Recommended reads for Reading Level Young Adult and Secondary
Hunter by Joy Cowley – Book number 045070
A gripping survival story where a boy and a mystical spirit beast connect across time to save each other.
24 Hours by Margaret Mahy – Book number 046190
A teenager faces unexpected danger during a mysterious, thrilling twenty-four-hour journey filled with twists, secrets, and self-discovery.
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman – Book number 048529
In a racially divided world, two teenagers fight against prejudice and forbidden love, risking everything for change and freedom.
Alex (Alex #1) by Tessa Duder – Book number 050266
A talented teenage swimmer battles personal struggles and intense competition on her journey toward Olympic dreams and self-belief.
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera – Book number 051023
A young Maori girl challenges tradition and fulfills an ancient prophecy, proving her worthiness as a leader and whale rider.
The Juniper Game by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 053901
Two teens experiment with mind travel but discover dark consequences in this thrilling tale of friendship, power, and trust.
Take it Easy by David Hill – Book number 053914
When his life spirals, a teenager learns that slowing down and facing challenges head-on is sometimes the only way forward.
Winter of Fire by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 053981
In a brutal dystopia, a young girl’s defiance sparks a revolution that challenges the oppression enslaving her people.
Rocco by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 054008
Rocco’s dreams transport him into a haunting ancient world, where he must uncover the truth to save himself and others.
The Sleeper Wakes by David Hill – Book number 054009
After a tragic accident, a boy awakens with mysterious powers and faces new responsibilities he never imagined.
Tanith by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 054021
A banished girl with strange gifts battles suspicion and fear, fighting to prove her innocence and reclaim her place.
The Champion by Maurice Gee – Book number 054283
A teenage boy struggles with secrets, lies, and loyalty after uncovering shocking truths about his idolized family.
The 10 PM Question by Kate De Goldi – Book number 054553
A witty, sensitive boy navigates anxiety, family quirks, and growing up while hiding a secret he fears will unravel everything.
Maddigan’s Fantasia by Margaret Mahy – Book number 055034
In a post-apocalyptic world, a young performer joins a traveling circus on a quest to save their crumbling city.
Stormbreaker (Alex Rider #1) by Anthony Horowitz – Book number 055228
Teenage spy Alex Rider plunges into a world of espionage, facing deadly gadgets, evil plots, and daring missions.
I Am Not Esther (I Am Not Esther #1) by Fleur Beale – Book number 055591
Forced into a strict religious cult, a teenage girl struggles to retain her identity and reclaim her freedom.
See Ya, Simon by David Hill – Book number 055597
A moving story of friendship, courage, and coping with terminal illness, told through the eyes of a boy losing his best friend.
Because We Were the Travellers by Jack Lasenby – Book number 055638
In a future wilderness, a boy must survive alone, forging a new life among dangerous remnants of the old world.
Secret Sacrament (Secret Sacrament #1) by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 055763
A healer’s destiny unfolds as he challenges corruption, confronts betrayal, and seeks to fulfill a life-changing prophecy.
Alchemy by Margaret Mahy – Book number 056475
A teenage boy becomes entangled in a mysterious girl’s quest for magical knowledge and learns secrets that change everything.
The Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner – Book number 056655
Two teens decode messages from the future warning of global disaster, and must race against time to prevent it.
Juno of Taris (Juno #1) by Fleur Beale – Book number 056804
Juno questions the rules of her isolated, utopian island, uncovering dangerous secrets that could change everything.
Orchard Street by Maurice Gee – Book number 060517
A boy’s life changes when he discovers troubling truths hidden in his seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood.
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials #1) by Philip Pullman – Book number 063450
In a magical universe, Lyra journeys across the frozen North to rescue kidnapped children and confront cosmic forces.
The Falcon’s Malteser (Diamond Brothers #1) by Anthony Horowitz – Book number 067227
A bumbling detective duo stumbles into a dangerous criminal conspiracy after receiving a mysterious package.
Raven’s Gate (The Power of Five #1) by Anthony Horowitz – Book number 067228
A troubled teen discovers he has powers and is destined to fight ancient evil forces threatening the world.
Eragon (Inheritance #1) by Christopher Paolini – Book number 067299
A farm boy discovers a dragon egg, setting him on a perilous path of magic, destiny, and rebellion.
Hostel Girl by Maurice Gee – Book number 071044
A young woman’s life at a hostel reveals friendships, betrayals, and self-discovery amid personal and family challenges.
The Hunger Games (Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins – Book number 071431
In a brutal dystopian society, Katniss Everdeen volunteers for a deadly televised survival game to save her sister.
The Tiggy Tompson Show (Tiggy Tompson #1) by Tessa Duder – Book number 073022
A teen TV host navigates fame, friendship, and personal dramas in a lively coming-of-age story.
The Raging Quiet by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 073997
Accused of witchcraft, a girl finds friendship and love with a deaf boy, challenging cruel village prejudices.
Mortal Fire by Elizabeth Knox – Book number 081070
A brilliant girl with secret powers investigates magical mysteries hidden within a strange, enchanting valley.
Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth – Book number 086633
In a divided society, a girl chooses her fate and uncovers conspiracies that threaten to destroy everything she believes in.
The Severed Land by Maurice Gee – Book number 089132
Two unlikely heroes cross a ravaged land on a daring rescue mission, confronting both enemies and themselves.
Flight Path by David Hill – Book number 090363
A young pilot-in-training faces love, loss, and courage during World War II in the Pacific.
Closed, Stranger by Kate De Goldi – Book number 098520
A teenager’s encounter with a mysterious stranger triggers a poignant journey into the secrets of his family’s past.
The Parihaka Woman by Witi Ihimaera – Book number 098972
A spirited woman from colonial New Zealand fights injustice, love, and survival through turbulent times.
The Anger of Angels by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 126653
A girl risks her life to protect a subversive play that challenges tyranny and inspires rebellion.
The Crossing by Mandy Hager – Book number 128120
In a dystopian future, a young girl resists religious indoctrination and seeks freedom across a perilous sea crossing.
The Angel Experiment by James Patterson – Book number 133670
Genetically engineered teens with wings flee ruthless scientists and uncover shocking truths about their existence.
Assault by Brian Falkner – Book number 134950
Teen rebels fight to defend their homeland from invaders in a gripping, action-packed survival story.
The Deadly Sky by David Hill – Book number 136146
Two teenagers survive a catastrophic meteor storm, facing both physical and emotional challenges in the aftermath.
Ransomwood by Sherryl Jordan – Book number 137337
A servant girl and a wrongfully accused boy journey together for justice in a medieval society fraught with danger.
La Belle Sauvage (The Book of Dust #1) by Philip Pullman – Book number 137613
A brave boy protects a mysterious baby destined to change worlds, embarking on a perilous journey through floodwaters.
Witch & Wizard (Witch & Wizard #1) by James Patterson – Book number 139361
Siblings with magical powers battle an oppressive regime determined to destroy creativity, freedom, and hope.
Coast Watcher by David Hill – Book number 141246
A teen helps a hidden coast watcher during WWII, facing danger, secrecy, and acts of bravery.
Yes by Deborah Burnside – Book number 141481
A spirited debate over a political referendum tests friendships and beliefs among a group of New Zealand teens.
Eddy, Eddy by Kate De Goldi – Book number 141512
After a family tragedy, a boy reconnects with his roots, rebuilding life and relationships through resilience and hope.