Contemporary fiction for children and teens
Contemporary fiction for children and teens is rooted in the world they know now, from school and friendships to family life, relationships, identity and the pressures of growing up. That familiarity can make these books particularly engaging. They give young people the chance to recognise something of themselves, understand lives unlike their own and tackle difficult subjects through believable characters. For reluctant readers, too, a story that feels close to home can be an easier way in. Jacqueline Wilson, Alice Oseman, Angie Thomas, R. J. Palacio, Onjali Q. Raúf, Elizabeth Acevedo, Patrice Lawrence, Juno Dawson, Benjamin Dean, and Dean Atta.
Contemporary fiction for children and teens – our recommendations
Contemporary fiction for 7-12 year olds – our recommendations
The Boy At the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf, illustrated by Pippa Curnick
Ahmet is nine when he joins a new class after fleeing war in Syria, and the children around him gradually learn why he is quiet and why his family has been separated. Told from a classmate’s perspective, the story turns a huge subject into one of friendship, questions and practical kindness.
The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q. Raúf, illustrated by Pippa Curnick
Hector has made a name for himself as a bully, but a cruel prank on Thomas, a homeless man in the local park, sets off events he cannot easily control. When famous London landmarks start disappearing and homeless people are blamed, Hector becomes caught up in the mystery. This novel for 8+ year olds combines a lively investigation with questions about prejudice, responsibility, homelessness and whether someone with a bad reputation can genuinely change.
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Eleven-year-old Addie is autistic, outspoken and increasingly troubled by what she learns about women once accused of witchcraft in her Scottish town. Her decision to campaign for a memorial brings her into conflict with people who would rather leave the past alone. For 9-11 year olds, Addie’s determination links historical injustice with present-day misunderstanding, while friendship, family relationships and self-belief keep the story rooted in her everyday life.
Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
Tally is eleven and autistic, and she notices far more about other people’s reactions than they often realise. Written with diary sections by Libby Scott, based on her own experiences, the novel explores friendship, school life, misunderstanding and the exhausting pressure to fit in. Its mix of fiction and first-hand perspective gives 9-10 year olds a close view of Tally’s thoughts, frustrations and strengths without reducing her character to a diagnosis.
The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter, illustrated by Andrew Bannecker
Billy Plimpton dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian, but his stammer makes the thought of performing in front of people feel terrifying. He is funny, observant and determined, yet school can turn speech into a source of embarrassment rather than confidence. 9+ year olds can follow Billy as jokes, friendships and setbacks push him to rethink what makes a performer worth listening to. The humour sits alongside a warm exploration of confidence and self-acceptance.
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson, illustrated by Mike Lowery
Twelve-year-old Matthew Corbin spends much of his time watching the neighbourhood from his bedroom window while OCD makes ordinary routines increasingly difficult. Then a toddler disappears, and Matthew realises that the details he has noticed could matter to the investigation. The mystery gives 11+ year olds a compelling route into a story about anxiety, isolation, friendship and recovery, with Matthew gradually finding ways to move beyond the limits fear has placed around him.
Boy, Everywhere by A. M. Dassu
Sami is thirteen and living a comfortable life in Damascus until a bombing changes everything. His family is forced to leave Syria, moving through danger and uncertainty as they try to reach safety in the UK. The story gives 10+ year olds a personal view of displacement through a boy whose interests in football, friends and technology are immediately familiar. Family loyalty, fear, prejudice and unexpected kindness shape a journey that keeps Sami’s individual experience at its centre.
No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton
Aya is eleven when she arrives in Britain with her mother and baby brother, seeking asylum after fleeing Syria. A chance encounter with a ballet class reveals her talent, while her family also faces uncertainty over whether they can stay and worries about the father they were separated from. The novel brings ballet and refugee experience together in a story about ambition, loss, belonging and the possibility of rebuilding a life.
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik
Omar has moved house and started a new school, where making friends would be complicated enough without a bully deciding to target him. Luckily, his huge imagination, lively family and the prospect of Eid provide plenty of counterweight to school trouble. 9+ year olds get a funny, energetic introduction to Omar’s world, with Muslim family life woven naturally through a story about friendship, prejudice and the everyday chaos of trying to settle somewhere new.
Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
Archie Albright knows his parents have separated, but he does not understand why until he discovers that his dad is gay. Wanting to support him, Archie and his friends set out on an adventure connected with London Pride. In this family story for 8+ year olds, the biggest changes are handled through Archie’s questions, loyalty and sense of humour. The result is a warm exploration of family relationships, identity, friendship and what support can look like in practice.
The Offline Diaries by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené, illustrated by Tequitia Andrews and Ruthine Burton
Ade is furious about moving to a new town, while Shanice is coping with school life after the death of her mum. They meet in Shanice’s dad’s hair salon, discover that they both keep diaries and quickly become friends, but popularity and online conversations complicate what happens face to face. The format mixes diary entries, messages and illustrations, giving 9+ year olds two distinct voices through which to explore grief, belonging, friendship and the pressures of Year 8.
High-Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson, illustrated by Wumzum
During a sweltering London summer, sisters Nik and Norva find themselves investigating a murder in the Tri, the high-rise estate they know better than almost anyone. Suspects, motives and neighbourhood secrets pile up as the pair test theories and follow clues on their own turf. For 9-11 year olds, the urban setting and sharp dialogue give the whodunnit a contemporary feel, while the sisters’ different personalities make the detective work as much about teamwork as solving the crime.
The Secret Sunshine Project by Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
Bea remembers how much London Pride meant to her older sister Riley, especially after Riley told the family she likes girls. After their dad dies and the family moves to the countryside for the summer, Riley is grieving and missing the celebration, so Bea decides to bring Pride to her. 8+ year olds can follow Bea’s secret project through friendship, family loss and cheerful acts of defiance, in a story that balances grief with community, love and celebration.
The Great (Food) Bank Heist by Onjali Q. Raúf, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Nelson, Ashley and their mum rely on a food bank, which Nelson thinks is a brilliant kind of bank until someone starts stealing from its shelves. With families depending on the food, Nelson and his friends decide they need to work out who is responsible. The short, accessible mystery gives 7+ year olds a child’s-eye view of food poverty without losing the humour and momentum of a heist story, and keeps friendship, fairness and practical problem-solving at the forefront.
The Soup Movement by Ben Davis
Jordan is adjusting to a new school while recovering from a serious illness, and even his mum’s homemade soup feels like one more thing that marks him out. Giving the flask to a homeless man called Harry begins an unlikely friendship, then grows into a wider effort to help other people in the town. 9+ year olds can follow the #SOUPMOVEMENT as one small act of kindness develops into community action, bringing humour and social awareness together without losing Jordan’s personal story.
The Best Sleepover in the World by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Rachael Dean
Daisy’s rival Chloe is planning an extravagant sleepover and invites the old friendship group, including Daisy’s best friend Emily, but not Daisy herself. At home, Daisy’s non-verbal sister Lily, who has learned Makaton at her special school, decides she wants a sleepover too. The story gives 9+ year olds plenty of familiar friendship tension while making room for sibling relationships, communication and inclusion, as Daisy discovers that the most memorable celebration may not be the flashiest one.
When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten
Clara loves life in the small island village of Sycamore, but there is a gap in her memory where last summer should be. When Rudy arrives from England, old friendship tensions with Gaynah sharpen and buried family secrets begin to surface. 10+ year olds can follow Clara through a sun-soaked mystery built around memory, grief, friendship and belonging. The gradual return of what she has forgotten gives the story emotional weight without losing its strong sense of place and childhood freedom.
Max and Ella, Stuck Together by Kristina Rahim
Max is bruised by bullying at secondary school and his confidence in music has taken a hit, which is awkward timing with a charity concert coming up. He starts thinking about meeting Hari, his donor parent. But Ella, Hari’s daughter, is not thrilled, especially with her mum abroad and her best friend moving schools. When Max turns up at Ella’s family weekend anyway, the first meeting lands hard and nothing feels simple afterwards. A poignant, thought-provoking read for 9+ year olds, and one that’s perfect for book club discussion. Highly recommended.
Letters from the Upside by Katya Balen
Con is a boy wrestling with anger after his father walks out. Suspended from school and drifting from his best friend, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Mr Williams, the neighbour who keeps homing pigeons on the roof. Looking after the birds gives Con a sense of purpose and a glimpse of hope in this affecting read. When Mr Williams leaves, Con takes full responsibility and begins to wonder if the pigeons might somehow help him reach his father. A highly convincing, moving, and ultimately uplifting contemporary story about friendship and family, Letters from the Upside is perfect for class reading and discussion in Year 6. Highly recommended.
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
Nate starts his final year of primary school expecting best friend PS to be beside him, only for them to be placed in different classes and pulled into new friendships. School pressure, family responsibilities and a frightening emergency involving his little brother Dylan quickly make Year 6 feel even harder. Told in verse with expressive illustrations, the book gives 8+ year olds direct access to Nate’s anger, loyalty and fear while showing how writing can help him make sense of change.
October, October by Katya Balen, illustrated by Angela Harding
October has grown up in the woods with her dad and knows the trees, lake and wildlife as intimately as other children know streets and shops. The year she turns eleven, she rescues a baby owl, her dad is badly injured and the mother she barely knows returns, forcing her into a very different life. For 9+ year olds, the story pairs October’s fierce attachment to the natural world with a thoughtful exploration of family, change, independence and learning to belong in more than one place.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Auggie Pullman is ten and has been home-schooled for years because of a facial difference. Starting school means classrooms, friendships and playground politics, but also the constant problem of being judged before people know him. Told through Auggie and several people around him, the novel lets 9+ year olds see the same year from more than one viewpoint. Friendship, bullying, family and kindness emerge through everyday choices rather than simple lessons, giving the school story lasting emotional impact.
Dangerous Influence by Sally Nicholls, illustrated by Jessica Cruickshank
Anna and Josie have grown up in front of their mother’s camera, with family life turned into popular online content. Anna has long felt uneasy, but the danger becomes impossible to ignore when a follower begins stalking Josie and both sisters refuse to keep filming. Written for 11+ readers at a reading age of 8, this powerful short novel raises urgent questions about consent, privacy and the cost of an income built on children’s lives.
Always Angel by Kimberly Whittam
Angel is a Year 8 pupil who finds school hard and is often in trouble. With her mum unwell and unable to care for her properly, Angel’s life feels unstable and she struggles to fit in. She wants to do better, make friends and enter the school baking contest, but expectations based on her past behaviour are stacked against her. This powerful and ultimately uplifting contemporary story for UKS2 and KS3 students explores friendship, foster care, second chances and learning how to change your life for the better. It’s ideal for book club discussion.
Contemporary fiction for teens – our recommendations
Sweet and Sour by Monique Turner
Mikah and his friends start a mukbang channel in a world where AI influencer robots rule the feeds, hoping their very human chaos will set them apart. It works, but the sudden fame quickly eats into Mikah’s health and friendships. As the views climb, so do the pressures, and the shine of online success turns uneasy fast. This YA novel for 12+ year olds digs deep into internet culture, tech-shaped lives and what happens when popularity comes with a price. A stand-out contemporary thriller with a deliciously dark twist.
Then We’ll Be Happy by Alan Carrigan
Seventeen-year-old Sam, who has cerebral palsy, wants more control over his own life. Being left out of yet another school trip, and then being forced to spend the day with his bully, pushes him over the edge and he decides to campaign for change. A hard-hitting and thought-provoking contemporary drama for 14+ year-olds, it examines disability, fairness, friendship and difficult decisions. It’s perfect for KS4 book club discussion. Highly recommended.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two very different worlds: her home neighbourhood and the wealthier school she attends. When she witnesses a police officer fatally shoot her unarmed friend Khalil, silence becomes impossible to separate from safety, family and justice. This novel for 14+ year olds combines a close first-person coming-of-age story with questions about racism, policing, protest and public narratives, while keeping Starr’s friendships and family relationships central to every decision she makes.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, illustrated by Anshika Khullar
Michael grows up negotiating the different parts of his identity before finding a new kind of freedom through university life, performance and drag. Written in verse and illustrated throughout, the novel follows his journey towards becoming the Black Flamingo, a persona that lets him claim space rather than shrink himself to fit other people’s expectations. 12+ year olds can explore race, sexuality, masculinity, family and belonging through a coming-of-age story that is intimate, celebratory and sharply observant.
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson go to the same school but barely know one another until they are seated together. Friendship comes first, then Charlie’s feelings deepen while Nick begins to question assumptions he has made about himself. The graphic novel format keeps expressions, pauses and awkward moments as important as the dialogue, making this story especially immediate. School life, friendship groups, first love and identity unfold at a gentle pace built around kindness and emotional honesty.
Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann
Amber finds freedom on the running track, but at home she is constrained by her father’s rules, fear and the pressure placed on the women in her family. Written as a sequence of poems, the novel follows her growing determination to challenge what has been normalised around her. 14+ year olds will encounter bullying and domestic abuse alongside sport, family loyalty and resistance, with the verse form keeping Amber’s thoughts urgent and concentrated as she works out what rebellion and freedom might actually require.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Xiomara Batista has plenty to say, even when her strict home life makes speaking openly difficult. She pours her anger, desire and questions into a notebook until a school slam poetry club offers a chance to turn private words into public performance. Told entirely in verse, the novel gives 15+ year olds a vivid story about family, faith, body image, first attraction and finding a voice. Xiomara’s poems are not decoration around the plot; they are the way she begins to shape it.
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
Nishat has just come out to her parents when school brings another complication: Flávia, the girl she cannot stop thinking about, becomes her rival in a student business competition centred on henna. What begins as competition becomes tangled with attraction, cultural ownership, family expectations and school politics. This YA romance balances the energy of a rivals-to-romance plot with Nishat’s determination to be honest about who she is, even when other people would find that honesty easier to ignore.
Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald
Finlay is trying to build a future through his nursing degree at Glasgow University after growing up in care, while Banjo is still at school and struggling to settle with a foster family. Their stories reveal the effects of trauma, poverty and isolation without treating either boy as a problem to be solved. 14+ year olds can follow an emotionally direct novel about young masculinity, friendship, care and vulnerability, set against the practical pressures of working-class life in Glasgow.
The Places I’ve Cried in Public by Holly Bourne
Amelie once believed her relationship with Reese was love. Now she retraces the places where she cried, returning to memories that look different once she begins to recognise control, manipulation and emotional abuse. The structure lets 14+ year olds see how harmful behaviour can emerge gradually rather than arrive with an obvious label. Friendship, self-worth and hindsight sit alongside the romance narrative, making the book as interested in how Amelie rebuilds her understanding of herself as in how the relationship went wrong.
All the Things We Never Said by Yasmin Rahman
Sixteen-year-old Mehreen is overwhelmed by anxiety and depression when she joins MementoMori, a website that connects her with Cara and Olivia through a dangerous pact centred on ending their lives. Meeting the two girls creates something the site never anticipated: friendship, mutual support and a desire to step away from the plan. Written from three viewpoints, the novel tackles severe mental-health distress while placing survival, connection and the possibility of help at the centre of its direction.
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
Anton is the self-proclaimed leader of Year 9 and with his friends, rules the school. But he faces a dilemma when he strikes up an unlikely friendship after a life-changing event. Will he remain loyal to his new friend or his previous reputation? Suitable for teen readers, this compelling contemporary comedy explores themes of friendship and identity and offers relatable insights into peer pressure and personal growth. Highly recommended for KS3 and KS4.
The Victors by Wren James, illustrated by Beth Fuller
Four years after Dirk Earnest defeated the Demon Overlord, fame has left him lonely and trying to live like an ordinary university student. A sharply realised and page-turning black-and-white graphic novel for KS3 and KS4 readers, it throws Dirk into shared accommodation with Medusa de la Tempête, a former evil minion and war criminal, turning an enemies-to-friends mythical fantasy into a uniquely compelling and richly illustrated story about identity, fandom and found family. Highly recommended.
The Summer After the Night Before by Lisa Williamson
After a party kiss, Ben believes something has started between him and Molly. Molly says she cares about him – but not like that – and she cannot remember what happened next. As GCSEs end and summer begins, their friendship group is left reeling with conflicting memories, denials and pressure from all sides. This compelling contemporary YA story for 14+ year olds examines consent, blame and disclosure with care, prompting readers to think deeply about what happens when two people do not agree about the same events. It’s perfect for KS4 book clubs, and likely to be a popular and relevant reading choice in Years 10 and 11. Highly recommended.
Like a Brother by Nathanael Lessore
Owais thinks summer is sorted until his teacher puts him on an art course and his cousin Abass arrives to stay. Sharing a room is bad enough, but Abass takes the bed, insists the Arsenal poster comes down, and leaves Owais on the floor mattress. With the two Year 9 boys clashing from the start, Nathanael Lessore deftly uses the comedy to dig into family, identity and authentic male friendship dynamics, with clever jokes and puns that work on multiple levels. Like a Brother will appeal to many different audiences, and is an ideal accessible yet edgy read for 11+ year olds in KS3. Highly recommended.
Ghost Boys Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes
After being shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real one, twelve-year-old Jerome becomes a ghost watching what follows. He sees the effect of his death on his family, his community and the officer involved. Along the way he meets Emmett Till, whose harrowing story echoes his own. Illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey and told here as an emotive, powerful graphic novel, this adaptation looks directly and unflinchingly at racism, justice and loss. It’s a moving and thought-provoking read for KS3 students.
Heledd’s Song by Fiona Collins
Fourteen-year-old Seren lives with her nain in contemporary north-east Wales after the death of her mother and struggles with grief and bullying at school. In her dreams, she meets Heledd, a girl from the 7th-century kingdom of Pengwern, living in the aftermath of a Mercian war. This stunning magic-tinged mythical novel for 14+ year olds draws on Canu Heledd and Welsh literary tradition to explore loss, survival and the stories that help people endure. Highly recommended.
A Flood of Memories by Nadia Mikail
Flood season pulls Leila back from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak, where she must help her Mak and face the memories she has avoided since her father’s death. For 12+ year old YA readers, this brilliant novel brings together an enchanting and life-affirming story of family trauma, control, grief and first love, as Leila is forced to weigh Arthur’s support against what it might cost her. Highly recommended – it’s a great contemporary pick for KS3 & KS4 libraries.
When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando
After fourteen-year-old Shaq is stabbed outside a busy Manchester shopping centre, Chantelle, Jackson and Marc are drawn together despite coming from very different circumstances. The aftermath forces them to confront how race and prejudice influence the stories told by police, media and the wider public. The novel links systemic questions with individual choices, friendships and family pressures, giving the consequences of one violent event a wide social frame without losing sight of the teenagers living through it.
Bear by Kiri Lightfoot
Jasper Robinson-Woods is juggling too much: his pet is dying, home life is tense, and a terrifying nightmare keeps returning. The only place he finds calm is up a tree outside his window. But when the nightmare crosses into real life, Jasper has no choice but to face it head-on. Bear is Kiri Lightfoot’s first YA novel, shaped by her work with teens. Funny, moving and unforgettable, it won the 2024 Storylines Tessa Duder Award and it is highly recommended for readers aged 13–16.
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
Aideen is much better at fixing other people’s problems than facing her own. One improvised solution for high-achieving Maebh turns Aideen into the school’s unofficial fixer, taking on everything from confiscated phones to party access in exchange for favours. For 14+ year olds, the comedy and escalating schemes sit alongside a messier home life, friendship strains and a growing attraction to Maebh. The result is a school story where being capable does not mean being in control.
Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence
Sixteen-year-old Marlon has promised his mum that he will not follow the path taken by his older brother Andre. Then a date ends in tragedy and Marlon is pulled into a dangerous search for the mysterious Mr Orange, with threats moving closer to the people he wants to protect. This taut thriller for 12+ year olds explores family loyalty, gang pressure, identity and the assumptions made about teenage boys, while Marlon’s choices keep the action personal rather than abstract.
Meat Market by Juno Dawson
Jana Novak is a teenager from a south London estate whose height and striking looks take her from ordinary school life into high-fashion modelling. Success brings money, travel and attention, but also exposes an industry where power, bodies and consent can be exploited. The story follows Jana through the glamour and damage of sudden celebrity, examining class, ambition, body image and predatory behaviour. It is a sharp contemporary novel for more mature teens about what can happen when being seen becomes both an opportunity and a risk.
The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven
Izzy O’Neill is eighteen, funny, broke and hoping to become a writer when explicit images involving her are published online. The scandal turns her into a target for trolls and public judgement, exposing stark double standards around sex, privacy and teenage girls. 14+ year olds can follow Izzy as humour becomes both defence and weapon, supported by friends while she pushes back against slut-shaming, entitlement and the assumption that public humiliation should define the person at its centre.
Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor
Fifteen-year-old Nel is used to fading into the background, especially with her twin brother Ludo soaking up the spotlight. But when she ends up stepping into his place in a local band, music gives her a way to push back, speak up, and figure out who she really is. With writing by Ziggy Hanaor and illustrations by Sarah Lippett, this highly relatable coming-of-age story from Cicada Books blends sibling drama, identity and angst with genuine heart. Exploring contemporary social media, ambitions, dreams, and the importance of music as a soundtrack to life, Everything Amplified is a powerful graphic novel that teens will seek out. Every KS4 school library should stock it. Highly recommended.
Goodbye, Perfect by Sara Barnard
Eden trusts her best friend Bonnie more than almost anyone, so she is stunned when straight-A Bonnie disappears just before their GCSEs with an adult she has been secretly seeing. Eden knows where Bonnie is and initially refuses to betray her confidence, even as police questions and her own doubts intensify. This emotionally complex novel examines friendship, loyalty, academic pressure and grooming, asking what support means when protecting a friend may require challenging what that friend believes.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Sixteen-year-old Simon Spier is not ready to come out, but an anonymous email exchange with another gay student, known only as Blue, gives him a private space to be honest. When those messages fall into the wrong hands, Simon is blackmailed and both boys’ identities are put at risk. FThe novel mixes school friendships, musical rehearsals and first love with the pressure of being outed, while Simon’s warm, funny voice keeps the story grounded in ordinary teenage life.
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Popular Hani Khan blurts out that she is dating Ishu Dey after her friends question whether she can really be bisexual. Ishu agrees to the fake relationship because greater popularity could help her campaign to become head girl. The arrangement is practical until feelings stop following the plan. This YA romance uses the fake-dating set-up to explore friendship, racism, family expectations, ambition and queer identity through two Bengali girls whose similarities become clearer as their differences stop keeping them apart.
The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth
Seventeen-year-old Saoirse has no interest in another serious relationship when she meets Ruby, who loves romantic comedies and believes in happy endings. They compromise on a summer built from classic film-date moments, with none of the difficult parts that are supposed to come afterwards. 13+ year olds can follow the romance alongside Saoirse’s complicated family life, including her mother’s illness and her father’s plans to remarry. The book tests whether real feelings can be kept inside a deliberately fictional formula.
Loveless by Alice Oseman
Georgia arrives at university expecting that romance will finally happen for her, despite never having had a crush or kissed anyone. New friendships, the Shakespeare Society and a determined attempt to manufacture the expected university experience instead push her towards different questions about attraction and identity. For 14+ year olds, Georgia’s exploration of asexuality and aromanticism is placed alongside friendship, mistakes and self-acceptance, widening the idea of love beyond the romantic story she thought she was supposed to want.
A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once by Lucas Maxwell
Elias’s family is coming undone. His brother’s caught up with the wrong crowd, and the pressure at home keeps building. Determined to put things right, Elias takes a risky leap – but his plan quickly unravels. Set against the bleak, wintry backdrop of Nova Scotia, this gripping debut from Lucas Maxwell explores addiction, family and neurodiversity with honesty and heart. Winner of the Times/Chicken House Competition 2024, it’s a powerful read for 14+ year olds.
Dead Straight Line by Malcolm Duffy
It’s simple. Wherever you are, you have to get home in a Dead Straight Line. Never mind what’s in the way or which rules you have to break, the game 16-year-old Rory concocts is as enticing in the story as it is thought-provoking in real life. But what Rory cannot foresee is how it will change his world and wreck his friend Eliot’s life. After the accident, consequences hit hard at home and at school, and an angry Rory is sent to volunteer in a care home. There he meets Tanker, an outspoken war veteran who provides hope – slowly reshaping how Rory sees himself and his actions. Incredibly powerful, perfectly pitched and unerringly relevant, Dead Straight Line is an outstanding, sharp and pacey story for 12+ year olds that explores trust, responsibility and real lived experience. Every secondary-aged student should read it. Read our full review.
On the Edge by Nicola Garrard
Rhys is a NEET in a South Devon town shaped by low wages, seasonal work and rising tourist pressure. He looks after his younger brothers, surfs when he can and tries to keep things steady while his dad works away. When a young activist promises a way to push back against everything the town has lost, Rhys is pulled towards unforeseen risk and danger. This powerful and thought-provoking contemporary novel tackles themes of family loyalty, local pride and the strain on rural communities. Highly recommended.
The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
Natalie is grieving her mother in Dover while her brother is drawn towards a far-right group, and swimming becomes the place where she can still think clearly. Sammy has fled Eritrea and is making a dangerous journey towards Europe in search of safety. Told in verse, their stories move towards one another across borders and very different circumstances. This novel gives teenagers a compassionate view of grief, prejudice, displacement and hope, using two voices to show how political realities become personal.
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Children’s and teen contemporary fiction resources for teachers
- The CLPE Power of Reading programme supports primary teachers using high-quality children’s literature as the basis for reading and writing. Its teaching sequences include book talk, drama, illustration, creative writing and close exploration of characters and themes.
- EmpathyLab’s Read for Empathy collection brings together contemporary books for children and young people aged 3-16+, selected for their potential to develop understanding of other people’s feelings and experiences. Primary and secondary collections include novels, graphic novels and other formats.
- Scottish Book Trust’s teen book discussion guides provide downloadable activities for running secondary book groups with contemporary titles. The guides cover themes including family, identity, LGBTQ+ experiences, activism, humour and the environment.
- Scottish Book Trust’s mental health and wellbeing activities can be used with fiction in both primary and secondary classrooms. The site also links to age-appropriate booklists, webinars and resources exploring emotions, grief, resilience and mental wellbeing.
- Lit in Colour offers free primary and secondary teaching materials designed to bring more writing by authors of colour into UK classrooms. Resources include extracts, worksheets, PowerPoints, author videos and activities for literature, language and reading for pleasure.
- Amnesty International UK’s Teach Human Rights with Fiction resources use stories to explore identity, equality, freedom, safety and other human rights themes. Classroom ideas include discussion questions, creative responses and activities encouraging pupils to consider different perspectives.
- The National Literacy Trust resource library can be filtered by fiction, reading for pleasure, comprehension, age and school phase. It includes book-based activities, reading recommendations and resources for primary, secondary and post-16 educators.
- Scottish Book Trust’s Book Discovery Guides are particularly useful for keeping staff knowledge of contemporary children’s and teen literature up to date, with recent publications, themed recommendations and suggestions from librarians, booksellers and other reading professionals.
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