The Best YA Books that Tackle Heavy Topics

I read a fair share of young adult books and often find myself being drawn to the ones where the author addresses some pretty intense issues. The subject matter of these books can range from depression and other mental illnesses to school shootings, and although sometimes difficult to read I think that books like these can provide important insight when tactfully written. I have compiled a list in no particular order featuring some of my favorite books that achieve this. They all manage to shed light on a difficult topic while maintaining a certain level of sensitivity and humanness to the characters dealing with these burdens.

Jumping Off Swings
Jo Knowles

Although I read this book several years ago, Jumping Off Swings has managed to stay with me ever since. This novel deals with teen pregnancy and ultimately how it can have a huge affect on more than just one person. What Knowles does brilliantly here is tell the story from the perspective of four different teenagers, all dealing with their own lives and problems. It opens readers up to the fact that what looks like a personal issue can have a greater impact than is initially believed.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye
Cynthia Hand

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a touching story of a young girl grappling with the recent suicide of her brother. This novel gives a refreshing perspective on the topic of suicide by putting readers in the shoes of someone deeply affected by its aftermath. Cynthia Hand does a superb job of illustrating the transformation of the main character as she slowly begins to embrace the healing process after a family tragedy.

Clean
Amy Reed

Amy Reed's young adult novel Clean dives into the topic of addiction, following a group of teenagers as they all undergo treatment at the same rehab center. Told from the point of view of multiple characters, the story shows how five seemingly disparate teens can find common ground and help each other to overcome their addictions.

If I Was Your Girl
Meredith Russo

If I Was Your Girl is a beautifully crafted story that follows a teenage girl as she tries to find a place for herself. Having been biologically born a boy, she moves to her father's small and largely religious town in the attempts to escape her troubled past and create a new identity as a female. This is a novel that goes beyond simply being a book with a transgender protagonist. Russo creates a very relatable main character that anyone can empathize with on her journey through adolescence.

The Way I Used To Be
Amber Smith

Amber Smith's debut novel The Way I Used To Be deftly addresses the topic of rape among young adult readers. The story follows the protagonist, Eden, through her high school years as she struggles to come to terms with a sexual assault from her brother's friend when she was younger. Smith illustrates the heartbraking inner turmoil of Eden as she attempts to navigate her life and find the strength to overcome the traumatic event from her past.