In their world of sometimes-dull textbooks and term papers on often pre-assigned topics, it\u2019s natural for teens to flock to fiction in their spare time. But they would be remiss to overlook some of the amazing nonfiction works that are equally captivating, thought-provoking, and even worldview-affecting. Here are 20 extra-compelling nonfiction books for teens that span all kinds of interests and curiosities.<\/p>\n
no no 9781984849663 A Quantum Life (Adapted for Young Adults)<\/i> by Hakeem Oluseyi and Joshua Horwitz <\/p>\n
James Edward Plummer was a brilliant boy stuck in a bad situation. His high I.Q. and impoverished childhood were at odds with each other, which pushed him to find a bizarre balance between the two. After developing a drug addiction and getting accepted into the Physics Ph.D. program at Stanford University, James found a mentor who helped him tip the scales of his life into one of success. His inspiring story is a must-read!<\/p>\n
9781984829801 The Faraway Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults) <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/595190\/the-far-away-brothers-adapted-for-young-adults-by-lauren-markham\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Lauren Markham <\/p>\n
A remarkable story of brotherhood, immigration, and finding home, The Faraway Brothers<\/i> follows the lives of 17-year-old twins Ernesto and Ra\u00fal Flores, who are forced to flee El Salvador for America after being targeted by a local gang. While the journey itself is harrowing, so too are their lives as undocumented migrants. Ernesto and Ra\u00fal must adapt to all-new surroundings and anxiously await their immigration court hearing, all while experiencing the typical trials of adolescence. <\/p>\n
9781838749101 An Illustrated History of Urban Legends<\/i> by Adam Allsuch Boardman <\/p>\n
Whether you love spooky urban legends or bizarre local lore, this book features some of the best stories and their histories. Vibrant illustrations and plenty of conspiracies, myths, and legends make this book a must-read for any reader who loves falling down weird rabbit holes. <\/p>\n
9780593177044 Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults)<\/i> by Bryan Stevenson <\/p>\n
Through his work with the Equal Justice Initiative, attorney Bryan Stevenson fights every day for the vulnerable and wrongfully imprisoned, and also to reveal the inequities and racial bias of America\u2019s criminal justice system. This YA adaptation of his bestseller<\/a> \u2014 now a film starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx \u2014 relays the stories of Stevenson\u2019s clients and how they wound up in the system. An eye-opening and galvanizing read. <\/p>\n 9780593643563 The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults)<\/i> by Karen Valby <\/p>\n During the civil rights movement, The Dance Theater of Harlem made history as its members appeared on magazine covers, performed around the world, and blazed a trail on and off the stage. This nonfiction book spotlights five of these dancers and how their hard work and determination paved the way for Black ballerinas to have an equal chance at the spotlight.<\/p>\n 9780525555414 Flowers in the Gutter <\/i> by K. R. Gaddy <\/p>\n The tale of the Edelweiss Pirates reads like the most thrilling of war fiction, yet it\u2019s the result of historian K. R. Gaddy\u2019s meticulous research. These weren\u2019t your typical pirates \u2014 rather, they were working-class German teenagers risking their lives to resist the Nazis during World War II. Their refusal of complacency, even as the Gestapo pursued and arrested them, is something we could all learn from. <\/p>\n 9780593323991 American Wings<\/i> by Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein <\/p>\n This book offers a fascinating look at aviation history and civil rights in the years between World War I and World War II. As aviation fever took hold in America, many young pilots dreamed of taking to the skies. Faced with prejudice in traditional aviation schools, a group of Black pilots started a flying club and airfield near Chicago. With World War II came an increased demand for pilots, and their school trained young men of all backgrounds to fly and fight for their country. <\/p>\n 9780451471222 Bonnie and Clyde<\/i> by Karen Blumenthal <\/p>\n Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow have gone down in history (by their first names, at least), but in her part-biography, part-true crime narrative, journalist Karen Blumenthal pauses to ask \u2014 how did these two poor teens from west Texas wind up as outlaws in the first place? The result of her curiosity is a fascinating and heart-pounding tale of love and crime set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. A page-turner, indeed. <\/p>\n 9781635928051 American Spirits<\/i> by Barb Rosenstock <\/p>\n In 1848, Kate and Maggie Fox claimed they could talk to the spirit that haunted their home. Guided by their older sister, Leah, the girls quickly rose to fame and fortune as they communed with spirits on the other side. However, as their reputation as mediums grew, so did the backlash from the press. This fascinating nonfiction book will captivate, thrill, and educate YA readers.<\/p>\n 9780593649091 Hick<\/i> by Sarah Miller <\/p>\n In Hick, readers are offered a meticulously researched and deeply engaging YA exploration of Lorena Hickok’s journey to becoming a celebrated journalist and Eleanor Roosevelt’s confidante and lover. Sarah Miller masterfully weaves a narrative that feels as compelling as any work of fiction, painting an intimate and well-rounded portrait of Hick, Eleanor, and their significant relationship. A must-read for fans of women’s history.<\/p>\n 9781536213676 One in a Million: A Graphic Memoir<\/i> by Claire Lordon <\/p>\n When Claire was a teenager, she became ill, and nobody could figure out what was wrong with her. After multiple visits to various doctors and clinics, she learned that she had a brain tumor. This heartfelt graphic novel memoir follows the ups and downs of juggling her medical journey and everyday life as a teenager. <\/p>\n 9781101911761 We Should All Be Feminists<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/246919\/we-should-all-be-feminists-by-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie <\/p>\n In December 2015, it was announced that every 16-year-old in Sweden would be given a copy of this book. Adapted from Adichie\u2019s award-winning TEDx Talk of the same name (which blew up after Beyonc\u00e9 sampled it), the book is a great stepping stone for discussions on gender roles and equity. Drawing from Adichie\u2019s own experiences, it\u2019s a key read for young women and men as they navigate the future together.<\/p>\n 9781536230161 Wearing My Mother’s Heart<\/i> by Sophia Thakur <\/p>\n For teens who love poetry, this heartfelt collection is a must-read. Sophia Thakur weaves together the narratives of three generations of women, their hopes, dreams, loves, and deepest thoughts. This poignant and thought-provoking book received a starred review and was named School Library Journal Best Book of the Year in 2023.<\/p>\n 9780375867828 The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/205287\/the-family-romanov-murder-rebellion-and-the-fall-of-imperial-russia-by-candace-fleming\/9780375867828\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Candace Fleming <\/p>\n If truth is stranger than fiction, the Romanovs still get some kind of prize. Any teen who claims history is boring should get their hands on this book. (Adults should, too!) Fleming writes about Russia\u2019s last royal family and its downfall in a gripping way, covering every spot of doom in its gilded halls (while also tending to the lives of the poor Russian masses). Fans of reality show drama will hold today\u2019s camera-ready families to a much higher drama standard after reading this book.<\/p>\n 9781536224214 Work with What You Got: A Memoir<\/i> by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch <\/p>\n Zion Clark was born without legs to an imprisoned and drug-addicted mother. In foster care, he experienced abuse and neglect but also found supportive allies who recognized his potential and supported his dreams. Through perseverance and grit, Zion became a renowned wheelchair racer, wrestler, and a contestant on America\u2019s Got Talent<\/i>. His memoir will inspire teen readers to reach their full potential. <\/p>\n 9780763687557 Honor Girl<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/258459\/honor-girl-by-maggie-thrash\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Maggie Thrash <\/p>\n The best memoirs are those that make you feel like the writer is a potential friend, even if their story is one that\u2019s unfamiliar. In the case of Thrash\u2019s graphic novel \u2014 a romantic, honest, and funny account of her falling hard for her female summer-camp counselor \u2014 the story does more than make you want to be one of Thrash\u2019s friends. It makes you want to have under-the-stars big conversations with the ones you already have.<\/p>\n 9780593181560 Hanged!<\/i> by Sarah Miller <\/p>\n Mary Surratt owned the boardinghouse where John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators regularly gathered. So, when Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Surratt was found guilty of treason and became the first woman executed by the United States government. This book dives into the details of the assassination and whether Surratt was involved in the plot or was the victim of a terrible misfortune. <\/p>\n 9781465437990 The Movie Book<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/533188\/the-movie-book-by-dk\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by DK <\/p>\n Part of DK\u2019s Big Ideas<\/i> series<\/a>, The Movie Book<\/em> is a do-it-all compendium of movie history and looks at how films have fit into society. Examining 100 films from the silent era onward (and spanning all genres, from The Wizard of Oz<\/i> to Vertigo<\/i> to Pulp Fiction<\/i>), the book\u2019s profiles include great lines, historical significance, and mini-biographies of key industry players. Any teen movie buff will be drawn instantly to the must-see content and \u2014 in this age of streaming \u2014 may be inclined to seek out older, harder-to-get fare for a true picture of movie-making\u2019s multifaceted history.<\/p>\n 9780593481486 Devotion (Young Readers Edition)<\/i> by Adam Makos <\/p>\n Adapted from the adult book with the same title, this true story follows two pilots from different backgrounds as they forge an unbreakable bond during the Korean War. When one of them gets shot down behind enemy lines, the other risks everything to find and rescue him. Readers who enjoy true stories about unbreakable bonds and brotherhood will love this inspiring account.<\/p>\n 9780593480069 Death in the Jungle<\/i> by Candace Fleming <\/p>\n Teens will be mesmerized by this riveting account of Jim Jones and his notorious cult, Peoples Temple. Jones recruited hundreds of followers by promising them equality and happiness before moving them from California to Guyana, South America. When the authorities started closing in, Jones convinced over 900 of his devout followers to drink poisoned punch. Chilling, heartbreaking, and impossible to set down, this well-researched book will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2025.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" These amazing nonfiction books for young adults span all kinds of interests and curiosities and are captivating, thought-provoking, and even worldview-affecting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":113888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[88,117,124,131,162,954],"coauthors":[14],"class_list":["post-7511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-nonfiction","tag-memoir","tag-biography","tag-history","tag-ya","tag-educators","ages_stages-teen"],"yoast_head":"\nYou might also like:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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