The best YA books featuring teens who overcome seemingly impossible odds

Nicole McInnes Author Of 100 Days
By Nicole McInnes

Who am I?

As a former teen who faced my own slew of challenges, I became a YA author who writes about teen characters who do the same. It’s not easy being an adolescent these days: From the seeming hopelessness of some social, academic, and family situations to the lack of support many teens receive, things can seem pretty bleak at times. As the protagonists in books like the ones I’ve mentioned here show us, however, there are many good people out there who are willing to help if we’re willing to hang in there and keep pushing forward toward a better day and a better life.

I wrote...

100 Days

By Nicole McInnes,

Book cover of 100 Days

What is my book about?

Agnes doesn't know it, but she only has one hundred days left to live. When she was a baby, she was diagnosed with Progeria, a rare disease that causes her body to age at roughly ten times the normal rate. Agnes has already exceeded her life expectancy. Moira has been Agnes’s best friend and protector since they were in elementary school. Due to her disorder, Agnes is still physically small, but Moira is big. Too big for her own liking. Boone was friends with both girls in the past, but that was a long time ago—before he did the thing that turned Agnes and Moira against him.

An unexpected event brings Agnes and Moira back together with Boone, but when romantic feelings start to develop, the trio’s friendship is put to the test. 

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The books I picked & why

Salt to the Sea

By Ruta Sepetys,

Book cover of Salt to the Sea

Why did I love this book?

Ruta Sepetys is arguably one of the great masters of historical young adult fiction. Salt to the Sea is an exceptional example of why this is the case. Sepetys expertly balances the stories of multiple protagonists set against an actual (and little known) tragedy that occurred during WWII. I found myself rooting for these characters while simultaneously biting my nails and trying to catch my breath.

Salt to the Sea

By Ruta Sepetys,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Salt to the Sea as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

WINNER OF THE CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL 2017

It's early 1945 and a group of people trek across Germany, bound together by their desperation to reach the ship that can take them away from the war-ravaged land. Four young people, each haunted by their own dark secret, narrate their unforgettable stories. Fans of The Book Thief or Helen Dunmore's The Siege will be totally absorbed.

This inspirational novel is based on a true story from the Second World War. When the German ship the Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk in port in early 1945 it had over 9000 civilian refugees, including children,…

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Story of a Girl

By Sara Zarr,

Book cover of Story of a Girl

Why did I love this book?

Story of a Girl was one of the first books that inspired me to write my own YA novel. With Deanna, Zarr gives readers a protagonist they can both relate to and root for as she navigates what seems like a hopeless family situation while being socially scapegoated for a mistake she made when she was just thirteen. The strength it takes for her to overcome and the lessons she learns along the way are nothing short of inspirational.

Story of a Girl

By Sara Zarr,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Story of a Girl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sara Zarr's lyrical debut novel--a National Book Award finalist--has been adapted for TV!

I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick. Tommy was seventeen and the supposed friend of my brother, Darren.

I'm not sure I even liked him.

In a moment, Deanna Lambert's teenage life is changed forever. Struggling to overcome the lasting repercussions and the stifling role of "school slut," Deanna longs to escape a life defined by her past. With subtle grace, complicated wisdom, and striking emotion, Story of a Girl reminds us of our human capacity for…

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Boy Toy

By Barry Lyga,

Book cover of Boy Toy

Why did I love this book?

Boy Toy is a book that stands out for me because it tackles a rarely discussed subject in young adult literature—the sexual abuse of boys. In this case, the protagonist, Josh, was molested by a teacher when he was younger. Now that he is about to graduate from high school, the repercussions of that abuse, along with the everyday stress he deals with, is coming back to haunt him. Lyga handles this subject matter in an unflinching and realistic way, which can be uncomfortable at times. That said, Boy Toy is definitely a worthwhile, original read.

Boy Toy

By Barry Lyga,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Josh Mendel has a secret. Unfortunately, everyone knows what it is.
   Five years ago, Josh’s life changed. Drastically. And everyone in his school, his town—seems like the world—thinks they understand. But they don’t—they can’t. And now, about to graduate from high school, Josh is still trying to sort through the pieces. First there’s Rachel, the girl he thought he’d lost years ago. She’s back, and she’s determined to be part of his life, whether he wants her there or not.Then there are college decisions to make, and the toughest baseball game of his life coming up, and a coach who…

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Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens

By Marieke Nijkamp,

Book cover of Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens

Why did I love this book?

Unbroken is one of the books I regularly teach in my YA Literature class for the MFA in Writing program at Lindenwood University. The anthology features stories about teen protagonists who are dealing with—but not defined by—their disabilities. I love the range of the stories in terms of POV, theme, style, and genre. I’ve found that there is something to relate to for every student who reads these stories—whether because of their personal experience with a particular challenge faced by a character or because of a similar challenge faced by a friend or family member.

Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens

By Marieke Nijkamp,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Unbroken as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This anthology explores disability in fictional tales told from the viewpoint of disabled characters, written by disabled creators. With stories in various genres about first loves, friendship, war, travel, and more, Unbroken will offer today's teen readers a glimpse into the lives of disabled people in the past, present, and future.

The contributing authors are award winners, bestsellers, and newcomers including Kody Keplinger, Kristine Wyllys, Francisco X. Stork, William Alexander, Corinne Duyvis, Marieke Nijkamp, Dhonielle Clayton, Heidi Heilig, Katherine Locke, Karuna Riazi, Kayla Whaley, Keah Brown, and Fox Benwell. Each author identifies as disabled along a physical, mental, or neurodiverse…

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In the After

By Demitria Lunetta,

Book cover of In the After

Why did I love this book?

Demitria Lunetta is a wonder. Her debut novel, In the After, has been described as a postapocalyptic thriller, but it’s the inclusion of sci-fi and horror elements that really makes this book unputdownable. The novel’s teen protagonist, Amy, is a fierce, plucky, and formidable heroine who literally faces what looks like the end of the world before living to fight, be rescued, and fight some more for herself and the person she cares about most. It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves speculative fiction with grit and adrenaline thrown in.

In the After

By Demitria Lunetta,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

In debut author Demitria Lunetta's heart-pounding thriller, one girl must fight for her survival in a world overrun by violent, deadly creatures. Perfect for fans of New York Times bestsellers like The 5th Wave and Across the Universe. Amy Harris's life changed forever when They took over. Her parents-vanished. The government-obsolete. Societal structure-nonexistent. No one knows where They came from, but these vicious creatures have been rapidly devouring mankind since They appeared. With fierce survivor instincts, Amy manages to stay alive-and even rescues "Baby," a toddler who was left behind. After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken…

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You might also like...

One Giant Leap

By Ben Gartner,

Book cover of One Giant Leap

Ben Gartner Author Of The Eye of Ra

New book alert!

Sponsored by Ben Gartner Author

Who am I?

I love to read a good action-adventure story. I’ve also written a few. And I know that no matter how high the stakes, if there’s no heart in the characters then there’s very little engagement to make it any more memorable than a temporary thrill. I love thrills, but the stories that stick with you after the excitement of the moment is over, those are the true gems. Besides the fun of reading that type of book, maybe you even learn something about yourself or the world and come out a wee bit wiser than when you went in. And isn’t that a fantastic use of our imaginative powers?!

Ben's book list on new action-packed middle grade with heart

Book cover of Frances and the Monster Book cover of Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls Book cover of The Unforgettable Logan Foster Book cover of Journey Beyond the Burrow Book cover of The Last Shadow Warrior

What is my book about?

I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! It’s a dream come true until space junk collides with the ISS, turning their epic trip into a nightmare of survival. Alone aboard the Aether starship, the kids have to work as a team to save the adults before the ISS is destroyed. Suit up, cadet, and launch into adventure with One Giant Leap!

One Giant Leap

By Ben Gartner,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! It’s a dream come true until space junk collides with the ISS, turning their epic trip into a nightmare of survival. Alone aboard the Aether starship, the kids have to work as a team to save the adults before the ISS is destroyed. Suit up, cadet, and launch into adventure with One Giant Leap!

Praise for…

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5 book lists we think you will like!

The best historical fiction that gets me in the feels
The best YA books about overcoming abuse and assault
The best coming of age books with unstoppable, underdog protagonists
The best books to teach teens how to love themselves
The best YA books with strong characters set during war

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