Best Fiction on Drugs & Alcohol Abuse Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

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.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir is a heartbreaking and unforgettable novel about family, friendship, love, and loss. The story takes place in Lahore, Pakistan, and Juniper, California, and follows the lives of Misbah, Toufiq, Salahudin, and Noor. The book explores the struggles of immigrants, the challenges of running a family motel, and the complexities of friendship. Tahir's writing is poetic, and her characters are beautifully flawed and relatable. All My Rage is a must-read for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction with a touch of tragedy and a lot of heart.

Family of Liars is the addictive prequel to We Were Liars, the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come. The novel takes readers to an idyllic Beechwood Island, where the Sinclair family’s deeply-rooted rifts and allegiances come to light. The book is full of plot twists, betrayal, and ugly family secrets that will leave fans of the first novel in awe. Lockhart’s poetic and thoughtful writing style, combined with superb character development and a dark, supernatural angle, make this an atmospheric story that will welcome new and seasoned readers to the Sinclair family.

The Crank Trilogy's first book, Crank, written by Ellen Hopkins, is a #1 New York Times bestseller that tells the story of Kristina Snow, a gifted high school junior who meets the monster: crank. What starts as an exhilarating ride soon turns into a struggle through hell for her life, mind, and soul. Hopkins, a master poet, crafts a gripping tale of addiction that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The book is an excellent read for young adults interested in fiction on dating and sex, and its unique style and plot set it apart from other books in the genre.

The book "Go Ask Alice" is a classic cautionary tale about a teenager who falls into a downward spiral of addiction after being served a soft drink laced with LSD. Through her diary, readers are taken on a journey from her comfortable home and loving family to the mean streets of an unforgiving city. This first-person account of a teenage girl's harrowing descent into the nightmarish world of drugs has left an indelible mark on generations of teen readers. The book is an important read for all teenagers and parents of teenagers as it provides a document of horrifying reality and literary quality.

Another classic from the author of the internationally bestselling The OutsidersContinue celebrating 50 years of The Outsiders by reading this companion novel. That Was Then, This is Now is S. E. Hinton's moving portrait of the bond between best friends Bryon and Mark and the tensions that develop between them as they begin to grow up and grow apart. . "A mature, disciplined novel which excites a response in the reader . . . Hard to forget."—The New York Times

Whirligig is a touching novel about Brent Bishop, a teenager struggling with self-doubt and guilt. After a failed attempt at ending his life, Brent embarks on a journey of redemption by building whirligigs that bring hope to people in need. Paul Fleischman's writing is filled with beautiful imagery and a sense of interconnected spiraling that leaves readers feeling both hopeful and moved. This book is a must-read for young adults dealing with similar issues and anyone who enjoys a complex and rewarding story of personal growth.

The gripping conclusion to the Crank trilogy, Fallout, tells the story of Hunter, Autumn, and Summer, Kristina Snow's children, who are left to deal with addiction and troubled feelings towards their mother. As they each search for love and family, they find themselves pulled towards Kristina, the one person who links them together. Told in three voices and punctuated by news articles chronicling the family's story, Fallout is a testament to the harsh reality that addiction is never just one person's problem. Hopkins' pithy poetry delivers a festering emotional beating that drug addiction inflicts on individuals and families.

Glass (The Crank Trilogy) is a harrowing and disturbing portrayal of addiction and its aftermath. Ellen Hopkins, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, tells the story of Kristina, who tries to control her addiction to crystal meth to care for her baby. However, the monster is too strong, and Kristina finds herself giving up everything, including her child, to feed her addiction. Told in verse, this sequel to Crank is a vivid and powerful portrait of the victim to addiction. Overall, Glass is a compelling and heartbreaking read that sheds light on the devastating effects of addiction.

The Modern Faerie Tales Collection is a boxed set of three beautifully repackaged paperbacks by Holly Black. The New York Times bestselling Modern Faerie Tales trilogy takes readers into the dangerous world of the faerie courts. The books follow Kaye, a young girl who becomes an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms, and Valerie, a runaway who finds herself torn between her affection for an honorable monster and her fear of what her new friends are becoming. Overall, this collection is a must-read for fans of speculative and fantasy novels, with Black's writing transporting readers into a world of dark magic and fey courts.