Starter High/Low Books for Teens

Lexile Level for all titles below is a max of 540.

These books have a Lexile level more often seen in books for younger school aged kids (simpler sentences, more word repetition and words that are often used everyday) but have mature content best suited for older kids and teens. They are engaging and important on their own, but are even better when they help motivate reluctant readers and help those who are struggling to learn to read.

Updated April 23, 2026
B
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
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Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe
Sáenz, Benjamin Alire.
Paper Book
Now a major motion picture starring Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, and Eva Longoria! A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) The award-winning, internationally renowned book that is a "tender, honest exploration of identity" (Publishers Weekly) and...
For black girls like me
Lockington, Mariama
Paper Book
In this lyrical coming-of-age story about family, sisterhood, music, race, and identity, Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor-winning author Mariama J. Lockington draws on some of the emotional truths from her own experiences growing up with an adoptive white family.
Shelter : a Mickey Bolitar novel
Coben, Harlan
Paper Book
COMING SOON TO PRIME VIDEO by internationally bestselling author Harlan Coben. Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. Fortunately, he...

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