20 Nonfiction Books for Teens That Are Total Page-Turners
by Iva-Marie Palmer
In their world of sometimes-dull textbooks and term papers on often pre-assigned topics, it’s natural for teens to flock to fiction in their spare time. But they would be remiss to overlook some of the amazing nonfiction works that are equally captivating, thought-provoking, and even worldview-affecting. Here are 20 extra-compelling nonfiction books for teens that span all kinds of interests and curiosities.
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A Quantum Life (Adapted for Young Adults)
Buy from:James Edward Plummer was a brilliant boy stuck in a bad situation. His high I.Q. and impoverished childhood were at odds with each other, which pushed him to find a bizarre balance between the two. After developing a drug addiction and getting accepted into the Physics Ph.D. program at Stanford University, James found a mentor who helped him tip the scales of his life into one of success. His inspiring story is a must-read!
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The Faraway Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults)
Buy from:A remarkable story of brotherhood, immigration, and finding home, The Faraway Brothers follows the lives of 17-year-old twins Ernesto and Raúl Flores, who are forced to flee El Salvador for America after being targeted by a local gang. While the journey itself is harrowing, so too are their lives as undocumented migrants. Ernesto and Raúl must adapt to all-new surroundings and anxiously await their immigration court hearing, all while experiencing the typical trials of adolescence.
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An Illustrated History of Urban Legends
Buy from:Whether you love spooky urban legends or bizarre local lore, this book features some of the best stories and their histories. Vibrant illustrations and plenty of conspiracies, myths, and legends make this book a must-read for any reader who loves falling down weird rabbit holes.
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Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults)
Buy from:Through his work with the Equal Justice Initiative, attorney Bryan Stevenson fights every day for the vulnerable and wrongfully imprisoned, and also to reveal the inequities and racial bias of America’s criminal justice system. This YA adaptation of his bestseller — now a film starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx — relays the stories of Stevenson’s clients and how they wound up in the system. An eye-opening and galvanizing read.
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The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults)
Buy from:During the civil rights movement, The Dance Theater of Harlem made history as its members appeared on magazine covers, performed around the world, and blazed a trail on and off the stage. This nonfiction book spotlights five of these dancers and how their hard work and determination paved the way for Black ballerinas to have an equal chance at the spotlight.
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Flowers in the Gutter
Buy from:The tale of the Edelweiss Pirates reads like the most thrilling of war fiction, yet it’s the result of historian K. R. Gaddy’s meticulous research. These weren’t your typical pirates — rather, they were working-class German teenagers risking their lives to resist the Nazis during World War II. Their refusal of complacency, even as the Gestapo pursued and arrested them, is something we could all learn from.
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American Wings
Buy from:This book offers a fascinating look at aviation history and civil rights in the years between World War I and World War II. As aviation fever took hold in America, many young pilots dreamed of taking to the skies. Faced with prejudice in traditional aviation schools, a group of Black pilots started a flying club and airfield near Chicago. With World War II came an increased demand for pilots, and their school trained young men of all backgrounds to fly and fight for their country.
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Bonnie and Clyde
Buy from:Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow have gone down in history (by their first names, at least), but in her part-biography, part-true crime narrative, journalist Karen Blumenthal pauses to ask — how did these two poor teens from west Texas wind up as outlaws in the first place? The result of her curiosity is a fascinating and heart-pounding tale of love and crime set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. A page-turner, indeed.
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American Spirits
Buy from:In 1848, Kate and Maggie Fox claimed they could talk to the spirit that haunted their home. Guided by their older sister, Leah, the girls quickly rose to fame and fortune as they communed with spirits on the other side. However, as their reputation as mediums grew, so did the backlash from the press. This fascinating nonfiction book will captivate, thrill, and educate YA readers.
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Hick
Buy from:In Hick, readers are offered a meticulously researched and deeply engaging YA exploration of Lorena Hickok's journey to becoming a celebrated journalist and Eleanor Roosevelt's confidante and lover. Sarah Miller masterfully weaves a narrative that feels as compelling as any work of fiction, painting an intimate and well-rounded portrait of Hick, Eleanor, and their significant relationship. A must-read for fans of women's history.
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One in a Million: A Graphic Memoir
Buy from:When Claire was a teenager, she became ill, and nobody could figure out what was wrong with her. After multiple visits to various doctors and clinics, she learned that she had a brain tumor. This heartfelt graphic novel memoir follows the ups and downs of juggling her medical journey and everyday life as a teenager.
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We Should All Be Feminists
Buy from:In December 2015, it was announced that every 16-year-old in Sweden would be given a copy of this book. Adapted from Adichie’s award-winning TEDx Talk of the same name (which blew up after Beyoncé sampled it), the book is a great stepping stone for discussions on gender roles and equity. Drawing from Adichie’s own experiences, it’s a key read for young women and men as they navigate the future together.
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Wearing My Mother's Heart
Buy from:For teens who love poetry, this heartfelt collection is a must-read. Sophia Thakur weaves together the narratives of three generations of women, their hopes, dreams, loves, and deepest thoughts. This poignant and thought-provoking book received a starred review and was named School Library Journal Best Book of the Year in 2023.
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The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia
Buy from:If truth is stranger than fiction, the Romanovs still get some kind of prize. Any teen who claims history is boring should get their hands on this book. (Adults should, too!) Fleming writes about Russia’s last royal family and its downfall in a gripping way, covering every spot of doom in its gilded halls (while also tending to the lives of the poor Russian masses). Fans of reality show drama will hold today’s camera-ready families to a much higher drama standard after reading this book.
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Work with What You Got: A Memoir
Buy from:Zion Clark was born without legs to an imprisoned and drug-addicted mother. In foster care, he experienced abuse and neglect but also found supportive allies who recognized his potential and supported his dreams. Through perseverance and grit, Zion became a renowned wheelchair racer, wrestler, and a contestant on America’s Got Talent. His memoir will inspire teen readers to reach their full potential.
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Honor Girl
Buy from:The best memoirs are those that make you feel like the writer is a potential friend, even if their story is one that’s unfamiliar. In the case of Thrash’s graphic novel — a romantic, honest, and funny account of her falling hard for her female summer-camp counselor — the story does more than make you want to be one of Thrash’s friends. It makes you want to have under-the-stars big conversations with the ones you already have.
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Hanged!
Buy from:Mary Surratt owned the boardinghouse where John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators regularly gathered. So, when Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Surratt was found guilty of treason and became the first woman executed by the United States government. This book dives into the details of the assassination and whether Surratt was involved in the plot or was the victim of a terrible misfortune.
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The Movie Book
Buy from:Part of DK’s Big Ideas series, The Movie Book is a do-it-all compendium of movie history and looks at how films have fit into society. Examining 100 films from the silent era onward (and spanning all genres, from The Wizard of Oz to Vertigo to Pulp Fiction), the book’s profiles include great lines, historical significance, and mini-biographies of key industry players. Any teen movie buff will be drawn instantly to the must-see content and — in this age of streaming — may be inclined to seek out older, harder-to-get fare for a true picture of movie-making’s multifaceted history.
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Devotion (Young Readers Edition)
Buy from:Adapted from the adult book with the same title, this true story follows two pilots from different backgrounds as they forge an unbreakable bond during the Korean War. When one of them gets shot down behind enemy lines, the other risks everything to find and rescue him. Readers who enjoy true stories about unbreakable bonds and brotherhood will love this inspiring account.
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Death in the Jungle
Buy from:Teens will be mesmerized by this riveting account of Jim Jones and his notorious cult, Peoples Temple. Jones recruited hundreds of followers by promising them equality and happiness before moving them from California to Guyana, South America. When the authorities started closing in, Jones convinced over 900 of his devout followers to drink poisoned punch. Chilling, heartbreaking, and impossible to set down, this well-researched book will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end.
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You might also like:
- Captivating Historical Fiction for Teens
- Drama-Filled Teen Novels Inspired by Shakespeare’s Plays
- Wise and Witty Graphic Memoirs Every Teen Should Read
- Uniquely Appealing Books for 13- and 14-Year-Old Boys
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2025.