The Best Book Series for Teens

Many parents struggle to maintain the love their kids had for reading in middle school. I’ve found that like with younger kids, finding good book series for teens is a great trick for keeping them reading. When I was a teen, I LOVED The Hunger Games and Divergent series and thought about them for years after reading — especially with the movies coming out. I also read the To All the Boys series in young adulthood and loved it too. I’ve included these favorites on this list, but I also asked the readers and librarians in my Facebook Group (you should join us!) their favorites, and many of these are their crowd-pleasing recommendations.

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20+ Best Book Series for Teens

Here are 20+ of the best book series for teens:

The Hunger Games

Published: September 14, 2008

(3 books in series)

I loved following Katniss, Peeta, and Gale through all three books in this series. It’s set in a dystopian world ruled by The Capitol. Each year, The Hunger Games are held where one raffle-drawn contestant from each of the surrounding poorer districts competes (fights through life-threatening challenges) to win a prize. The only problem is: losing means death. Book one kicks off with 16-year-old Katniss volunteering to take her little sister’s place in the Games. I was HOOKED to this book and the other two in the series when I read it.

To All the Boys I Loved Before

Published: April 15, 2014

(3 books in series)

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

I watched the movie before I read this, and while I recognize that that might not have been the best order, it makes for an interesting perspective. The book and the movie feel like two different things, in a good way. It was nice to get in the minds of LJ and Peter, and I definitely feel like I understand the cast of characters better after this.

Sweet, compulsively readable book, this one!

Divergent

Published: January 1, 2014

(4 books in series)

Beatrice Prior’s society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she’s determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous.

The Maze Runner

Published: October 6, 2009

(5 books in series)

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone. Outside the towering stone walls that surround them is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive. Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying: Remember. Survive. Run.

Twilight

Published: October 5, 2005

(5 books in series)

While I never read the Twilight books, I did watch one or two of the movies. Yes, I cringe at the scenes now, but librarians say teens are still requesting these! If your kids are into vampires and werewolves, they will love this one.

Scythe (Arc of a Scythe Book 1)

Published: November 22, 2016

(3 books in series)

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Ayesha Dean The Istanbul Intrigue

Published: January 13, 2021

(3 books in series)

Ayesha Dean wants to be a detective when she grows up. But that’s still a long while away. So, a trip to Istanbul with her best friends should have meant visits to ancient ruins, exploring magnificent mosques and palaces, and eating the best doner kebab in town. But when Ayesha discovers a mysterious note hinting at a hidden treasure, their relaxing holiday gets a whole lot more dangerous. An ancient artefact of untold value has been lost for years, but Ayesha isn’t the only one searching for it. Someone else wants it at all costs and will take down anyone who gets in their way. Can Ayesha crack the code before it’s too late?

The Athena Protocol

Published: October 8, 2019

(2 books in series)

Jessie Archer is a member of the Athena Protocol, an elite organization of female spies who enact vigilante justice around the world.

Athena operatives are never supposed to shoot to kill—so when Jessie can’t stop herself from pulling the trigger, she gets kicked out of the organization, right before a huge mission to take down a human trafficker in Belgrade.

Jessie needs to right her wrong and prove herself, so she starts her own investigation into the trafficking. But going rogue means she has no one to watch her back as she delves into the horrors she uncovers. Meanwhile, her former teammates have been ordered to bring her down. Jessie must face danger from all sides if she’s to complete her mission—and survive.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

Published: January 5, 2021

(3 books in series)

British teen Pippa Fitz-Amobi has decided to do her senior capstone project on a local murder case that was closed 5 years ago. Five years ago, high schooler Andie Bell went missing and her boyfriend Sal Singh sent his father a text admitting to the crime, after which he was found in what seemed like an apparent suicide. But Pip doesn’t buy it. With the help of Sal’s younger brother, Ravi, she investigates the events surrounding Andie’s disappearance and Sal’s murder. But the culprit won’t let her find the truth so easily. Can Pippa hack the crime?

This was a lot of fun. It is a thrilling clean teen murder mystery with a clever, likable protagonist. Fans of true crime podcasts like Serial will love this book with a similar plot — especially if you listen to the audiobook. 

Illuminae

Published: October 20, 2015

(3 books in series)

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Red Queen

Published: February 10, 2015

(4 books in series)

Mare Barrow’s world is divided by blood–those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard–a growing Red rebellion–even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Published: September 2, 2014

(2 books in series)

This one is a non-fiction series for the teens who love facts! Randall Munroe answers a lot of questions, including weird and wacky ones like “What if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live? If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last?” His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by signature xkcd comics. They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind or at least a really big explosion.

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1)

Published: January 1, 2012

(4 books in series)

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Alex Rider: The Complete Missions 1-11

Published: July 4, 2019

(11 books in series)

When MI6 recognizes his potential, Alex Rider is armed with gadgets and sent on a secret mission. But little does the teen spy know that this is just the beginning of his adventures. Prepare for action and adrenaline at every turn in this explosive and bestselling series by award-winning author, Anthony Horowitz.

The Selection (The Selection, 1)

Published: April 24, 2012

(5 books in series)

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape a rigid caste system, live in a palace, and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and competing for a crown she doesn’t want.

Then America meets Prince Maxon—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Unwind (Unwind Dystology)

Published: November 6, 2007

(4 books in series)

After America’s Second Civil War, the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life armies came to an agreement. According to their Bill of Life, human life may not be terminated from the moment of conception until the age of thirteen. But between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, the child may be gotten rid of by their parent through a process called “unwinding.”

By repurposing a teen’s organs and other body parts in living recipients, the unwound child’s life doesn’t technically end. According to society’s leaders, unwinding leads to a healthier and safer community, as troublesome and unwanted teens are used for the greater good.

Curtis is a rebel whose unwinding was ordered by his parents. Rita, a ward of the state, has been slated for unwinding due to cost cutting. And Lev, his parents’ tenth child, has been destined for unwinding since birth as a religious tithe. As their paths intersect, they start to fight for their own destinies. But do they stand a chance of escaping their fate or proving their lives are worth saving?

Matched

Published: January 1, 2010

(3 books in series)

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander’s face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham’s face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it’s a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she’s destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can’t stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society’s infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games, 1)

Published: September 1, 2020

(3 books in series)

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why — or even who Tobias Hawthorne is.

To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man’s touch — and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a conwoman, and he’s determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather’s last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

One of Us Is Lying

Published: May 30, 2017

(3 books in series)

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention. One ends up dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he’d planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who’s still on the loose? This one has a lot of language but is great on audio and perfect for teens who love thrillers.

Crownchasers (Crownchasers, 1)

Published: September 29, 2020

(2 books in series)

Alyssa Farshot has spent her whole life trying to outrun her family legacy, even leaving behind the Kingship and her uncle, the emperor, for a life of exploring.

But when her dying uncle announces a crownchase—a search for the royal seal hidden in the empire that will determine the next ruler—Alyssa is thrust into her greatest, most dangerous adventure yet. 

Truly Devious: A Mystery (Truly Devious, 1)

Published: January 16, 2018

(4 books in series)

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester.

But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder. 

Legend (A Legend Novel, Book 1)

Published: February 2, 2011

(4 books in series)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths – until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

The Belles

Published: February 6, 2018

(3 books in series)

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orleans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orleans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite, the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orleans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land.

But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie, that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orleans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide: save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles, or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

A Date with Darcy (Bookish Boyfriends I)

Published: May 1, 2018

(4 books in series)

I LOVED this series (my favorite is book 2, The Boy Next Story – I reviewed it here). You don’t even have to read them in order. It’s a series of classic literature retellings, including Pride and Prejudice and Little Women.

There they are: 20+ of the best book series for teens! This is only a selection with tons more recommendations pouring into the comments section in our Facebook Group. If you want more, you can join us for free.

Which of these books have your teens read and loved? What did I miss?

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More Books for Teens

• My favorite books for teens
• Books for teen boys
• Great books for teen girls
• Graphic novels for teens

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