Best Fiction about Self Esteem & Reliance Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

A New York Times bestseller. In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel “is a poignant book that realistically looks at the lasting effects of trauma on love, relationships, and life” (School Library Journal, starred review).. Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn’t change who she was. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes. What was once simple, is now complex. What Eden once loved—who she once loved—she now hates. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore, and she knows she’s supposed to tell someone what happened but she can’t. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she used to be. Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year—this provocative debut reveals the deep cuts of trauma. But it also demonstrates one young woman’s strength as she navigates the disappointment and unbearable pains of adolescence, of first love and first heartbreak, of friendships broken and rebuilt, all while learning to embrace the power of survival she never knew she had hidden within her heart.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

The second book in Suzanne Collins's phenomenal and worldwide bestselling Hunger Games trilogy is now available in trade paperback.Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just earned for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules, and now there are rumors of rebellion in the districts. Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is a captivating start to The Folk of the Air series. The novel follows Jude, a mortal girl who is taken to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie after her parents are murdered. Despite facing hostility from many of the fey, including Prince Cardan, Jude longs to belong in their world. To win a place at the Court, she must defy Cardan and become embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions. Black's world-building is masterful, immersing readers in a magical realm filled with danger and intrigue. The Cruel Prince is a dark and seductive read that will leave readers desperate for more.

The beloved, #1 global bestseller by John Green, author of The Anthropocene Reviewed and Turtles All the Way Down. “John Green is one of the best writers alive.” –E. Lockhart, #1 bestselling author of We Were Liars. “The greatest romance story of this decade.″ –Entertainment Weekly. #1 New York Times Bestseller • #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller • #1 USA Today Bestseller • #1 International Bestseller. Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.. From John Green, #1 bestselling author of The Anthropocene Reviewed and Turtles All the Way Down, The Fault in Our Stars is insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw. It brilliantly explores the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley is an award-winning YA thriller about an Anishinaabe woman, Daunis Fontaine, who becomes an undercover operative in an FBI investigation of a new lethal drug. As she draws on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source of the drug, she uncovers secrets and old scars that complicate the investigation. This groundbreaking novel with four starred reviews is perfect for readers of Angie Thomas and Tommy Orange.

When You Wish Upon a Star: A Twisted Tale is a captivating and thrilling book that twists the classic Disney story of Pinocchio into an enthralling tale. The story follows the Blue Fairy, who defies fairy law and grants Geppetto's wish to have a child, leading to a chain of dramatic events. The book is part of the A TWISTED TALE series, which reimagines Disney stories in new and exciting ways. This book is perfect for teens and young adults who love dark and twisted fairy tales. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good twist on a classic tale.

The critically acclaimed, instant #1 bestseller by John Green, author of The Anthropocene Reviewed and The Fault in Our Stars“A tender story about learning to cope when the world feels out of control.” —People. “A sometimes heartbreaking, always illuminating, glimpse into how it feels to live with mental illness.” – NPR. John Green, the award-winning, international bestselling author of The Anthropocene Reviewed, returns with a story of shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.. Aza Holmes never intended to pursuethe disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Pickett’s son Davis. . Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.