Summer reads for teens

A tense, accessible ghost story that also exposes harsh truths about social injustice.

Hope Valentine is about to find out that life isn’t a movie – even when you’re a member of an acting dynasty – in this light-hearted but satisfying new series from Geek Girl author Holly Smale.

It’s really exciting to be starting at Roller Derby summer camp, but less so when Astrid finds herself doing it alone. A fantastic full-colour graphic novel about friendship and awesome, strong girls, this a genuine joy to read. 

When Molly finds out she’s half-mermaid, she knows she’ll never be normal. Or popular. A brilliantly insightful and super fun story about growing up, navigating friendships and first crushes, and figuring out how you fit in. 

Thirteen-year-old Marnus finds himself at the centre of a protest when he and a girl named Leila camp out in a tree to prevent it from being cut down by developers. This is the perfect feel-good book from one of South Africa’s top children’s authors.

Did Dan and Florence really see a body in a car? And where is it now? An atmospheric, tense murder mystery set in a hot summer. 

If Felix can win Canada’s biggest junior quiz show, he and his mum can stop living in a car park. Or is that just wishful thinking? Felix’s story is hard to put down and the gritty issue of homelessness is tackled with sensitivity and gentle humour.

An internationally acclaimed performance poet and YouTube phenomenon, Thakur writes with passion and conviction about everyday life alongside wider social issues, reminding us that they are intricately linked: the personal is political, after all.

Each month, when there’s a full moon, the adults of Tremorglade transform into werewolves and the children must lock them away until they return to their human form. However, a series of escapes puts the whole town at risk. A gripping teenage horror, with just the right balance of gore, tension and humour.

17-year-old Cassandra lives an eccentric existence with her bohemian family in a crumbling castle in the English countryside, in this delightful classic coming-of-age story.

What at first appears to be a frothy beach read ends up tackling some tough issues and exploring both the joys and sorrows which characterise a girl’s transition to adulthood.

Bea’s dad is gay and he’s marrying his boyfriend Jesse, who Bea loves. Bea lives half of her week with mum, half of the week with dad. When Sonia, Jesse’s daughter, comes to stay, Bea is really excited about the prospect of a new sister, but it all feels strange to Sonia. Will Bea get the sister she’s always wanted?

Grace micro-manages her life and friends to make sure her online identity is super-attractive and super-cool (#blessed). Written as diary entries, emails and texts, Grace and Erin’s story is unpredictable, revealing and very funny. 

When Luke’s dad joins climate protestors squatting in the house opposite, it rocks their family’s foundations. Funny and moving, with convincing characters.

An insightful and engrossing portrait of a unique friendship that might be threatened when four girls have to spend their summer away from one another.

When Shaun, aka MC Growls, goes viral, and not in a good way, he and his mate Shanks become a laughing stock. Told with infectious enthusiasm for life, and with many laugh-out-loud moments, this hilarious and moving coming-of-age story is perfect for young teens.

Last summer, Skye had lots of friends, was part of the swim team and lived in a nice big house. But then her sister Luisa died in a tragic accident, and now everything has changed. This moving YA debut is also a gripping psychological thriller.

Anna’s Ma hasn’t got out of bed for weeks and it’s up to Anna to take care of her family. But when Ma finally leaves her room, things don’t exactly go as Anna had planned. This beautiful book takes a nuanced and sensitive approach to a loved one experiencing a mental health problem, and highlights the importance of our own emotional wellbeing. 

Moving to a new school, making new friends and having your first boyfriend – these are all challenging things. But for Serenity, who is struggling with having lost her family in tragic circumstances, they are tougher challenges than they are for most people.

Fate leads Liam to find an abandoned baby and as a result his life becomes entwined with that of Oliver, an African boy seeking asylum and Crystal, an emotionally damaged girl.

A story of friendship and romance told in a funny and inclusive graphic novel that celebrates the joy and diversity of Halloween traditions in the USA. 

Tabby hopes that moving to a new town will release her from the relentless bullying of her ex-best friend. This debut novel from a well-known book blogger and YouTuber is an absolute must for anyone who is fed up with trying to fit in.