Empowering Books for Teens

by Tamsin Winter
|
6 books
As an author and educator, one of the main issues I see on a regular basis in young people is low self-esteem. The teenage years are such a difficult time of our lives. Our bodies are changing, our minds are flooded with hormones, we change schools, and friendships become more complicated, as does our emerging sexuality. It is no wonder that our self-confidence plummets during this stage of our life. One of the ways we can empower young people is through stories. Books are a safe space to explore and understand the complexities we face in the real world, as well as making us feel less alone. These books are not only brilliantly entertaining and relatable, they give readers an enormous and much-needed sense of empowerment.
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One in a Hundred Thousand

Linni Ingemundsen, 2021
I adore Linni Ingemundsen's fresh and honest style of writing and this is one of my favourites. It tells the story of 15-year-old Sander, who has Silver-Russell syndrome, a rare medical condition that means he is smaller than other kids. Sander wants to fit in, but with everyone around him bigger, stronger and louder, he struggles to get noticed. However, Sander notices everything. His unique way of looking at the world, his experiences, and his beautiful mind have become his strength. This is a truly empowering story that all young people will relate to, but especially those of us who struggled to fit in.

October, October

Katya Balen, 2021
This book is heart-achingly beautiful, with a powerful message of being yourself that runs all the way through. October lives in the woods, cut off from mainstream society, and she loves it. However, when her dad suffers a terrible accident, she is forced to move to London to live with her estranged mother and attend school for the first time. This book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions as October struggles to accept her new way of life and deals with intense guilt for the part she played in her father's accident. At its core, this is a book about self-acceptance, courage and connecting with the natural world as well as the people around you.

The Black Flamingo

Dean Atta, 2019
An exceptionally original, bold and unforgettable coming-of-age and coming-out story written in a unique style. It tells the story of Michael, a mixed-race gay teenager who learns to feel proud of his skin and his sexuality as he discovers drag. Not only is this beautifully and sensitively written, it's full of heartbreakingly beautiful poetry that sits alongside meaningful and powerful imagery. It's an astonishing read about pride, self-love and creative expression that will stay with you well beyond the end.

Hazel Hill is Gonna Win this One

Maggie Horne, 2022
This is a brilliantly empowering book that deals with the serious issue of online sexual harassment in a meaningful and accessible way for young readers. Hazel is a truly badass heroine - she's smart, funny, realistic and determined to uncover the truth. This is an important read for girls and boys (and parents!) as it shines a light on the very real dangers of social media but also empowers victims and witnesses to speak out. It's a genuinely entertaining read with a huge feel-good factor and a positive way to spark conversations around online safety and respect with tweens and young teens.

The Soup Movement

Ben Davis, 2020
So, this book had me laughing and crying in equal measure. It's a brilliantly original story about two thirteen-year-olds who meet during their cancer treatment and make a pact to spend a whole year spreading kindness. They plan to meet exactly a year later to see how successful they have been. It's told in a gripping, hilarious and original way and deals with so many big themes that young people will relate to head on - fitting in, peer pressure, social media, friendship, grief - and ultimately leaves your heart much bigger than when you started.

You Are Awesome

Matthew Syed, 2019
This is a must-read, brilliantly written book for boys and girls that helps to build confidence, self-esteem, resilience and empathy. It's one of those rare gems of a book that guides young people through the difficulties they face without being patronising or overly-scientific. Reading this gives you a genuine feeling of connection with the author and offers valuable wisdom and insights into real-world scenarios that young teens face in little bite-sized chunks. The design and illustrations are super cool. An uplifting, empowering book I wish was written when I was younger and one I regularly read with my own son.