Best audiobooks for high school students
Featured In
What are some of the best books available in audio format for high school students today? Read on and learn about some top tools to enjoy audiobooks.
If you are looking for some of the best books and audiobooks for high school students or even young adults, you’re in the right place. Today, you can find almost any book in audio format, and this includes classics as well.
Whether you are looking to explore new genres, a piece of history, or just a good book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this list will be more than helpful. You will also learn about different ways to listen to audiobooks and how to improve the entire experience.
These books have stories of coming-of-age, fairy tales, about exciting new worlds, and some are even inspired by true stories. So, there is something for everyone. The only thing you need to do is find a book for your taste.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give is a story about differences, duality, and struggle. It follows the story of an African-American young girl named Starr Carter and her life between two worlds. She lives in a poor neighborhood while going to an elite suburban prep school.
She becomes the center of attention when she witnesses her childhood friend Khalil being killed by a police officer. Starr Carter continues to do the right thing and tells about the horrible event. And as the tensions rise, it becomes more and more challenging for her.
The novel was written by Angie Thomas, and it evolved from the short story she wrote while in college, and it was inspired by a real event. It is a chilling story of struggles that was made into a movie in 2017.
Keep in mind that the novel battles serious issues, it contains strong language, and it has been a subject of controversy ever since it was released. And it often means that it’s worth checking out.
If you want to listen to this New York Times bestseller, you should know that the audio version of the book was narrated by Bahni Turpin, and it’s nearly 12 hours long.
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Everyone has heard of the Boy Who Lived, the most popular book series of all time. As soon as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published, it became an instant bestseller.
At the beginning of the first book, we follow Harry Potter living a miserable life with his aunt and uncle after his parents died in a car crash. Only for him to discover that his parents met a different end. They were murdered by the most powerful evil wizard - Lord Voldemort.
While the first two or three books seem like they are targeting children, the story captured the entire world. Everyone wanted to learn more about wizards, Hogwarts, and whether the most famous Harry Potter would be able to survive the next year in school.
If you have never read the series, now is the perfect opportunity. You can find incredible audiobooks narrated by the legendary Stephen Fry, and you will enjoy every second of them. There are seven books in the series, so it might take you some time to finish them.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
The Poet X tells a story about Xiomara Batista, a fifteen-year-old girl that struggles with family relationships, tension, and stress. And her way out is poetry.
The pressure of her mother trying to control her life and make her an obedient church girl, pressure from neighbors in New York City, and the feeling that the entire society is trying to keep her down.
Needless to say, the idea of struggles is something many readers will find relatable. And it is one of the numerous reasons to check out the book. The novel has a rather interesting approach where the reader encounters Xiomara’s diary.
With it, readers will get a glimpse into her private thoughts, feelings, and perspective. Understanding the struggles she goes through on a daily basis makes Xiomara one of the most interesting characters you will find today. And the book is incredible.
If you are interested in the audio version of the book, you should know that it was narrated by the writer herself, Elizabeth Acevado. And it is nearly four hours long.
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is one of the most popular book series that were released in the past couple of years. The first book in the series, The Hunger Games was released in 2008, followed by Catching Fire and Mockingjay.
There is also a fourth book that’s not part of the trilogy and is written as a prequel. For those unaware, The Hunger Games series is set in the dystopian future. As the story progresses, readers will learn that the main character is Katniss Everdeen.
She lives in District 12, and each of the 13 Districts has various levels of poverty. Each year, Hunger Games take place, where one boy and one girl are selected from each of the twelve districts as a punishment for rebellion.
These games are designed as a reality, and the winner of the competition will get food, resources, and riches for their district. It is a thrilling adventure of the battle for survival, and each book takes it up a notch.
Those that want to enjoy audiobooks can choose between several different versions. You can find an edition narrated by Tatiana Maslany, a talented actress, Bahni Turpin, or even one read by the bestselling author Suzanne Collins - the creator of this impressive universe.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
If you are not a fan of science fiction or adventure and want to read non-fiction you can go for one of the classics. And is there a better book to start with than Pride and Prejudice? The novel was written by Jane Austen in 1813, and it became an instant hit.
In fact, it is still one of the most popular books ever written in the English language. The story follows a charismatic heroine named Elizabeth Bennet, and her emotional journey, thoughts about tradition, life, family, and many more.
Pride and Prejudice has been one of the most-loved books of all time, and if you’ve never read it before, now is a perfect time. Of course, since the book has been available for over 200 years, you can find numerous different versions and editions.
And the same thing applies to great audiobooks as well. If you have an Audible account (or on any other library that offers audiobooks) you can explore different options and see which one you like the most.
Pride and Prejudice has elements of a love story, historical fiction, and other exciting topics for you to learn about.
FAQ
Are audiobooks good for ADHD?
ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can make people struggle with reading. And based on the condition, it may be even impossible for someone with ADHD to read. Even if they could, they will need a lot more time.
With audiobooks, they will have an easier time focusing on the topic, and it will save them so much time. It is one of many ways to battle reading disabilities and enjoy any imaginable book.
Are audiobooks good for students?
Yes. Audiobooks are a great way to study, and the next step for e-learning. Whether we are talking about those struggling with ADHD, dyslexia, or any other reading disability, it can help them get the necessary information without wasting time.
Furthermore, one in three people is an auditory learner, and they will have an easier time memorizing facts and understanding topics if they are able to hear them.
What are the benefits of audiobooks?
Besides being an excellent accessibility tool that can help visually impaired people and people with reading disorders, audiobooks can save time. They also allow listeners to multitask and focus on other things in life.
They can listen to books while going to work, jogging, driving a bicycle, or anything else. Audiobooks are easy to use, and the quality is something many readers enjoy.
The only thing that matters is that you find appropriate books for your age. A book written for young adults might not be suitable for middle schoolers, preschoolers, or tweens.
Cliff Weitzman
Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.