Find your next great read for National Reading Month with these YA books that are great for teens facing tough problems.
Reading YA books about real teens tackling difficult problems can raise awareness about what others are going through. Stories about real issues like anxiety, self-harming, bullying, and eating disorders is one way to find connection and hope. Maybe through a character, you recognize that you are not alone, or you realize that a friend might be in trouble.
The following list is a compilation of the best YA books about teens facing tough problems that I’ve found. Many of these authors have written multiple issue-driven novels, and I’ve noted those. You will find some heartbreaking and challenging material here, but I promise that these books are worth it!
Coywood Creek by Khristina Chess
Tough Topics: Binge Eating Disorder, Anxiety
“With an unremarkable click, like a period at the end of a sentence, the world ended.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Coywood Creek
With that chilling opening, Coywood Creek takes off—an addictive dystopian novel that’s equal parts humor, heart, and survival.
At first, Zoey brushes off the blackout, the dead cell service, and the eerie northern lights. But as reality sets in, she knows one thing: she can’t stay in her parents’ condo alone. She sets out for Coywood Creek, hoping to find safety with her uncle and grandmother. Instead, she finds something else entirely.
Holy macaroni—this book is a page-turner! Zoey is sharp, relatable, and hilarious, navigating the collapse of civilization with her signature sarcasm (and a bag of OREO cookies). Her banter with Kent made me laugh out loud, even as the novel’s deeper themes—resilience, uncertainty, and survival—kept me hooked. But more than anything, Coywood Creek forces you to ask: How fragile are we without our technology?
If you’re searching for the best YA books about teens facing tough problems, don’t miss Khristina Chess’s unforgettable dystopian journey. In fact, all of her books are issue-driven stories about real and difficult problems, which is why I’ve included her on my Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Tough Topics: Racism, Police Brutality, Identity
“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” ― Angie Thomas, quote from The Hate U Give
I saw this book everywhere and picked it up, wondering what all the fuss is about. Wow. I couldn't put it down. Starr is an amazing character in a perfectly-crafted situation that screams with tension, suspense, and emotion. Her emotions are raw and authentic. You can feel her little-girl timidity in the grand jury testimony and her grief and rage in the scene with Hailey. Her world is vivid and real. The pain of her dual life and the conflict it causes her is palatable. I loved this book. I love this girl. I want to see her again, doing more, making a difference. She's made me believe in her.
And after reading this one, I wanted to read everything Angie Thomas has written! If you’re looking for more profanity and offensive language (and great stories and characters), she writes some of the best banned YA books, and you should read them.
Property of Nobody by Khristina Chess
Tough Topics: Human trafficking, immigration
“No one is coming for you. No one is missing you. And no one will mourn you if you’re killed.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Property of Nobody
Wow! Property of Nobody seized me from the first page and never let go.
In a genre where male voices are rare, Teódulo stands out—a gripping, unforgettable protagonist trapped in the insidious web of debt bondage. His descent is slow, suffocating, inevitable. I worried for him. I fought alongside him. I clung to every choice he made, knowing escape might never come.
This novel doesn’t just tell a story; it forces you to see the brutal reality—the dark underbelly of immigration, human trafficking, organized crime, and the children who are swallowed by it. It’s haunting. It’s raw. And it’s painfully authentic.
Freedom is not free. And for Teódulo, it may never come at all.
A breathtaking and unforgettable novel, Property of Nobody has sparked conversations across book clubs and reader communities—solidifying its place as one of the most talked about and memorable YA books of the decade. If you’re searching for a YA novel that will challenge you, move you, and stay with you long after the last page, Property of Nobody is an absolute must-read.
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Tough Topics: Childhood Trauma and Abuse, Foster Care, Class
“Goodness, I was already a dork most of the times. I didn’t need to be a drunk or high dork.” ― Jennifer L. Armentrout, quote from The Problem with Forever
After four years of home schooling and therapy, Mallory Dodge takes the gigantic step of going to a public high school for her senior year. She’s ready. She’s pretty sure. But on the first day, she collides with her past as she comes face-to-face with the person who meant everything to her: Rider Stark.
The boy who saved her.
Everything about this book is wonderful. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, and I loved the strong relationship between Mallory “Mouse” and Rider. I loved the way their characters grew and changed as the story unfolded. They were so encouraging with each other, and Mallory’s best friend Ainsley is such a great friend.
The themes in the novel are well developed: childhood trauma, class difference, foster care, adoption, the impact of good teachers (Mr. Santos, the speech teacher), good parenting.
This is simply an amazing book!
This is simply an amazing book! If you’re looking for more heartwarming books like this, check out my list Which Inspiring YA Books about Orphans and Fosters Should You Read Next.
The Cutting Edge of Friendship by Khristina Chess
Tough Topics: Sexual Assault, Self-Harming
“Sometimes my inside hurts so bad that I need to make the outside hurt worse so the inside will stop.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Cutting Edge of Friendship
Sadie and Elana have always shared everything—but now, they’re keeping secrets that could destroy them.
On the night of the fireworks, something terrible happened to Sadie—something she can’t even put into words. Instead, she turns to cutting, the only way she knows to cope.
Elana has secrets too. She’s been texting Hunter, making plans to meet in secret, and never questioning why he insists on hiding their relationship.
As their lives spiral deeper into danger, Sadie must find the strength to fight back—not just for herself, but for Elana—before a predator can strike again.
Absolutely gripping! The Cutting Edge of Friendship pulled me in from the first page, and I couldn’t look away until the girls were safe. Sadie’s resilience is fierce and unforgettable, and the novel’s raw, unfiltered emotion hits hard. This story doesn’t shy away from the truth—it reveals, with painful honesty, how self-harm can become a desperate response to trauma.
Readers in search of YA books about tough problems should definitely add this one to their list.
The Truth about Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
Tough Topics: Bullying
“There is one thing I've learned about people: they don't get that mean and nasty overnight. It's not human nature. But if you give people enough time, eventually they'll do the most heartbreaking stuff in the world.” ― Jennifer Mathieu, quote from The Truth About Alice
Told through multiple points of view, this YA novel tells the story Alice, a girl who is being bullied and shamed by her classmates because of sex. Each of the four narrators have a different perspective of Alice and what happened the night of the party, but because of their agendas, they are unreliable narrators. The worst ones are the girls who create the cloud of hate and shame around Alice.
The narrators are cruel and generally unlikeable people who spend their time justifying their actions. At the same time, because the book is short, there isn’t enough depth for them to do this adequately. I wish I’d had a little more.
In the end, only Alice can tell us what really happened—in her own voice.
If you’re looking for the best YA books for teens facing tough problems, be sure to check out this story about bullying and slut shaming. For more books like this one, check out my list YA Books about Bullying.
After by Amy Efaw
Tough Topics: Teen Pregnancy, infanticide
“I'd rather be lucky than good. Good is just so overrated. Bad girls have the most fun.” ― Amy Efaw, quote from After
What kind of girl leaves her infant to die in the trash?
Devon Davenport is a “good girl” whose one misstep leads to an unplanned pregnancy. She’s so filled with denial about her entire situation that she cannot even admit to herself that she’s pregnant until she gives birth. The depiction of her detachment is incredibly real and heartbreaking.
During her stay in the juvenile detention center, Devon must face facts about herself and her situation. Her lawyer plays an important role in drawing the story out of her and helping to build empathy for this girl who has committed such a horrific act.
Devon’s transformation from the beginning to the end of book is heartfelt and moving. I couldn’t put it down.
Don’t miss this poignant YA book about teen pregnancy. It will especially appeal to fans of Jodi Piccoult.
Teen pregnancy is one of the top concerns of American youth, and After is one of the best YA books for teens facing tough problems related to unplanned pregnancy. For more books about this issue, check out my list of 5 Young Adult Books about Teenage Pregnancy to Terrify Your Mother.
By The Time You Read This I’ll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Tough Topics: Suicide, Bullying
I want to tell them, "Chip, Kim, there is no way to suicide-proof a person.” ― Julie Anne Peters, quote from By the Time You Read This I’ll Be Dead
Daelyn is going to kill herself in 23 days.
Daelyn is a bullied girl who failed her first suicide attempt but intends to get it right the next time. A website named Through the Light provides support to wanna-be suicide “completers” like Daelyn, and she spends a lot of free time there. Counting down the days.
Then she meets a boy. She tries to ignore him, but he’s pushy. Persistent. Charming, even.
But is he charming enough to keep her from going through the light when the countdown ends?
By the Time You Read This I’ll Be Dead is one of the best YA books for teens facing tough problems, especially in the area of depression and anxiety. This raw book is a fast read. It’s not easy, happy, or hopeful, but it’s an authentic and real look at mental health and suicide. For more books about this issue, check out my list of 6 Gripping Young Adult Books on Depression and Anxiety Struggles.
The Delinquent Hero by Khristina Chess
Tough Topics: Grief, Death and Dying, eating disorders
“I stare at my sister in this bed. She is mine. She is here, and I cannot imagine that she is not. That she will never be here again. How can it be true? I see her before me. Her chest is rising, falling, rising, falling. Her hand is warm in mine.“ ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Delinquent Hero
Wow! The Delinquent Hero grabbed me from the first page and never let go!
Pitched as an action-packed murder mystery, this gripping YA novel is so much more—a raw and unforgettable exploration of sisterhood, eating disorders, and devastating loss.
At its core is Molly, desperate for answers after her older sister, Kat, lands in the hospital. The investigation unfolds in real time, peeling back layers of secrets, regrets, and the painful bond they’ve always shared. For Molly, reconnecting with Kat means slipping into their old patterns—the kind that consume and starve in equal measure.
"I'm not very hungry. I am, and I'm not. I am hollow, but this feeling seems less about food and more about Kat. At any rate, I do not want to eat."
What makes The Delinquent Hero truly unforgettable is its heart-wrenching puzzle—not just unraveling what happened that night, but understanding Kat herself. This novel doesn’t just tell a story; it forces you to feel every ache, every unanswered question, every desperate search for why.
If you are looking for a YA book about sisters, grief, and dying, don’t miss this tragic and beautifully crafted YA novel.
The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow
Tough Topics: Alcoholism, Divorce, Grief
“Every morning when I wake up, I don’t think I’m going to make it. Or maybe I think that I don’t want to make it. I’m heavy with what I did the night before and I’m heavy with everything inside me and sometimes it is just too goddamn much to carry around.” ― Kathleen Glasgow, quote from The Glass Girl
Everything Kathleen Glasgow writes is pure gold, and The Glass Girl is no exception.
Bella is a 15-year-old girl with a drinking problem. Her parents divorced and put her in the middle, and her beloved grandmother died, and her boyfriend broke up with her because she's "too much" (his words), and life really sucks except when she's drinking.
Bella hits bottom as most addicts do and finds herself in the hospital and then in rehab. Her journey through recovery and back to real life is not linear, and along the way, I fell in love with her and her pain. She's very authentic and young. There are moments when she shines so, so brightly, and I just wanted to hug her.
Kathleen Glasgow writes about tough topics for teens better than anyone! I definitely recommend her latest.
Trafficked by Kim Purcell
Tough Topics: Human Trafficking
Trafficked is an absorbing YA novel that shows how an orphaned teenager easily becomes a victim in human trafficking. Hannah was easily duped into leaving her home for the promise of a better life, a salary, and a chance to study. Instead, she became a slave, forced into being an unpaid nanny and a maid, fighting off sexual advances of the husband of the house and his male associates, and being beaten and verbally abused by the wife. She is young, slow to realize her situation, and not great with English.
The plotting of Trafficked was thrilling. There were plenty of twists to keep me invested. For example, there is a backstory about how Hannah was "chosen" by this family that is revealed little by little.
I was rooting for Hannah to find a way out and take charge of her life. I worried about her because I knew the odds were not in her favor.
I’ve included Hannah’s heartbreaking and thought-provoking story in this best YA books for teens facing tough problems list because human trafficking is a real, modern problem across the world. You won’t want to miss Hannah’s story. She begins the novel in a state of naïve innocence in her home country, and by the end, she has become mature and wise to the adult world. It’s a realistic and sad tragedy.
Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined by Danielle Young-Ullman
Tough Topics: Mother-daughter relationships, Mental illness, Suicide
Bring your tissues for this one!
In this absorbing novel, a broken mother-daughter relationship drives everything that’s happening, both in the present and in the past. The present is awful. Ingrid has been sent away to a 3-week wilderness program for at-risk teens, although she didn’t realize what she was signing up for at the time, and now she’s wet, miserable, mosquito-bitten, and trapped with a misfit group in the middle of nowhere. But she’s determined to see things through to prove something to her mother and earn the carrot, which is permission to attend a music school abroad.
The past is a complicated story about her mother’s beautiful opera voice and depression and its impact on Ingrid. There is a strong codependency relationship between the mother and daughter, since the mother is a depressed diva. From an early age, Ingrid took care of her mother since no father was in the picture.
I loved the mystery about how Ingrid ended up in the wilderness, and I was rooting for her to make it out.
If you are looking for a YA book about mother-daughter relationships, this one is one of my new favorites. For more books like this one, check out my list Which YA Books about Mother-Daughter Relationships Best Depict This Loving But Painful Dynamic.
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Tough Topics: Sisters, grief
“What kind of girl wants to kiss every boy at a funeral, wants to maul a guy in a tree after making out with her sister’s boyfriend the previous night? Speaking of which, what kind of girl makes out with her sister’s boyfriend, period?” ― Jandy Nelson, quote from The Sky Is Everywhere
I love, love, loved this book! The writing is so lyrical, and the story is incredibly sad. It begins with protagonist Lennie, who is grieving the sudden death of her sister. Although Bailey is dead, the relationship between these siblings is very much alive on the pages of this novel. Lennie writes beautiful poems, and she spends time in their room and shares so many memories that I feel I know Bailey.
A charismatic new boy shows up at school, and Lennie ends up entering into 2 romances at the same time. This is the love triangle. One romance is with the new boy at school, and the other is with her dead sister’s grieving boyfriend. Sooner or later, she has to decide which one of these guys is the one she’s going to stick with. Oh, boy.
All of the characters are vivid, and the story is captivating. The creative visual aspect of the novel is also a nice touch; Lennie writes her poems on scraps and scatters them everywhere, and these appear at the beginning of chapters.
Family is a tough topic for teens. This book is must-read for anyone looking for YA novels about sisterhood. For more books like this, check out my lists Which Heartbreaking YA Books about Sisters Should You Read Next and Which Great YA Books about Siblings Should You Read Next.
Straight A’s by Khristina Chess
Tough Topics: Divorce, Suicide, Academic Pressure, anxiety
“Dad didn’t ask about my grades or anything else about my life—which was good, in a way—and after awhile, I told him I had to go home and study. ... I worried about leaving him alone in that big empty house with his shiny guns and his terrible anger and sadness. But I didn’t know what else to do.“ ― Khristina Chess, quote from Straight A’s
Kim was supposed to be valedictorian. The top of her class. The girl with a future.
Then her parents split, and everything unraveled. She’s caught in the crossfire—bouncing between households, shouldering their meltdowns, and suffocating under expectations she can no longer meet.
Now she has a plan: she’s going to end it.
The semester is slipping through her fingers. A single B in calculus could shatter everything—scholarships, dreams, escape. And if there’s no escape, what’s left?
But then she meets him. The new guy in Writer’s Club. A distraction she didn’t expect. A reason to hold on.
Raw, unflinching, and ultimately hopeful, Straight A’s is an unforgettable YA novel about depression, pressure, divorce, and the invisible weight teenagers carry. If you’ve ever searched for a story that truly understands the darkness—and dares to find light—this is it.
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Tough Topics: dating violence and Abuse
“Sometimes, it was just a little rough: a blocking bruise. Other times, a hard foul. And if things were really bad—full contact.” ― Sarah Dessen, quote from Dreamland
I've read a couple Sarah Dessen books that were "okay," but wow, this one really, really grabbed me!
It starts when Caitlin's sister, Cass, runs away. I knew the story was about relationship abuse, and I was expecting the runaway sister Cass to be with a bad guy, but no. After she disappears, Caitlin falls for a guy named Rogerson who ends up being the abusive one. Caitlin's downward spiral is emotional, realistic, and heartbreaking. From the first time Rogerson hits her, I kept waiting for someone to intervene or for her to wake up, but it went on and on until the climactic moment when something had to shatter.
I felt really bad for Caitlin. She seemed invisible to everyone who supposedly loved her. She was hiding her pain in front of everyone. And people she loved kept leaving her: first her sister Cass and then her new friend Corinna.
If you like the tough topics and want to explore YA books about dating violence and abuse, Dreamland is great read. For more books like this, check out my list Which Powerful YA Books about Abuse and Relationship Violence Should You Read Next.
Hollow Beauty by Khristina Chess
Tough Topics: Eating Disorders, Self Esteem
“I’d always called my body ‘athletic.’ Words like ‘stocky’ and ‘muscular’ described my figure. I was the fastest girl on the track and cross country teams. Muscular, stocky girls weren’t beautiful, though. Skinny girls were. Girls like Erica Miller.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Hollow Beauty
When tall, gorgeous Brody asks Olivia to prom, she’s ecstatic—until he casually suggests she use the next two months to lose some weight.
But how thin is thin enough?
What starts as a few skipped meals spirals into a dangerous obsession—hours spent scrolling pro-ana and thinspo forums, tracking calories like a lifeline, and watching the number on the scale plummet. The more weight she sheds, the more she disappears.
Ross, the new prep cook at the diner, sees her differently. He doesn’t suffer the same suffocating self-doubt, and the only time Olivia feels like herself is when she’s riding dirt bikes and cave-hunting with him. But with Brody, romance feels more like devour or be devoured.
She’s almost perfect for prom. Almost thin enough.
Until the unthinkable happens.
What makes Hollow Beauty special is the realistic portrayal of how Olivia falls into the self-esteem trap of trying to change herself for someone else. I worried about her. I loved seeing her journey and choices as the events escalated toward the story’s climax. It’s a great positive message.
If you’re searching for an authentic book that exposes the slippery slope of pro-ana culture and the brutal consequences of chasing perfection, Hollow Beauty is a must-read.
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
tough topics: CANCER
“We used to be pretty good friends, but fourteen-year-old girls are psychotic.” ― Jesse Andrews, quote from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
I loved this book. It was so comical, which is an odd thing to say about a book about a girl dying from cancer. But it’s true. It’s sad humor in the face of tragedy.
Greg and Earl are weird, unlikely friends and amateur filmmakers who manage to fly below the radar at school and enjoy their private world. Then Greg’s mom makes him reach out to Rachel, a childhood friend who has been diagnosed with leukemia and needs a friend.
Earl turns out to be the more compassionate of the pair, and the two of them set out to make a movie about Rachel. Their brilliant idea fails in execution and is the Worst Film Ever Made.
This wonderful novel is full of crude humor, heart, honesty, and surprises as Greg learns things about his long-time friend Earl, as well as himself, though this journey with the dying girl, Rachel. If you’re looking for some YA books about tough topics related to health, Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl is definitely a title to add to your reading list. You can also find more like this one at my list Which Thoughtful YA Books about Disabilities, Illnesses, and Disorders Should You Read Next.
Unquiet Riot by Khristina Chess
tough topics: School violence, mental illness, bullying
“Best friends don’t label each other as crazy or rat each other out to adults.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Unquiet Riot
Riley isn’t a psychopath—he just doesn’t feel emotions.
Embarrassment, insecurity, suspicion—it’s all mysterious. He’s learned to read faces, but they never match the words people say.
Then Henry arrives. Henry is fascinating. Henry is dangerous. He believes the world is crawling with robot impostors, that shadows escape from electrical wires, that knives beneath his mattress will keep the monsters away. For Riley, stepping into Henry’s world is like visiting a foreign country—thrilling, unpredictable, alive.
When Henry vanishes, the police come knocking. And Riley lies.
Now it’s a game. If Henry talks, Riley loses.
Chilling and compulsive, Unquiet Riot is a mind-bending YA thriller that unravels friendship, deception, and the disturbing factors that allow tragedy to unfold. With an unforgettable unreliable narrator and a slow-burn descent into chaos, this is a must-read for anyone drawn to stories exploring the psychology of school violence.
For more books like this, see my list Classic Books about School Shootings That Give Unique Perspectives.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
tough topics: First love, intimacy
“I just can’t believe that life would give us to each other,” he said, “and then take it back.”
“I can,” she said. “Life’s a bastard.” ― Rainbow Rowell, quote from Eleanor and Park
It's been a long time since I've encountered a novel that I literally couldn't put down. Eleanor & Park was one of those books. I loved every minute. I sat on the porch, on the couch, on the floor by the window... and devoured this book. It was a wonderful reading experience about first love. Sweet and heartbreaking and everything I wanted. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, romantic young love story.
The story unfolds from alternating points of view, both Eleanor and Park, as they fall in love over the course of one year. The dialog is witty, snappy, and fun.
As a super-dreamy YA book about about dating and intimacy, it will give you all the feels. For more books like this, check out Which Dreamy YA Books about Dating, Intimacy, and Sex Should You Read Next.
Heroine by Mindy McGinnis
tough topics: Addiction
“When I wake up, all my friends are dead. I don’t know when they stopped breathing, or how long I slept while they dropped off one by one.” ― Mindy McGinnis, quote from Heroine
Those are the opening words of Heroine, the compelling novel about the slow slide of Mickey from Catalan from her position as a star student athlete to heroin addict. It begins with a terrible car accident and pain. Determine to make it back on the field, she uses the prescription painkillers to accelerate her recovery.
But then she’s out of pills and needs more.
What’s so compelling about Heroine is Mickey’s slow slide into addiction and her denial about her situation. She justifies every step of the way. The means justifies the ends, every time.
I did not watch my friends die.
I did not leave their bodies cooling in a basement.
I am not an addict.
Heroine is one of the best YA books featuring characters dealing with substance abuse that I’ve ever read. It’s real and raw, and I couldn’t look away. I really rooted for her to find a way to health.
Other YA Books about Teens Facing Tough Problems
If you are looking for other YA books about teens facing tough problems, check out the Best Teen Books about Real Problems and Teen Books about Real Problems lists on Goodreads. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of reviews of YA books by type of tough topic, including eating disorders, substance abuse, mental illness, and others.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.