Finding the right books for teenage boys can be a challenge. At a stage when many are developing their identities, navigating new responsibilities, and balancing academic and social pressures, reading can often take a back seat. 

In an age of constant digital distraction, helping boys discover books that resonate with their interests is more important than ever. This list brings together engaging, thought-provoking and accessible titles designed to spark back that love for reading. 

The distinction between Teen and YA is nothing more than a personal preference. While books do not have age restrictions, we advise guardians to double check the content of the books themselves to make sure they are suitable for younger readers. Our YA/Teen ratings are merely a guideline. 

Lockwood & Co. by Jonathan Stroud (Teen)

In a dystopian, Victorian London, Lockwood, Lucy, and George are young ghost hunters out to help adults get rid of the ghosts haunting their houses.  Since The Problem began, ghosts have been creating a lot of havoc all over England–they can kill the living and scare the pants off just about anyone.  Only children can see them, however.  As a result, many ghost hunting businesses have emerged to try to stop the effects of The Problem by hiring young operatives.  Lockwood & Co is the only business entirely run by children. Lockwood, Lucy, and George take on a case that will lead them all over the country, cause them to investigate a decades-old murder, and land them in one of the most haunted houses in all of England.

The Screaming Staircase, the first book in the series, is a supernatural mystery praised for its blend of humor, suspense, and thrilling ghost stories. It can be a little spooky, but its gripping narrative and witty writing make it an enjoyable read for older children, teens, and adults alike. 

The Twelve by Liz Hyder (Teen)

At the stroke of midnight on winter solstice, Libby disappears, vanishing from the face of the Earth. Only her older sister, Kit, and a mysterious boy named Story remember that she ever existed. To find Libby and bring her safely home, the pair must embark on a perilous journey into the distant past, across a land steeped in ancient folklore. Together, Kit and Story will face dangers beyond their wildest imagination as they race to uncover the secret of the Twelve before Time itself runs out.

Deeply atmospheric and compelling, The Twelve is a magical read, throbbing with ancient power and mystery. Perfect for those who love something a little different, it is thought-provoking, in places eerie and tense, but also a deeply satisfying adventure.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (YA)

The Rest of Us Just Live Here is a novel that focuses on the “ordinary” characters in a world filled with supernatural events, those who just want to get through their normal lives while the "chosen ones" handle the high-stakes, world-saving drama. The story is told from the perspective of high school senior Mikey Mitchell, who deals with typical teenage struggles like friendships, anxiety, and romance, set against the backdrop of a town frequently threatened by zombies, vampires, and other supernatural entities.

With compelling writing and light moments and dark, this book definitely lived up to our sky-high expectations of Patrick Ness. It made us smile at least once in every chapter and its characters are ones you will miss after you finish reading it.  Almost all teens will be able to relate to it in some way.

Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall (YA)

Mystery surrounds the disappearance of young Robin's family. He grows up wild, his only friend the headstrong daughter of the aristocrat Delbosque family: Marian. Robin and Marian are more than friends; they're soul mates. Their bond is pushed to the limit when Marian is captured and locked up by the Sheriff, a powerful and fearsome man who feeds his horses on human flesh, and rides under the blazon of the wolf. Rescuing Marian will have severe consequences, and Robin must learn the ways of the forest to ensure they both survive.

The first book of a trilogy, Shadow of the Wolf is a breathtakingly original and utterly compelling retelling of the Robin Hood legend.

The Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott (Teen)

Agatha is a Hawk, brave and fierce, who protects her people by patrolling the high walls of their island home. She is proud of her job, though some in her clan whisper that it is meant to keep her out of the way because of the condition she was born with. Jaime, thoughtful and anxious, is an Angler, but he hates the sea. Worse, he’s been chosen for a duty that the clan hasn’t required for generations: to marry. The elders won’t say why they have promised him to a girl in a neighboring clan, but there are rumors of approaching danger. When disaster strikes and the clan is kidnapped, it is up to Agatha and Jaime to travel across the haunted mainland of Scotia to Norveg, with help along the way from a clan of nomadic Highland bull riders and the many animals who are drawn to Agatha’s extraordinary gift of communication.

In a mythic Scotland, two unlikely heroes must make a dangerous journey to save their people. The Good Hawk is a historical fantasy, rich with Gaelic-inspired language and terrifying mythical creatures with deadly intent.

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands (Teen)

Set in 1665 in England, the story is centered around Christopher Rowe, a young teen who is apprenticed to apothecary Master Benedict Blackthorn. Rowe is an orphan, who, besides his master, has only one friend in the world; Tom. Christopher is always getting the ever-loyal Tom into trouble. However, someone has been killing off apothecaries in the city. One by one they’ve been brutally murdered and the culprit has yet to be caught, despite extensive searches. Christopher and Tom are worried that Blackthorn will be next, despite the apothecary’s assurances that he’ll be fine. When Blackthorn gives Christopher a coded puzzle to solve and a key to find, it leads him on a quest he must complete, especially as it’s not only his future that hangs on his success.

Readers who love worlds filled with fights between forces of good and evil, challenges, heartbreak, and those who enjoy the problem solving and puzzles will enjoy The Blackthorn Key. We recommend this title for readers looking for something new and thrilling to read in historical fiction and mysteries.

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking Trilogy) by Patrick Ness (YA)

The Knife of Never Letting Go is a fast-paced, gripping, young adult science-fiction novel about a boy named Todd Hewitt who lives in a world where there are no women and all thoughts are projected above everyone's heads (known as the "Noise"). Living in Prentisstown, he is the last remaining boy, and must commit an unthinkable act to become a "man" by his 13th birthday. When he stumbles a spot of silence and the first girl he has ever seen, he must quickly try to quiet down his noise before the rest of the town hears him. Thus, they embark on a dangerous journey to escape powerful men and find out the truth about what happened to the rest of the women in the world.

This is the first instalment within the Chaos Walking trilogy, and delves into difficult subjects like prejudice, identity, and the harsh realities of growing up. It also explores themes of friendship, hope, and survival, even in the face of overwhelming despair, and our favourite detail is the way the "Noise" is displayed on the page!

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For more recommendations, check out our extensive book list on Bookshop.org.