Good Books for 13 Year Olds (Girls and Boys)

There is a huge range good books for 13 year olds catering for the avid to the reluctant reader. The first half of the article starts off with suggestions of the best books for 13 year old girls and the later half the best books for 13 year old boys. There also ideas of sports books, non fiction books, books that make great gifts, manga and cartoon books and lots more.

When buying books for 13 year olds I would keep an open mind as possible to what they might like. Many years ago as a 13 year old myself I was fairly good at English lessons and teachers encouraged me to read but I wasn't interested in the books they suggested. There were lots of fiction books recommended to me but I would have been much more drawn to factual books (autobiographies and true stories).

Therefore, I have suggested a huge range of books for this age group below. I am now a trained librarian and have worked with teenagers in a library for four years so I know there is a huge variety in tastes. There are some books which are extremely popular with teenagers and other hidden gems. There are books which are aimed at 13 year old girls, others that are more popular with 13 year old boys and some that are good for everybody. This year seems to be a good year for books to made into movies too and I have highlighted the books that you can also watch in 2014. Keep on reading to discover good books for 13 year olds.

The books below are selection of some the bestselling books for 13 year olds this year.

Whether you are buying books for an avid reader, a reluctant reader or are looking for ideas for yourself it's always worth checking out the bestselling book lists to see what other teenagers are reading.

Obviously bestselling books change from week to week and this list just gives a few ideas. Check out the New York Bestseller list for children's middle grade and for young adult for more ideas.

As a librarian I know the best way to get people to read is to give them books on topics they are passionate about and interested in. Many 13 year old books are expected to read classics and textbooks in order to pass exams which takes all the pleasure and fun out of reading. No wonder so many of us leave school without wanting to read another book.

If you love sport you should read lots of books about sport. If you love music read about music. This is what helps foster a love of reading. Get onto Amazon and start exploring what's available and the reviews.

Remember also that not everybody likes fiction. I love non fiction myself! There are some great non fiction books that 13 year olds will love. From biographies, to historical true stories, to fact books and more - there are lots of non fiction options. Check out some ideas further on in the article.

There are some excellent authors for this age group who have captured the minds of their audience with not just one great book, but a series of books.

One of these authors is Suzanne Collins with her trilogy "The Hunger Games". The Hunger Games was first published in 2008 and has received many awards and honors including The New York Times "Notable Children's Book of 2008". I don't think a list for 13 year olds would currently be complete without the first book in the trilogy.

Her book has started a new wave of literature for teens with another great series in the same genre called Divergent.

The Giver was the first in a quartet series and was published in 1993. A movie is set to be released of the book in Summer 2014, so it's set to be especially popular this year.

Below are some top books for 13 year old girls. Many of them have romantic or friendship based themes. They have girls as the main characters which 13 year old girls should be able to identify with. My favorites are 13 Reasons Why and Uglies. If you like these suggestions of books you may also want to check out some more great books for girls aged 13 and over.

Many 13 year old girls like to read about friendship, boyfriends and relationships and other issues that affect them.

Sarah Dessen is one great author that covers this genre really well. Her book "Along for the Ride" below made the New Yorks bestseller list. If you like her writing she has written over 10 other books. She isn't featured below but well worth checking out if you like her style of books.

Another great book about friendship perfect for 13 year olds is the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants below.

Lois Lowry has written more than 30 children's books.

Number the Stars won a Newberry medal in 1989.

If you like her books you should also check out The Giver.

Read more about Lois Lowry on Wikepedia.

I have chosen some science fiction, fantasy and books with boys as the main characters in this list of top books for 13 year old boys. Certainly some girls may like these books too but they cover topics which seem to appeal more to the male reader. If you like the books below and would like more suggestions of books for boys aged 13 and over click here for more ideas.

A lot of books for this age group come in the form of a series and there have been lots of series highlighted so far in the article. The Hunger Games is one of the most popular series. Others series already mentioned include The Maze Runner series (featured above), Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Giver and the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants.

Series are good for encouraging reluctant readers as if once they have read the first in the series of books they are most likely to want to read the rest.

Check out another idea of a series below.

Perhaps you are looking for ideas of books to give as birthday or Christmas gifts to give as 13 year olds. Think about their interests and this may help. Here are some ideas:

• Cookbooks - Obviously best for 13 year olds who would like to learn to cook or already love cooking.

• Books about Sport - If they like to play sport, perhaps a book about the sport they love. Books with statistics, books about famous sportspeople and books to learn about techniques of their sport.

• Classic books such as To Kill a Mockingbird are good for the serious reader

• Boxed sets of books that they like.

• Autobiographies of their favorite celebrity.

• Factual books - there are lots of great factual books that teens will love. The Guinness Book of Records and Ripleys Believe it or Not are good choices.

  If you're looking for gifts for girls you may also appreciate this article on the best gifts for 13 year old girls which gives suggestion of books and other gift ideas too.

Sometimes, it's hard being 13 years olds but there are lots of good books to help deal with the trials and tribulations being 13 brings. Here are some good book choices to inspire, motivate and empathise with 13 year olds.

Please feel free to add any additional books that you think are great for 13 year old girls and boys in the comments section below. Thanks!