The Best Audiobooks for Teens of 2024

Are you looking for a book to listen to? We will review the best audiobooks for teens in this post. All of them are among the highest-ranked audiobooks. The topics of these audiobooks vary from Norse myths and aliens to princesses in the castles and teen pregnancy. If you are new to the listening format, we have five great tips to help you find a perfect book. Switching from reading to listening can be a tough challenge, but with the best YA audiobooks it gets easier. Audiobooks are not just more convenient in certain situations; they are, in fact, a whole new world of literature that will make your imagination fly.

If you want to just get back to studying, get our top pick for audiobooks for teens here.

Last update: 2024-05-05

Our Favorites for Best Audiobooks for Teens

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

If you think that racism is not a thing in the 21st century, this book will prove you are wrong.

Starr is a 16-year-old who is torn between two societies: her poor neighborhood and her fancy prep school. The day things get even worse is when Starr gets a car lift from her childhood friend and becomes a witness of him being shot multiple times by a policeman. Although Khalil didn’t comply with the officer’s command promptly, he was unarmed and didn’t threaten anyone. The boy wasn’t the most innocent person; some say he was dealing drugs and was a gang member. Protests are taking place in the neighborhood; Khalil’s death becomes a tragic headline of national news. Starr is the only witness of the shooting, and her words mean a lot to the community. But her family is threatened by those who don’t want the truth to come out.

Why Choose this Book:

• You will realize how many privileges people of different races lack up to this day and how flawed a criminal justice system is.
• This audiobook will open your eyes to many other stories of racial discrimination that leads to death at the hands of officials.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• Although the book is about racial discrimination, another powerful message is about how the words and the voice of a single person matter.
• The topic of the book is serious, but the author manages to use humor to make it easier to listen to. The only issue you may have when listening is getting used to the slang and the style of narration.

Last update: 2024-05-05

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With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Have you ever thought that making your dream come true is impossible? That is exactly what Emoni thought at first. She will help you find your inner strength to follow your passion.

Emoni is a 17-year-old girl who dreams about becoming a chef. She can surprise everyone with her cooking skills and delicious food. She wants to enroll in a new culinary art class with the possibility of visiting Spain. But her 2-year-old daughter Emma and her grandmother Gloria need Emoni’s constant care. She wants to be an excellent mom, she can’t leave her grandmother, and what about her dream? At one point, she thinks that there is no reason to pursue the dream because all her responsibilities would make it impossible to achieve. But every time she starts cooking, she understands what her purpose is.

Why Choose this Book:

• The author narrates the book. Her voice is charming, and it brings characters to life. It is among the best YA audiobooks 2020, having received a 2020 Audie Award.
• The issues that the author raises are teen pregnancy, being a single mother, struggling financially, parents absent from their child’s life, teen relationships.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• The food descriptions are very vivid with the little doodles; they will make you want to try cooking.
• Although the book covers many tough topics, the book is easy to listen to. You will see that it is a happy book with a positive message

Last update: 2024-05-05

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I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore 

This book is excellent for alien and hero fans that like to learn about life on other planets and aliens living among us.

John is one of the nine teenagers-aliens who managed to escape their planet Loric when Mogadorians destroyed it and killed everyone else. Now there are only six of them left on Earth because Mogadorians are trying to kill them all. The six of them are hiding moving from town to town, remaining anonymous. John is their next target. He moves to Ohio where he wants to settle down, and he meets Sarah there. John’s goal has been to return to Loric and restore his planet. But now he starts to think whether that is what he really wants. Now that he wants to be with Sarah, it is much more difficult to hide. Will Mogadorians find him, and will Sarah accept the fact that John is an alien?

Why Choose this Book:

• If you’ve seen the movie, you will like the background of the story. But if you haven’t, listen to the book first because the film will ruin all the action.
• While there is a lot of action, you will also enjoy the romance, tender feelings, and drama that every teenager can relate to.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• The audiobook includes a first chapter of the next volume in the series, so you don’t have to wait until you purchase the second book.
• In addition to being aliens, these kids also have superpowers, which adds up to the action.

Last update: 2024-05-05

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Runner Ups for Best Audiobooks for Teens

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Who hasn’t heard about this wizard boy? Most likely, you’ve seen the movie a few times. But what if we tell you that the audiobook is four times longer than the movie? Listening to it, you will learn so much more than you already know!

Most of us know the plot. An orphaned 11-year-old boy receives a mysterious letter that says he has to get ready for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At first, he thinks it’s a mistake. But then the strange reaction of his uncle and aunt, and a giant man who comes to take him to school on a flying motorcycle, make him realize that everything he believes in can be an outright lie. How will his life change when he finds out he is the only person who survived the evil magic and the deadly spell of the darkest wizard of all times?

Why Choose this Book:

• Harry Potter audiobook is one of the best audiobooks for families as you will have to discuss those new scenes with someone. The series is by far the most popular and just the best audiobook for tweens 2019 and 2020.
• There is a hook at the end of each chapter that will keep you listening.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• Jim Dale and Stephen Fry have narrated all seven books in the series. Many fans are ready to fight over who is the better narrator. We find it worth noticing that Jim Dale speaks with an American accent, and Stephen Fry speaks with a British accent.
• This audiobook is perfect for teens who don’t like reading. You will be hooked on the audiobook, and then you may decide to read the printed book. Or you may what to read the additional books to series such as Short Stories from Hogwarts.

Last update: 2024-05-04

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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

It is one of the best audiobooks for tweens. It will show that not everything is as colorful and happy for animals both in the wild and behind the glass walls.

Ivan is a gorilla who has spent most of his life behind the glass wall in a shopping mall. He doesn’t pay attention to humans staring at him, but he rarely thinks about them. Ivan watches television, thinks about his friends Stella the Elephant and Bob, a stray dog, but most of the time the animal thinks about his art. He likes drawing fruits and nature, and stupid people don’t understand his paintings. He seldom thinks about his life in the wild, but everything changes when a baby elephant Ruby arrives. She was captured from the wild, and she makes Ivan see his art and his home in the jungle through her eyes. How will this change Ivan?

Why Choose this Book:

• Ivan is a real gorilla who inspired the author to write the book. He was born in DR Congo, captured as a baby from the wild, and then he was a pet in a family. After he grew too big, Ivan was moved Washington State to live in a shopping mall and be on display for the public.
• The author uses humor to tell this story. While younger children will love the animals and their funny conversations, only listeners old enough will understand the double meaning of the story.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• The audiobook will introduce you to the words you may not be familiar with at the beginning of the book. Some people who listened to the book say they feel like they were missing out on the beautiful illustrations that are present in the printed format.
• The author leaves a note to explain what part is taken from the real story and what is fictional.

Last update: 2024-05-05

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The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

This book is for anyone who has ever been struggling to find their voice, who has Hispanic heritage, or who just wants to enjoy powerful words and sympathize with the characters.

Xiomara is only 15, but her life is already a struggle. Her mother is very religious and protective; she wants her daughter to be close to God. Xiomara is not sure she even believes in God. The girl’s body is already so curvy that she can’t go anywhere without the excessive attention of older boys and men. There is only one boy she likes, but she isn’t allowed to have a boyfriend. All her pain she expresses in poetry. She recites her own poems like prayers, and one day she finds out about a poetry slam. How can she manage to go there without her mother knowing it?

Why Choose this Book:

• This audiobook has won many awards, including AudioFile Earphones Award and National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.
• The author shows an abusive relationship in a very realistic way. But some listeners say that the message at the end should have been different, and the author should have said abuser never change.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• This book is written entirely in verse. If you are not used to reading poetry, the audiobook is an excellent choice. The author narrates the story in a very touching way; she gives her own words so many emotions and passion.
• The book covers a full package of different issues: being a beginner in poetry, living with a strict mother and her religious views, sexual harassment, being uncomfortable with your body, relationship with a person your family doesn’t approve of.

Last update: 2024-05-05

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Value Picks for Best Audiobooks for Teens

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

We recommend this book to everyone who is a fan of myths and legends, who likes Neil Gaiman’s writing style and just wants to listen to a fun book. This book is one of the most entertaining road trip audiobooks for families.

This book will tell you about Odin, Thor, Loki, and many other gods, demons, and creatures. It is not so much a fiction book, rather a source of knowledge about the beliefs of Norse people and how these stories were tied to their culture and life. The majority of the listeners said they admired Gaiman’s way of storytelling and how he made it easy to enjoy a pretty tricky topic. The myths are told in short stories that are action-packed and fast-paced.

Why Choose this Book:

• If you are a Marvel fan, you must listen to this book. You will learn how much the actual gods Norse people believed in are different from the well-known Marvel heroes.
• The book is more than a history lesson or simple retelling of the myths. The author shows us the unknows traits of the gods’ personalities. You will see that Loki is not just evil, and Odin is darker than we think he is.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• Gaiman narrates the book himself; he uses humor throughout the book, which makes it easier to listen to. You will feel like you are listening to your grandfather telling a story.
• Another reason to listen instead of reading is that some names are difficult to read, and hearing them will help you keep the track.

Last update: 2024-05-05

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The Selection by Kiera Cass

If you feel like listening about princesses and castles mixed with some romance, this will be an excellent choice.

Three hundred years from now, people in North America are divided into eight castes, caste One is the royal family and caste Eight is the starving and poor people. America Singer belongs to caste Five, which is the caste of poor but not starving artists. She is in love with Aspen, who comes from caste Six. If someone discovers their love, they both will be severely punished, as no one is allowed to be in a relationship with a person from a different caste. The royal family is looking for 35 healthy virgins among the lower castes for The Selection to find a bride for Prince Maxon. Her family forces her to sign up for The Selection and take a chance to become a One. She gets the opportunity to become one of the 35 girls selected. Her family gets paychecks from the royals, but America hates this idea and misses Aspen. Prince likes America, and he is so sweet and charming that America realizes her life can be much better than her dreams.

Why Choose this Book:

• Many listeners say this novel is like a mix of The Hunger Games (in a dystopian style) and The Bachelor. If you like them, you will also enjoy the book.
• The story is written in a beautiful manner that makes you fall in love with the main characters, feel happy and light-hearted.

What Makes this Audiobook Unique:

• The caste-system adds up to the drama and makes you see how people behave in different ways depending on their status.
• This book is perfect for anyone how needs some entertainment and a breath of fresh air. If you like questioning everything and going deeper into facts and character development, you may not like the book.

Last update: 2024-05-05

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Any of these eight books will be an excellent choice for an audiobook. If you are into FANTASY, try listening to The Harry Potter Series, which is about teens learning MAGIC and fighting the evil. For those who aren’t fans of magic, we have I am Number Four about ALIENS living on Earth, socializing with humans and hiding from their enemies. If fantasy doesn’t sound too impressive, how about The One and Only Ivan, a book based on a TRUE STORY about the struggles of a gorilla living in captivity. One of the most popular topics among teens is COMING OF AGE. With the Fire on High and The Poet X are about teenage girls who are trying to find their voices and following their passions. The first book introduces us to the world of a 17-year-old mother; she is torn between her desire to become a chef and her responsibilities. In The Poet X, the main character can’t do anything she wants because her mother is extremely strict and religious, and she has to deal with sexual harassment because her body looks attractive to boys and men. If you want to learn more about RACISM, try listening to The Hate U Give, which is based on a TRUE STORY about a boy killed by a policeman. The best book for teens who like learning from books is Norse Mythology, a collection of myths and legends about NORSE GODS and demons. If you feel like you need A BREATH OF FRESH AIR and some happiness and entertainment, listen to The Selection, you will think you are watching a TV show.

How to Choose the Best Audiobooks for Teens for You

Choosing the best audiobook can be challenging if you don’t know the tips we are going to share with you. There are five main factors to consider:

• Pick a genre and a topic just as you would do with a regular book. Only listen to the books that actually seem interesting to you.
• Think about how much time you have to listen to the book. Some books can take an hour, and some can be 40 hours. If you are planning a car trip, check how many hours you will spend in the car and choose a book a few hours shorter.
• Try to listen to samples before you buy YA books on cd to see if you like narrators’ voices and talking. If you find something annoying, don’t listen to that book. It will only get more irritating. There are often samples of audiobooks on YouTube.
• If you are a beginner in listening to books, choose an easy one. Make sure you understand everything and don’t lose focus. It is an especially important tip to find good audiobooks for 12-year-olds and younger.
• When you don’t enjoy the book, don’t; waste your time finishing it.

Wrapping Things Up: The Best Audiobooks for Teens

In closing, here are the best audiobooks for teens we looked at today:

Last update: 2024-05-05

We hope that you will find a perfect audiobook and will love this format as much as we do. Listening to the book may be convenient; you can do it basically anywhere and save so much time. In our list of the best audiobooks for teens will find a perfect one. If you don’t know what you are looking for, just pick one that sounds the most interesting. Let your imagination run wild and simply enjoy the book. Follow our tips when picking an audiobook and make sure nothing in the narration irritates you. Just remember that listening to a book for the first time can be challenging. Choose an easy short one if you are a beginner and never waste your time listening to something you think is terrible.

Did you find this helpful? Want more books to explore? Check out our high school reading book list here or all of our high school reading book lists here.