Best African Historical Fiction Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2025

Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 12, 2023

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African historical fiction books for teens and young adults are a must-read for those who want to explore the continent's rich history and culture. These books offer a unique perspective on African history and provide readers with a glimpse into the lives of people who lived during different periods. From the ancient kingdoms of Egypt and Mali to the struggles for independence in the 20th century, these books cover a wide range of topics and themes. With compelling characters and vivid descriptions, these books are sure to captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're looking for adventure, romance, or a deeper understanding of African history, these books have something for everyone.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

#TOP 1
Mara, Daughter of the Nile
ftb score rating icon9.8
#TOP 2
Journey to the River Sea
ftb score rating icon9.7
#TOP 3
The Door of No Return
ftb score rating icon9.5

Top 10 African Historical Fiction Books for Teens & Young Adults

McGraw, Eloise Jarvis
Puffin Books
Oct 1, 1985
Mara, Daughter of the Nile
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw is a captivating historical mystery and thriller set in ancient Egypt. The story follows Mara, a slave girl who can read and write, as she plays a dangerous role as a double spy for two arch enemies vying for the throne of Egypt. Mara falls in love with one of her masters, Sheftu, and starts to believe in his plans of restoring Thutmose III to the throne. However, when her duplicity is discovered, both her life and the fate of Egypt are at stake. This book is thoroughly engrossing and offers an unusual love story in a richly drawn historical background.

Ibbotson, Eva
Hawkes, Kevin
Puffin Books
Oct 13, 2003
Journey to the River Sea
ftb score rating icon9.7
FTB Score

Journey to the River Sea is a captivating historical adventure novel by Eva Ibbotson that follows the story of Maia, a young orphan who embarks on a journey to the wilderness of the Amazon with her governess, Miss Minton. Instead of finding the loving family she hoped for, Maia is faced with an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. However, when she becomes involved in a mystery featuring a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance, Maia's adventure in the Amazon begins. This novel is perfect for adventure lovers and fans of classic authors like Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alcott.

#TOP 3

The Door of No Return

Mussi, Sarah
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Nov 10, 2009
The Door of No Return
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi is an action-packed young adult novel that follows Zac Baxter on his journey to Ghana to uncover his family's history after his grandfather's murder. Zac's grandfather always claimed that their family's treasure was stolen during the slave trade, and Zac begins to believe that it might be hidden in one of Ghana's old slave forts. However, with killers on his trail and no one to trust, Zac must race against time to uncover the truth about the past and the fortune in gold. Mussi's unique perspective as an English woman who lived in Ghana for many years adds authenticity to the story, making it a must-read for children interested in African history fiction.

#TOP 4

Broken Memory: A Novel of Rwanda

Combres, Élisabeth
Groundwood Books
Apr 1, 2011
Broken Memory: A Novel of Rwanda
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

Broken Memory: A Novel of Rwanda is a touching story of a young Tutsi girl named Emma, who witnessed the murder of her mother during the Rwandan genocide. The novel follows Emma's journey as she struggles with trauma and nightmares until she finds the courage to face her fears and seek healing. The book is well-focused and approachable, making it an excellent addition to any school or public library collection. The child survivor's authentic experience makes this book unique and an excellent read for young adults interested in social and family violence fiction.

#TOP 5

Devil Darling Spy

Killeen, Matt
Viking Books for Young Readers
Jan 21, 2020
Devil Darling Spy
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

Devil Darling Spy by Matt Killeen is a thrilling sequel to Orphan Monster Spy. Set in 1940, the story follows Sarah, a Jewish spy working undercover as a Nazi socialite, as she embarks on a dangerous mission to Central Africa to stop a rogue German doctor from unleashing a deadly weapon of germ warfare. With the help of Clementine, a half-German, half-Senegalese girl, Sarah confronts the atrocities of mass extermination and fights to protect innocent lives. Killeen's writing is fast-paced and gripping, making this a must-read for fans of historical fiction and espionage thrillers.

#TOP 6

When Morning Comes

Raina, Arushi
Tradewind Books
Feb 15, 2017
When Morning Comes
ftb score rating icon9.3
FTB Score

When Morning Comes is a riveting African historical fiction book for teens and young adults that tells the story of a group of teenagers who are secretly plotting against the apartheid government in Johannesburg. The book highlights the different racial identities of the characters and how it shapes their experiences and choices. The author does an excellent job of building tension and creating a sense of imminent change. This book is a timely reminder of the power and passion of young people and offers rich opportunities for discussion and reflection. Overall, a must-read for anyone interested in African history and culture.

#TOP 7

Tree of Pearls

El Henawy, Victoria
Sep 30, 2022
Tree of Pearls
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

"Tree of Pearls" by Victoria El Henawy is an inspiring and extraordinary story about the Muslim girl Shajara al Durr, who became one of the greatest leaders in history and the Queen of Egypt known as Tree of Pearls. From poverty to power, she raised herself, educated herself, and outwitted her enemies to capture the loyalty of an army. The book is a fascinating blend of romance, intrigue, and courage, set against a backdrop of historical events that stretches from Baghdad to Damascus to Cairo. It is a must-read for those interested in African historical fiction books for teens and young adults."

Nouiouat, Badees
Jun 5, 2021
The Adventures of Nur Al-Din
ftb score rating icon8.9
FTB Score

The Adventures of Nur Al-Din is a thrilling Young Adult novel that takes readers on a journey through Islamic history and exciting adventures. The story follows Farid, a young Tunisian man who joins a pirate crew to fight against the Spanish naval campaign aiming to take over his country. Throughout the book, Farid learns the importance of loyalty, courage, and faith. The book is a unique blend of action, history, and culture that will captivate readers. Overall, debut author Badees Nouiouat has created a fast-paced and engaging story that will leave readers eager for a sequel.

Nace, Trey
Mar 28, 2023
The Adventures of Todd Tuttle: The Medallion
ftb score rating icon8.7
FTB Score

The Adventures of Todd Tuttle: The Medallion is a thrilling science fiction book about two teenage rivals who are transported across the galaxy and must work together to get back home. Trey Nace creates an entertaining story filled with Greek myths and legends that come to life. The friendship that develops between Todd and Max while they face danger and evil is heartwarming. The book is also unique in its Christian Family Fiction genre for teens and young adults. Overall, the book is a great read for those who enjoy science fiction and adventure.

#TOP 10

The Deep Blue Between

Attah, Ayesha Harruna
Mar 1, 2022
The Deep Blue Between
ftb score rating icon8.6
FTB Score

The Deep Blue Between is a touching novel about twin sisters, Hassana and Husseina, who are separated after a raid on their village in 1892 West Africa. The sisters find themselves in different parts of the world and begin to build new lives. Husseina is taken to Brazil, where she becomes involved in the Candombl faith, while Hassana settles in Accra and works for social change. Despite the distance, they remain connected through shared dreams. This book is a beautiful portrayal of sisterhood, resilience, and the power of faith.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Young Adult Books. Little Women. by Louisa May Alcott.Anne of Green Gables. by L. M. Montgomery.A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. by Betty Smith.Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. by Anne Frank.The Catcher in the Rye. by J.D. Salinger.Lord of the Flies. by William Golding.To Kill a Mockingbird. ... From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs.

2. What age group is young adults for books?

Writing for readers between roughly 13 and 18 years old, young adult authors speak to the experiences of this age group. As such, young adult books share certain characteristics: Profanity and graphic violence are permissible, reflecting the maturity of the reading group.

3. What is a good book to read for a 14 year old?

Fiction Books. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.Holes.The Martian: Classroom Edition.Jasper Jones.Eragon.Coraline.Life of Pi.The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

Editor's Notes

During our african historical fiction book for teens & young adults research, we found 187 african historical fiction book for teens & young adults products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 9,743 customer reviews through our big data system to write the african historical fiction books for teens & young adults list. We found that most customers choose african historical fiction books for teens & young adults with an average price of $6.15.

Written by

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.