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.
2025 Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of the Year
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. Published twice a month, they review over 10,000 books a year.
2025 National Library of NZ - Best Children's & YA books
The Services to Schools' team shares the books that "spark curiosity, invite conversation and offer new ways of seeing."
Liam's 20 Best Graphic Novel Reads of 2025
Twenty of Liam's favourite manga and graphic novel books and series read this year.
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.
2025 Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of the Year
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. Published twice a month, they review over 10,000 books a year.
2025 National Library of NZ - Best Children's & YA books
The Services to Schools' team shares the books that "spark curiosity, invite conversation and offer new ways of seeing."
Liam's 20 Best Graphic Novel Reads of 2025
Twenty of Liam's favourite manga and graphic novel books and series read this year.
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.
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
Sir Julius Vogel award winners 2025
Find out the winners in the annual awards for science fiction and fantasy creators from New Zealand.
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.
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Young Adult Literature
Honours fantasy books for readers, 13 to 18. This year's winner is The Isles of Gods duology by Amie Kaufman.
Best of the Year
2025 Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of the Year
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. Published twice a month, they review over 10,000 books a year.
Liam's 20 Best Graphic Novel Reads of 2025
Twenty of Liam's favourite manga and graphic novel books and series read this year.
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 Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of the Year
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. Published twice a month, they review over 10,000 books a year.
Liam's 20 Best Graphic Novel Reads of 2025
Twenty of Liam's favourite manga and graphic novel books and series read this year.
Rylee's Best of the Year 2025
Rylee's best reads of the year - a mix of kids and YA fiction and graphic novels.
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
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
The Rock does "stern and disapproving" to Chris Evans' "quippy ne'er do well" in this high tech Christmas Caper. Good family fun.
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
Mean Girls
What if Mean Girls was a musical? It's a good time, deftly remodelled for the 2020s.