Fiction with Conviction: 2016’s Most Inspiring Teen Books

Does anyone else think 2016 was a crazy year? I personally experienced and saw quite a few up and down moments. Whether you thought the past year was totally great or a roller coaster of emotions, the beginning of January marks a time to turn the page and look ahead to new opportunities. It’s also time for many of us to take on our New Year’s resolution, a goal which, according to this article about setting and achieving goals, 92% of us failed to reach in 2015. (The statistics aren’t in yet about 2016, but let’s make 2017 a success!)

I wish I could claim to be one of the few who has kept my past resolutions, but a sadly forgotten gym membership says otherwise. Still, there’s a chance for all of us to make good in 2017! How do we do it? With commitment!

To provide some inspiration, check out this list of books from the past year featuring amazing teens who prove they have what it takes to tackle their goals.

Gabi commits to keeping a big promise she made to her wounded soldier brother in Ashlee Cowles’ Beneath Wandering Stars.

Koda discovers his unique strengths to fight a bloodthirsty demon in J.P. Romney’s The Monster on the Road Is Me. This title is available in multiple formats.

Molly is a teen who befriends and vows to protect a mentally ill homeless woman in Sonya Sones’ Saving Red.

Four stories of inspiring teens growing up in Alaska come together in The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. This title is available in multiple formats.

Did you make a New Year's resolution? How do you plan to keep it?