🖤 Gritty Young Adult

Raw, unflinching stories that refuse to soften the sharp edges of adolescence, exploring violence, poverty, and survival with an honesty that respects young readers' intelligence.

Homeboyz

by Alan Sitomer • 2007

His sister killed by gangs, a teen genius must choose between revenge and saving a boy.

4.34

2k+

🔫 Gang Drama ⚔️ Revenge Quest 🧑‍🏫 Reluctant Mentor 🏠 Found Family 💔 Broken Home

Homeboyz 91%

His sister killed by gangs, a teen genius must choose between revenge and saving a boy.

by Alan Sitomer 2007

4.34

2k+ ratings

🔫 Gang Drama ⚔️ Revenge Quest 🧑‍🏫 Reluctant Mentor 🏠 Found Family 💔 Broken Home

The Torn Skirt

by Rebecca Godfrey • 2001

A quiet teen chases a runaway into a city's underworld, where one night lands her in handcuffs.

3.46

2k+

🔥 Teenage Rebellion 💔 Good Girl Gone Bad ☠️ Toxic Female Friendship 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✒️ Lyrical Prose

The Torn Skirt 90%

A quiet teen chases a runaway into a city's underworld, where one night lands her in handcuffs.

by Rebecca Godfrey 2001

3.46

2k+ ratings

🔥 Teenage Rebellion 💔 Good Girl Gone Bad ☠️ Toxic Female Friendship 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✒️ Lyrical Prose

Acceleration

by Graham McNamee • 2003

In the lost and found, a guilt-ridden teen uncovers a killer's diary and a countdown to murder.

3.74

5k+

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🔍 Teen Sleuths 💧 Survivor's Guilt 🛡️ Reluctant Hero 👥 Found Family

Acceleration 90%

In the lost and found, a guilt-ridden teen uncovers a killer's diary and a countdown to murder.

by Graham McNamee 2003

3.74

5k+ ratings

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🔍 Teen Sleuths 💧 Survivor's Guilt 🛡️ Reluctant Hero 👥 Found Family

We Are Not From Here

by Jenny Torres Sanchez • 2020

After witnessing a gang murder, three Guatemalan teens must flee on the freight trains north.

4.47

8k+

🚂 Migrant Journey 👻 Ghostly Visions 🖤 Gritty Ya 👥 Found Family 🏜️ Border Crossing

We Are Not From Here 89%

After witnessing a gang murder, three Guatemalan teens must flee on the freight trains north.

by Jenny Torres Sanchez 2020

4.47

8k+ ratings

🚂 Migrant Journey 👻 Ghostly Visions 🖤 Gritty Ya 👥 Found Family 🏜️ Border Crossing

Heroine

by Mindy McGinnis • 2019

A softball catcher starts OxyContin to heal. She keeps using it to hide.

4.28

14k+

🖤 Teen Addiction 🦴 Sports Injury 💊 Opioid Addiction 🥎 Athlete Protagonist 🎭 Unreliable Narrator

Heroine 89%

A softball catcher starts OxyContin to heal. She keeps using it to hide.

by Mindy McGinnis 2019

4.28

14k+ ratings

🖤 Teen Addiction 🦴 Sports Injury 💊 Opioid Addiction 🥎 Athlete Protagonist 🎭 Unreliable Narrator

Campos de fresas (Novela ambientada en el mundo de las drogas).

by Jordi Sierra i Fabra • 1997

A teenager overdoses on a party drug; her friends have hours to find the antidote.

3.24

8k+

💊 Teen Drug Use 🍽️ Eating Disorder 👥 Friends In Crisis ⏳ Race Against Time 🎭 Gritty Realism

Campos de fresas (Novela ambientada en el mundo de las drogas). Summary

Campos de fresas (Novela ambientada en el mundo de las drogas). 89%

A teenager overdoses on a party drug; her friends have hours to find the antidote.

by Jordi Sierra i Fabra 1997

3.24

8k+ ratings

💊 Teen Drug Use 🍽️ Eating Disorder 👥 Friends In Crisis ⏳ Race Against Time 🎭 Gritty Realism

Crank

by Ellen Hopkins • 2004

At her addict father's, a good girl tries meth and fractures into a reckless double.

4.16

156k+

💉 Addiction Fiction 🎭 Verse Novel 👥 Dual Identity 🌀 Good Girl Unraveling 💔 Toxic First Love

Crank 89%

At her addict father's, a good girl tries meth and fractures into a reckless double.

by Ellen Hopkins 2004

4.16

156k+ ratings

💉 Addiction Fiction 🎭 Verse Novel 👥 Dual Identity 🌀 Good Girl Unraveling 💔 Toxic First Love

The Glass Girl

by Kathleen Glasgow • 2024

She holds her family together and drinks herself apart, until a blackout forces her into rehab.

4.29

21k+

🍺 Teen Alcoholism 🫂 Group Therapy 🏥 Rehab 👧 Parentified Teen 📖 Nonlinear Narrative

The Glass Girl 89%

She holds her family together and drinks herself apart, until a blackout forces her into rehab.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2024

4.29

21k+ ratings

🍺 Teen Alcoholism 🫂 Group Therapy 🏥 Rehab 👧 Parentified Teen 📖 Nonlinear Narrative

Jumper

by Steven Gould • 2002

A brutal beating reveals a teenager can teleport. Now the government wants to own him.

3.93

16k+

🔮 Teleportation Power 🔋 Grounded Superpowers 💥 Power Born From Trauma 🏙️ Gritty Survival 🕵️ Government Pursuit

Jumper 89%

A brutal beating reveals a teenager can teleport. Now the government wants to own him.

by Steven Gould 2002

3.93

16k+ ratings

🔮 Teleportation Power 🔋 Grounded Superpowers 💥 Power Born From Trauma 🏙️ Gritty Survival 🕵️ Government Pursuit

Scorpions

by Walter Dean Myers • 1995

A Harlem boy inherits his brother's gang and a gun, learning their true cost.

3.8

3k+

🔫 Gang Life 💔 Tragic Friendship 🏚️ Inner City 🌧️ Childhood Lost 💥 Gun Violence

Scorpions 89%

A Harlem boy inherits his brother's gang and a gun, learning their true cost.

by Walter Dean Myers 1995

3.8

3k+ ratings

🔫 Gang Life 💔 Tragic Friendship 🏚️ Inner City 🌧️ Childhood Lost 💥 Gun Violence

Calamity

by Brandon Sanderson • 2016

The last Reckoners must save their fallen mentor and stop the star turning superhumans into tyrants.

4.17

93k+

🦸 Superhero Deconstruction 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🌅 Redemption Arc 🏚️ Dystopian World 🎭 Gritty Superheroes

Calamity 89%

The last Reckoners must save their fallen mentor and stop the star turning superhumans into tyrants.

by Brandon Sanderson 2016

4.17

93k+ ratings

🦸 Superhero Deconstruction 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🌅 Redemption Arc 🏚️ Dystopian World 🎭 Gritty Superheroes

So Damn Sketchy

by Bonnie Kent • 2020

A girl loses her parents, then herself, in the arms of her brother's best friend.

3.93

218

🔥 Dark Coming Of Age 💔 Parental Abandonment ⚠️ Blurred Boundaries 💀 Self Destruction 🏚️ Homelessness

So Damn Sketchy 89%

A girl loses her parents, then herself, in the arms of her brother's best friend.

by Bonnie Kent 2020

3.93

218 ratings

🔥 Dark Coming Of Age 💔 Parental Abandonment ⚠️ Blurred Boundaries 💀 Self Destruction 🏚️ Homelessness

Storm Breaker

by Nisha J. Tuli • 2026

In storm-battered Manhattan, an heiress hides a death-sentence secret: she can survive the storms.

4.05

4k+

🏫 Magical Academy 🫥 Hidden Powers 💔 Enemies To Lovers 🤝 Found Family 💕 Dystopian Romance

Storm Breaker 89%

In storm-battered Manhattan, an heiress hides a death-sentence secret: she can survive the storms.

by Nisha J. Tuli 2026

4.05

4k+ ratings

🏫 Magical Academy 🫥 Hidden Powers 💔 Enemies To Lovers 🤝 Found Family 💕 Dystopian Romance

UnWholly

by Neal Shusterman • 2012

Connor's sanctuary splinters when a vengeful rebel demands war and the state prepares to strike.

4.24

68k+

🩸 Dystopian Body Horror 🧬 Artificial Personhood 🏥 Medical Dystopia 🔥 Radicalized Rebel 📺 Media Manipulation

UnWholly 89%

Connor's sanctuary splinters when a vengeful rebel demands war and the state prepares to strike.

by Neal Shusterman 2012

4.24

68k+ ratings

🩸 Dystopian Body Horror 🧬 Artificial Personhood 🏥 Medical Dystopia 🔥 Radicalized Rebel 📺 Media Manipulation

Gone

by Michael Grant • 2008

After the adults vanish, kids in a dome develop powers and two leaders battle for control.

3.87

211k+

🧒 Children Without Adults ⚡ Kids With Powers 🏘️ Isolated Small Town ⚔️ Brothers As Enemies ⏰ Ticking Clock

Gone 89%

After the adults vanish, kids in a dome develop powers and two leaders battle for control.

by Michael Grant 2008

3.87

211k+ ratings

🧒 Children Without Adults ⚡ Kids With Powers 🏘️ Isolated Small Town ⚔️ Brothers As Enemies ⏰ Ticking Clock

Seconds Away

by Harlan Coben • 2012

A Nazi photo of his father's paramedic pulls a teen athlete into a classmate's mother's murder.

4.06

20k+

🕵️ Teen Sleuth 🫂 Found Family 💔 Grief-Driven Investigation 🖤 Dark Family Secrets 🤐 Protective Lies

Seconds Away 89%

A Nazi photo of his father's paramedic pulls a teen athlete into a classmate's mother's murder.

by Harlan Coben 2012

4.06

20k+ ratings

🕵️ Teen Sleuth 🫂 Found Family 💔 Grief-Driven Investigation 🖤 Dark Family Secrets 🤐 Protective Lies

Scars Like Wings

by Erin Stewart • 2019

A fire orphaned her. Her scars made her a spectacle. High school demands she be seen.

4.05

7k+

🩹 Visible Difference 🎭 School Theater 💔 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🏠 Chosen Family

Scars Like Wings 89%

A fire orphaned her. Her scars made her a spectacle. High school demands she be seen.

by Erin Stewart 2019

4.05

7k+ ratings

🩹 Visible Difference 🎭 School Theater 💔 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🏠 Chosen Family

[We All Fall Down] (By

by Robert Cormier • 1991

A trashed home, a comatose girl, and the silent watcher who has already killed once.

3.80

3k+

🧠 Psychological Thriller ⚖️ Vigilante Justice 🏘️ Small Town Crime 🏚️ Home Invasion 😔 Teen Perpetrators

[We All Fall Down] (By 89%

A trashed home, a comatose girl, and the silent watcher who has already killed once.

by Robert Cormier 1991

3.80

3k+ ratings

🧠 Psychological Thriller ⚖️ Vigilante Justice 🏘️ Small Town Crime 🏚️ Home Invasion 😔 Teen Perpetrators

A Deeper Love Inside

by Sister Souljah • 2013

Her father's arrest dethrones a Brooklyn princess. Inside juvenile detention, survival is a hustle.

4.13

7k+

🏙️ Urban Fiction 🔒 Juvenile Detention 👥 Found Family 💕 First Love 💔 Parental Addiction

A Deeper Love Inside 89%

Her father's arrest dethrones a Brooklyn princess. Inside juvenile detention, survival is a hustle.

by Sister Souljah 2013

4.13

7k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Fiction 🔒 Juvenile Detention 👥 Found Family 💕 First Love 💔 Parental Addiction

The Female of the Species

by Mindy McGinnis • 2016

She killed her sister's murderer. Now she hides it while falling for the golden boy.

4.14

39k+

🖤 Anti-Heroine 🔪 Female Rage 🗡️ Vigilante Justice 🚫 Rape Culture 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

The Female of the Species 88%

She killed her sister's murderer. Now she hides it while falling for the golden boy.

by Mindy McGinnis 2016

4.14

39k+ ratings

🖤 Anti-Heroine 🔪 Female Rage 🗡️ Vigilante Justice 🚫 Rape Culture 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Go Ask Alice

by Beatrice Sparks • 1971

A lonely teen's diary begins with hope, but a spiked drink sends her into drug addiction.

3.73

293k+

📓 Diary Format ⚠️ Cautionary Tale 🏃‍♀️ Runaway Teen 🖤 Confessional 🌑 Dark And Gritty

Go Ask Alice 88%

A lonely teen's diary begins with hope, but a spiked drink sends her into drug addiction.

by Beatrice Sparks 1971

3.73

293k+ ratings

📓 Diary Format ⚠️ Cautionary Tale 🏃‍♀️ Runaway Teen 🖤 Confessional 🌑 Dark And Gritty

Sadie

by Courtney Summers • 2018

When her thirteen-year-old sister is murdered, a girl with a stutter and a switchblade goes hunting.

4.03

132k+

🎙️ True Crime Fiction 🔪 Vigilante Justice 🛣️ Dark Road Trip 🌀 Unreliable Narrator 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Sadie 88%

When her thirteen-year-old sister is murdered, a girl with a stutter and a switchblade goes hunting.

by Courtney Summers 2018

4.03

132k+ ratings

🎙️ True Crime Fiction 🔪 Vigilante Justice 🛣️ Dark Road Trip 🌀 Unreliable Narrator 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

The Gender War

by Bella Forrest • 2017

Imprisoned in a matriarchy, a rebel endures torture as her warden lover escapes to rescue her.

4.09

14k+

⚧️ Gendered Societies 🏚️ Gritty Dystopia 🔓 Prison Escape ✊ Reluctant Resistance 🧬 Genetic Experiments

The Gender War 88%

Imprisoned in a matriarchy, a rebel endures torture as her warden lover escapes to rescue her.

by Bella Forrest 2017

4.09

14k+ ratings

⚧️ Gendered Societies 🏚️ Gritty Dystopia 🔓 Prison Escape ✊ Reluctant Resistance 🧬 Genetic Experiments

The Left Hand of God

by Paul Hoffman • 2010

Forged inside a brutal fortress, a boy escapes and learns he is the destroyer prophecy foretold.

3.65

19k+

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Military Fantasy 🌑 Dark Chosen One 💀 Brutal Training Academy 🫂 Found Family

The Left Hand of God 88%

Forged inside a brutal fortress, a boy escapes and learns he is the destroyer prophecy foretold.

by Paul Hoffman 2010

3.65

19k+ ratings

🖤 Grimdark Fantasy ⚔️ Military Fantasy 🌑 Dark Chosen One 💀 Brutal Training Academy 🫂 Found Family

The Rule of Three

by Eric Walters • 2014

A tech collapse forces a teen to lead his neighborhood's defense against a ruthless enemy.

4.00

8k+

💻 Tech Collapse 🫂 Found Family 🛡️ Makeshift Militia 👤 Reluctant Leader 🧠 Strategic Planning

The Rule of Three 88%

A tech collapse forces a teen to lead his neighborhood's defense against a ruthless enemy.

by Eric Walters 2014

4.00

8k+ ratings

💻 Tech Collapse 🫂 Found Family 🛡️ Makeshift Militia 👤 Reluctant Leader 🧠 Strategic Planning

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II

by Jack Canfield • 1998

Real stories from real teenagers who survived the worst of high school to share what helped.

3.98

7k+

🙋 Teen Self-Help 📖 Inspirational Anthologies 🎤 True Life Stories 📝 Life Lessons 🏔️ Adolescent Struggles

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II Summary

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II 88%

Real stories from real teenagers who survived the worst of high school to share what helped.

by Jack Canfield 1998

3.98

7k+ ratings

🙋 Teen Self-Help 📖 Inspirational Anthologies 🎤 True Life Stories 📝 Life Lessons 🏔️ Adolescent Struggles

The Killing

by Robert Muchamore • 2005

A thirteen-year-old spy infiltrates a London crime family to expose a murder and casino heist.

4.15

22k+

🕵️ Child Spies 💥 Training Gone Wrong 👫 Sibling Bond ⚖️ Corrupt Authority 🔫 Crime Family

The Killing 88%

A thirteen-year-old spy infiltrates a London crime family to expose a murder and casino heist.

by Robert Muchamore 2005

4.15

22k+ ratings

🕵️ Child Spies 💥 Training Gone Wrong 👫 Sibling Bond ⚖️ Corrupt Authority 🔫 Crime Family

Glass

by Ellen Hopkins • 2007

To survive motherhood, a teen relapses, and her dangerous alter ego takes the wheel.

4.29

75k+

💉 Meth Addiction 📜 Verse Novel 👥 Dual Identity 🍼 Teen Motherhood 🔁 Cycle Of Addiction

Glass 88%

To survive motherhood, a teen relapses, and her dangerous alter ego takes the wheel.

by Ellen Hopkins 2007

4.29

75k+ ratings

💉 Meth Addiction 📜 Verse Novel 👥 Dual Identity 🍼 Teen Motherhood 🔁 Cycle Of Addiction

Dear Killer

by Katherine Ewell • 2014

A London schoolgirl takes murder commissions; the detective hunting her becomes her confidant.

3.47

5k+

🗡️ Teen Assassin 🖤 Nihilistic Protagonist 👤 Secret Identity 🐱🐭 Cat And Mouse 🪓 Inherited Violence

Dear Killer 88%

A London schoolgirl takes murder commissions; the detective hunting her becomes her confidant.

by Katherine Ewell 2014

3.47

5k+ ratings

🗡️ Teen Assassin 🖤 Nihilistic Protagonist 👤 Secret Identity 🐱🐭 Cat And Mouse 🪓 Inherited Violence

The Girl in the White Van

by April Henry • 2020

A teen martial artist snatched into a van with a stranger must fight for their freedom.

3.87

5k+

🔓 YA Abduction Thriller ✊ Girls Fighting Back 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 🤝 Captives Bonding 🥋 Martial Arts Fiction

The Girl in the White Van 88%

A teen martial artist snatched into a van with a stranger must fight for their freedom.

by April Henry 2020

3.87

5k+ ratings

🔓 YA Abduction Thriller ✊ Girls Fighting Back 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 🤝 Captives Bonding 🥋 Martial Arts Fiction

Big Girl Small

by Rachel DeWoskin • 2011

A teen singer with dwarfism enters an arts school. One boy sees her, not her size.

3.34

3k+

🎭 Performing Arts School 💔 First Love Gone Wrong 📱 Public Shaming 🌑 Dark Coming Of Age 🗣️ Witty Narrator

Big Girl Small 88%

A teen singer with dwarfism enters an arts school. One boy sees her, not her size.

by Rachel DeWoskin 2011

3.34

3k+ ratings

🎭 Performing Arts School 💔 First Love Gone Wrong 📱 Public Shaming 🌑 Dark Coming Of Age 🗣️ Witty Narrator

Girl in Pieces

by Kathleen Glasgow • 2016

Charlie leaves a psych ward with scars, silence, and a bus ticket to nowhere she knows.

3.93

274k+

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Survival 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital 💔 Brutal And Tender

Girl in Pieces 88%

Charlie leaves a psych ward with scars, silence, and a bus ticket to nowhere she knows.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2016

3.93

274k+ ratings

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Survival 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital 💔 Brutal And Tender

Aller Retour

by Yves Beauchesne

Orphaned and abused, a boy escapes to Montreal and searches for anyone who will take him in.

2.43

119

🏃 Runaway Story 🩵 Found Family 💔 Orphaned Protagonist ⚠️ Abusive Guardian 🌱 Quiet Resilience

Aller Retour 88%

Orphaned and abused, a boy escapes to Montreal and searches for anyone who will take him in.

by Yves Beauchesne

2.43

119 ratings

🏃 Runaway Story 🩵 Found Family 💔 Orphaned Protagonist ⚠️ Abusive Guardian 🌱 Quiet Resilience

That Was Then, This Is Now

by S.E. Hinton • 1998

Bryon and Mark were like brothers, until Mark's drug dealing forced an impossible choice.

3.94

42k+

🏚️ Gritty Realism 💔 Doomed Friendship 🏠 Found Family ⚖️ Moral Awakening 🕰️ 1970s America

That Was Then, This Is Now 88%

Bryon and Mark were like brothers, until Mark's drug dealing forced an impossible choice.

by S.E. Hinton 1998

3.94

42k+ ratings

🏚️ Gritty Realism 💔 Doomed Friendship 🏠 Found Family ⚖️ Moral Awakening 🕰️ 1970s America

Crooked Kingdom

by Leigh Bardugo • 2016

After a betrayal, six outcasts plot to destroy a merchant's empire and free their captured spy.

4.57

780k+

🪙 Heist Fantasy 🫂 Found Family ⏳ Slow Burn Romance 🖤 Morally Gray 🗡️ Revenge

Crooked Kingdom 88%

After a betrayal, six outcasts plot to destroy a merchant's empire and free their captured spy.

by Leigh Bardugo 2016

4.57

780k+ ratings

🪙 Heist Fantasy 🫂 Found Family ⏳ Slow Burn Romance 🖤 Morally Gray 🗡️ Revenge

Monument 14

by Emmy Laybourne • 2012

Trapped in a superstore by a freak hailstorm, fourteen kids discover the air outside is lethal.

3.90

25k+

🌀 Disaster Survival 👦 Kids Without Adults 🫂 Found Family ⚔️ Rival Leaders 🔒 Trapped Together

Monument 14 88%

Trapped in a superstore by a freak hailstorm, fourteen kids discover the air outside is lethal.

by Emmy Laybourne 2012

3.90

25k+ ratings

🌀 Disaster Survival 👦 Kids Without Adults 🫂 Found Family ⚔️ Rival Leaders 🔒 Trapped Together

The Gender Plan

by Bella Forrest • 2017

Buried by a friend's betrayal, a rebel fights free to lead the assault on her city's poisoned water.

4.06

10k+

🏛️ Matriarchal Dystopia 🧬 Enhanced Humans 👫 Brother Sister Bond 🦸 Reluctant Heroine 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

The Gender Plan 88%

Buried by a friend's betrayal, a rebel fights free to lead the assault on her city's poisoned water.

by Bella Forrest 2017

4.06

10k+ ratings

🏛️ Matriarchal Dystopia 🧬 Enhanced Humans 👫 Brother Sister Bond 🦸 Reluctant Heroine 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

The Recruit

by Robert Muchamore • 2004

After his mother dies, a bullied boy joins a secret agency turning children into spies.

4.23

40k+

👶 Child Spies 🏫 Spy Academy 🏕️ Survival Training 💕 Sibling Devotion 🕵️ Realistic Espionage

The Recruit 88%

After his mother dies, a bullied boy joins a secret agency turning children into spies.

by Robert Muchamore 2004

4.23

40k+ ratings

👶 Child Spies 🏫 Spy Academy 🏕️ Survival Training 💕 Sibling Devotion 🕵️ Realistic Espionage

Specials

by Scott Westerfeld • 2006

Now a surgically enhanced enforcer, Tally hunts rebels into the wild, where her first love waits.

3.75

205k+

🧬 Body Modification 🧠 Programmed Identity ⚔️ Morally Gray Heroine 🫧 Toxic Friendship 🔺 Love Triangle

Specials 88%

Now a surgically enhanced enforcer, Tally hunts rebels into the wild, where her first love waits.

by Scott Westerfeld 2006

3.75

205k+ ratings

🧬 Body Modification 🧠 Programmed Identity ⚔️ Morally Gray Heroine 🫧 Toxic Friendship 🔺 Love Triangle

Thunderhead

by Neal Shusterman • 2018

The AI governing humanity cannot intervene as the order of death-dealers turns on itself.

4.38

240k+

⏳ Immortal Society ⚔️ Vigilante Justice 🎓 Mentor Apprentice 🏛️ Corrupt Institution 🕵️ Undercover Mission

Thunderhead 88%

The AI governing humanity cannot intervene as the order of death-dealers turns on itself.

by Neal Shusterman 2018

4.38

240k+ ratings

⏳ Immortal Society ⚔️ Vigilante Justice 🎓 Mentor Apprentice 🏛️ Corrupt Institution 🕵️ Undercover Mission

The Way I Used to Be

by Amber Smith • 2016

After her brother's best friend assaults her, a freshman buries the secret and loses herself.

4.14

237k+

🎗️ Rape Survivor 🩹 Trauma Recovery 👯 Female Friendship 🤐 Hidden Trauma 👫 Sibling Conflict

The Way I Used to Be 88%

After her brother's best friend assaults her, a freshman buries the secret and loses herself.

by Amber Smith 2016

4.14

237k+ ratings

🎗️ Rape Survivor 🩹 Trauma Recovery 👯 Female Friendship 🤐 Hidden Trauma 👫 Sibling Conflict

No and Me

by Delphine de Vigan • 2007

A thirteen-year-old prodigy, too anxious to speak, meets a homeless girl and finds her voice.

3.72

20k+

🖋️ Literary Young Adult 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧠 Precocious Narrator 💔 Limits Of Rescue 🌅 Bittersweet Ending

No and Me 88%

A thirteen-year-old prodigy, too anxious to speak, meets a homeless girl and finds her voice.

by Delphine de Vigan 2007

3.72

20k+ ratings

🖋️ Literary Young Adult 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧠 Precocious Narrator 💔 Limits Of Rescue 🌅 Bittersweet Ending

You're Next

by Kylie Schachte • 2020

Her ex-girlfriend's murder sends a teen sleuth into a secret fight club where power kills.

3.77

2k+

🔍 Teen Sleuth 🔒 Secret Society 🏛️ Political Conspiracy 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Protagonist ❄️ Cold Case

You're Next 88%

Her ex-girlfriend's murder sends a teen sleuth into a secret fight club where power kills.

by Kylie Schachte 2020

3.77

2k+ ratings

🔍 Teen Sleuth 🔒 Secret Society 🏛️ Political Conspiracy 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Protagonist ❄️ Cold Case

The Finisher

by David Baldacci • 2013

A walled village outcast must survive a deadly tournament to follow the map she found.

3.83

19k+

🏘️ Oppressive Village ⚔️ Deadly Tournament ✨ Hidden Magical Powers 🤝 Loyal Friendship 🧱 Escape The Walls

The Finisher 88%

A walled village outcast must survive a deadly tournament to follow the map she found.

by David Baldacci 2013

3.83

19k+ ratings

🏘️ Oppressive Village ⚔️ Deadly Tournament ✨ Hidden Magical Powers 🤝 Loyal Friendship 🧱 Escape The Walls

Pandemonium

by Lauren Oliver • 2012

She fled a world without love; now she's falling for the boy who upholds it.

4.02

246k+

🖤 Dystopian Romance 😶 Emotionless Dystopia 💔 Love Triangle ✊ Dystopian Resistance 🔥 Enemies To Lovers

Pandemonium 88%

She fled a world without love; now she's falling for the boy who upholds it.

by Lauren Oliver 2012

4.02

246k+ ratings

🖤 Dystopian Romance 😶 Emotionless Dystopia 💔 Love Triangle ✊ Dystopian Resistance 🔥 Enemies To Lovers

Ghost

by Jason Reynolds • 2016

Running from a gun saved him. A track team might teach him what to run toward.

4.18

54k+

🏃 Youth Sports Drama 🫂 Found Family 🧑‍🏫 Mentor Relationship 💔 Trauma And Healing 🏙️ Inner City Life

Ghost 88%

Running from a gun saved him. A track team might teach him what to run toward.

by Jason Reynolds 2016

4.18

54k+ ratings

🏃 Youth Sports Drama 🫂 Found Family 🧑‍🏫 Mentor Relationship 💔 Trauma And Healing 🏙️ Inner City Life

The Gender Fall

by Bella Forrest • 2017

Violet filmed the regime's atrocities. Now they want her dead, and her brother has vanished.

4.05

11k+

🏛️ Matriarchal Dystopia ✊ Dystopian Resistance 🫂 Found Family 👑 Reluctant Leader ⚔️ Child Soldiers

The Gender Fall 88%

Violet filmed the regime's atrocities. Now they want her dead, and her brother has vanished.

by Bella Forrest 2017

4.05

11k+ ratings

🏛️ Matriarchal Dystopia ✊ Dystopian Resistance 🫂 Found Family 👑 Reluctant Leader ⚔️ Child Soldiers

Juvenile Delinquency

by Larry J. Siegel • 2004

Youth crime stems from biology, poverty, and a system caught between punishment and rehabilitation.

3.73

109

🏛️ Juvenile Justice 📚 Criminological Theory 🔍 Youth Crime 🏙️ Urban Crime 📈 Life Course Criminology

Juvenile Delinquency 88%

Youth crime stems from biology, poverty, and a system caught between punishment and rehabilitation.

by Larry J. Siegel 2004

3.73

109 ratings

🏛️ Juvenile Justice 📚 Criminological Theory 🔍 Youth Crime 🏙️ Urban Crime 📈 Life Course Criminology

The Darkest Legacy

by Alexandra Bracken • 2018

A government spokeswoman wakes in blood, framed for a bombing, hunted by the system she built.

4.09

14k+

🏃 Fugitive On The Run 🖤 Found Family 🤝 Reluctant Leader 📰 Media Manipulation 🔗 Trauma-Bonded Allies

The Darkest Legacy 88%

A government spokeswoman wakes in blood, framed for a bombing, hunted by the system she built.

by Alexandra Bracken 2018

4.09

14k+ ratings

🏃 Fugitive On The Run 🖤 Found Family 🤝 Reluctant Leader 📰 Media Manipulation 🔗 Trauma-Bonded Allies

The Midnight Charter

by David Whitley • 1996

In a city that trades everything, two servant children are chosen to judge its fate.

3.44

652

🏙️ Dystopian City 🧒 Orphan Heroes 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 💰 Rags To Riches 🫂 Found Family

The Midnight Charter 88%

In a city that trades everything, two servant children are chosen to judge its fate.

by David Whitley 1996

3.44

652 ratings

🏙️ Dystopian City 🧒 Orphan Heroes 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 💰 Rags To Riches 🫂 Found Family

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