40+ Young Reader Books Based on Popular Adult Books
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Are you familiar with Young Reader Books?
They have all sorts of names – classroom editions, young adult versions, etc – but the basic idea is that adult books that become very popular often have editions published with a young adult or middle grade reader in mind.
These version will usually be a bit shorter, have strong language edited out and violent or sexual scenes reduced or removed.
They’re a great option for a story you know your teen or tween might love but you don’t necessarily want them reading the adult version yet.
Or you might love them for yourself if you want to avoid some of that content!
Here’s a big list of these books for young readers editions!
20+ YOUNG READER EDITIONS YOUR CHILD WILL DEVOUR
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
This book is non-fiction (and the Young Readers Edition) but it’s so amazing, and it’s hard to believe someone didn’t make it up. Olympic runner Louis Zamperini’s plane is shot down in the Pacific during WWII and after surviving on a tiny inflatable raft for 47 days, he’s taken prisoner by the Japanese. And compared to being a POW, the raft time looks like vacation. Probably the best WWII book I’ve read. (Full review here)
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
My mom and I both read this incredible book about a team of young college boys who competed in the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany and pulled off an astounding win against all odds. A year or two later, when we went on a trip to Seattle together, we visited the University of Washington where the team was from and saw their boat hanging on display in the ASUW Shell House.
The Finest Hours by Michael J. Tougias & Casey Sherman
In February of 1952, two oil tankers were ripped in half by a brutal nor’easter off the coast of Cape Cod, and a tiny Coast Guard boat with a crew of four headed out into the storm to save the stranded sailors. This one reads like a heart-pounding disaster movie, except it’s all true.
No Better Friend by Robert Weintraub
This is the incredible true story of Judy, a ship’s mascot and English pointer, and the British prisoner of war who bonded with her in a Japanese POW camp during WWII. Judy became the only animal ever officially registered as a prisoner of war, and even though I am not a huge animal lover, I’m a sucker for a good dog story.
Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston, illustrated by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, Adapted by Ibram X. Kendi
This illustrated young readers adaptation shares his powerful firsthand account of Cudjo Lewis, the last known survivor of the Clotilda, the last ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States.
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
Sang Ly scrapes by picking through the garbage dump outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia, until the bitter old woman who collects her rent surprises her by offering to teach her to read. It’s a story about how learning to read can change everything, even in the hardest circumstances.
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
One of the greatest manhunts in American history lasted a wild 12 days as Union cavalry pursued John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. What really impressed me about Chasing Lincoln’s Killer is the fact that Swanson kept the story so streamlined. This book is extraordinarily tightly edited at just 200 pages – there is not a wasted word. This is the YA version of Swanson’s Manhunt, which I have also heard great things about. (Full review here)
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
You may have read the full book or watched the movie of this amazing true story of the African-American women behind some of our greatest space feats, and this Young Readers’ version lets you share the story with your younger children.
Orphan Train Girl by Christina Baker Kline
I love it when I get completely sucked into a book and just want to spend all my time reading it. I was a wary of this one at the beginning with dual story lines, but I quickly was immersed in the book and read it in just a couple of days. It’s reminding me that I need to go find some other orphan train books (Full review here).
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
At fifteen, Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban for daring to speak out about girs’ education – and somehow, she survived and became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient ever. This memoir is her story, and it’s the kind of book that will make your teen believe one voice really can change the world.
Battle of the Bulge by Rick Atkinson
In the freezing winter of December 1944, Germany launched a surprise attack in the Ardennes forest that turned into the largest and deadliest battle American troops fought in WWII. This young readers edition brings the chaos, the bitter cold, and the courage of the soldiers to life.
George Washington’s Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade
Behind the scenes of the Revolutionary War, a ring of ordinary people spied for George Washington and helped turn the tide of the war. It’s history that reads like a spy thriller.
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
Earth has seen five mass extinctions, and this book explains why scientists believe we’re living through a sixth, one caused by humans. The young readers edition makes a big, important topic approachable for teens who care about the planet.
A Train Near Madeburg by Matthew A. Rozell
In April 1945, American soldiers came upon a train of Jewish prisoners in Germany and liberated them. Years later, history teacher Matthew Rozell tracked down both the survivors and the soldiers to piece together what happened. This is a powerful WWII story for teens.
Devotion by Adam Makos
Jesse Brown was the first Black aviator in the U.S. Navy, and Tom Hudner was the wingman who became his closest friend before they were sent into combat in the Korean War. This is a story of friendship and sacrifice that I think teens would be into.
The Unlikely Hero by Rick McIntyre and David A. Poulsen
Wolf 8 was a runt, bullied by his siblings, who became the unlikely leader of Yellowstone’s most powerful pack. This young readers edition tells his story in a gripping way, and it sounds like a great pick for animal lovers.
Nature’s Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy
Tallamy makes the case that ordinary people can help save wildlife by planting native plants right in their own yards. This is a great choice for any nature-loving teen (or parent) who wants to do something hands-on to help the environment.
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
When Ella came home from school telling me all about the story of these women which they’d learned about in science, I knew it was time to read it!
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
This WWII book is such an incredible memoir about a woman who, along with her sister, is arrested for hiding Jews and survives the concentration camps. It is a classic for a reason.
A Storm Too Soon by Michael J. Tougias
When a sailboat is swamped in a violent Gulf Stream storm with 80-foot waves, three sailors are left clinging to a life raft while four Coast Guardsmen risk everything to reach them. I’ve heard this one is a page-turner!
Pay It Forward by Catharine Ryan Hyde
A seventh grader named Trevor takes a school assignment to change the world seriously and starts a chain of kindness in his community: do a good deed for three people, and they each pay it forward to three more.
An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
When busy executive Laura Schroff buys lunch for an 11-year-old boy who’s panhandling in New York City, she has no idea it will turn into a lifelong friendship. It’s one of those real-life stories that makes you want to be a better person.
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Lowewen
This one takes a closer look at what’s missing from the way U.S. history is taught and challenges teens to question the version they’ve been handed in textbooks. A great pick for curious teens who like to dig deeper.
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean
Who knew the periodic table held so many wild stories? Sam Kean shares the history behind the elements, full of mad scientists, crazy discoveries, and strange facts. This one makes science a lot more fun.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
I read this for a book club and although it is pretty hefty, no one in our book group seemed to have too much trouble getting through it. And wow, did we have a fascinating discussion about the food sources in our country, the organic industry, and a multitude of other topics.
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
In 1820, a huge sperm whale rammed and sank the whaleship Essex in the middle of the Pacific, leaving the crew adrift in small boats for months. This true survival story is what inspired Moby Dick.
Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
Max Lucado offers faith-based encouragement for finding calm in a chaotic world and handing your worries over to God. This sounds like a comforting pick for a teen who struggles with anxiety.
Mission Possible by Tim Tebow
This one is a motivating pick for teens who want to use their interests and talents to make a difference (and who might be football fan). It follows a Christian lense on how God has a purpose for them.
It’s Trevor Noah by Trevor Noah
You might have seen Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, but his life began as a crime. He was the son of a multiracial marriage which during South Africa apartheid was illegal. This witty and honest memoir is an incredible read!
Finding Gobi by Aaron Rosenburg
During a brutal ultramarathon across the Gobi Desert, a little stray dog starts following runner Dion Leonard through the entire race. It’s an adorable (and inspiring) true story of an unlikely friendship.
Decency and Determination by Sophie Brooks
In 1939, 29-year-old stockbroker Nicholas Winton raced against time as Nazi forces closed in on Prague, finding foster families, forging documents, and organizing trains that carried 669 Jewish refugee children to safety in England. This one is told through his eyes and those of two refugee children.
In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton and Michael J. Tougias
After delivering parts for the atomic bomb in 1945, the USS Indianapolis was sunk by a Japanese submarine, leaving about 900 men in shark-infested waters for days. This true survival story is intense, but it’s incredible history.
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on Alabama’s death row for crimes he didn’t commit, and this memoir shares how he held on to hope and humor through it all. It’s a moving, hard-to-put-down story about faith and resilience.
The Six by Loren Grush
Sally Ride may be the name everyone knows, but she was one of six brilliant women scientists who fought to prove they had the “right stuff” to become NASA’s first female astronauts. This young readers edition shares how they pushed past sexism, intense media attention, and years of rigorous training to earn their place in orbit, and it sounds like such an inspiring pick for any teen who dreams of space.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Starting in her childhood and ending shortly after her husband finishes his eight years as president, hearing her tell her story in her own words is compelling and powerful. Plus, it’s such an interesting look at the US political system, balancing career and marriage and motherhood, and life in the White House. I highly recommend this one on audiobook because Michelle Obama reads it herself. (Full review here)
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
You may already know this incredible story or the Netflix show. William Kamkwamba’s tiny Malawi village is struck by drought, which means that life looks terribly bleak. And then William – looking through the science books at the tiny village library – stumbles on the idea to build a windmill to bring electricity to his family.
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop by Jeff Chang and Dave Cook
This is a history of hip-hop that begins in the 1970s Bronx and shows how the music and culture grew into a worldwide movement. It sounds like such a fun way to teach history to music-loving teens.
Chasing Space by Melvin Leland
Leland Melvin was a pro football player until an injury changed his path, and he went on to become a NASA astronaut. This one shows the importance of perseverance and the power of a dream.
The Far Away Brothers by Laura Markham
Twin brothers Ernesto and Raúl flee violence in El Salvador and make the dangerous journey to the United States on their own at 17. This is a real, eye-opening look at what immigration looks like.
Chew On This by Eric Schlosser
You’ll never look at a fast food menu the same way after this look at how the fast food industry works, from how it’s made to how it’s marketed to kids. It is eye-opening!
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Just Mercy is a non-fiction account by lawyer Bryan Stevenson of one of his early cases trying to exonerate a man on Death Row, plus a look at the current state of the U.S. justice and prison systems. It’s no exaggeration to say that this book changed my life. I think it should be required reading for every person.
Notes From a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi
Kwame Onwuachi tells the story of growing up in the Bronx and ultimately becoming a celebrated chef, with plenty of obstacles and a whole lot of determination along the way. Any foodie will love this read.
Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi
This chapter book edition of the bestselling Stamped takes readers on a journey through where racist ideas came from, how they still show up in America today, and the people who have fought back with antiracism. With a glossary and timeline included, it’s an easy way to get kids talking about race.
Quiet Power by Susan Cain
I am a true introvert and I just soaked up this book about making the most of being an introvert in a world that’s in large part run by extroverts. Whether you’re an introvert yourself, partnered with one or raising one, this book is so eye-opening and useful. (Full review here)
Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Narazio
At 16, Enrique leaves Honduras to find his mother in the United States, riding on top of freight trains and facing countless dangers along the way. It sounds like an absolutely gripping true story!
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
This one was crazy popular 20 years ago (I can hardly believe it!), but it’s still a page turner or one of those books where you sit in your car long after you get to your destination because you just can’t turn it off! Ella just told me she wants to read this one!
The Martian by Andy Weir
I just want to talk about this book non-stop, even years after I read it, and I loved the movie too (enough to see it twice!). It’s just SO fun and funny and interesting (and this young reader’s edition doesn’t have the swearing that the original version has). It was a bestseller for a reason!
The Odyssey (classroom edition) by Frances Bianchi & Mara Seronda
This adaptation makes this classic more approachable for younger readers. After the Trojan War, Odysseus spends ten years trying to get home to his family, and he faces monsters, gods, and temptations along the way.
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