Best Fiction on Physical & Emotional Abuse Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a captivating science fiction action and adventure book that takes place ten years after the war between the Districts and the Capitol. This novel follows Coriolanus Snow, the future President Snow, as he mentors the female tribute from District 12 in the tenth annual Hunger Games. The story is filled with ambition, competition, and the price of power. Despite being assigned to mentor the lowest tribute, Coriolanus forms a connection with his doomed tribute and must decide whether to follow the rules or survive at all costs. This book is a must-read for fans of The Hunger Games series and offers a unique perspective on the infamous President Snow.

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow is a heart-wrenching story about a seventeen-year-old girl, Charlotte Davis, who has lost more than most people do in a lifetime. She copes with her pain by cutting herself and living on the edge until she hits rock bottom. The novel is a deeply moving portrait of a girl in a world that owes her nothing but has taken so much. Glasgow's writing is raw, visceral, and beautifully written. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience what it's like to survive the unsurvivable.

The Way I Used to Be is a poignant novel that follows the story of Eden, a high school student who goes through a traumatic experience that changes her life forever. The book delves into the deep cuts of trauma and the lasting effects of sexual assault on love, relationships, and life. Told in four parts, the novel showcases Eden's strength as she navigates adolescence, first love, heartbreak, and friendships, all while learning to embrace the power of survival hidden within her heart. This book is a must-read for teens and young adults who have experienced rape and abuse. Amber Smith's honest and searing portrayal of trauma makes this novel unique and an important addition to every collection.

This hardcover box set includes all four books in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. The story takes place in the nation of Panem, where the Capitol forces one boy and girl from each of the twelve districts to participate in an annual fight to the death called the Hunger Games. The thrilling and thought-provoking story follows the main character, Katniss, as she fights for survival and becomes a symbol of hope for the oppressed districts. The books have received high praise from notable authors, including Stephen King and John Green. Overall, this box set is a must-have for fans of science fiction action and adventure and YA literature.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins is a worldwide-bestselling science fiction action and adventure book series for teens and young adults. The series is set in the ruins of North America, where the nation of Panem is surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol maintains its control over the districts by forcing them to send one boy and one girl aged twelve to eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. The series follows sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen as she becomes a contender in the Hunger Games. The series is a perfect gift for fans of the books or movies, with its raw power and electrifying world-building that channels the political passion of 1984, the detailed inventiveness of Harry Potter, and the memorable violence of A Clockwork Orange.

The Hunger Games trilogy continues with Catching Fire, where Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark find themselves as the faces of a rebellion against the Capitol after winning the annual Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins's writing is powerful and raw, creating a gripping story that improves upon the first book. Catching Fire is a #1 USA Today Bestseller, #1 New York Times Bestseller, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, and #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller. This science fiction action and adventure book for teens and young adults is a must-read for those who enjoyed The Hunger Games and want to continue the journey with Katniss and Peeta.

The final book in Suzanne Collins's worldwide bestselling Hunger Games trilogy, "Mockingjay" takes readers on a thrilling adventure as the rebellion against the Capitol unfolds. Katniss Everdeen must become the Mockingjay and lead the rebels to victory, even if it means putting her own life on the line. With complex characters, imaginative prose, and unexpected plot twists, Mockingjay is a fitting conclusion to a beloved series. Fans of the Hunger Games trilogy, as well as readers of science fiction action and adventure, will be captivated by this book and its unique take on a dystopian future.

The Hunger Games is a gripping story of survival, set in a postapocalyptic world, where the Capitol forces two children from each district to participate in a televised fight to the death. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen takes her sister's place in the games and becomes a fierce contender. But if she is to win, she must make choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. This science fiction action and adventure book is a must-read for teens and young adults. Scholastic Press has done a fantastic job of bringing Suzanne Collins's worldwide bestselling series to life.

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson is a captivating coming-of-age story that follows the journey of Cole Matthews, a juvenile offender who is sent to a remote Alaskan Island to participate in an alternative program called Circle Justice. After being mauled by a mysterious white bear, Cole is forced to confront his anger and seek redemption from himself, his victims, and the spirit bear. Mikaelson's vivid portrayal of a troubled youth examines the roots of anger without absolving the character of responsibility for his actions. This book is a poignant reminder of the power of pain to destroy or heal.

SOLD is a National Book Award Finalist that tells the story of a young girl named Lakshmi who is sold into prostitution by her stepfather. Despite the unimaginable horrors she faces, Lakshmi finds the strength to endure and form friendships with the other girls. Written in spare and evocative vignettes, this powerful novel by the co-author of I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition) renders a world that is as unimaginable as it is real. It is a hard-hitting and poignant read that sheds light on the issue of human trafficking and the resilience of girls.