Every year on August 12, the world comes together to mark Internatihttps://www.un.org/en/observances/youth-dayonal Youth Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the power, creativity, and resilience of young people. It’s also a call to action for adults and leaders to create a world where youth can thrive, contribute, and take an active role in shaping their future.
As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres once said:
I call on leaders and adults everywhere to do everything possible to enable the world’s youth to enjoy lives of safety, dignity and opportunity and contribute to the fullest of their great potential.
António Guterres
Can young people make a difference today?
Absolutely.
History is full of examples of teenagers who didn’t wait to grow up before making their mark. From advocating for human rights to revolutionizing education access, their actions remind us that courage and determination are not limited by age.
Think of Anne Frank, whose diary became one of the most influential accounts of life under Nazi occupation. Or Louis Braille, who transformed accessibility for the blind. Or Malala Yousafzai, who risked her life for girls’ education.
And these are just a few. Around the world, teens have marched for climate justice, spoken out against gun violence, invented life-saving technology, and organized community relief efforts. There are many lists of young people who changed the world on the internet, like this one.
If you’re looking for inspiration—or for books to share with the young people in your life—here are some powerful reads about teens who truly made a difference.
Some reading
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank’s diary is one of the most widely read books in the world, and for good reason. At just thirteen years old, Anne began recording her thoughts, fears, and hopes while hiding from the Nazis during World War II.
Her writing is vivid, heartbreaking, and surprisingly hopeful. Even in the face of hunger, fear, and the threat of death, Anne’s voice is full of life and resilience.
Six Dots
When Louis Braille lost his sight at the age of five, he faced a world without books he could read. But his determination didn’t end there—by the time he was a teenager, he had invented the Braille system, a tactile reading and writing method that is still used worldwide.
This inspiring picture-book biography is a wonderful way to introduce children to the idea that limitations can spark innovation.
I Am Malala
At fifteen, Malala Yousafzai became the target of an assassination attempt for speaking out about girls’ right to education in Pakistan. Instead of silencing her, the attack made her voice louder. She went on to address the United Nations, win the Nobel Peace Prize, and inspire millions.
Her memoir is both deeply personal and globally important, showing how one young person’s courage can influence the entire world.
A few more places to look:
More Great Books About Young Changemakers
If you’re looking to keep the inspiration going, check out:
- Seven Inspiring Books for Kids who want to Change the World
- Young Enough to Change the World
- Stories for Boys who Dare to be Different
My Own Books About Teens Who Make a Difference
Many of my novels feature young characters who stand up, speak out, and create change—sometimes in big, world-shifting ways, and sometimes through small but powerful acts in their own communities.
- Questing for a Dream – Unable to find comfort after the tragic death of her cousin, Nadie leaves the band and strikes off on her own, searching for meaning and a new life in the outside world.
- Mito (Medical Kidnap Files #1) – Two teens fight for truth and justice in a broken system.
- Endless Change – Parker is determined to do whatever it takes to get Dakota off the streets and bring her healing.
- Making Her Mark – A teen on a rocky, twisting path eventually finds her strength.
- Gem, Himself, Alone – Gem is desperate to keep his secrets and make a new life for himself.
Why Read About Teens Who Made a Difference?
These stories aren’t just history lessons—they are motivation. They remind us that:
- Age doesn’t define impact.
- One voice can spark a movement.
- Courage is contagious.
Whether you’re a teen, a parent, or simply someone who believes in the power of youth, these books are proof that change is possible—at any age.
So this International Youth Day, let’s not just celebrate the potential of young people. Let’s listen to them, learn from them, and stand beside them as they make their mark on the world.
