To celebrate National Teenagers Day on March 21, I started thinking about some fictional teenagers who have stood out in their characterization of the curiosity and confusion of the pre-adult years. In pressing my recent reads, I came up with a list of  6 books that are not specifically written for a teenaged audience and thus have these young people shouldering responsibilities that far exceed their years and yet, in all these cases, the teens have emerged as victors.

Click below to watch the video where I discuss these non-YA books that feature teenaged characters in roles that really appealed to me.

1. We Need New Names by Noviolet Bulawayo
2. A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
3. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry
4. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
5. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
6. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

do you have a book that matches this criteria that you think I would enjoy reading? Leave the title in the comment below and I’ll be sure to check it out. I am always looking to meet another fantastic young person.

Thanks for watching and reading!