A collection of book covers of realistic fiction teen books

Realistic Fiction

Download Print Version

Explore this collection of these realistic fiction titles. The first five featured books are recommended for ages 13–15, while the remaining titles are geared toward older teens ages 16–18. Whether you’re looking for heartfelt contemporary stories, relatable characters, or thought-provoking reads, there’s something here for every teen reader.

Book titles for ages 13 - 15

On Again, Awkward Again Book cover

On Again, Awkward Again

by Erin Entrada Kelly

High school freshmen, Pacy and Cecil, share a look of love at first sight that sparks a series of mistakes and awkward interactions that become part of their love story.

Ash's Cabin Book Cover

Ash's Cabin

by Jen Wang

Leaving modern society behind for the California wilderness, Ash searches for an escape from the feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life but discovers that making the wilds their home isn't easy and wonders if they can really be happy alone.

Cruzita and the Mariacheros book cover

Cruzita and the Mariacheros

by Ashley Granillo

Cruzita must save her family's failing panaderia by winning a mariachi band contest--the only problem is she hates mariachi and cannot speak Spanish.

Tig Book cover

Tig

by Heather Smith

Moving in with their Uncle Scott and his partner, Manny, after months of living with no electricity or parents, Tig and her brother Peter decide to make their new life messy by running circles around their guardians, but things don't always go as planned.

Rez Ball book cover

Rez Ball

by Byron Graves

When the varsity basketball team members take him under their wing, Tre Brun, representing his Ojibwe reservation, steps into his late brother's shoes as star player but soon learns he can't mess up--not on the court, not in school and not in love.

Book titles for ages 16 - 18

Book cover of The Queens of New York

The Queens of New York

by E. L. Shen

Seventeen-year-old inseparable best friends Jia, Ariel, and Everett navigate first love, grief, racism, and Asian American consciousness during one life-changing summer apart.

Wrecker book cover

Wrecker

by Carl Hiaasen

Valdez Jones just loves being on the water. He never meant to see that smuggler's boat, much less get involved himself. This complicated thriller has a vivid Key West setting, a gripping plot, and a hero you'll root for.

Brownstone: A Graphic Novel book cover

Brownstone: A Graphic Novel

by Samuel Teer

In the summer of 1995, almost 15-year-old Almudena is sent to live with her estranged Spanish-speaking father. Together they renovate a brownstone and build a relationship while Almudena navigates her Latin American heritage for the first time.

Reasons to Hate Me book cover

Reasons to Hate Me

by Susan Metallo

Told through blog posts and scripts, this novel follows autistic theater kid Jess Lanza as she uses humor and honesty to confront bullying and the painful fallout of a lost friendship, ultimately seeking forgiveness -- from others and herself.

Fake Skating book cover

Fake Skating

by Lynn Painter

Excited to return to Minnesota and reconnect with her childhood sweetheart Alec, Dani discovers her nerdy best friend is now a hunky hockey star, and only a fake-dating situation may truly reunite them.

Additional titles for ages 13 – 15:

Additional titles for ages 16 – 18: