10+ Best Mental Health Books for 13-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Navigating the teenage years can be a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to mental health. That's why finding the right resources is crucial. If you're on the lookout for mental health books for 13-year-olds, you've come to the right place. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, or a young teen yourself, our curated lists will guide you through some of the best reads that tackle this vital topic. Keep reading to discover how these books can offer support and understanding during these formative years.

Fun Mental Health Books for 13-Year-Olds

• Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: This novel introduces Audrey, a teenage girl dealing with anxiety and depression, who starts to recover with the help of her quirky family and an interesting boy named Linus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to mental health issues, handled with humor and sensitivity, making it relatable and not overwhelming.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking for a light yet meaningful read that tackles serious topics with a touch of humor.

• The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
  • Genre(s): Middle Grade, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Natalie's mother is struggling with depression, and through her science class project, Natalie aims to bring back her mother's happiness.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully blends science with personal growth and offers a hopeful perspective on how to deal with family issues.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in science and those dealing with family challenges.

• A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
  • Genre(s): Middle Grade, Fiction, Neurodiversity
  • Synopsis: The story follows Addie, an autistic girl who campaigns for a memorial in honor of the witch trials' victims in her village, drawing parallels between their treatment and how she's treated today.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an empowering read that promotes understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity.
  • Perfect for: Readers who feel different and are looking for characters they can see themselves in.

• The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
  • Genre(s): Middle Grade, Mystery, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Matthew Corbin suffers from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. He becomes a key witness to a neighborhood mystery, which forces him to face his fears.
  • Why we recommend this book: This mystery intertwined with personal struggle provides suspense and empathy, encouraging readers to root for the protagonist's recovery.
  • Perfect for: Mystery lovers and anyone who struggles with or wants to understand OCD better.

• The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
  • Genre(s): Middle Grade, Road Trip, Family
  • Synopsis: Coyote Sunrise travels the country in a school bus with her dad, staying ahead of her past until she learns they need to go home. It’s a story about grief, adventure, and healing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming adventure that deals with loss and healing in a way that's accessible and uplifting.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous spirits and anyone dealing with loss or change.

Educational Mental Health Books for 13-Year-Olds

• Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
  • Genre(s): Graphic Memoir, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This graphic memoir details the author's upbringing in a family grappling with addiction, and how he found art as a way to cope.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression through art, understanding of addiction, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a raw, honest look at difficult family dynamics, while also highlighting the power of creativity as a form of therapy.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and anyone looking to understand more about family, addiction, and personal resilience.

• The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Romance
  • Synopsis: Adam Spencer Ross, a teen with OCD, navigates therapy and first love. As he tries to manage his symptoms, he also aims to help his family and friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of OCD, empathy, relationship dynamics
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging story that mixes romance with the serious challenges of mental health, providing a compelling narrative that's both informative and uplifting.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking for a love story that doesn't shy away from the complexities of mental health.

• It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Success, however, is not as straightforward as he hoped, and his intense anxiety leads to a suicidal episode and subsequent psychiatric hospitalization.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of depression and anxiety, stigma surrounding mental health, stress management
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a realistic, yet hopeful perspective on dealing with mental health challenges, inspired by the author's own experiences.
  • Perfect for: Teens feeling the pressure of expectations and those interested in a realistic depiction of mental health struggles.

• The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Following her attempted suicide, Vicky Cruz wakes up in a hospital's mental ward, not sure she wants to live but beginning to find reasons to try.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of depression and recovery, resilience, emotional literacy
  • Why we recommend this book: It is deeply compassionate and insightful, providing a nuanced exploration of mental health recovery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are coping with depression or who want to understand mental health better.

• Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman, illustrated by Brendan Shusterman
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Caden Bosch is torn between two worlds: one in his high school and another aboard a ship headed for the deepest point on Earth. As his internal world begins to overtake his external reality, Caden struggles to maintain a grip on what is true and what is not.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of schizophrenia, distinction between reality and imagination, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique and vivid portrayal of mental illness through metaphorical storytelling, making the complex emotions and experiences accessible.
  • Perfect for: Teens and young adults interested in deep, artistic explorations of mental health themes.

Challenging Mental Health Books for 13-Year-Olds

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Charlie, an introverted teenager, navigates the complexities of high school, family drama, and emerging sexuality, all while dealing with the emotional scars of his past.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel addresses intense themes such as mental health, substance abuse, and sexual identity, which are presented through a deep, introspective narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a profound and realistic look into the struggles of adolescence, encouraging empathy and self-reflection.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking for a deeper, more emotional narrative that doesn't shy away from tough issues.

• Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
  • Genre(s): Middle Grade, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Caitlin, a young girl with Asperger's syndrome, seeks to understand the world and her place in it following the tragic death of her brother.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores complex themes of grief and mental health through the unique perspective of a protagonist with Asperger's, requiring readers to engage with a viewpoint that may be far from their own.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity and addresses how to cope with loss and trauma.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in seeing the world through the eyes of someone with a different cognitive perspective.

• Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old James Whitman struggles with depression and anxiety, which he tries to manage through Walt Whitman’s poetry and conversations with an imaginary pigeon therapist, Dr. Bird.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book delves into serious mental health issues combined with the protagonist's unique coping mechanisms, set against a backdrop of complex family dynamics.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching exploration of mental health that is both humorous and poignant, offering hope and understanding through poetry and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young poets and anyone who uses art or literature as a means of understanding their own mental health.

• Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Lia and Cassie are best friends, united in their quest to be thin, but when Cassie succumbs to the demons of her eating disorder, Lia's guilt and own struggle with anorexia worsen.
  • Why this book is challenging: It confronts the harsh realities of eating disorders and mental illness with raw intensity, requiring readers to face difficult truths about health and self-image.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a gripping and unflinching look at the challenges of dealing with eating disorders, encouraging awareness and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Teens grappling with body image issues or anyone interested in the emotional realities behind eating disorders.

• All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Romance, Mental Health
  • Synopsis: Theodore Finch and Violet Markey meet on the ledge of their school bell tower, both contemplating suicide. Their friendship grows into something more as they embark on a journey that changes how they see themselves and their futures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles the stigmatized issues of suicide and mental illness head-on, blending romance with serious discussions about life and death.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sensitively handles the subject of mental health, providing a story of hope and resilience that can be particularly impactful for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Teens who appreciate stories that combine romance with significant, real-life challenges.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you’re diving into mental health books, it’s great to pair your reading with some beneficial exercises that can enhance your understanding and retention. Here are a few exercises designed specifically for 13-year-olds to help develop good reading habits while exploring mental health topics.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much you want to read each day or week.
  • How it helps: Helps you stay focused and make reading a regular part of your life.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family members who are interested.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and gives you different perspectives.
  • Tips: Try to discuss what you read right after your reading session to keep ideas fresh.

• Create a Comfortable Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a specific spot at home dedicated to reading.
  • How it help: Makes reading an enjoyable and anticipated activity.
  • Tips: Include comfy seating, good lighting, and maybe even some personal touches like art or plants.

• Use a Mind Map
  • What it is: Draw or outline the main ideas and themes of the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with remembering details and understanding the structure of the book.
  • Tips: Add to your mind map as you read, not just at the end.

• Reflect Through Art
  • What it is: Create art based on themes or scenes from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages creative expression and deeper connection with the material.
  • Tps: Don’t worry about artistic skill; focus on expressing your thoughts and feelings about the read.

Incorporating these exercises can make your reading experience more engaging and beneficial. Whether you’re sketching, discussing, or mapping, each activity is designed to complement your journey through mental health literature. Keep exploring and enjoying your reading adventures!