Books From Around the World (YA): South America

It’s often interesting to get a different perspective on the world. Here are some books set in some far-flung places – and some places close to home – grouped by continent/large body of water with islands in it. The books on this list are (mostly) written by authors from the countries they are about, and in many cases have been translated into English from their mother tongues (the book we’ve chosen for Madagascar, Return to the enchanted island by Johary Ravaloson, is only the second book to have ever been translated from Malagasy into English!).

Not all of the books are in the Young Adult collection, but we’ve tried to make sure that they all at least feature kids or teens in prominent places in the story. Our eventual goal is to have at least one book for every country in the world! Help us out by sending in recommendations if you’ve found one we’ve missed!

This list contains books written by authors from South America. Check out our lists for authors from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and Central America, and Oceania for even more recommendations!

Updated June 19, 2024
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The alchemist
Coelho, Paulo
Paper Book
A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever. Every few decades a book is...

Brazil | Brazilian author

The shape of bones
Galera, Daniel
Paper Book
From one of Brazil's foremost literary voices comes a gripping, visceral new novel about youth, power and the nature of manhood A man rises at 5 a.m. and leaves his home. He does not wake his wife or child to bid them goodbye. He starts his car - an SUV filled with survival gear - but...

Brazil | Brazilian author

Here the whole time
Martins, Vitor
Paper Book
'I loved it so much, I read it all in one day. It's so adorable.' Alice Oseman author of Heartstopper 'I love this book!' Rainbow Rowell '... a tender, funny, absolutely heart-holding novel about a boy who is forced to share his room with his lifelong...

Brazil | Brazilian author

Where we go from here
Rocha, Lucas
Paper Book
"When Victor finds himself getting tested for HIV for the first time, he cant help but question his entire relationship with Henrique, the guy he has-had-been dating. See, Henrique didnt disclose his positive HIV status to Victor until after they had sex, and even though Henrique insisted on using...

Brazil | Brazilian author

City of the beasts
Allende, Isabel.
Paper Book
An ecological romance with a pulsing heart, equal parts Rider Haggard and Chico Buarque - one of the world's greatest and most beloved storytellers broadens her style and reach with a Amazonian adventure story that will appeal to all ages. Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold has the chance...

Chile | Chilean author

Kingdom of the golden dragon
Allende, Isabel.
Paper Book

Chile | Chilean author

Amazona
Canizales
Paper Book
It's time to stop littering our planet! This gentle series introduces youngreaders to the natural habitats of animals which are being invaded by wasteThere's a fun surprise on every page when, as if by magic, a ketchup bottleor a takeawav box turns into a chick or a cow!

Colombia | Colombian author-illustrator

Children of paradise : a novel
D'Aguiar, Fred
Paper Book
This gripping novel from an award-winning writer tells the story of a child trapped in a religious community spiralling towards disaster - in Jonestown, 1978.

Guyana | British-Guyanese author


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