Classic Books for Today’s Teens

The Golden Goblet

Ranofer is a young boy in ancient Egypt who longs to become a master goldsmith like his father, but is held back from his dream by his evil half brother Gebu. His life takes a different course, however, when he discovers a golden goblet in Gebu’s room.

The Call of the Wild

The timeless classic that tells the story of a mistreated dog named Buck who learns how to overcome his circumstances as he learns to survive in the wilderness.

Eight Cousins

This book, by the author of Little Women, tells the story of Rose Campbell, who is sent to live with family after becoming orphaned. As she finds her place among her seven energetic boy cousins she is transformed into a happy and healthy child.

Hatchet

A tale of adventure and suspense, Hatchet is a book about a thirteen year old boy, Brian Robeson, whose parents have recently divorced. Brian is flying to visit his father in the mountains when the plane crashes and he finds himself the only survivor in the Canadian wilderness, with only a hatchet to help him.

The Bronze Bow

Jewish boy Daniel bar Jamin is fueled by his desire to avenge his father’s death at the hand of the Romans, but unexpectedly discovers Jesus.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Jewish boy Daniel bar Jamin is fueled by his desire to avenge his father’s death at the hand of the Romans, but unexpectedly discovers Jesus.

Where the Red Fern Grows

This classic book is about a Billy Colman and the two hunting dogs he buys and trains to hunt racoons in the Ozark mountains.

The Incredible Journey

Three pets set out across the Canadian wilderness to find their way home in this exciting story.

The Incredible Journey

Nathaniel Bowditch is a self taught sailor and mathematician who revolutionized sea navigation while overcoming daunting obstacles. My thirteen year old picked this up reluctantly, thinking it wasn’t a topic that looked interesting, and came back glowing as she recounted this moving book to me in detail.

Big Red

This seventy five year old wilderness classic follows the adventures of Danny and his dog Red, whose strength, intellect, and loyalty to Danny will save the boy’s life. Don’t miss Irish Red and other stories by Jim Kjelgaard.

Summer of the Monkeys

A boy discovers escaped circus monkeys living in the forest near his home and becomes determined to catch them and collect the reward offered for their return.

Listening for Lions

Rachel is a child of missionary parents in Africa and it is all she’s ever known. When her parents die from influenza she becomes pulled into her malicious neighbors’ criminal scheme and is forced to go to England posing as their daughter. This exciting story tells of how she breaks free from the deception, wins the heart of those around her, and eventually comes full circle to carry on the work of her parents.

Johnny Tremain

As a fourteen year old apprentice to a silversmith, Johnny’s hand is injured in an accident, forcing him to find a new course for his future. He ends up involved in the growing unrest of the early American Revolution as a messenger for the Sons of Liberty.

Sarah, Plain and Tall series

Young Anna’s widowed father advertises in the paper for a wife and mother for his two children and in response gets a letter from Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, who decides to come on a trial basis. This series is a beautiful study on relationships and family.

The Swiss Family Robinson

The Robinsons and their four sons survive a shipwreck and are stranded on a tropical island. Together they learn not only how to survive in the wilderness, but how to create a life that is so desirable they aren’t sure that they ever want to leave. This exciting book emphasizes family values and a mindset of overcoming.

Watership Down

This classic tells the story of a group of rabbits who must flee when their home is going to be destroyed. They survive all the odds as they seek freedom and safety. Although it seems like it should be for young children, the drama, descriptions, and literary style are more suitable for teens.

The Last of the Mohicans

A frontier adventure tale that takes place during the French and Indian war. Two sisters are taken by savages and eventually rescued by a woodsman and his Mochican aids after a long, page-turning journey.

The Black Stallion

This famous book from the 1940s follows the story of Alec and the Black, a wild horse who had been contained on a ship in transit. When the ship wrecks the boy and horse are the only survivors and slowly develop a friendship as they both fight to survive. Our whole family enjoyed this as a read aloud.

George Washington Carver

I first read about the life of George Washington Carver years ago and was moved and inspired. Born into slavery, Carver became a scientist and inventor, who helped liberate the South from its dependency on cotton. He was a man of great faith and excellent character.

Hattie Big Sky

Hattie is a sixteen year old on the American frontier who has been shuttled from one relative to another for years. She decides to leave Iowa and moves alone and earn the homestead claim of her late uncle. This historical novel and its sequel are engaging and heartwarming, and was especially enjoyed by my older daughter.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

The story of a girl and her amazing resilience as she survives alone on an island for eighteen years. This gripping book is based on a true story. 

My Side of the Mountain

My young teens have loved this book to the point of reading it multiple times. It is the story of a boy who leaves his home to go live in the wilderness and grows in courage and independence as he survives and thrives. It is well written and engaging. I read it aloud to my 8 and 10 year old boys and they didn’t want it to end. 

The Phantom Tollbooth

I almost didn’t buy this book for our home library when I first heard the title, but it is nothing like you would expect. In a story that reads like a strange dream, a boy named Milo is transported in a magical tollbooth to a land where everything is a play on words and the adventure is steeped with meaningful moments. The book is charming and oddly educational. It made a fun read aloud.  

The Good Master

You will be captivated by The Good Master and its sequel, The Singing Tree. I read these books aloud to my middle kids and teens, and boys and girls alike didn’t want me to put them down. It is a story rich with the traditions of the Hungarian people, and a study on the nature of people and relationships. Highly recommend!