If you enjoy reading books by Laurie Halse Anderson then you might also like the following authors:
Sarah Dessen writes novels that focus on teenagers figuring out family, relationships, and themselves. Her book, “The Truth About Forever,” follows Macy as she spends a summer working with a chaotic catering crew after the loss of her father.
Along the way, she meets people who challenge her perfectly planned life, including Wes, a boy who changes how she sees the world. It’s a story about loss, growth, and finding connections in unexpected places.
Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson might enjoy how Dessen handles tough emotions while creating characters you’ll care about.
Ellen Hopkins is known for writing novels in verse that tackle tough, real-life issues. Her book “Crank” tells the story of Kristina, a teenager whose life spirals out of control after she becomes addicted to crystal meth.
Inspired by Hopkins’ own experiences with her daughter, the book shows the devastating impact of addiction on both the individual and those around them.
Kristina’s transformation into her wild alter ego, Bree, pulls her into a world she never expected, tearing apart her relationships and leaving her to face hard choices. Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson might appreciate Hopkins’ raw and honest storytelling.
John Green writes stories about young people facing challenges and figuring out life. His book, “The Fault in Our Stars,” follows Hazel, a teenager with cancer who meets Augustus at a support group.
They share a connection and set off on a journey to meet an author whose work influenced them deeply. The book blends humor and heartbreak, showing moments of joy even when life feels heavy.
Gayle Forman is an author known for writing emotional and heartfelt stories about young people facing difficult moments in their lives. One of her best-known books, “If I Stay,” follows Mia, a teenage cellist who has a bright future ahead of her.
After a tragic car accident, she finds herself outside her body, watching as her loved ones gather around her hospital bed. As Mia recalls memories of her family and her boyfriend, Adam, she has to make the toughest choice of all—whether to stay and live or let go.
The story feels incredibly intimate, and it pulls you into Mia’s world in a way that makes it hard to put the book down.
Jennifer Niven writes emotional and heartfelt stories that focus on young people facing challenges. Her book “All the Bright Places” follows two teens, Violet and Finch, who meet on a school bell tower.
Each is struggling in their own way, but their connection brings light to their lives as they explore their town together. The story dives into how they navigate love, loss, and mental health, leaving a lasting impression on readers who enjoy realistic and moving tales.
Courtney Summers writes stories about teens dealing with harsh realities, often set in dark, emotional landscapes. Her book, “Sadie,” follows a girl on a mission to find out what happened to her murdered sister.
The story is told through Sadie’s perspective and a true-crime podcast, which adds layers of tension. As Sadie searches for answers, her determination reveals the pain and love driving her forward.
Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s raw, emotional writing might find Summers’ work equally hard to put down.
Nicola Yoon writes stories filled with emotional depth and characters that feel real. Her book “Everything, Everything” tells the story of Maddy, a girl who lives isolated because of an illness that makes the outside world dangerous for her.
When Olly moves in next door, Maddy begins to question the safe, contained life she’s always known. The book captures the intensity of first love and the longing for freedom.
Jason Reynolds writes stories that feel honest and close to life, often focusing on young characters navigating challenges. In his book “Long Way Down,” he tells the story of Will, a teenage boy riding an elevator with a gun in his waistband, set on avenging his brother’s death.
As the elevator stops on each floor, people from Will’s past step in, each with their own story to tell. The whole book takes place in just sixty seconds, yet it’s packed with emotion and tough questions about choices and consequences.
It’s written in verse, which makes it feel incredibly raw and immediate.
Elizabeth Acevedo writes with heart and honesty, crafting stories that feel alive. One of her standout books, “The Poet X,” follows Xiomara, a Dominican-American teen navigating her way through the pressures of family, faith, and finding her voice.
Xiomara discovers spoken word poetry, which becomes her outlet to express everything she’s bottled up inside, especially as she struggles to live on her own terms. The book is written in verse, offering a raw and intimate look at her journey.
Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson might appreciate how Acevedo captures the struggles of young women finding their strength.
Rainbow Rowell writes stories about characters who feel real and relatable, with struggles and emotions that stick with you. One of her standout books is “Eleanor & Park.” It’s about two teenagers who meet on the school bus and bond over music and comics.
Eleanor has bright red hair and a hard home life, while Park is quieter, caught between worlds, and figuring himself out. Their connection grows in a way that feels personal and heartfelt, set against the challenges they face individually.
It’s a story about first love that captures both its sweetness and its complexity.
Angie Thomas is a writer known for creating powerful stories about young people navigating tough realities. Her novel, “The Hate U Give,” follows Starr Carter, a teenager who witnesses her friend’s tragic death at the hands of a police officer.
The story explores how Starr finds her voice while facing pressure from her community and her own struggles with identity. Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson may appreciate the raw emotion and honesty in Thomas’s writing.
Julie Anne Peters is known for writing honest and heartfelt stories that explore identity and relationships. One of her well-loved books, “Luna,” introduces Regan, a girl who shares a close bond with her sibling, Liam.
Liam is transgender and begins to embrace life as Luna, the young woman she truly is. The story focuses on their connection as Regan helps Luna step into her truth while grappling with her own fears and struggles.
The book captures the tenderness and challenges of family and self-acceptance in a way that feels real and personal.
Jacqueline Woodson is an author known for crafting stories that feel deeply personal and relatable. Her book “Brown Girl Dreaming” is a memoir written in verse, where she reflects on her childhood growing up in both South Carolina and New York during the 1960s and 1970s.
The book explores themes of identity, family, and growing up surrounded by both the beauty and challenges of the Civil Rights Movement.
Through her lyrical style, she expresses the longing for a voice and a sense of place, capturing moments that stick with you long after the final page.
Deb Caletti writes stories that explore emotions and the complexities of relationships. In her book “Honey, Baby, Sweetheart,” she tells the story of Ruby McQueen, a girl known for staying under the radar, who gets caught up with a boy named Travis Becker.
He’s exciting but brings trouble. To escape her situation and make sense of her life, Ruby joins her librarian mom’s book club for seniors, which leads them on an unexpected road trip. Along the way, Ruby finds deeper connections and starts to see her life in a new way.
Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson might enjoy the relatable characters and heartfelt moments in Deb Caletti’s books.
Holly Black is known for writing stories that blend real-life struggles with magic and danger. In “The Cruel Prince,” Jude, a human girl, lives in a world of cunning faeries after being taken to their realm by the man who murdered her parents.
Determined to prove herself, she navigates court politics and deadly schemes, all while dealing with the arrogant Prince Cardan. The book paints a vivid picture of power struggles and the cost of ambition.
Fans of emotional, character-driven stories may find themselves drawn to Black’s work.