10+ Best Self Help Books for 13-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Navigating the teenage years can be a rollercoaster, especially when you're 13! That's why finding the right self help books for 13-year-olds can be a game changer. These books are tailored to help teens tackle the unique challenges they face during this transformative time. Curious about which books make the list? Keep reading to discover our top picks of self help books for 13-year-olds that can truly make a difference.

Fun Self Help Books for 13-Year-Olds

• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Personal Development
  • Synopsis: This book serves as a refreshing, blunt guide to help teenagers unleash their true potential and embrace their uniqueness.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's written in a fun, engaging tone that resonates well with young readers, making the idea of self-improvement exciting rather than a chore.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking to boost their confidence and those interested in personal development with a humorous twist.

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Personal Development
  • Synopsis: Covey adapts the powerful insights from his father’s book for a younger audience, focusing on habits that help teens build a strong foundation for the future.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers practical advice and real-world examples that are relatable to teenagers, helping them navigate complex life challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young individuals seeking to develop strong personal and interpersonal skills early in life.

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This book explores the concept of "fixed" vs. "growth" mindsets and how adopting the latter can lead to success in school, work, and personal life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages teens to approach challenges with enthusiasm and resilience, rather than fear of failure.
  • Perfect for: Students who are facing academic challenges and those interested in personal growth and self-improvement.

• The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, illustrated by Nan Lawson
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Empowerment
  • Synopsis: This book tackles the complexities of girlhood and encourages young women to find confidence through action, risk-taking, and learning from failures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s particularly tailored to young girls, providing them with the tools to build self-esteem and assertiveness.
  • Perfect for: Young girls who are struggling with self-doubt or looking to strengthen their self-confidence.

• Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Motivational
  • Synopsis: Based on a commencement speech that went viral, this book outlines the author's life lessons learned from Navy SEAL training and how they can be applied to everyday life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex life lessons into manageable, straightforward practices that are easy to incorporate into daily routines.
  • Perfect for: Teens who appreciate structured, step-by-step approaches to personal development and those inspired by military discipline and perseverance.

Educational Self Help Books for 13-Year-Olds

• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse as they traverse both the landscape and the intricacies of life's questions through simple yet profound conversations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, empathy, philosophical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle exploration of important life lessons wrapped in charming artwork that appeals to all ages, making complex ideas accessible and comforting.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy visually stimulating books with deep, reflective content.

• Big Life Journal: A Growth Mindset Journal for Children by Alexandra Eidens
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This interactive journal is designed to encourage children towards self-reflection, gratitude, and the development of a growth mindset through writing prompts, illustrations, and activities.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-reflection, critical thinking, goal setting
  • Why we recommend this book: It actively involves the reader in personal development, making the process engaging and practical.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive learning and parents seeking tools to aid their children’s emotional and intellectual growth.

• Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It by JoAnn Deak, Ph.D., illustrated by Sarah Ackerley
  • Genre(s): Educational, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This book teaches kids about the brain’s flexibility and capacity for learning new things, emphasizing how they can "stretch" their own brains through effort and practice.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of brain functions, encouragement of learning and growth
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies the brain in an accessible way, encouraging children to embrace challenges and the learning process.
  • Perfect for: Young learners curious about science and personal development.

• What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom
  • Genre(s): Inspirational, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This is a story about a persistent problem that follows the protagonist until he learns to face it and discover the opportunity it contains.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, resilience, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a positive and proactive approach to dealing with challenges, making it a valuable lesson for personal growth.
  • Perfect for: Children dealing with anxiety about problems or who tend to avoid challenges.

• Grit for Kids: 16 Top Steps for Developing Grit, Passion, and Perseverance in Kids for Self-Confidence and a Successful Life by Lee David Daniels
  • Genre(s): Educational, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This book aims to teach parents and kids the concept of grit, which combines passion and perseverance, and how to develop it for success in every area of life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Perseverance, self-confidence, goal-setting
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down the abstract concept of grit into actionable steps that kids can understand and apply.
  • Perfect for: Families looking to nurture persistence and resilience in their children.

Challenging Self Help Books for 13-Year-Olds

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Cognitive Science
  • Synopsis: This book delves into the dual-process theory of the mind, explaining how our "fast" intuitive and emotional system, and our "slow" more deliberate and logical system shape our judgments and decisions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents complex psychological theories and requires readers to engage with abstract concepts and self-reflection.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a deep understanding of how the mind works, which can help teens become more mindful of their thought processes and decision-making.
  • Perfect for: Teens interested in psychology and those who enjoy exploring deep, thought-provoking concepts.

• The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Business, Psychology
  • Synopsis: This book explores the science behind why habits exist and how they can be changed to transform our businesses, communities, and lives.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates scientific research and case studies that require careful analysis and application to one's own life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers insightful analyses that can help teens understand the patterns in their behavior and how to improve them.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are interested in self-improvement through understanding and modifying their habits.

• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Business, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This book examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—and offers smart and surprising techniques to put these into action.
  • Why this book is challenging: It challenges traditional notions of motivation and requires readers to rethink what drives them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fresh perspective on motivation that goes beyond traditional rewards and punishments.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking to discover what truly motivates them and how to harness this knowledge for personal and academic success.

• Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This book outlines the concept of 'Flow', a state of concentration so focused that it amounts to absolute absorption in an activity and leads to the achievement of ultimate enjoyment and satisfaction in life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex psychological concepts and requires readers to analyze their own experiences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches how to achieve a state of flow regularly, which can greatly enhance productivity and personal satisfaction.
  • Perfect for: Teens who are seeking ways to improve their focus and find joy in their daily activities and studies.

• The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson with Lou Aronica
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Creativity, Education
  • Synopsis: This book explores the concept of the Element, where passion and skill intersect, and discusses how to find it in oneself and how it can change one's life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages deep self-exploration and challenges readers to think critically about their future paths.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires teens to discover their true passions and talents, and shows the transformational effect of living a life aligned with these passions.
  • Perfect for: Young individuals who are pondering their future careers or searching for their true passions.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're 13 and looking to dive into the world of self-help books, developing good reading habits is key to making the most out of these books. Here are some exercises that can help you build those habits effectively:

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a specific number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and helps in making reading a daily habit.
  • Tips: Start small; even 10 pages a day can make a big difference!

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific area in your home as your reading nook.
  • How it helps: Minimizes distractions and enhances focus on reading.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s comfortable and has good lighting.

• Use a Reading Timer
  • What it is: Set a timer for how long you want to read without interruptions.
  • How it helps: Helps manage reading time efficiently, especially during busy days.
  • Tips: Begin with short intervals like 15-20 minutes and gradually increase.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family members who are interested.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Try to express what feelings or thoughts the book provoked in you.

• Read Aloud
  • What it is: Read the book out loud instead of silently.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and helps in processing the information better.
  • Tips: Do this in a quiet place where you can hear yourself clearly.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you'll not only enjoy your journey through self-help books but also develop lifelong reading habits. Remember, the key is consistency, so keep at it, and you'll see great results. Happy reading!