Best Nonfiction on Violence Social Issues Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is a classic coming-of-age book that portrays a darker, truer world. The story revolves around Ponyboy's struggle to find his place in a difficult world. The novel is raw and violent, but it also offers hope. The characters are powerful, and the message is impactful. The book is a must-read for teenagers and young adults who want to experience a moving and credible view of the outsiders from the inside.

The Anger Workbook for Teens is a comprehensive guide for managing anger and frustration. Written by a teen mental health expert, this book provides evidence-based treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help teens deal with negative thoughts without losing control. The book includes tools and techniques for managing anger, developing a personal anger profile, and noticing physical symptoms that occur when anger takes hold. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for teenagers struggling with anger and frustration, as well as parents and therapists looking for effective solutions.

The book, A 5 Is Against the Law, is an excellent resource for teens and young adults who have difficulty understanding social boundaries. It provides a compassionate but honest guide for those who struggle with social situations, using a concrete, direct, and simple approach. The author includes systemized scales and stories to visually illustrate what is meant by social boundaries. The book is user-friendly, with excellent suggestions and activities that can be done in a 1:1 format or a small group. Overall, this book is a valuable tool for parents, teachers, and therapists who work with adolescents and young adults with behavioral disorders.

Mindfulness for Teen Anger is a comprehensive and wise workbook that offers practical tools and meditations to help understand, work with, and transform anger. The book uses proven effective mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) techniques to teach teens the difference between healthy and unhealthy forms of anger. The book also teaches teens how to make better choices, find emotional balance, and build positive relationships with peers, friends, and family. This book is a life raft, a survival kit, and a refuge for teens struggling with anger and aggression.

"In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer" is a powerful memoir that tells the story of Irene Gut Opdyke, a Polish patriot and a Catholic girl who became a resistance fighter and a defier of the SS and the Nazis during World War II. The book is a testament to individual courage and the basic human decency of ordinary people. Irene's story is one of bravery, resilience, and selflessness that will leave a lasting impact on readers. The book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Holocaust history and the triumph of the human spirit.

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty is a gripping graphic dramatization of events that occurred in Chicago in 1994, exploring the gritty realities of youth gang life. Neri's protagonist, Roger, is a moral compass, who attempts to make sense of his classmate Robert "Yummy" Sandifer's death. The book forces readers to question their own understandings of good and bad, right and wrong. The illustrations by DuBurke evoke the heightened emotions of the time, and the artist adeptly balances the contradictions of Yummy's life. This biography comic book is a much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers thinking deeply.

83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary is a compelling graphic novel that brings to life the complexities and horrors of the war in Ukraine. The book focuses on the siege of Mariupol and the brave people who defended their city against Russian forces. Don Brown's compassionate and journalistic approach offers readers a glimpse into the senseless destruction, patriotism, and grit against long odds. The book is an important piece of history in progress, and readers will not fail to be moved.

The Self-Love Workbook for Teens is a practical guide that helps teenagers build their self-esteem, develop self-awareness, and practice self-compassion. The book provides exercises and prompts that encourage reflection and introspection, helping young people gain a better understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The workbook teaches teens how to practice self-care and self-compassion, helping them develop strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. The exercises are easy to follow and will help teenagers learn how to love and accept themselves just the way they are. Overall, this book is an excellent tool for teenagers who are struggling with self-doubt and lack of confidence.

From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry recounts the killing of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man, at the hands of two white men in 1982. The book details the lenient sentence given to the perpetrators, which sparked outrage and led to the first federal civil rights trial involving a crime against an Asian American. Paula Yoo's extensively researched and nuanced account of this pivotal moment in civil rights history is a compelling read. It is a must-read for those interested in understanding the Asian American movement and the fight against racism and hatred. The book's recognition as a finalist for the 2022 YALSA Award for Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction is well deserved.

The Anger Management Workbook for Teen Boys is a valuable resource for young men struggling with anger management. Written by an expert in anger management, the book provides CBT skills to cope with angry thoughts, express emotions, and resolve issues peacefully. The author also provides essential skills for communicating thoughts and feelings, and to understand the emotions that trigger anger. The book is packed with tips and tricks to replace unhelpful anger with clear communication, reduce the overwhelming physiological response of anger, and channel the positive power of anger. Overall, this book is an easy-to-learn method for managing anger and expressing emotions in a healthy way.