24 Books Like All American Boys

A YA novel by Jordan Sonnenblick, about a teenager who learns life lessons and forms unexpected bonds after a drunk driving incident leads to community service.

A YA novel by S.E. Hinton, exploring the changing friendship between two boys as they navigate adolescence, violence, and growing apart in a tough neighborhood.

A novel by Nikki Grimes, where high school students reveal their struggles and dreams through poetry, discovering their identities and the power of self-expression.

A novel by Gary D. Schmidt, about a foster boy searching for his lost daughter while navigating the challenges of his troubled past and new family.

A novel by Cynthia Voigt, following four siblings on a journey to find a new home after being abandoned by their mother, emphasizing resilience and family bonds.

Franz Kafka's novella about a man who wakes up transformed into a giant insect, exploring themes of alienation, identity, and the absurdity of existence.

A novel by Robert Cormier, about a student who defies the secretive and corrupt power structures at his school, leading to devastating consequences.

A novel by Jason Reynolds, about a boy descending an elevator, contemplating revenge for his brother's death, with each floor revealing new perspectives.

A semi-autobiographical YA novel by Sherman Alexie, about a Native American teenager who transfers to an all-white school, exploring identity, resilience, and hope.

A novel by Walter Dean Myers, written as a screenplay by a teenager on trial for murder, exploring the criminal justice system, identity, and perception.

A novel by Nic Stone, following a Black teenager who writes letters to Martin Luther King Jr., exploring race, police brutality, and social justice.

A coming-of-age novel by Colson Whitehead, set in the 1980s, following a young Black teen's summer in a Long Island beach community, exploring identity, class, and adolescence.

A novel by Albert Camus, exploring existentialism through the story of Meursault, a man who is indifferent to society’s norms and becomes entangled in a senseless murder.

A novel by S.E. Hinton, following a troubled teen trying to escape his brother's shadow in a world of street gangs and violence.

A classic novel by S.E. Hinton, about teenage gang rivalry in a divided society, highlighting themes of loyalty, identity, and the struggles of growing up.

A controversial novel presented as the diary of an anonymous teenage girl struggling with drug addiction, offering a stark look at the dangers of substance abuse.

Harper Lee's classic novel addressing racial injustice and moral growth through the eyes of young Scout Finch in the American South during the 1930s.

Erika L. Sánchez's novel about a teenage girl grappling with cultural expectations, family secrets, and her identity after the unexpected death of her sister.

Jamaica Kincaid's coming-of-age story about a young girl in Antigua navigating adolescence, maternal relationships, and colonial influences while seeking her own identity.

Sandra Cisneros' collection of vignettes depicting a young Latina girl's experiences growing up in Chicago, capturing themes of identity, community, and aspiration.

Ben Mikaelsen's YA novel about a troubled teen sentenced to Alaskan wilderness exile, where he confronts inner demons and seeks redemption through encounters with a mystical bear.

Angie Thomas' impactful YA novel following Starr Carter, who witnesses a police shooting of her friend, tackling racism, police brutality, and activism.

John Knowles' classic novel set in a boarding school during WWII, exploring themes of friendship, jealousy, and the loss of innocence between two boys.

J.D. Salinger's classic novel following Holden Caulfield's journey through New York City, exploring themes of teenage angst, alienation, and identity.