15 Wise and Witty Self-Help Books for Teens

Journaling is a great way to process your thoughts and reflect on things that are bothering you, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. This journal is full of prompts, breathing exercises, and meditations that teens can use to help with anxiety and work through whatever life throws at them, from schoolwork to socialising.

Puberty is tricky for everyone to negotiate, but in this book Dr. Christian Jessen breaks down and demystifies all the physical changes (and the mental and emotional impacts they can have) for teen readers. Young people who are feeling awkward about their bodies can find reassurance in these pages that, no matter how they’re feeling or what’s happening, they’re not alone.

This journal-based book is particularly aimed at Black girls and young women, featuring daily exercises on self-reflection and affirmation to guide you through the year. Drawing on visualisation, CBT and mindfulness, A Year of Black Girl Magic looks at everything from facing your fears to setting boundaries, and is full of quotes and reflections from inspiring Black women.

Written by a pair of best friends who’ve known each other since their own teenage years, Totally Me is a guidebook for teen girls on friendships, relationships, schoolwork, and dealing with your parents. Each section of the book deals with a different subject, and there’s a liberal sprinkling of quizzes that teen readers can work through alone or with friends.

Full of fantastic quotations, thought-provoking journal prompts, and plenty of affirmations to get you through bad times, Badass Black Girl is a brilliant choice for Black teen girls who are tackling issues such as body image, stereotyping, schoolwork and what they want to achieve for the future.

Another journal-based self-help book, this one’s a little bit sweary, but a great resource for teens who want to start tackling anxiety. Full of coping strategies, mood trackers, and methods on dealing with triggers, Let That Shit Go is a great workbook for anxious young people.

Many teens (and adults!) find confidence and self-esteem a struggle. Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens uses CBT techniques to help readers reframe their negative thoughts, feel calmer in social situations, and tackle self-doubt.

This beautifully illustrated book, written by the founders of the Black Girls’ Book Club,  is described as a ‘celebration of Black British girlhood’, and is aimed at empowering and nurturing young Black girls in a world where they are often either misrepresented, or not represented at all. Full of quotes from inspirational Black women (including the brilliant author Candice Carty-Williams and former Spice Girl Mel B), Grown includes writing on topics from the politics of hair to figuring out your future career.

Brains can be confusing for everyone, and this is particularly true at a time when your hormone levels are in constant flux and so much about your body and life is changing. Blame My Brain takes the reader through the developments that take place in the brain during adolescence, looking at strong emotions, risk-taking, and the reasons why teens need so much more sleep.

More and more teens are coming out as trans and non-binary, but sadly, in many places, the world hasn’t caught up to the fact that they exist, and information is scarce or totally absent. Luckily, What’s the T? gives a full, in-depth dive into what it’s like to be trans, looking at identities, advice on coming out, and relationships, amongst other topics. A great read for trans kids and cis allies alike, What’s the T? is frank, funny, and informative.

Written by footballer and campaigner Marcus Rashford, You Are a Champion is part memoir and part advice book, combining stories from Rashford’s life with advice on how to learn from your mistakes, advocate for others, and be comfortable with yourself. With a focus on empathy, community and positive thinking, You Are A Champion is an essential read for teens, particularly sports fans, who are working out who they are.

Another useful resource for trans and non-binary teenagers, The Trans Teen Survival Guide is full of tips and advice for navigating adolescence as a trans person. This guide covers self-care, coming out, family relationships and friendships, and also looks at some of the medical and physical aspects of transition, such as accessing blockers and hormones.

Everyone loves a Hitchhiker’s Guide reference, and this self-help guide for teens keeps the same spirit of irreverence as Douglas Adams’ work while dispensing useful advice for young readers. Cope emphasises that you don’t need to change yourself to be happy – you’re already awesome – but gives tips on how to develop the things about yourself that you really like, and tackle things that feel more negative, so you can live the happiest life possible.

Aimed at gay, bi, and questioning teen boys, Yay! You’re Gay! Now What? deals with relationships, mental health, sex and consent, as well as many other topics that young LGBTQ+ men may be seeking advice about. As well as being a great guide for teens, there’s also a section for parents, written by the author’s mum and dad, that gives tips on how people can provide support to the LGBTQ+ teen boys in their families.

Procrastinating, particularly on homework, is something a lot of teens struggle with (and not just teens *coughs, looks away awkwardly*). Delays on homework can ramp up stress and anxiety in what is already a pretty stressful time of your life, but this book shows teens how to beat procrastination and tackle their workload while they’re still in school, making the experience easier and setting them up for their future studies.