Wellness is a hot topic right now, and for good reason \u2014 with stressful news cycles, upside-down schedules, and a global pandemic to grapple with, we can all use a reminder to take care of ourselves. It can be tricky to communicate this message of wellness for teens. For the most part, they don\u2019t want to hear it from their parents or other authority figures. That\u2019s where books can help.<\/p>\n
These 12 books range from a memoir of someone who lost her mother to novels about teens struggling with mental illness and self-discovery, essays and stories from YA authors to guides from a coach and a fitness pioneer. All of them will help teens feel more connected, no matter what they might be facing.<\/p>\n
no no 9780593114353 The Valley and the Flood <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/610618\/the-valley-and-the-flood-by-rebecca-mahoney\/9780593114353?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Rebecca Mahoney <\/p>\n
When her car breaks down in the Nevada desert, Rose wanders into the small town of Lotus Valley. There, she meets prophets, makes new friends, and tries to prove a prophecy wrong. This captivating and magical novel is about a girl with PTSD who must discover and embrace every piece of herself. <\/p>\n
9780593202876 How It All Blew Up <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/625445\/how-it-all-blew-up-by-arvin-ahmadi\/9780593202876?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Arvin Ahmadi <\/p>\n
When Amir comes out to his Muslim family, everything blows up. He travels to Rome to escape the drama, where he feels free to be himself \u2014 until his past shows up again. Funny, authentic, and devastating, this novel will capture your heart from the very first page.<\/p>\n
9780593095195 Concrete Kids <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/612189\/concrete-kids-by-amyra-leon-illustrated-by-ashley-lukashevsky\/9780593095195?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Amyra Le\u00f3n, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky <\/p>\n
The newest book in the Pocket Change Collective<\/i> series<\/a>, this collection of free verse poems invites readers to dream big. Amyra Le\u00f3n, a musician, playwright, and educator, takes readers through her childhood, experiences in foster care, and learning to love herself. For teens and adults looking for an inspirational book that encourages them to reach for the stars, this is a must-read.<\/p>\n 9780593125311 Let\u2019s Talk About It <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/605726\/lets-talk-about-it-by-erika-moen-and-matthew-nolan\/9780593125311?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan <\/p>\n This guide to growing up is essential reading for teens. Delivered in a graphic novel format, teens will find answers to all the embarrassing questions they have but don\u2019t want to ask. Whether it\u2019s jealousy, body image, or consent, this informative book handles every topic with humor and tact. <\/p>\n 9780525554295 How It Feels to Float <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/603833\/how-it-feels-to-float-by-helena-fox\/9780525554295?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Helena Fox <\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for an unputdownable novel about mental illness, grief, loss, and sexuality, don\u2019t miss this stunning book. Biz\u2019s father died when she was seven, but she could always still reach him \u2014 until now. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, this award-winning novel will stay with you long after you\u2019ve turned the last page.<\/p>\n 9780525707547 Who Put This Song On? <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/592224\/who-put-this-song-on-by-morgan-parker\/9780525707547?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Morgan Parker <\/p>\n Growing up as the only Black girl in her suburban neighborhood hasn\u2019t been easy, and Morgan feels pressured to fit in even as she wants to break free. Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time, this novel is about a girl who struggles with depression, faith, and fitting in. Loosely based on the author\u2019s experiences, this book will have you cheering for Morgan every step of the way.<\/p>\n 9781101934784 How to Make Friends with the Dark <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/530120\/how-to-make-friends-with-the-dark-by-kathleen-glasgow\/9781101934784?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Kathleen Glasgow <\/p>\n If you loved Kathleen Glasgow\u2019s novel Girl in Pieces<\/i><\/a>, then this one is a must-read! When her mother dies suddenly, Tiger finds herself without a family or home. She bounces around the foster care system before finding an unexpected home with a long-lost sister. This book is an emotional yet hopeful story that deals with depression, self-harm, loneliness, and family. <\/p>\n 9780593108970 Watch Over Me<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/622607\/watch-over-me-by-nina-lacour\/9780593108970?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Nina LaCour <\/p>\n Teens will love this haunting ghost story about a girl dealing with grief and trauma from the author of We Are Okay<\/i><\/a>. When Mila goes to live on an isolated farm in Northern California, she hopes that she has finally found a home and family to call her own. But her past still haunts her, and it will take the love and support of her new family members to survive. <\/p>\n 9781635650563 The Young Champion’s Mind<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/592556\/the-young-champions-mind-by-jim-afremow-phd\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Jim Afremow, PhD <\/p>\n Award-winning coach and sports psychologist Jim Afremow is known for his approach to training an athlete\u2019s mind, body, and spirit. In the new young adult edition of The Champion\u2019s Mind<\/i>, Dr. Afremow turns his attention to student athletes. The book guides teens through topics like getting in the \u201czone,\u201d staying humble, and progressing within a sport. <\/p>\n 9781524741853 Hope Nation<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/561595\/hope-nation-by-dr-rose-brock\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Nicola Yoon, and Marie Lu, edited by Rose Brock <\/p>\n Some of our time\u2019s most influential young adult authors have joined forces in this collection of essays and personal stories designed to help embolden hope. Offering moments of light in the darkness and speaking directly to teens, this anthology acknowledges pain, offers encouragement, and stresses that hope is a decision. Authors include Angie Thomas, Marie Lu, Nicola Yoon, David Levithan, Libba Bray, Jason Reynolds, Ren\u00e9e Ahdieh, and many more!<\/p>\n 9781623369323 Total Teen<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/593882\/total-teen-by-tracy-anderson\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Tracy Anderson <\/p>\n Total Teen<\/i> is fitness pioneer Tracy Anderson\u2019s body-positive guide to living a healthy, balanced life. Through exercises, activities, and recipes, as wells as questions and prompts, Anderson guides teens into being their best physically, mentally, and emotionally \u2014 with no fad diets or calorie counting.<\/p>\n 9780525552970 Darius the Great Is Not Okay<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/573023\/darius-the-great-is-not-okay-by-adib-khorram\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Adib Khorram <\/p>\n Darius never feels good enough. The half-Persian teen doesn\u2019t fit in at home, and he\u2019s sure his first-ever trip to Iran is not going to make him feel any better. His clinical depression doesn\u2019t help. But when Darius meets Sohrab, the boy next door, everything changes and he has never felt more like himself. If you love Darius the Great Is Not Okay<\/i>, be sure to check out the newly-released sequel, Darius the Great Deserves Better<\/i><\/a>. <\/p>\n yes yes More to Explore: 9780399550911 Words on Bathroom Walls<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/535218\/words-on-bathroom-walls-by-julia-walton\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Julia Walton <\/p>\n Adam is trying to navigate high school while living with paranoid schizophrenia. His hallucinations range from a beautiful girl to an angry mob boss to a polite naked guy. An experimental drug promises to hide his illness, but when he meets his dream girl and the drug starts to fail, how long can he keep his secret? <\/p>\n 9780525555377 Turtles All the Way Down<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/299005\/turtles-all-the-way-down-by-john-green\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by John Green <\/p>\n Aza Holmes and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, investigate the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett \u2014 all while Aza struggles with extreme anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. At its heart, the novel is about love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.<\/p>\n 9780448494005 Rookie on Love<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/546025\/rookie-on-love-by-tavi-gevinson\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 edited by Tavi Gevinson <\/p>\n