Looking for something good to read? Craving for action, adventure, representative, inspirational, or informative stories? Then, this list was practically made for you! The following books have not been ranked by reviews, as ratings may not fully reflect the book’s quality, and can vary based on the website. Instead, the rankings are based on popularity (including bestsellers, and awards won), level of entertainment (how engaging the books’ plots are), as well as personal reading experiences. Without further ado, let’s dive into the Top 5 Must-Read Books!
5. The Sun and the Star: A Nico Di Angelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro
Genre: Myths and Folklore, 2SLGBTQIA+, Fantasy, Fictional Novel
Age Group: 9-12
“A descent into Tartarus leads to one of the most emotionally rewarding books set in the Percy Jackson universe.” – Subjectify Media
Attention, fellow demigods! This standalone book from the worldwide phenomenon, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, follows fan favourites Nico Di Angelo, son of Hades, and his sunshine boyfriend, Will Solace, as they journey through The Underworld to save Bob the Titan from the darkest depths of Hades’ kingdom: Tartarus. Together, in this thrilling, action-packed adventure, Nico and Will’s wholesome relationship are challenged by the literal and figurative darkness of Tartarus, as well as the monstrous demons from their tragic pasts. Within this book, Rick Riordan and co-author, Mark Oshiro, inspirationally represent the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, along with the significant challenges of accepting each other’s differences.
4. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Genre: Fairytales, Myths and Folklore, Fantasy, Fictional Novel
Age Group: 9-12
“Reimagines the world of fairytales and will make you question who is good and who is evil.” – Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Searching for masterful retellings of Grim fairytales with breathtaking adventures, heartstopping action, contrasting character development, and gasp-worthy plot twists? If so, this book is perfectly suited for you. The lives of Sophie, an aspiring princess, and Agatha, the dubbed village witch, are flipped upside down when a gargoyle drops them into the School for Good and Evil. There, they must escape near-death situations to meet the school’s daunting standards, and overcome obstacles of love, destiny, bravery, and identity, while desperately clinging to their increasingly wavering friendship. The School for Good and Evil also portrays brilliant teachings regarding the true definitions of good and evil, as well as taking charge of one’s own destiny by defying the status quo.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Genre: Myths and Folklore, Fantasy, Fictional Novel
Age Group: 9-12
“The action, never leisurely in any of the five books in the series, runs at a frantic pace here – monsters pop out with a rapidity that becomes almost predictable, except that they are so enjoyably hair-raising, and that Riordan has such clever ways of dispatching them.” – The New York Times
Middle-school was already difficult before Percy Jackson was introduced to the world of the Gods. This book series combines beloved Greek myths with modern-day characters, settings, and media that has captured the attention of readers around the world. Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood – along with their other demigod friends – form the unstoppable force that protects Camp Half-Blood, a safe demigod sanctuary, against the growing forces planning to overthrow the Gods by releasing their greatest enemy: Kronos (God of Time). The book not only contains uniquely original humour and fast-paced action, but also provides insights to the hardships of friendship, family, and overcoming prejudice, differences, and disabilities to save the world.
2. Refugee by Alan Gratz
Genre: Historical Fiction Novel
Age Group: 9-12 (disclaimer: the novel has some mature concepts and events that may be heavier topics for younger individuals)
“Some novels are engaging and some novels are important. Refugee is both.” – Ruta Sepetys, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea
Readers craving for a novel that recounts the consequences of devastating human travesties will definitely enjoy Refugee. In the 1930s, Josef Landau flees from Nazi Germany onboard the S.S. St. Louis during WWII. In 1944, Isabel Fernandez escapes Batista’s violent Cuban reign aboard her homemade raft to America. In 2015, Mahmoud Bashara treks towards Europe to escape Syria’s civil war. Throughout the book, readers learn about the human experience during WWII, Cuban riots, and the Syrian civil war, as well as the heartbreaking losses, and sacrifices experienced throughout all three eras. The heartwrenching situations of each character notably emphasizes the importance of hope, perseverance, and identity, all of which are challenged by the horrifying events that occur while attempting to find refuge.
1. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Genre: YA, Coming-of-age, Fictional Novel
Age Group: 14-18
“A gorgeous, star-crossed story about the costs of the American dream. I read this in a single day.” – Jodi Picoult
A tragically heartfelt story of love, sacrifice, family, forgiveness, and regret, All My Rage comes from an entirely different breed of YA novels. Readers follow Misbah and Toufiq, a newly married couple in Pakistan, as their lives are struck with tragedy, forcing them to immigrate to the United States, and restart their lives. Later, the story focuses on Salahudin and Noor in California. There, the pair struggles with drug addictions, financial problems, abuse, and their complicated friendship – something that has been weakening as the requirement of self-sacrifice becomes increasingly essential. Without a doubt, readers will instantly become engulfed by the harrowing lives of Misbah, Toufiq, Salahudin, and Noor as they frantically search for a brighter future.
While searching for these books (e.g. Indigo Chapters), please note that some covers may have been updated. Thus, pay close attention to the author(s), as well as the title of the books before purchasing. Moreover, the books within this ranking list have varying page numbers, meaning they are not all the same length. Hopefully, at least one of these books has captured your attention, and are sitting on your bookshelves in the near future!
Have fun reading, fellow bookworms!
