In this post: Here are more than 20 of the best audio books for teens and tweens.
We all know reading is a great past time, but with busy schedules and varied interests, it’s tough to get kids to sit down with a good book–and even harder to find one you all enjoy.
But we all want to connect with our big kids on a deeper and more meaningful level, and books can give us things to talk about and be a great launchpad for discussion.
That’s where audio books come in. You can listen to them in the car, while making dinner, or even just while hanging out on a couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
We started this trend several years back and listened to several of the Harry Potter series in the car on the way to my son’s soccer practice which was 30-minutes away. With a great narrator and fun voices, we all experienced a ilttle bit of fantasy on a boring drive.
Now that my kids are older, we still enjoy a good audiobook, funny podcast, or inspirational ted talk to play in the car. It’s made some very long road trips be just a little bit more enjoyable, and avoided the endless fights about getting our teens off their devices for a little bit.
Sure, it would be great if they’d rather just listen on their own, but listening together can also be something to do as a whole family. It’s a great way to connect and maybe help them discover a new way to enjoy books for the rest of their lives.
Agreeing on a genre or topic is important because Young Adult (YA) novels can range from silly and fantastical to serious and gruesome. We tried to put together a list that most everyone would enjoy.
You may find that you can actually loan these out from local public libraries using the one-tap app Libby, or you can grab them from Amazon Audible.
Here Are the Best Audio Books for Teens that You Both Will Love
The Zodiac Legacy
If you are looking for a great adventure book to read with your tween, this is a great option! The Zodiac Legacy follows the story of a boy named Steven and his adventure as he learns to unlock the mysterious powers of the Zodiac.
Matched
Matched is another top choice for our suggested high school reading list. This series follows a young girl named Cassia and her difficult decision to choose the path her society has matched her for or a way that no one has dared to follow.
Eleanor and Park
Eleanor and Park is a charming love story that takes place over a regular school year. Written by New York Times best-selling author Rainbow Rowell, this unlikely pair of misfits end up finding love under the most unique set of circumstances. This is also a personal favorite and one of the best audio books for teens that our family loved.
The Lunar Chronicles
In a world of humans and androids, The Lunar Chronicles isn’t exactly your typical Cinderella Story. We love this book from the fantasy genre that revisits a classic tale. As a deadly plague starts to devastate the population, Cinder must uncover the world’s secrets so she can save New Beijing.
Caraval
The Caraval series is one you won’t be able to stop listening to! The story tells the tale of two sisters who escape their father and end up entering a dangerous game.
The Last Magician
The Last Magician follows a new world filled with magic, but the focus of the story is about a girl who has to travel back in time in order to find a mysterious book that will help save the future!
The Hate U Give
This important book is narrated by of our favorites, Bahni Turpin. Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. The author, Angie Thomas, tells the story is an effective and relatable way. This book will enable you to have some important discussions with your tweens and teens.
Ready Player One
At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, Ready Player One is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut – part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life follows the story of Sal and what happens to him as he starts questioning who he is and what his purpose in life is. Sal’s story teaches about belonging and finding ourselves.
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games series takes place in the ruins of what used to be the United States. In the first novel, the story follows Katniss, who volunteered in her sister’s place for a mandatory fight to the death game put on by The Capital.
Keeper of the Lost Cities
Keeper of the Lost Cities might be a little more tween than teen, although I read the books, all eight of them, right after my 11 year old daughter and loved them as much as she did. The stories follow the adventures of Sophie Foster, a girl who discovers she isn’t exactly what she seems and who might be the key to not only saving her world, but many others. A tale with filled with magic, mystery, friendships, a little romance and the classic battle between good and evil.
The Martian
The Martian is considered one of the best science fiction books that ever turned into an audiobook and one of the best audio books for teens. It is a story of an astronaut who goes to Mars by accident. There is no one to help as everyone who came with him died in an accident. There is no choice other than to stay and survive to get help from the earth. He has only his wits and experience of his life to endure. The author has beautifully written this man’s story and his emotions and isolation that he faced in the space.
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
The Alchemyst is sure to appeal to Harry Potter fans who will recognize the name of Nicholas Flamel. While there is some magic, the series really falls more into the realm of Rick Riordan favorites like Percy Jackson, with its tales of ancient Gods and there interactions with the human race. Sophie and Josh Newman have just discovered that the kindly couple who runs the bookstore where Josh works have a dangerous secret, and it’s more than a few centuries old. But Josh and Sophie did not end up at the bookstore by accident and it is only the beginning of their story.
The Poet X
Written by Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X discusses how a young daughter wants to speak out about racial injustice and other issues, but also feels the need to align with the laws of her church. When invited to join a slam poetry club, she has to make the tough choice to follow her heart or follow her family’s rules.
Sadie: A Novel
Winner of the 2019 Odyssey Award, Sadie is an innovative audiobook production featuring more than 30 voices, Sadie explores the depth of a sister’s love – poised to be the next story listeners won’t be able to pause. A missing girl on a journey of revenge and a Serial-like podcast following the clues she’s left behind.
Code Name Verity
Code Name Verity is a compelling, emotionally rich story with universal themes of friendship and loyalty, heroism and bravery. Two young women from totally different backgrounds are thrown together during World War II: one a working-class girl from Manchester, the other a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a wireless operator. Yet whenever their paths cross, they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted friends. But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over France. She is captured by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war. The story begins in Verity’s own words, as she writes her account for her captors.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
This prequel of the trilogy The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a fun way to find out what Coriolanus Snow was like as a teenager.
The Inheritance Games
In the clever The Inheritance Games (the first book in a series), Avery, a motherless girl living with an older half-sister, unexpectedly inherits millions of dollars from a billionaire she’s never met. The billionaire’s family, who doesn’t inherit, mistrusts her but she’s forced to live with them anyway, to fulfill the will’s requirements. Not only is this miserable but someone is trying to kill her and she still doesn’t know why she’s the beneficiary. Maybe the clues and puzzles left behind will help her solve at least one of the mysteries.
Ember in the Ashes
Part historical fiction, part fantasy Ember in the Ashes is about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told. When Laia and Elias’ paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.
Unbroken
In this captivating young adult edition of her award-winning number one New York Times best seller, Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of a former Olympian’s courage, cunning, and fortitude following his plane crash in enemy territory. This adaptation of Unbroken introduces a new generation to one of history’s most thrilling survival epics.
I Am Number 4
An Amazon Editor’s pick for best of YA, I Am Number 4 is an awesome science fiction story and great audiobook.. “Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We want to catch you.” This is a fun series to listen to in the car (maybe a long road trip on vacation) that will keep you entrenched in the story.
Red Rising
One of the most popular series of all time amongst teens and tweens, Red Rising takes place on Mars with a caste society, color-coded by the level of your caste. Darrow, a low-caste Red, infiltrates the ruling Gold caste’s special training school. His training? Kill or be killed. Lead an army or be enslaved. It’s better than Hunger Games – especially for teens who don’t want to read about romance and really get enthralled with battle strategy.
Steelheart
Steelheart is a much beloved series by teens and tweens because of it’s plot twists and action.
Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will. Who will come out on top?
We tried hard to put together the best list of audio books for teens that you may love too!
These stories are amazing and some of the best audiobooks for teens that you’ll find out there. These audiobooks are great books and series that are perfect for listening to together!
Parenting teens and tweens isn’t easy, and getting them to hang out with you can be even harder. But here are some other ideas of things to do together.
The Best TV Series Families With Teens and Tweens Can Enjoy Together
The Best Documentaries To Watch With Your Teens and Tweens
The Best 80’s Teen Movies Every Parent Should Watch With Their Teens
Agnes says
Very informative. Thank you.
Mint says
Very interesting but the description of The Martian is off. Something like this is more accurate
The Martian is considered one of the best science fiction books that ever turned into an audiobook and one of the best audio books for teens. It is a story of an astronaut who was stranded on Mars by accident. There is no one to help as everyone who came with him evacuated believing he died in an accident. There is no choice other than to stay and survive to get help from the earth. He has only his wits and experience of his life to endure. The author has beautifully written this man’s story and his emotions and isolation that he faced in the space
Book Lover says
I’m so excited to read this one. It’s wonderful!!
George says
It’s so great that there are audiobooks for kids and teens and not just adults. Great article. I also like full cast audiobooks like ‘Friends Fight Foes’. Neil Gaiman has a few as well that are great for teens.