Award-Winning Books for Teens

With so many excellent young adult books published each year, it can be difficult for teen readers to determine which ones are the best. Each January, the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, gives out several awards, including the Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence in young adult literature. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to four Honor Books. Here are some of the winners and honorees since 2000, presented in chronological order from most recent to oldest. These rich stories and diverse characters will have teens -- and even their parents -- hooked from the first chapter. For more great teen reads, check out our Teen Books and Romantic Fantasy Books for Teens.

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Gather book cover: Image of large white dog on fall forest background
BOOK

Gather

age 14+

Language, drug use in heart-filled tale of rural teen.

By: Kenneth M. Cadow (2023)
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
BOOK

All My Rage

age 14+

Beautiful, heartbreaking story of love, loss, and abuse.

By: Sabaa Tahir (2022)
Book cover: When the Angels Left the Old Country
BOOK

When the Angels Left the Old Country

age 13+

Wild tale of Jewish immigrants and supernatural beings.

By: Sacha Lamb (2022)
Firekeeper's Daughter Poster Image
BOOK

Firekeeper's Daughter

age 15+

Native American teen vs. meth cartel in riveting thriller.

By: Angeline Boulley (2021)
Starfish Poster Image
BOOK

Starfish

age 10+

Moving, witty novel tackles fatphobia, self-advocacy.

By: Lisa Fipps (2021)
Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People Poster Image
BOOK

Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People

age 12+

Informative, inspiring history of the Black Power movement.

By: Kekla Magoon (2021)
Concrete Rose Poster Image
BOOK

Concrete Rose

age 14+

Suspenseful novel about teen father shows empathy, humor.

By: Angie Thomas (2021)
Last Night at the Telegraph Club Poster Image
BOOK

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

age 14+

Unforgettable queer love story set in 1950s San Francisco.

By: Malinda Lo (2021)
Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story) Poster Image
BOOK

Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story)

age 11+

Young refugee's story is told in memories, myths, fables.

By: Daniel Nayeri (2020)
Dragon Hoops Poster Image
BOOK

Dragon Hoops

age 12+

Cartoonist tracks winning season in riveting graphic novel.

By: Gene Luen Yang (2020)
We Are Not Free Poster Image
BOOK

We Are Not Free

age 12+

Powerful tale of Japanese American resilience during WWII.

By: Traci Chee (2020)
Every Body Looking Poster Image
BOOK

Every Body Looking

age 14+

Teen explores identities in brave novel in verse.

By: Candice Iloh (2020)
Dig Poster Image
BOOK

Dig

age 14+

Haunting, surreal tale explores cost of family dysfunction.

By: A.S. King (2019)
The Poet X Poster Image
BOOK

The Poet X

age 13+

Powerful, haunting story of finding your voice and power.

By: Elizabeth Acevedo (2018)
Damsel Poster Image
BOOK

Damsel

age 16+

Dark, twisty dragon quest tale has sex, gore, brutality.

By: Elana K. Arnold (2018)
A Heart in a Body in the World Poster Image
BOOK

A Heart in a Body in the World

age 13+

Emotional story of girl's journey after tragedy.

By: Deb Caletti (2018)
The Hate U Give Poster Image
BOOK

The Hate U Give

age 13+

Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen.

By: Angie Thomas (2017)
Long Way Down Poster Image
BOOK

Long Way Down

age 12+

Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge.

By: Jason Reynolds (2017)
Strange the Dreamer Poster Image
BOOK

Strange the Dreamer

age 15+

Fiercely imaginative, lushly told fantasy for mature teens.

By: Laini Taylor (2017)
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers Poster Image
BOOK

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers

age 12+

Riveting story of art, mental illness, brotherly devotion.

By: Deborah Heiligman (2017)