEIBA and SIBA mass market lists, week ending Oct 18, 2026 (source)
- Newbery Honor (1988); No. 23 on School Library Journal's top 100 children's novels (2012) (source)
- Included in PBS's The Great American Read 100 (source)
- ISBN 9781416936473, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (source)
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder#5A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson · first published 2019
Why it is on the list: Over 1.1 million US copies sold from 2023 to 2025; now a Netflix/BBC series.
For a school project, a determined teenager reopens a five-year-old local murder case that her town considers closed. As she digs, someone makes it clear they want her to stop. A smart, addictive YA mystery told partly through interview transcripts and notes.
Evidence and sources
The Inheritance Games#6The Inheritance Games
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes · first published 2020
Why it is on the list: Over 640,000 US paperbacks sold from 2023 to 2025; a NYT bestselling puzzle mystery.
A teenager scraping by in Connecticut learns that a billionaire she has never met has left her almost his entire fortune. To claim it, she must move into his mansion of secret passages and riddles, alongside the grandsons he cut out. A fun, puzzle-filled YA mystery.
Evidence and sources
- 156,312 paperback copies sold in 2025 (Circana BookScan, PW) (source)
- 205,777 copies in 2024 (PW) (source)
- 281,693 copies in 2023 (PW) (source)
- Nominated for the Edgar Award (Young Adult); NYT bestseller; Kirkus Best Book of 2020 (source)
- ISBN 9780759555402, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (source)
The Lightning Thief#7The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan · first published 2005
Why it is on the list: Sold over 145,000 US paperbacks in 2025; adapted as a Disney+ series; on Amazon's lifetime list.
A twelve-year-old who keeps getting kicked out of school learns that his father is a Greek god. Accused of stealing Zeus's lightning bolt, he sets off across America to find it and prevent a war among the gods. Funny, fast and a favorite with younger teens.
Evidence and sources
A Wrinkle in Time#8A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle · first published 1962
Why it is on the list: Sold over 144,000 US copies in 2025; Newbery Medal winner with 10 million+ sold.
Meg Murry, an awkward, stubborn teenager, travels through space and time with her brilliant little brother and a new friend to rescue their missing scientist father. Guided by three strange celestial beings, they confront a dark force threatening the universe. A classic mix of science fiction, fantasy and coming of age.
Evidence and sources
- 144,543 paperback copies sold in 2025 (Circana BookScan, PW children's bestsellers) (source)
- On NAIBA mass market bestsellers, week ending Sep 27, 2026 (No. 8) (source)
- Won the 1963 Newbery Medal; over ten million copies sold; classed as young adult fiction (source)
- On Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime (source)
- ISBN 9780312367541, Square Fish (source)
Scythe#9Scythe
by Neal Shusterman · first published 2016
Why it is on the list: Sold over 113,000 US paperbacks in 2023; on TIME's 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
In a future where disease and natural death have been defeated, specially trained Scythes are the only ones allowed to end lives. Two teenagers are reluctantly taken on as apprentices, knowing only one will be chosen. A thought-provoking dystopian thriller.
Evidence and sources
Six of Crows#10Six of Crows
by Leigh Bardugo · first published 2015
Why it is on the list: Sold nearly 108,000 US paperbacks in 2023; on both TIME's best YA and best fantasy lists.
A brilliant young criminal mastermind gathers five dangerous outcasts for a heist that could make them rich, if it does not kill them first. Their target is the most secure stronghold in the world. A sharp, fast-paced fantasy heist story.
Evidence and sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the best young adult book of all time?
On our list it is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Over 360,000 US copies in 2025 across two paperback editions; the series has sold about 100 million.
Which young adult book should I read first?
Start with the top three: The Hunger Games, The Outsiders and The Giver. They are the most popular books in this genre right now, and each one is a good way into the rest of the list.
Are these books still popular today?
Yes. Every book here has evidence of strong sales or readership from the last few years, which you can see under “Evidence and sources” on each book. That is the main difference between this list and lists that only look back at history.
How often is this list updated?
We review it about once a month against current bestseller charts and change a book only when the evidence clearly changes.
Apart from this list, see the books we love most, hand-picked by QuickOnlineTips.
How we chose these books
1. Still selling and read today
Every book shows current demand from roughly the last three years: Audible best-seller charts (Audible is owned by Amazon), US independent bookstore bestseller lists from the American Booksellers Association, Publishers Weekly and Circana BookScan sales figures, and similar charts. Old books that nobody buys any more do not make the cut.
2. Stood the test of time
Every book was first published at least five years ago and has a lasting credential: a major award (such as the Pulitzer, Booker, Newbery or Hugo), a place on a respected all-time list (such as the Modern Library 100, TIME 100 or the BBC Big Read), or very large total sales.
3. Suitable for most readers
We leave out books built around explicit sexual content or graphic abuse, and books best known for being banned. Some books on the list deal with hard themes such as war, crime or loss, and the summaries say so.
Within each genre, books are ranked with current popularity weighted most, then lasting reputation. We review the list about once a month and swap a book only when the evidence clearly changes.
Book covers: Open Library. Links to each book go to Amazon. Last reviewed: October 2026.
More of the best books of all time
See the full 200 best books of all time list, or explore more fiction genres: Classic Novels, Literary Fiction Books, Historical Fiction Books, Romance Novels, Children's Books, Mystery and Thriller Books, Science Fiction Books, Fantasy Books, Horror Books.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, QuickOnlineTips earns from qualifying purchases.
