The best young adult audiobooks for beginners: where to start
If you've never finished a young adult audiobook, start with one that already won. Every title below took the Audie Award in the young adult category — broadly loved, superbly narrated, the audiobook industry's own pick for the best young adult production of its year. They are the safest first credits: hard to switch off, and hard to regret. The most recent winner is Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray (2026).
Sadie
The Hate U GiveSalt to the SeaRuta SepetysSalt to the SeaLair of DreamsLibba BrayLair of DreamsEgg and SpoonGregory MaguireEgg and Spoon| Audiobook | Author | Narrator(s) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under the Same Stars | Libba Bray | Jeremy Carlisle Parker, January LaVoy, Major Curda | Audie Young Adult (2026) |
| The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline | Grant Overstake, May Wuthrich | Dani Martineck, Dion Graham, full cast | Audie Young Adult (2025) |
| This Terrible True Thing | Jenny Laden | Gail Shalan | Audie Young Adult (2024) |
| Demon in the Wood | Leigh Bardugo | Ben Barnes, Benjamin Valic, Cassandra Morris, Eason Rytter, James Fouhey, Mary McCartney, Matt Leisy, Salli Saffioti, Sean Gormley, Tom Bromhead | Audie Young Adult (2023) |
| Be Dazzled | Ryan La Sala | Pete Cross | Audie Young Adult (2022) |
| Clap When You Land | Elizabeth Acevedo | Elizabeth Acevedo, Melania-Luisa Marte | Audie Young Adult (2021) |
| Hey, Kiddo | Jarrett J. Krosoczka | Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Jeanne Birdsall, full cast | Audie Young Adult (2020) |
| Sadie | Courtney Summers | Dan Bittner, Rebecca Soler, Gabra Zackman, Fred Berman | Audie Young Adult (2019) |
| The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas | Bahni Turpin | Audie Young Adult (2018) |
| Salt to the Sea | Ruta Sepetys | Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, Michael Crouch | Audie Young Adult (2017) |
| Lair of Dreams | Libba Bray | January LaVoy | Audie Young Adult (2016) |
| Egg and Spoon | Gregory Maguire | Michael Page | Audie Young Adult (2015) |
| Viva Jacquelina! | L.A. Meyer | Katherine Kellgren | Audie Young Adult (2014) |
| The Fault in Our Stars | John Green | Kate Rudd | Audie Young Adult (2013) |
| The Wake of the Lorelei Lee | L.A. Meyer | Katherine Kellgren | Audie Young Adult (2012) |
| The Rock and the River | Kekla Magoon | Dion Graham | Audie Young Adult (2011) |
| Peace, Locomotion | Jacqueline Woodson | Dion Graham | Audie Young Adult (2010) |
| Curse of the Blue Tattoo | L.A. Meyer | Katherine Kellgren | Audie Young Adult (2009) |
| Bloody Jack | L.A. Meyer | Katherine Kellgren | Audie Young Adult (2008) |
| Airborn | Kenneth Oppel | David Kelly, full cast | Audie Young Adult (2007) |
Listen to your first young adult audiobook free
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Frequently asked questions
Which young adult audiobook should I start with?
Start with a recent Audie Young Adult winner such as "Under the Same Stars" by Libba Bray (2026). Award winners are the safest first listens because they are judged on narration as much as story, so the performance carries you through.
Are these good for someone new to audiobooks?
Yes. Every audiobook here won the Audie Award, the audiobook industry's own award — they are broadly loved and exceptionally well narrated, which is exactly what makes a first audiobook easy to finish.
How do I listen for free?
A free 30-day Audible Premium Plus trial includes one credit. You can use it on any young adult audiobook on this page and keep it permanently, even if you cancel before the trial ends.
More young adult guides: every Audie-winning young adult audiobook · full-cast young adult audiobooks · all listening guides · best audiobooks by award.