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At thirteen, readers in Year 9 are moving towards young adult fiction and want stories that feel real. These are the books our editors chose for Year 9: compelling, thought-provoking and right for this age.
The short answer
- The one to start with
- Railhead by Philip Reeve — Amazing world building in a high tech future with a fantastic cast of…
- A favourite to share
- Rhythm and Poetry by Karl Nova — A prize-winning collection of hip-hop raps for teens
- For keen readers
- Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner — Winner of the two most prestigious children's book awards
What to look for at age 13
Thirteen-year-olds respond to honest stories about growing up, identity and the wider world, as well as fantasy and thrillers that are hard to put down. Let them follow their interests; reading what they choose is what keeps teenagers reading.
Our pick of the best books for 13 year olds
Railhead by Philip Reeve
Amazing world building in a high tech future with a fantastic cast of characters to take you on thrilling heart-stopping rideReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamRhythm and Poetry by Karl Nova
A prize-winning collection of hip-hop raps for teens - accessible and gritty without being explicitReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamMaggot Moon by Sally Gardner
Winner of the two most prestigious children's book awards - the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2013 and the Children's Costa Award 2012.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph
Highly educative but engagingReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Crossing by Manjeet Mann
Powerful, often heart wrenching narrative poemReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamSing If You Can't Dance by Alexia Casale
An extraordinary and important coming of age novelReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamTruth Be Told by Sue Divin
Compelling portrayal of life and love across the political and religious divide of Northern IrelandReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamStateless by Elizabeth Wein
A thrilling murder-mystery which takes place in an aeroplane race!Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamAs Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
A breath-taking story of love, hope and survival unfolds as a young Syrian woman suffering from PTSD confronts brutal conflictsReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamCrossing the Line by Tia Fisher
An immersive and powerful verse novel about terrifying county lines child exploitationReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamBoy Like Me by Simon James Green
endearing characters and masses of optimismReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamYours From the Tower by Sally Nicholls
Set in the late nineteenth-century, this magnificent epistolary novel explores female friendship and social context with uplifting, thought-provoking verve.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Big Ask by Simon James Green
This irresistible LGBTQ+ romance is a funny, authentic, fabulously life-affirming joy.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamWhere Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Set in an ultra-elite English boarding school, this gripping dark academia mystery tingles with chilling real-life resonance and female resilience.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamBeastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly
Gender swapped retelling of Beauty and the Beast.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamSolo by Gráinne O'Brien
Brimming with musicality, this is a deeply affecting, complex and beautiful YA verse novel.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo
Two illegal immigrants, smuggled into England and abandoned, struggle to survive in the hostile environment depicted in this significant and topical Carnegie winner.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamThe Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan
Sarah Crossan's exquisite debut novel explores first love, friendship and quiet courageReviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamAugusta Pine Does Not Exist by Emily Lloyd-Jones
A twisty, fast-paced heist thriller with a strong girl lead and mounting tension.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids teamSongs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai
Heartbreak, hauntings, love and music — this YA masterwork is infused with Japanese folklore and history as it radiates modern resonance.Reviewed by the LoveReading4Kids team
These 20 books come from our Year 9 reading list of 40 titles for the 2026/27 school year. Looking for a little younger or older? See books for 12 year olds and books for 14 year olds, or our guide to The Best Books for Teenagers.
Chosen by experts, not an algorithm
Every title here comes from our Year 9 reading list, chosen by LoveReading4Kids’ children’s-book specialists — people who match books to real children every day. We’ve recommended on merit since 2005, and through our Schools Reading Programme we see which stories genuinely land with this age group. When you buy through us, up to 25% of the cover price can go to a school of your choice.
Each is named, with a photograph and full biography, on our editorial experts page.
Members of the panel include:
Julia Eccleshare MBEAward-winning children’s literature expert and former Guardian Children’s Editor
Joanne OwenAuthor, publishing expert and LoveReading’s YA Lead Reviewer
Lucas Maxwell BEMAward-winning librarian, author and UK Reading for Pleasure Champion
Deborah MaclarenLoveReading CEO and literary prize judge, championing books and reading for pleasure
Your questions answered
What should a 13 year old read?
Our editors recommend starting with Railhead by Philip Reeve, Rhythm and Poetry by Karl Nova and Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner, all from our Year 9 reading list. The full list of 20 books is on this page.
Which school year is a 13 year old in?
In England, most children turn 13 during Year 9, so these books come from our Year 9 list. Children read at very different levels, so look at the ages either side too.
How are these books chosen?
By LoveReading4Kids’ children’s-book specialists, including former Carnegie judges and school librarians, not by sales rank or an algorithm. We have recommended books on merit since 2005.
What if my child is a reluctant reader?
Try shorter, funnier or illustrated books first, and let them choose. Our guide to the best books for reluctant readers has picks chosen to win children round.