Angie Thomas writes books that grab you from the first page. She creates young adult stories that really matter. Her novels often put you right there with teen characters as they navigate tough issues like race, identity, and fighting for what is right.
Think about *The Hate U Give*. It showed the power of speaking up. If you are searching for authors who explore similar territory and write about authentic teen experiences, you might enjoy these writers.
Nic Stone is an author known for stirring novels that explore race, identity, and the realities faced by young Black people. If you enjoyed Angie Thomas’ stories full of emotional truths and memorable characters, Stone’s book “Dear Martin” could resonate deeply with you.
It follows Justyce McAllister, a bright student caught between his own experiences of racial profiling and his admiration for Martin Luther King Jr.
After Justyce finds himself wrongly accused by the police, he starts writing letters to Dr. King to grapple with questions about race, injustice, and personal responsibility.
Stone’s story speaks directly about the struggles faced by teens today and encourages deep reflection on society’s inequalities.
Readers who appreciate Angie Thomas might enjoy Jason Reynolds. He writes honest, vivid stories about young people facing real-life struggles and complicated questions about identity and community.
In “Long Way Down,” Reynolds tells the powerful story of Will, a fifteen-year-old boy whose brother is shot and killed. Will knows the neighborhood rules: don’t cry, don’t snitch, take revenge.
As he rides down the building’s elevator planning his next move, each floor reveals someone connected to his brother’s violence-filled past. Reynolds uses sharp, clear prose and relatable characters to tackle difficult questions about violence, grief, and the cycle of revenge.
Elizabeth Acevedo is an author whose novels often explore identity, growing up, and finding your voice, themes readers of Angie Thomas might connect with deeply. Her book “The Poet X” follows Xiomara, a teenage girl who struggles to express herself openly at home.
Poetry becomes her outlet to navigate issues around family expectations, cultural pressures, and personal beliefs. Xiomara’s story, told entirely through captivating poems, is heartfelt and powerful.
Anyone who enjoyed the authentic voice and honest storytelling in Angie Thomas’s novels may also appreciate Acevedo’s engaging and poetic style.
Readers who enjoy Angie Thomas might also appreciate Tiffany D. Jackson’s powerful storytelling. Jackson skillfully combines emotional narratives with pressing social concerns in a realistic and relatable way.
In her novel “Monday’s Not Coming,” Claudia searches desperately for answers when her best friend, Monday, suddenly disappears and no one else seems concerned.
The story carefully reveals shocking truths about friendship, neglect, and the uncomfortable reality of who society often overlooks. Jackson’s vivid characters and thought-provoking storytelling provide a reading experience that stays with you long after finishing the last page.
Readers who enjoyed Angie Thomas’s books might want to check out Ibi Zoboi. Zoboi is a Haitian-American author known for novels that explore cultural identity, race, and belonging.
Her book “American Street” follows Fabiola Toussaint, a Haitian teen who immigrates to Detroit with her mother hoping to start fresh. Things quickly become complicated when her mother is detained by immigration officials, leaving Fabiola to navigate a new life alone.
Within this gritty portrayal of America, readers experience Detroit through Fabiola’s eyes as she juggles family bonds, unexpected friendships, and tough choices.
Zoboi weaves Haitian spirituality and cultural traditions throughout Fabiola’s journey, bringing warmth and depth to the story.
Renée Watson is an author known for authentic characters and thought-provoking stories about the realities teenagers face. If you enjoyed Angie Thomas’s “The Hate U Give,” you’ll likely appreciate Watson’s novel “Piecing Me Together.”
This book follows Jade, a thoughtful teenager from a disadvantaged neighborhood who attends a private school through scholarship. Jade navigates the tensions between these two distinct worlds.
As the story unfolds, readers see Jade discover her voice and identity while confronting issues of race, privilege, and social justice with courage and insight.
Watson explores themes of community, friendship, and empowerment in a straightforward yet emotional style, making Jade’s journey resonant and real.
Books by Brandy Colbert often explore themes of identity, family, and community through authentic teen voices. Her novel “Little & Lion” introduces readers to Suzette, a teenager returning home to Los Angeles from boarding school.
She must navigate complicated relationships and personal challenges. Suzette wrestles with loyalty toward her brother Lionel, who struggles with bipolar disorder, while she navigates feelings for the same girl he loves.
Fans of Angie Thomas will appreciate Colbert’s honest storytelling, realistic characters, and thoughtful exploration of complex family dynamics and mental health.
Books by Nicola Yoon speak openly about love, identity, and the challenges young people face. Readers who enjoyed Angie Thomas’s realistic portrayal of teenage life will resonate with Yoon.
Her novel “The Sun Is Also a Star” follows Natasha, a pragmatic girl born in Jamaica who lives with the constant threat of deportation, and Daniel, a Korean-American boy struggling with family expectations.
Set in New York, their paths cross unexpectedly on a critical day in Natasha’s life. The story unfolds as they grapple with racial and cultural identities, family’s intentions, and the possibility that chance encounters can change everything.
Yoon combines tender romance, authentic characters, and timely social themes, exploring the immigrant experience and struggles that feel genuinely personal and relatable.
Dhonielle Clayton is an author who writes vivid stories featuring complex characters and thoughtful looks at social themes.
Her book “The Belles” is set in the opulent world of Orléans, where beauty is everything and Belles are gifted young women who can transform people’s appearances. Camellia Beauregard, a talented Belle, dreams of becoming the Favorite who serves the royal family.
But as she rises in prominence, Camellia realizes that behind the glittering façade lies deep corruption and danger. Her journey through this unsettling world explores important questions about beauty, power, and identity.
For readers who appreciate Angie Thomas’s authentic narratives and strong characters, Dhonielle Clayton’s thought-provoking storytelling in “The Belles” offers a convincing read.
Readers who enjoyed Angie Thomas might also appreciate Jewell Parker Rhodes. Rhodes writes stories that explore powerful themes of racial justice and young people’s experiences.
In her book “Ghost Boys,” the reader meets Jerome, a 12-year-old boy whose life ends tragically due to a misunderstanding. Jerome returns as a ghost and watches the aftermath of his death, connecting with other young victims from the past.
Rhodes uses accessible storytelling and emotional depth to tackle tough issues with compassion. Through Jerome’s eyes, we gain a deeper understanding about friendship, community, and justice.
If you enjoy Angie Thomas’s powerful storytelling and authentic characters, Kim Johnson could be another author to explore. In her novel “This Is My America,” Johnson presents Tracy Beaumont, a determined teenager fighting to save her father from wrongful execution.
Tracy navigates a flawed justice system and troubled family dynamics, all while confronting hard truths about race and injustice in America. Johnson’s storytelling carries impact and honesty, characters and themes readers of Angie Thomas will find relatable and relevant.
Readers who enjoyed Angie Thomas’s “The Hate U Give” might also appreciate Lamar Giles, an author known for sharp storytelling and intriguing characters.
His book “Not So Pure and Simple” follows Del, a teenager who signs up for a purity pledge at church to get closer to his crush, Kiera. As Del navigates church life, friendship conflicts, and relationship pressures, the story explores themes of honesty and understanding consent.
Giles mixes humor with thoughtful insights, crafting a narrative that speaks clearly to real-life teen issues.
If you enjoy Angie Thomas’s books, you might also like Erika L. Sánchez. Sánchez is a Mexican-American author known for exploring identity, family, and teenage struggles in her stories.
Her novel “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” centers around Julia, a high school student who navigates life after her older sister’s sudden death. Julia feels pressured by family expectations and her own ambitions, and wonders if she really knew her sister at all.
Secrets and hidden sides of family relationships come to the surface, and Julia learns to face her grief and redefine herself along the way. The book is honest, funny at times, and thoughtfully written. It addresses themes of belonging and cultural duality in a genuine way.
Readers who enjoyed Angie Thomas might also appreciate Ashley Woodfolk. Woodfolk offers thoughtful, authentic portrayals of teenage life and the challenges that young people face.
Her book “The Beauty That Remains” tells the story of Autumn, Logan, and Shay, three teens who have each lost someone dear. Each character copes differently with grief, but their lives eventually cross paths because of their shared love for music and the underground music scene.
Woodfolk’s narrative highlights friendship, healing, and the lasting impact that art and community can have during difficult times.
Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an author known for heartfelt and authentic stories about identity, family, and self-discovery. Readers who appreciated Angie Thomas’s emotional depth and honest portrayals of teenage life will connect immediately with Sáenz’s writing.
His novel “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” centers around two Mexican-American teens in Texas during the 1980s.
Aristotle is a quiet teenager wrestling with questions about his family and his place in the world, until he meets Dante, a free-spirited boy who challenges his views on friendship, art, and self-expression.
Through their bond, both teens uncover truths about their identities and navigate complex feelings toward themselves, their families, and each other.
Sáenz delicately explores the subtleties of first love, friendship, and cultural expectations, making this book an engaging read for anyone craving honest and emotionally resonant storytelling.