Ever read a novel where the main character jumped off the page and took your heart hostage? Where you felt his emotions like they were your own and you had to put your life on hold until the book was done because you needed to see how his plight ended?
When was the last time a book brought you to heartrending, snot-running-from-your-nose, sobbing buckets of tears? (Yeah, that’s happened to me.)
Character-driven, emotionally charged YA fiction will do that. It’s all about bringing the character to life and watching her grow as the plot unfolds. You root for her when she makes a tough decision, you scream at her when she’s foolish, and you cry when she cries.
When it comes to raw emotions like sorrow or fear, you gotta admit, filmmakers have an advantage. But a skilled author can evoke a physical response that leaves her readers permanently altered—as these books did for me.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
Emotionally Charged YA Fiction: Lauren’s Top Picks
The beauty of fiction is you’re allowed to feel however you want to feel. What moves me to happy tears might make you scratch your head and think, “Really? That’s it?” Our different life experiences shape our desires and fears, determining how we react to each new scene in a book.
The beauty of fiction is you’re allowed to feel however you want to feel.
Keep that in mind as you look over this list. These are my picks, the books that left a permanent mark on my brain and altered my perspective on life. You might laugh, you might nod your head in agreement, or you might find something on this list that says, “Hey, read me!”
Because that’s what character-driven, emotionally charged fiction begs you to do.
Take Note: Clean YA Fiction Alert!
Every book on this list is free of sexually explicit content and excessive profanity. Violence, when it occurs, is noted. And while not all are YA Christian fiction, none promote ideals contrary to biblical teaching.
1) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
If you like YA flicks, you’ve probably seen the movie version of this series. When it comes to movie adaptations of novels, I tip my hat to the makers of The Hunger Games films. They captured the essence of each book with remarkable accuracy. But to really plunge into Katniss Everdeen’s dramatic journey, you absolutely must read the books.
And if you haven’t watched the movies yet, please don’t! (At least, not until you’ve read the books.)
With all its action, The Hunger Games might come off as a plot-driven novel, but what drew me in even before the action commenced was Katniss. In the first few pages, we learn of her strong drive to protect her family and the underlying fear that she will lose one of them. Then the reaping happens, her sister is chosen, and Katniss steps in to take her place—not because she’s uber-brave, but because she’s loyal.
Which is why it hurts so much when someone she cares about dies. (Spoiler alert: that happens in this series.) I teared up plenty.
A word of caution: There is plenty of violence throughout this series. See my full review of The Hunger Games in Great YA Literature: Clean Classic Books For Teens.
2) Chosen by Ted Dekker
Ted Dekker is an artist of characters who never do what you think they should do. Ever. It’s so stressful watching them plunge into situations blinking with neon warning lights. You just want to reach into the pages and knock them upside the head.
But the thrill of this book is watching the characters get themselves out of tough spots once they’re there.
As with The Hunger Games, be prepared to cry over the occasional loss of a character you’ve fallen in love with. And like The Hunger Games, the six books of The Lost Books series contain scenes of violence, though still appropriate for the YA genre.
3) The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
This character-driven novel has been the target of book banning in the past. (See my take on that in Why I’m Not a Fan of Book Banning.) But given the current deluge of YA fiction books that include both graphic violence and normalized sex (neither of which is found in The Outsiders), I think book banners have their hands full with other titles.
And this is a great work of classic YA fiction with a powerful story about loyalty among brothers. I felt a personal connection with the oddly-named characters (Ponyboy, Sodapop, Johnnycake) without ever having been in their situation.
The Outsiders is included in my list of Great YA Literature.
4)To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Another title from my Great YA Literature list (there’s a reason these books become classics), To Kill a Mockingbird is a prime example of emotionally charged YA fiction. You have the lingering racial tension of the 1930s South, you have the struggle between accepting evil and demanding justice . . . and you have Scout.
Scout is just a young girl when the story begins, and it’s all captured from her humorous, matter-of-fact perspective. You get to watch her grow even as she watches the people around her grow and change. There’s also plenty to like about her father Atticus and her brother Jem as well.
5) Regent by Cher Gatto
If you’re okay with having your heart broken by the plight of a character, read Regent. This beautiful work of YA Christian fiction is a story of abuse, suicide, mental health ailments, and the search for family. Justin, the lead character, will pull your heartstrings and make you long to see him succeed.
But he’s not the only character you’ll want to see come out on top. The intricately woven plot shows how little changes can totally alter the future.
Also By Cher Gatto: Something I Am Not
Cher’s first novel, Something I Am Not, is another work of emotionally charged YA fiction. Read my extensive review here.
6) To Become a Brother by Lindy Bell
This is another sweet story of a young man caught on the underside of circumstances. But then he gets his big break—a family—and we get to see him grow as a son and brother. Considering his hard life, so you might expect Lucas to be a hardened character, but his goodness despite all that drew me into the story.
This book isn’t about a teen caving to peer pressure. Lucas does what he knows he should—and suffers the consequences.
There were a few time jumps and point-of-view switches that bothered me, but overall, the writing was engaging and the genuine kindness of the main character still make this a recommended read in my opinion.
7) I Am In Here by Creston Mapes
Honestly, this probably falls more under the category of plot-driven rather than character-driven YA fiction books. But the situation of the lead character is so unique (to all of fiction, really) that the reader can’t help but sympathize with him as the suspense and drama unfolds.
Because Hale is presumed braindead.
Read my full review of I Am In Here in my list of YA Christian Fiction Thrillers, Horror & Suspense.
Worth Mentioning…
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I mention this book only because it is the one novel that made me cry buckets of tears at the end. I read this as a teen, so maybe teenage hormones were in play, but I literally bawled with heartbreak.
Seriously, 900 pages, and that’s how it ends?
Having re-read it as an adult, however, I can’t in good conscience recommend it as a work of clean YA fiction. But fear not! There are plenty of other Clean Classic Books for Teens. (Follow the link to see my picks.)
Your Turn!
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
What clean and/or Christian YA fiction books elicited strong emotions in you? Drop me a note and convince me to give one a try!
And be sure to check out my other recommended reading lists:
- Books for Christian Teens: Clean YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Dystopia
- Standout Characters in YA Novels: Lauren’s Picks
- 6 Must-Read Nonfiction Books for Christian Teens
- Christian YA Fiction Spotlight: Author Jenny B. Jones
- Clean YA Fiction Spotlight: Author Kasie West
- More Author Insights On My Christian YA Short Stories
- Spotlight on SEASONS OF KANE: a Christian YA Short Story Series
- 15 Terrific Nonfiction Books On Dating For Christian Teens