best-of-all-time.comAll 50 lists

The top 50

Young adult novels of all time

Fifty researched picks for the young adult novels of all time, selected for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

How we choseVoice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership. Rankings balance consensus with lasting ownership value and current buyability.
#1

The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#2

The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#3

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#4

The Outsiders

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#5

His Dark Materials

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#6

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#7

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#8

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#9

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1) by Stephenie Meyer is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#10

The Giver (Giver, #1)

The Giver (Giver, #1) by Lois Lowry is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#11

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#12

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#13

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#14

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#15

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#16

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#17

Holes (Holes, #1)

Holes (Holes, #1) by Louis Sachar is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#18

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1)

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1) by Philip Pullman is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#19

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#20

The Host

The Host by Stephenie Meyer is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#21

Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska by John Green is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#22

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#23

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1)

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#24

A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)

A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1) by Madeleine L'Engle is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#25

Uglies (Uglies, #1)

Uglies (Uglies, #1) by Scott Westerfeld is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#26

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) by Cassandra Clare is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#27

Ella Enchanted (Ella Enchanted, #1)

Ella Enchanted (Ella Enchanted, #1) by Gail Carson Levine is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#28

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#29

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#30

Little Women (Little Women, #1)

Little Women (Little Women, #1) by Louisa May Alcott is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#31

The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1)

The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1) by James Dashner is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#32

Speak

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#33

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1)

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1) by Rick Riordan is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#34

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#35

The Little Prince

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#36

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #1)

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #1) by Lemony Snicket is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#37

Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)

Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1) by Kristin Cashore is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#38

Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#39

Ender’s Game (Ender's Saga, #1)

Ender’s Game (Ender's Saga, #1) by Orson Scott Card is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#40

Inkheart (Inkworld, #1)

Inkheart (Inkworld, #1) by Cornelia Funke is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#41

Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1)

Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1) by L.M. Montgomery is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#42

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1) by Roald Dahl is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#43

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#44

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1)

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#45

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#46

Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, #1)

Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, #1) by Eoin Colfer is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#47

Stargirl (Stargirl, #1)

Stargirl (Stargirl, #1) by Jerry Spinelli is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#48

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#49

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →
#50

Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a durable novel choice, recognized for voice, emotional impact, influence and cross-generational readership.

Why it belongs →

Research starting points

Goodreads: Best Young Adult Books ↗Goodreads Listopia ↗