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.
Graphic novels reading guide
Art and story come together in a range of genres and styles for teens.
Once upon a crime - Papanui YA display
Books with mysteries, murder and/or mayhem for teen/YA readers.
Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa - The New Zealand Wars
28 October marks the national commemoration of Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa (The New Zealand Wars). Simone recommends resources on this topic.
Banksy
Read and watch more by - & about - street artist Banksy. The Art of Banksy exhibition is on at Te Pae 17 December 2025 to 27 January 2026.
Award Winning Comics 2025 - Kids/Parents edition
A kid/parent friendly version of Ma1co1m's annual list of winners/nominees from the major North American comic awards.
Once upon a crime - Papanui YA display
Books with mysteries, murder and/or mayhem for teen/YA readers.
Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa - The New Zealand Wars
28 October marks the national commemoration of Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa (The New Zealand Wars). Simone recommends resources on this topic.
Banksy
Read and watch more by - & about - street artist Banksy. The Art of Banksy exhibition is on at Te Pae 17 December 2025 to 27 January 2026.
Award Winning Comics 2025 - Kids/Parents edition
A kid/parent friendly version of Ma1co1m's annual list of winners/nominees from the major North American comic awards.
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
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.
NZ Booklovers Awards
2025 winners: best adult fiction book, best lifestyle book, best young adult fiction, junior fiction, and children's picture books.
Best of the Year
Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of 2024
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. They review over 10,000 books a year before their release.
2024 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.
2024 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.
Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of 2024
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. They review over 10,000 books a year before their release.
2024 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.
2024 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
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.