Best Fiction on Depression & Mental Health Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

The New York Times bestseller "Every Last Word" by Tamara Ireland Stone is a powerful and poignant portrayal of mental illness in teens. The main character, Samantha, struggles to hide her Purely-Obsessional OCD from her popular friends, until she meets a new friend who introduces her to a group of misfits. As Samantha discovers a new side of herself, she begins to question her sanity and the values of the popular crowd. The author's writing is both honest and empathetic, making this book an important read for anyone dealing with mental health issues or looking to understand those who are.

The fourth installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, follows Harry as he navigates his way through a wizarding competition and the return of his arch-nemesis, Voldemort. The book boasts an intricate plot, imaginative details, and a climactic ending that will leave readers breathless. J.K. Rowling's superior imagination is on full display, making it a riveting and engrossing read. As the midpoint of a seven-book series, Goblet of Fire is a standout installment that sets the direction for the entire series and maintains the enchanting innocence that makes the Potter books so popular.

How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox is a beautifully written coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of mental illness, grief, and self-discovery. The book follows Biz, a teenage girl who struggles with depression, anxiety, and her sexual identity. After a traumatic event, Biz's world turns upside down, and she must navigate her way through loss and find hope for the future. Fox's writing is intimate and profound, capturing the raw emotions of her characters with sensitivity and depth. The book is a must-read for anyone looking for a powerful and moving LGBTQ+ fiction book for teens and young adults.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a powerful novel about a high school freshman, Melinda Sordino, who becomes an outcast after calling the cops on a party. She stops talking and retreats into her own mind, haunted by a traumatic event that no one else knows about. Anderson's writing is raw and honest, pulling readers into Melinda's isolated world and showcasing the harsh realities of high school life. Despite the heavy subject matter, the book also has moments of wit and humor that add depth to the story. Overall, Speak is a thought-provoking and touching read that will stay with readers long after they've finished.

All the Bright Places is a heart-rending love story about two high school kids named Violet and Finch who are both struggling with their own issues. Violet counts the days until graduation to escape her small Indiana town and the grief of her sister's death. Meanwhile, Finch is fascinated by death, and every day he thinks of ways he might kill himself. The two meet on the ledge of their school's bell tower, and soon, only with each other, they can be themselves. This book is a must-read for fans of young adult fiction about love, loss, and mental health.

We Are Not from Here is a poignant novel that tells the story of three teenagers who escape their dangerous hometown in Guatemala and embark on a perilous journey to the United States. Pulga, Chico, and Pequeña face unimaginable dangers as they make their way through Mexico, hoping for a better life. The book sheds light on the plight of migrants at the U.S. southern border and the hardships they endure. With its vivid storytelling and heart-wrenching prose, We Are Not from Here is an important and necessary read for young adults. It is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Turtles All the Way Down is a compelling novel by John Green that explores the struggles of living with mental illness. The story follows Aza Holmes, a teenage girl who tries to solve the mystery of a missing billionaire while dealing with her own obsessive-compulsive disorder. Green's writing is poignant and insightful, offering a glimpse into the complexities of mental illness. The book has received critical acclaim and is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of living with mental health issues.

Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford is a coming of age novel that explores the story of fifteen-year-old Jeff who wakes up in a psychiatric ward on New Year's Day. Jeff initially believes it's a mistake, but as he spends forty-five days in the ward, he begins to understand why he is there. The book is a riveting read with a sprinkle of dark humor and a full measure of humanness. The author's witty and refreshing writing style makes it a powerful emotional journey, and the book is both classic and edgy, timeless and provocative. Suicide Notes is an excellent LGBTQ+ fiction book for teens and young adults that will leave a lasting impression.

Holding Up the Universe is an emotional novel by Jennifer Niven that tells the story of Libby Strout, a girl who was once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen,” and Jack Masselin, a boy who can’t recognize faces. When they get caught up in a cruel high school game, they end up in group counseling and community service, where they find solace in each other's company. Niven delivers a poignant and exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are and seeing them right back. Holding Up the Universe is a must-read for anyone looking for a book that tackles themes of love, acceptance, and mental health in a unique and meaningful way.

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride is a haunting and beautiful young adult novel-in-verse about clinical depression and healing from trauma. The story follows Whimsy, a teenager in the hospital for treatment of depression, who meets Faerry, a boy with magical qualities, and together they navigate their shared experience of mental illness. The novel's atmospheric imagery and metaphors create a unique fairy-tale sequence that represents the characters' layers of depression. Overall, this book is a raw and fervent exploration of mental health that is sure to resonate with young readers.