Before we talk about the Top 5 Books, the words teenage and the word drama can be synonymous. Or is it teenage angst? The ages, say between 12 and up to 18 (or 19), are very definitive years in one’s life. It could easily be said that in addition to growing up, changing (okay, admittedly raging) hormones, and feeling emotions so deeply, this is both a turbulent and a learning time. Motion pictures, TV, and books can often play an important role in shaping teenagers’ minds and even their hearts.
Top 5 Books That Define Teenage Drama
We listed five books that encompass several important points about growing up. Does the book have relevance, especially today? Does it address a common issue teenagers have? And finally, is there a lesson that can be learned from the book and then implemented in daily life? These factors were considered, and we felt that these books play a crucial role in encapsulating teenage drama.
The Twilight Saga Series
The initial four books in the series, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, took many young readers by storm in the mid-2000s. Meyer penned an excellent series of books about love, danger, and vampiric adventures. Bella and Edward became a symbol of a young couple who could make it through anything. In 2020, Meyer wrote Midnight Sun, which is about Edward’s perspective. Definitely deserves the Top 5 Books spot.
The Outsiders
Iconic author S.E. Hinton wrote outstanding books in dealing with teenage drama. Her book The Outsiders deals with friendship, trust, and loyalty among close friends. Johnny, Ponyboy, and SodaPop, among others, go through the trials and tribulations of gangs and growing up in the late 60s. S.E. Hinton was only 17 at the time when she wrote the book. For further reading, check out her book, Tex.
Looking for Alaska
This is the first book by author John Green. We find our protagonist, Miles, entering boarding school and escaping from his dull life. Soon, he meets a girl, named (you guessed it) Alaska, and is captivated by her wit, charm, and chaos. The novel follows Miles into “the Great Perhaps” as he sees directions where his life could go. Green also wrote The Fault in Our Stars, which became a hit motion picture in 2014.
The DUFF
DUFF stands for the “designated ugly fat friend.” Is it the wing person, the chronic tagalong, or just a person one hangs out with as their last resort? In this case, the DUFF is used as a tool to get to the more attractive friends. Kody Keplinger’s angsty novel was written when Kody was just 17 years old. As a teen herself, she was adept at feeling and expressing teenage drama, and what it’s like to be in certain cliques in school. The novel was made into a film of the same name in 2015
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Here it is, the essential read, especially for young women. Judy Blume created a masterpiece. She hits upon Margaret’s fears about finding purpose and religion at a young age, and even Margaret’s worries about her changing body. The book has garnered many awards and was ultimately made into a movie of the same name in 2023.
Conclusion
There are many excellent YA/teen drama books out there. Depending on what your interests are, like supernatural, sports, fashion, etc., it is easy to find one to suit your preference. A lot of these books have been made into films. While those adaptations can be great, there is still nothing like curling up with a good book. Meanwhile, you can tap into these top 5 books.
