Best Audiobooks for Young Adults of 2025

The best audiobooks of 2025 in the Young Adult category, as recommended by the expert editors at AudioFile magazine:

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman, narrated by Will Watt

Will Watt’s warm, empathetic performance makes this stand-alone fantasy set in the world of Seraphina a must-listen. In a story in which past crimes and present troubles converge, Watt flawlessly moves from character to character, giving each one a distinct and instantly recognizable voice and keeping listeners spellbound as the action unfolds. Charl’s unassuming town of St. Muckle’s is besieged — first by disease-carrying beetles and then by a dragon — all in an effort to return Charl to his father, an abusive earl. Charl hides in an abandoned abbey that turns out to be populated by ghosts whom Charl can see and speak with. Watt expertly steers the story as the many threads come together and reveal themes of family, kindness, identity, belonging, and redemption.

(12 hours)

One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins, narrated by Chanté McCormick

Atkins’s historical audiobook novel-in-verse shines a light on an important chapter of American history, beginning with the 1913 Women’s March and ending with the 1920 ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Chanté McCormick gives the historical, mostly forgotten, Matilda Young a compelling voice. Matilda’s voice gains confidence and strength as she grows from a shy 14-year-old — when the Women’s March renewed interest in women’s suffrage — to a committed worker for the cause who became the youngest suffragist to be arrested and serve jail time. McCormick’s even tempo and smooth delivery make it easy to follow the extensive author’s notes, including biographical information on the historical figures. Download the accompanying PDF for valuable resources, such as an extensive timeline, bibliography, and author sources.

(4 hours)

Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley, narrated by Isabella Star LaBlanc

Isabella Star LaBlanc provides a superior narration of Boulley’s third YA novel, this one featuring eighteen-year-old Lucy Smith. First-person chapters taking place in the past are interspersed with those in the present, moving forward chronologically until time is synced. LaBlanc portrays young, openhearted Lucy, who responds lovingly to her father’s protective care. Later, after horrific experiences in the foster care system, she grows into a fighter and a sleuth. LaBlanc’s narration propels this mystery with nonstop tension as listeners anticipate the meeting of the two time periods and hope for a satisfying resolution to Lucy’s troubles.

(12.5 hours)

All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi, narrated by Greta Jung

Greta Jung’s narration quickly establishes the reasons for 17-year-old Korean American Winter Moon’s sarcasm. Her tone becomes understandable when Winter’s selfish, caustic mother comes into the picture. Jung also depicts Winter’s tenderness toward her loving grandmother, Halmoni, and her heartbreak at Halmoni’s death. These are only some of Jung’s portrayals of complex characters and complicated relationships in this coming-of-age story. When her estranged father re-enters her life, their fragile relationship becomes complicated when his ALS is revealed. Winter’s first relationship with the sensitive Joon balances her, but this too raises questions. Jung’s deep portraits of all these relationships make for a propelling listen.

(11.75 hours)

(S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi, narrated by Bahni Turpin and Robin Miles

Myths come to life through Bahni Turpin and Robin Miles’s stellar narration of this young adult fantasy. Marisol and her mother left their home in the Caribbean to live in Brooklyn. Marisol hopes to leave their island traditions and her family’s magic behind. Genevieve grew up listening to her white father’s mythical stories from her unknown mother’s homeland. When the teens’ lives collide, both discover secrets that change their views of their worlds. It’s no surprise that both Turpin and Miles are Golden Voice narrators. Their skills bring Genevieve’s and Marisol’s stories to life as they capture the teens’ personalities. Miles exquisitely delivers Marisol’s Caribbean accent, while Turpin channels Genevieve’s frustrations with her family and her own health. Simply magical.

(6.25 hours)

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray, narrated by January LaVoy, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, and Major Curda

A trio of narrators portray teens from different eras and settings. January LaVoy transitions smoothly from the accented dialogue of Hanna and Sophie, two Polish teens, to an unstressed voicing of their risk-taking amid Hitler’s threats in 1939. Jeremy Carlisle Parker transitions listeners to 1980 West Berlin, where Jenny adjusts to her family’s move from Dallas. Parker also portrays passionate, German-accented Lena, a queer punk rocker, whom Jenny comes to love. In addition, Parker delivers the softer storytelling tones of an older German woman. Major Curda communicates the growth of Brooklynite Miles, who solves the mysterious disappearances of two girls sixty years earlier. The trio heighten their narrations as the story’s tension increases and connections become clear.

(16.5 hours)