Navigating the world of teen and young adult chapter books can seem intimidating at first, especially when you're not sure what to read first! But we've got you covered.
Featuring a variety of genres including Science Fiction, Wilderness Survival, Romance and Coming-of-Age, here's a selection of some of our favourite 'inbetweener reads,' perfect for older bookworms in search of exciting new titles!
The Loop by Ben Oliver
Welcome to The Loop- a futuristic death row for teens under eighteen, where life is more or less the same- dull, repetitive, boring. Until now. For for Luka Kane, who has been in The Loop for two years, things are beginning to change. Suddenly, the outside world has fallen into chaos, and as word of the outside rebellion reaches The Loop's inmates, the same walls that have served as Luka's cell for years soon become the least of his worries...
This is a great choice for fans of The Maze Runner series, featuring aspects of Science Fiction and Dystopia. Recommended for ages 14+
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Humanity has conquered it all: hunger, disease, war. Even death. Now, the mysterious, cloaked Scythes are the ones who decide who lives and who dies. When young Citra and Rowan are selected as apprentices to a Scythe, they find themselves at a crossroads. They surely have to honour their positions and do as they've been instructed, but at what cost?
A fantastically gripping read for fans of Mortal Engines, aged 14+
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Spensa's world has been under attack for decades, what's left of it having only survived under the protection of the planet's heroes, the Pilots. Being a pilot is Spensa's dream. She's always wanted to fly skyward, honouring her father, who was killed in an accident while doing the same. Desperate for a chance to prove herself, Spensa eagerly awaits the moment she gets to fly. And it soon comes in the form of an unexpected discovery...
A brilliantly written choice for fans of fantasy and sci-fi, aged 12+
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Todd Hewitt is the last boy in town and on the brink of manhood. One day, whilst fleeing a chase through a local swamp, he comes across two impossible things: a patch of silence and a girl. He's never seen a girl before, and despite their initial mistrust of each other, the two are suddenly thrown together, forced to put their differences aside to evade the men after Todd. Which comes with its complications...
The first in a thrilling, coming-of-age dystopian series for readers aged 14+
A Language of Dragons by S.F Williamson
It's London, 1923 and Dragons occupy the skies. But for Vivien Featherswallow, everything's business as usual. She'll keep her head down, get her internship to study dragons and make sure to keep her little sister safe. That is until her sister goes missing. Desperate to make things right and get her family back, Vivien takes a job at Bletchley Park as a codebreaker. If she is successful in her duties, her family goes free. If not, they die...
A superbly written dark academia novel with aspects of romance, perfect for readers aged 13+
Hatchet by Gary Paulson
City boy Brian is used to a life of comfort and pleasure. He's never had to sacrifice anything, until his plane crash lands in the Canadian wilderness. Armed with only a hatchet gifted to him as a birthday present by his mother and the will to stay alive, Brian must set his desire for comfort aside and hone his survival skills. Or else.
A thrilling wilderness survival story for readers of Michael Grant's Gone series, ages 12+
Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Librarian Lazlo Strange has always been fascinated by the lost city of Weep, but he's never been brave enough to go in search of it. But then an opportunity to discover more about its past presents itself in the form of legendary fighter, the Godslayer. Working alongside the Godslayer and his team of mighty warriors, Lazlo finds himself caught up in a bid to save Weep. But why was it cut off from the world in the first place? And who is the mysterious figure who keeps appearing in his dreams?
The first book in a magical duology for readers aged 15+ (contains adult themes)
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Every seven years the Agon begins. As punishment for their past rebellion, nine Greek Gods must walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of an ancient bloodline who want to steal their powers. For Lore Perseus, who is still grieving her family, that life has been long forgotten, in favour of a fresh start in New York. But as a new Agon begins, Lore discovers the past always has a way of catching up to you...
A fantastical Greek mythology novel for readers of Shadow and Bone, aged 14+
Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
The Fates are always born in threes- one to weave, one to draw and one to cut the thread tying everyone's destinies together. And protagonist Io Ora, the youngest of three siblings, is no exception to this rule. Working as a private investigator in the city of Atlante, Io uses her skills for good, to hunt down dangerous criminals. And now she's hunting an alleged kidnapper, making the streets safer once again. There's just one problem- the infamous scoundrel Edei Rhuna seems to be everywhere she goes...
A romantic, magical duology for fantasy lovers aged 14+
Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald
Meet Finlay. He's studying for his nursing degree at Glasgow University, against all odds. He's come from a background in care, and is ready to leave his past behind and start over. But how will he manage to balance university assignments, finding paid work and NOT falling for the handsome Banjo?
Then there's Banjo. He's just trying to fit in at his new school and adjust to life with his foster family. He's trying as best he can, but he's finding it hard to let go of his former life.
A heartfelt coming-of-age story with LGBTQ themes for ages 12+
Boys Don't Knit by T.S Easton
Ben Fletcher's a troublemaker, and he's just been involved in an incident at school, featuring a lollipop lady and a stolen bottle of wine from Waitrose. All a big misunderstanding, of course. But to avoid the Young Offenders, Ben must work out a way to give back to his community. When he discovers the teacher he fancies is running a knitting group, and with some reluctance, Ben agrees to join. To his surprise, he likes it! But how to keep it a secret from his friends?
A humorous, diary-style pick for fans of Heartstopper, aged 13+
The Outsiders by S.E Hinton
Teenaged orphan Ponyboy Curtis lives in a rundown Oklahoma neighbourhood with his brothers Sodapop and Darryl. They're part of the Greasers- a gang made up of close friends who have bonded over their hatred of the Socialites, or 'Socs.' And the Socs have it out for Pony. When a member of the Greasers takes the neighbourhood rivalry too far, Pony must learn the true meaning of loyalty.
A gripping coming-of-age story about politics and belonging, perfect for readers aged 13+
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Cassie is a natural at reading people. She can look at you and piece together even the smallest of details, working out who you are and what secrets you're hiding. And it's a skill she's never had much use for. Until now. The FBI have come knocking- they've started a programme for exceptionally gifted young people, and they're eager to recruit Cassie...
The first in a thrilling series and the ideal choice for readers aged 14+
The Agency for Scandal by Laura Wood
Eighteen-year-old Isobel Stanhope has been keeping secrets. She's in love with a duke who doesn't even know she exists, her family has run out of money and there's the case of the missing jewels she's trying her hardest to solve. Because Isobel isn't a normal teenager. She works for an all-female detective agency in 19th Century London...
A fantastically bold, scandalous (but age appropriate) pick for lovers of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder aged 12+
The League of Dangerous Young Ladies by J.R Morgenstein
It's 1909 and Rose Moriarty, daughter of Sherlock Holmes' renowned enemy, has received word that her good friend is dying. The key to her cure may lie within an ancient orb. There's just one problem- the orb is being hunted by others too, and Rose must assemble a gang of her best fighters to help retrieve it to save the life of their friend.
A superb historical mystery novel with elements of romance and grief, for readers aged 12+
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Lennie is adrift following the death of her sister Bailey. She's neglected her friends, school work and even her beloved clarinet. Everything seems meaningless. Until she meets the dashing Joe, the new boy in town who oozes charm and musical genius in equal measure. Suddenly Lennie finds herself caught between Joe and Bailey's charming ex-boyfriend Toby, with each one offering something new... What happens when they collide?
A striking coming-of-age story about grief and love, for readers of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Ages 14+
Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Four years ago it destroyed her family, and now she's focusing on the important things in life- keeping her mum safe and working the dead-end job that pays the bills. But then she receives an invitation to play one last tournament against none other than reigning champion and resident bad boy, Nolan Sawyer. It's there that Mallory learns games aren't always played on the board...
A dazzling romance about ambition and pride, perfect for readers aged 14+
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Silently dealing with her dad's death and spending the summer away from her braniac boyfriend, Macy is 'just fine.' It's only when she takes a job with a catering company that Macy starts to realise how much of life she's been missing out on. Amidst various sibling dramas, Macy makes new friends, including the effortlessly sexy Wes, who teaches her there may be more to life than loss. Maybe sometimes it's okay to put yourself out there...
A coming-of-age story with a slow-burn romance for readers aged 13+