The habit of reading is, without a doubt, essential for the growth and formation of a young person during their school years. The benefits of reading are numerous, and it is always advisable to have a good list of books at hand, whether for the summer or for any other part of the year. In this compilation we look at the best books we can recommend to our students before the age of 15.

 

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Le Petit Prince, 8+). One of the great works of children's literature, from 1942, is The Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry. A pilot meets a young prince who tells him his story: he has the ability to travel between planets, and his aim is to gain new knowledge... but on his way he encounters some problems. An excellent story about life and friendship, with simple language and aimed at all kinds of readers, young and old.

 

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling (8+). Who doesn't know this saga, which began in 1997, and which went on to make the leap to the big screen in the form of highly successful films in the following years? The Harry Potter books tell the stories of Harry, Hermione and Ron, three young students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who will live numerous adventures throughout the seven books published in chronological order. The first of them, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is the starting point that sows a fictional universe, but very attractive for the youngest.

 

Mafalda (+8) dreams of making a better world in each of his cartoons, widely known in the Spanish-speaking world but also prestigious in many other countries. Accompanied by some of his family and friends (who doesn't remember Felipe, Susanita or Guille?), his simple and short but very powerful stories will captivate the little ones who get one of his books.

 

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson. If there is a quintessential adventure book, it is this one. Any restless child will find thousands of adventures in this treasure. Imagination, dreams and illusions have the upper hand with this classic suitable for all audiences.

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. A pirate story with booty included. Bastian is a young man who loves reading and who, after taking refuge in an old bookshop, discovers what will be the book that will take him to other distant worlds. When your children ask you if they can see the film, tell them that it's OK, but they should read the book first. They'll think it's just as wonderful as you do!

Tintin (+9), written by Hergé. The adventures of Tintin! In books, in comics, on the big screen? The story and the character with his inseparable dog Snowy and in the company of Captain Haddock have given so much of himself that their adventures have been lived since their author created them back in 1930. What do you think of it as a book for children during the summer holidays?

 

The Diary of Anne Frank (+12). Another classic among classics. Many may doubt whether reading it as a teenager is the most appropriate, but it is recommended for children between the ages of 12 and 15. A harsh, shocking and shocking testimony in the diary of Anne, a Jewish girl who tries, together with her family, to flee the Holocaust. It is a realistic and shocking account of the horrors of Nazism. It is a book recommended for teenagers, although it is equally shocking for any adult.

 

Matilda (+9), by Roald Dahl. We have put 'Matilda' as we could have put 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', 'The Super Fox', 'The Witches' or 'The Big Friendly Giant'. There are so many endearing, daring, cheerful characters, with values and thousands of adventures that we could dedicate a whole chapter to talk about each one of them. Which is your favourite? Would your children love to have Matilda's powers? Or maybe they would prefer to have her great intelligence?

 

The Picture of Dorian Gray (+14). This classic by Oscar Wilde is a popular read for teenagers. The mysterious and tenebrous character of this work quickly engages with teenage audiences. The struggle between morality and hedonism, good and evil, fear of the unknown, the power of the subconscious... all these themes are present in this great work.

 

Journey to the Centre of the Earth (+12) is another classic that never fails if we are looking for books for teenagers. This work by Jules Verne is a benchmark for adventure novels. In it, readers can immerse themselves in the world of palaeontology, prehistoric animals and the marvellous experiences of a group of intrepid adventurers.

 

Princess Bride (+9), probably many teenagers are familiar with this title from the film that was made from this novel. However, William Goldman's novel is a must-read that will hook you from the very beginning. It tells a love story that is much more than that: adventures, pirates, giants and swordsmen come together in a work in which humour and intelligence are present on every page.

Don't forget to let us know your suggestions in the comments on the social networks! There are so many titles created by great writers that it is difficult to gather them all together in one section.