The best novels about reincarnation for kids and teens

Why am I passionate about this?

When I was a girl, my grandmother called me an ‘old soul’ and said she thought my fascination with the 19th century meant that I’d lived then in another life. Ever since, this notion that a person might have lived before has always fascinated me! I gravitate to books that bring the past and present together in all sorts of ways–through memory, ghosts, time travel…and reincarnation. Now my own books of suspense for kids and teens deal with many of those same themes. I always write books I would want to read myself!


I wrote...

Dreadful Sorry

By Kathryn Reiss,

Book cover of Dreadful Sorry

What is my book about?

Seventeen-year-old Molly's recurrent nightmares become waking visions after she nearly drowns at a party. Soon she's witnessing events through the eyes of a girl who lived in her father's house nearly a century before. How can she be having these visions—which feel like memories? This award-winning novel of suspense keeps readers up late at night as Molly is pulled into a tragedy from long ago that somehow, incredibly, still matters right now.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Sisters Long Ago

Kathryn Reiss Why did I love this book?

Stories of people with personal connections to times long gone and places far away always fascinate me. In this novel, 13-year-old Willow begins experiencing strange visions that lead her to believe that she led a former life in ancient Egypt. I love how the author doesn’t shy away from sensitive subjects like religion and terminal illness, but handles them with sensitivity (Willow’s best friend is a fundamentalist Christian who does not approve of the idea of past lives, and Willow’s sister is gravely ill). Still, the main focus of the story is Willow’s research into the possibility of reincarnation, and I found it captivating. 

By Peg Kehret,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sisters Long Ago as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

After nearly drowning in Pinecone Lake, thirteen-year-old Willow begins experiencing strange visions that lead her to believe that she led a former life in Egypt. By the author of Nightmare Mountain. Reprint.


Book cover of Reincarnation

Kathryn Reiss Why did I love this book?

I am an optimist, and I believe in true love, and I believe things can work for the best even when times seem bleak. So I enjoyed this book, which starts with cave-dwellers and follows their two souls from prehistory to the present. Again and again, though separated by death, these teens search for each other. I love how they find each other again and again, and I appreciate the wonderful message that love is stronger than death.  

By Suzanne Weyn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Reincarnation as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From prehistory to the present, theirs was a love for the ages. It starts with a fight in a cave over an elusive green jewel . . . and then travels over time and lives to include Egyptian slaves, Greek temples, Massachusetts witch trials, Civil War battlefields, Paris on the eve of World War II, America in the 1960s . . . and a pair of modern-day teenagers. For readers who believe that love is stronger than time or death, this is an unforgettable novel from a wonderful storyteller.


Book cover of Gallows Hill

Kathryn Reiss Why did I love this book?

I’ve always had an interest in the Salem Witch Trials. So Gallows Hills is a spine-tingling novel that ticks a lot of boxes for me! 17-year-old Sarah moves to a new town and is asked to be a fortune teller at a local fair. When her fortunes start coming true, people question her. Is she a witch? Then she starts having visions that link her to a time and place long ago. I love the idea that our past is always with us, and that we are doomed to repeat the past until we can deal with it!

By Lois Duncan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Gallows Hill as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Sarah agrees to play the fortune teller at the school fair. But as she looks into the ball, disturbing images appear and the students begin to believe that she is a witch and threaten her. As the danger increases, Sarah's mother and her friend intervene and prevent disaster.


Book cover of Love at Second Sight

Kathryn Reiss Why did I love this book?

This is another tale that starts with a fortune-teller—but this time it’s teenage Jo who gets her future told. The clairvoyant tells her that there is only one true love for her—but the last time Jo saw him was in a past life! Now she needs to find him in this life. Jo doesn’t believe a word of this, but events start to unsettle her. Could reincarnation possibly be true? But what if she can’t recognize her soul-mate when she finds him again in this life? I love the suspense elements in this book as well as the romance.

By Cathy Hopkins,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Love at Second Sight as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Unlucky in love Jo is dragged along to see a clairvoyant by her two coupled-up best friends, and is told that there's only one boy for her. The trouble is, the last time she saw him was in a past life, when she worked as a governess to his younger brother. The clairvoyant tells her that as she is back in this life, so is he, and she must find him if she is ever to know true happiness and love.

Jo doesn't believe a word of it - but then a series of events begin to change her mind.…


Book cover of Avalon High

Kathryn Reiss Why did I love this book?

Who doesn’t love a new take on the Arthurian Legend of King Arthur? This fairly light-hearted story tells of King Arthur and his friends reincarnated in modern times. Age-old legends, it seems, never die… and now present-day teenagers Will and Elaine must fight the same battles for good to triumph over evil. It’s a modern twist on a classic love story, and a lot of fun.

By Meg Cabot,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Avalon High as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Avalon High, Ellie's new school, is pretty much what she'd expected. There's Lance, the hunky footballer. Jennifer, the cute cheerleader. Marco, the troublemaker. And then there's Will - the most gorgeous guy Ellie's ever met. She can hardly believe he likes HER.

When Will says he thinks he's met Ellie before, things start getting a little weird. A feeling that grows as Ellie discovers the strange bonds that entwine Will, Lance, Jen, Marco - and herself.

As darkness turns to danger, can Ellie stop the horrific chain of events that is about to engulf them all . . .

Prophecy,…


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The Woodland Stranger: A Fairy Tale with Benefits

By Jane Buehler,

Book cover of The Woodland Stranger: A Fairy Tale with Benefits

Jane Buehler Author Of The Ocean Girl

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Storyteller Introvert Romantic Norm avoider Backyard birdwatcher

Jane's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Burne’s been hiding out in the forest since deserting the King’s Guard. Each time he tries to return to the village, he begins to panic. And then one day, he encounters a handsome stranger picking flowers and hides behind a tree instead of talking.

He wants to be braver—and he’s about to get another chance. Because the stranger is Gray, a fairy and master of illusions who’s now following Burne home. And Gray’s got more on his mind than talking. Would a fairy that beautiful ever want someone like him? Stranger things have happened.

The Woodland Stranger: A Fairy Tale with Benefits

By Jane Buehler,

What is this book about?

Whoever said, Don't talk to strangers?


Burne hid behind a tree. He wanted to talk to the handsome man picking flowers at the edge of the forest, but he'd only flub it if he tried-he'd stumble over his words and blush bright red. And now the man is gone.


He tries to continue on to the village, but the same thing happens as always: his hands start shaking and panic wells up inside him. What if he runs into the bullies who tormented him in the King's Guard last spring? Ever since he deserted, he has hidden out in the…


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Interested in reincarnation, King Arthur, and spacetime?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about reincarnation, King Arthur, and spacetime.

Reincarnation Explore 63 books about reincarnation
King Arthur Explore 57 books about King Arthur
Spacetime Explore 56 books about spacetime