Are you looking for reading recommendations for teens? We can help! Visit us in person or online to get great ideas for your next great read. For one-on-one help call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations. You can also call, text, or email ask-a- librarian! Here are some more ideas to help you find what to read next.
- Follow our staff’s most recently published book lists on the library catalog home page.
- Don’t miss our If You Like… suggestions that cover all the favorite genres like science fiction, graphic novels, romance, and more.
- Join us Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m. on Facebook for Currently Reading where book enthusiasts offer their suggestions.
- Tune in every other Wednesday at 10 a.m. to the Indy Now Book Club with Ryan and Jillian on Fox59 for reading recommendations and IndyPL program highlights from your own local librarians.
- You can also get reading recommendations online from NovelList or Book Connections. Read book reviews, see “read alike” lists, browse starred reviews, and more.
Reading Recommendations for Teens – June 2023
Make a selection from one of the book lists below created by our staff of avid readers whose reading experiences and tastes cover about any interest you can think of!
Standalone Mysteries for Adults and Teens
From Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes to Alex Cross and Jack Reacher, the detectives in popular mystery novels are often as famous as the titles themselves. Serial releases are arguably most at home in the mystery genre, where familiar investigators tackle new, exhilarating cases in every entry. Yet many readers may not want to get into a series without starting from the beginning, and there are few feelings more disappointing for such a reader than picking up a new bestseller only to find it’s the latest in a long-running series. If you find you can empathize with this feeling, consider a read from the following list, which is composed entirely of standalone mysteries or first entries in a series.
Space Opera for Teens
young adult fiction + space opera = adventure, romance, danger, high stakes, outkasts, and more! What more could you want?
Afrofuturism titles for tweens & teens and fans of Wakanda
On the grown-up side there are the wonderful Afrofuturists: Octavia Butler, N.K. Jemisin, and local author Maurice Broaddus…for kids and teens check out some of these titles for fans of Black Panther. What would your super power be? What do you want the future to look like?
The 6th Annual Center for Black Literature & Culture Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration will take place Saturday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Library. This year’s author presentation is called Afrofuturism: A Glimpse into the Black Future. Learn more about Book Fest and the Juneteenth Celebration.
Books Featuring Deaf Characters for Tweens and Teens
Deaf culture is proud and storied, full of overcoming adversity, building relationships, and viewing the world through a different lens. The following books are for teens and tweens and feature Deaf characters, most of which are written by Deaf and hard of hearing authors. Many of these books received acclaim. All of them share stories that are important for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing but also for the hearing and verbal audience.
A Literary Stroll through NYC for Teens
Teen (and more than a few adult) readers will enjoy these books set in New York City. Stories that will take you throughout the 5 boroughs and to different points in history.
Minecraft @ Central Library!
The Learning Curve @ Central Library has started its Minecraft Club back up and running! Kids ages 8 and up can share, collaborate, create, and teach one another how to be master builders in a safe digital environment. Minecraft Club happens every Monday evening from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Central Library. Here are some materials to give you some ideas for the next Minecraft Club! See our Minecraft Club schedule.
My Journey Through Books Made into Movies
With the upcoming movie adaptation of “Are you There God, It’s me Margaret” by Judy Blume, I thought this would be a fun time to share some of my favorite book to movie adaptations. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list and only includes items where I have both read the book and watched the movie and, generally, liked them both.
Teen Manga
Explore the teen Manga collection at IndyPL! Manga is a style of Japanese comic books, aimed at adults, teens, and children. If you’re new to the genre, you’ll find the first book of many popular teen series here. Click on the book to find the rest in the series!
Teens in Peril in Space
Nothing spices up adolescence like killer aliens. Or hard vacuum. Or a sinister interstellar conspiracy.
In-Person & Online Book Discussions for Teens
- Event: IMANI Bookclub
- Date & Time: Wednesday, June 21, 3:30pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Join the Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) and the Center for Leadership in helping children build core competencies in literacy this summer! This event will be focused on 7th and 8th graders, and will concentrate on the book “Between the Lines” by Nikki Grimes.
- Register Here
- Event: Teen Book Club at East 38th Street
- Date & Time: Monday, June 26, 5:30pm
- Location: East 38th Street Branch
- Description: Join us as we read and discuss teen literature featuring authors and characters of color. This month’s title is “The Stars Beneath Our Feet” by David Barclay Moore.
- Register Here
- Event: Teen Book Club at East 38th Street
- Date & Time: Monday, July 24, 5:30pm
- Location: East 38th Street Branch
- Description: Join us as we read and discuss teen literature featuring authors and characters of color. This month’s title is “On the Come Up” by Angie Thomas.
- Register Here