10 Unforgettable YA Books That Will Transport You to Another World
If you love gripping YA books that pull you into the lives of resilient teens facing impossible challenges, you’re in the right place. From award-winning titles like Tattooed Teardrops to fan favorites like Ruby, Between the Cracks, these teen stories will transport you into worlds of mystery, suspense, and heartfelt journeys of survival.”
Perfect for fans of John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, or Stephen Chbosky.
→ Buy the YA Starter Book Bundle Now. Just $29.99 for 10 full-length books, regular $59.99.
Why Readers Love Gritty YA Books
Young Adult (YA) fiction is about more than just high school drama or teenage crushes. I am not interested in writing that stuff. The YA novels that I enjoy explore the raw, real emotions of growing up, tackling themes like mental health, abuse, addiction, faith, poverty, and resilience.
These Gritty YA books are powerful because they:
- Feature authentic, diverse characters.
- Explore tough issues with sensitivity and hope.
- Keep readers engaged with page-turning suspense.
Featured Teen Stories by P.D. Workman
Discover your next favorite YA book. Scroll down to explore each story or grab the exclusive YA book bundle now!
Don’t Forget Steven – A YA Mystery About Survival and Injustice
When life is already hard, how much more can one teen take?
Steven doesn’t have much—no parents, no stable home, barely enough to eat. But when he’s accused of murder, his world unravels even more.
The worst part? He isn’t even sure he didn’t do it.
“Super good book. So full of emotion and so interesting to read about the main character and what he is going through. Beautiful written and a good message.
I just re-read this book and it was still just as good as the first time. I am in love and heartbroken for Steven.“
—Ahsoka, Goodreads reader
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Stand Alone
Is Justine crazy? Everyone thinks so.
Her mother, her classmates, even the police. But Justine knows there’s more to her past than anyone is telling her. With her life spinning out of control, she’s determined to uncover the truth, no matter how painful.
The portrayal of Justine felt very true to me. I had a troubled childhood and youth myself and I really identified with Justine’s feelings, words, and actions. Some of the things Justine said and did were things I said and did when I was her age. The characters felt very three-dimensional and real. The story pulled me in and I just had to know how it ended! I swayed back and forth in my opinions about all the characters and was very satisfied with how everything played out in the end.
—Sparrow, Amazon reader
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Cynthia Has a Secret
Carmina Knight’s perfect life crumbles overnight.
Now on the run and completely alone, she can’t trust anyone—but she can’t survive on her own either. Investigator Neil Crowther must find her before it’s too late.
It takes a while to learn Cynthia’s secret. The author keeps us in suspense, which keeps us riveted to the story. I would recommend this book to boys and girls from upper grade school to high school.
—Victoria, Goodreads Reader
This is a great story of a young girl’s struggle to survive
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Those Who Believe – YA Suspense About Faith and Family
Nathan’s life is ruled by his mother’s faith—and her secrets.
On the run from Social Services, Nathan must choose between loyalty to his mother and the chance to survive. His faith, and his life, may depend on the choice he makes.
“Another look at life through the eyes of mental & physical illness—a boy with all the odds stacked against him“
“I chose this book because it talked about a young boy trying to please his mother and yet afraid his faith wasn’t strong. All the test and trials he went through showed how strong he really was.“
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Questing for a Dream – Indigenous YA Novel About Identity
A powerful and emotional story of a Native teen’s search for meaning.
Nadie Laplante faces poverty, prejudice, and loss, but she refuses to give up. When tragedy strikes, she embarks on a journey to find her place in the world.
“P.D. Workman’s skilled narrative of Nadie and her poignant journey to wholeness is a thoughtful expose of shattered dreams and tragic youth sure to resonate with every reader.”
“An inspiring book which can encourage the reader to face the challenges in life’s journey and to accept the lessons that come as a result.”
Making Her Mark – YA Drama About Family Secrets
Secrets and lies change everything for Kelli.
Strong and independent, Kelli’s life turns upside down when she discovers the truth her mother has hidden for years. Will it lead to happiness, or heartbreak?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
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Endless Change– A YA Novel About Secrets and Healing
She was a broken bird.
He was a mender of wings.
Dakota hides dark secrets, and Parker can’t help falling for her despite the warnings. But getting too close could destroy them both.
In a genre dominated by kick-ass heroines in post-apocalyptic dystopian worlds, wizards and magical realism, Ms. Workman is carving out her own niche. Her books show us real kids facing scary real-life problems in the modern world. Her work is both an invitation to empathy and a cautionary tale.
—Talena Winters
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Ruby, Between the Cracks
Winner of “In The Margins” Top Ten Best Books for Teens Award 2015.
Ruby is tough, independent, and doesn’t want anyone’s help. But her path is filled with gangs, drugs, and depression. Can she survive the road ahead?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️If I could rate a book 10 stars outta 5, I would… This book was absolutely amazing and I would go through everything I loved about it if I could, but that’s the thing—I loved EVERYTHING. Every single last detail… Definitely one of the best books I have EVER read. —Britt, Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I sure would love to see this book as a movie. Her stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find your self crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author. —Pamela, Goodreads reviewer
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Make it a bundle:
Tattooed Teardrops – YA Crime Fiction About Life After Juvie
Winner of Top Fiction Award, In the Margins Committee, 2016.
Fresh out of juvie, Tamara wants to stay out of trouble—but life seems determined to pull her back in. If she can’t prove her innocence, she’ll lose her freedom all over again.
Readers will appreciate the realistic details about Tamara’s release, her issues dealing with a foster family, her emotional triggers, and the challenges facing someone trying to maintain the conditions of parole. For those teens who love books where all that can go wrong does go wrong (isn’t that almost all of them?), this is a winner.
– School Library Journal
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Henry, Breaking the Pattern
Henry is a “good kid,” but life keeps throwing him into chaos.
From raising his baby brother to dealing with abuse and his mother’s depression, Henry’s story is one of resilience and heartbreak.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A heartwarming, sad, intense story that will keep you turning pages until the end… P.D. Workman has a wonderful gift
If you enjoy gritty contemporary young adult books like those by John Green and Stephen Chbosky, give P.D. Workman’s Breaking the Pattern series a try.
By the author of Tattooed Teardrops, winner of the Top Fiction Award, In the Margins Committee, 2016, this poignant account of Henry’s descent into darkness will touch your heart and challenge you to look at youth crime in another light.
Start your journey today!
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Get the YA Book Bundle and Save
Love these stories? Gotta get them all? Grab the YA Starter Book Bundle and save! Perfect for binge-reading or gifting to a teen who loves realistic, powerful fiction.
→ Shop the YA Starter Book Bundle Now
FAQs About YA and Teen Fiction
What makes YA books so popular?
YA fiction resonates with readers of all ages because it tackles universal themes like identity, resilience, and hope in a raw, authentic way.
Are P.D. Workman’s books only for teens?
Not at all. Adults love these books because they offer emotional depth, gripping suspense, and characters who feel real.
Which YA books deal with real-life issues like mental health or abuse?
All of P.D. Workman’s books deal with real-life challenges like mental health, addiction, abuse, homelessness, and disabilities.
Where should I start with P.D. Workman’s YA books?
Tattooed Teardrops is an award-winning favorite and a great place to begin.
Do you offer YA book bundles or special deals?
Yes! Check out the YA Book Bundle to grab all of these titles at a special price.
Next Steps
- Grab the YA Book Bundle →
- Browse All YA Books →
- Sign up for P.D. Workman’s newsletter to get free samples and bonus content.
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