Top 5 books to read before you're 16 - as chosen by Anna Day

THE BOOK THIEF
Markus Zusak

This beautiful, haunting, unique book, narrated by Death, tells the story of a girl living in Germany during WW2. It shows the power of love and stories even in desperate times. 

ONLY EVER YOURS
Louise O’Neill

If this stunning book doesn’t bring out your inner feminist, I don’t know what will. It’s dark, gripping and clever. But not for the faint hearted.
I cried a lot.

THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS
Kiran Millwood Hargrave

This tells the tale of a cartographer’s daughter as she tries to rescue her best friend. The story is so unusual and Kiran’s style reads like poetry. The female protagonist is so strong – the perfect antidote to the fairytale princess.

1984
George Orwell

The only book on this list I actually read as a teen. It blew my mind, and sparked a lifelong love affair with sci-fi. It’s arguably more relevant today than it was when it was written back in 1948, because now, Big Brother really is watching you.

THE FANDOM
Anna Day

Full disclosure: I wrote this book!

The Fandom is about a group of teenagers who are transported into their favourite dystopian adventure. It’s filled with danger, love and friendship, and a phenomenon which is close to most book-lover’s hearts: fandoms.  I am, of course, hugely biased.  

The Fandom by Anna Day is out now (Chickenhouse, £7.99)