To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird chronicles the childhood of Jem and Scout Finch as their father Atticus Finch defends a Black man falsely accused of the rape in the 1930s. While stories with civil rights topics at their core can be popular with those from all walks of life, adolescence is a time when many of us begin to develop a strong sense of justice and open our eyes to unfairness in the world around us. Told from the perspective of Scout Finch who is only 5 years old at the start of the novel and 8 years old at the end, this classic is a heart-wrenching read as the young narrator's observations of the hypocrisy and prejudice around her remind young people to view the individuals we meet with fresh eyes and drop pre-conceived notions. 

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

This coming of age story tells of Ponyboy Curtis as he grapples with the idea of right and wrong and finding his place in society while navigating high school gang rivalry. Although the backdrop of gang violence is definitely not something most teenagers can relate to, many young people see themselves in at least one of the characters in this beloved tale. Having written this classic at just 17 years old, S.E. Hinton captures the restlessness and heightened emotions that are a quintessential element of the teenage exprience while exploring the classism, morality, friendships and familial relationships with a sense of sincerity, heart, and wonder that most teenagers will be familiar with. 

1984 by George Orwell

This dystopian science fiction novel follows the life of Winston Smith, who lives in a society where every aspect of an individual's life is watched and controlled. Dystopian themes have always been favourite amongst the youth as they revolve around feelings like dissatisfaction in life, the need to question everything, the feeling of being trapped and the desire to rebel and be free. Reading 1984 can also be a compelling introduction to start exploring parts of society some teenagers may feel unwelcome in or hesitant to approach like politics, governance, surveillance and technology. Many adults today cite 1984 as one of the only books they willingly picked up and completed as a teenager and one of the few narratives that developed their critical thinking skills and changed their world view. 

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Lord of the Flies is dystopian novel following a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island attempting to organise, govern and fend for themselves. Although the study of our selves and our relationships with others is one that continues throughout life, adolescence is typically the period when most of us begin reflecting on ourselves, carving out our personal identities and establishing what set us apart from our contemporaries. This also the time we start learning to properly deal with interpersonal conflicts by understanding others and navigating our responses to their behaviours accordingly. For these reasons, teenagers are likely to find Lord of the Flies to be a fascinating character study and deep dive into the dark-side of the human psyche. 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Tolkien's masterpiece details the life of Bilbo Baggins, a peace-loving hobbit as he leaves his quiet, comfortable hobbit hole and sets off on a quirky and magical adventure. Compared to the other books on this list, The Hobbit is quite the sweet and simple story. However, it is still considered a classic for a reason! To be considered a classic, must elevate the domain of literature. The Hobbit did exactly this by revolutionising the fantasy genre at the time of its release in 1937. This straightforward tale about leaving your comfort zone, experiecing the world and witnessing the outer limits of your own abilities is a brilliant showcase of Tolkien's worldbuilding abiltities and a masterclass in detailed, descriptive writing. Till today, many authors cite Tolkien's writing as catalyst to their own writing and by reading The Hobbit, teenagers can expect their own writing to be enriched and upgraded!