Reading recommendations: Rangatahi – Teens

Reading recommendations: Rangatahi

Explore fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, rainbow reads and more - all made for teens. Find your next favourite read at the library.

Best of 2025: Young Adult

Our selectors pick the best books for teens.

Jem's top fiction reads of 2025

Jem's absolute favourite books read in 2025. A mix of general fiction and romance titles, some YA, and some with LGBT characters.

Supernatural Summer - Papanui YA display

Vampires, werewolves, ghosts and more...

Rylee's Best of the Year 2025

Rylee's best reads of the year - a mix of kids and YA fiction and graphic novels.

2025 SLJ Best Books - Young Adult

School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.

Reading guides

Reading Guides

Fiction reading guide

Whatever kind of fiction you’re into, there’s a great story here for teens.

Genre reading guide

Find new reads from your favourite genres with these librarian recommendations for teens.

Graphic novels reading guide

Art and story come together in a range of genres and styles for teens.

If You Like reading guide

Want some new favourites? Discover titles for teens based on popular series and authors.

Manga reading guide

Want to start a new series and don’t know where to start? Here are our guides to Japanese comics.

Mental health reading guide

We recommend books and websites will help you learn more about mental health and wellbeing for teens.

Non-Fiction reading guide

Explore true stories and find resources on issues affecting youth.

Our Voices reading guide

Find stories with characters just like you or see the world through another's eyes. Diverse stories and voices, great for NCEA

Rainbow reads for rangatahi - teens

Books for teens that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

Theme reading guide

Discover stories for teens on a range of topics and issues such as war, culture, race, and more. Great for NCEA.

Request reading recommendations

Not sure what to try next? Try our reading guides, or tell us your preferences and we'll make a custom reading list just for you!

Award winners

The Best of the best - find shortlisted and award-winning titles of international and New Zealand literary prizes for kids and young adults.

Award winners

NZ Booklovers Awards

2025 winners: best adult fiction book, best lifestyle book, best young adult fiction, junior fiction, and children's picture books.

Awards of the Children’s Book Council of Australia

Winners in the categories: picture books, early childhood, younger readers, older readers, and Eve Pownall Award for information books.

Sir Julius Vogel award winners 2025

Find out the winners in the annual awards for science fiction and fantasy creators from New Zealand.

Best of the Year

Best of 2025: Young Adult

Our selectors pick the best books for teens.

Rylee's Best of the Year 2025

Rylee's best reads of the year - a mix of kids and YA fiction and graphic novels.

2025 SLJ Best Books - Young Adult

School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.

2025 SLJ Best Books - Graphic Novels and Manga: Kids / YA

School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.

Most Popular in 2024

Most Popular

Most Popular in 2024: eAudiobooks for teens

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is the year's most popular eAudiobook for teens.

Most Popular in 2024: eBooks for teens

A Court of Thorns and Roses, Court of Thorns and Roses series, Book 1 by Sarah J. Maas is the year's most popular eBook for teens.

Customer comments

Donna_R said:

What if Mean Girls was a musical? It's a good time, deftly remodelled for the 2020s.

MomoT said:

This film is probably better if you know nothing about it as there's a reveal that you might not have seen coming but... trailers, you know? Themes of…

Read more of this comment about Companion
MomoT said:

The Rock does "stern and disapproving" to Chris Evans' "quippy ne'er do well" in this high tech Christmas Caper. Good family fun.

fionajay said:

This is a powerful story aimed at youth but I recommend the content for adults too. Reminiscent of Madigan's Quest (Margaret Mahy) and the Divergent series,…

Read more of this comment about Truth Needs No Colour
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