Books for High School Readers

Not sure what to read next? Check out one college student’s list of favorite young adult books for high school readers. Reading levels provided by Scholastic and Lexile.

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Before Steven Spielberg’s 2018 film adaptation is brought to the big screen, read this futuristic story about a young man seeking fortune, adventure, and escape from reality in a massively multiplayer online world. He must dodge obstacles and solve puzzles for the opportunity to win a massive fortune in this book for readers in grades 9 and up. 
2. The Mara Dyer series by Michelle Hodkin. This engaging trilogy follows Mara, who at the start of the novel has recently moved to Florida to escape the fallout of a tragic accident. As more and more strange things start to happen around her, Mara begins to unravel the mystery, only to find herself at the center. This book focuses on teenagers with supernatural powers and is appropriate for grades 9 and up.
3. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. This book captivated me from the first page. It follows high school senior Sam and her three best friends, all of whom live charmed lives that are cut short at the beginning of the novel. Then, Sam gets a second chance: she must relive her last day, every day for one week in order to untangle the mystery surrounding her death. Along the way, she discovers the true value of everything she is in danger of losing. The book is appropriate for readers in grades 9-12. 
4. Conversion by Katherine Howe. This fresh, interesting retelling of the Salem Witch Trials takes place in modern-day Massachusetts. The book explores every avenue of explanation possible when an epidemic of mysterious illness starts affecting the young women in the town. The main characters face relatable struggles with high school life and applying to colleges, and the author does a fantastic job blending science with the supernatural in this novel appropriate for grades 9-12.
5. The Third Eye by Lois Duncan. Lois Duncan’s books are frequently taught in schools today. I became interested in her work when my seventh grade class read I Know What You Did Last Summer, but The Third Eye is my favorite of her books. In this supernatural suspense novel, a young woman uses her newfound psychic gift to help the police find missing children. It is appropriate for readers in grades 9 and up.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services