First published in 2005, “Looking for Alaska” tells the story of teen Miles “Pudge” Halter, who starts at Culver Creek Boarding School with a desire for more from life. There he meets Alaska, a fascinating and troubled fellow student who gives Pudge a renewed sense of purpose.

“Looking for Alaska” is a coming-of-age tale, praised by online reviewers for its ability to draw the reader into Green’s fictional world. The book has sold millions of copies since its release, booming in popularity after the publication of “The Fault in Our Stars” in 2012.

Editor’s Note: Check out our list of the best young adult books, according to actual ratings.

Green’s second novel, “An Abundance of Katherines,” is a touching and funny story about Colin Singleton, a young man who only seems to date girls named Katherine.

He goes on a mission to work out what’s going wrong in his love life — and hopefully find real love for himself. The book is praised online for its comedic tone and nerdy genius.

First published in 2008, “Let it Snow” is a romance novel co-authored by John Green and fellow YA novelists Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle.

This trio of authors tell the narrative through three interconnected stories, all of them set during the same Christmas Eve snowstorm. It’s a story of love, friendship and romance.

“Paper Towns” follows teen Quentin “Q” Jacobsen, who has been in love with schoolmate Margo Roth Spiegelman for as long as he can remember. Margo has always been a mystery. When she disappears one day, Q must follow clues to find out where she’s gone.

The book has become a popular coming-of-age tale, with millions of copies sold worldwide. Many online reviewers praise Green’s novel for its excellent characterization and engaging writing style, although some think it is a little similar to Green’s other books.

Co-authored with YA author David Levithan, “Will Grayson, Will Grayson” is about two boys, both called Will Grayson, whose lives overlap in a story of friendship, depression and identity.

David Levithan writes the chapters of the book that follow depressed, gay teen Will Grayson. The other Will — straight, anxious and trying to avoid the limelight — is authored by John Green.

Editorial Note: Read our list of relatable novels about depression.

First published in 2012, “The Fault in Our Stars” is about two young people, Hazel and Augustus, who meet at a cancer support group. They start up a friendship and romance, learning how to navigate growing up while managing their cancer diagnoses.

It is a poignant and heartbreaking novel about cancer, family and relationships. Green’s book was published to much critical acclaim. It was praised for its beautiful prose and literary fiction elements, which weren’t often found in YA fiction up to that point. The characters were deemed relatable and authentic, challenging stereotypes of what cancer patients look like.

In fact, on writing about characters with cancer, John Green said:

“One of the pitfalls about writing about illness is that it is very easy to imagine people with cancer as either these wise-beyond-their-years creatures or these sad-eyed tragic people.

And the truth is, people living with cancer are very much like people who are not living with cancer. They’re every bit as funny and complex and diverse as anyone else.”

“Turtles All the Way Down” is about Aza, a young teen with severe OCD and anxiety. She must deal with constant thought spirals and OCD symptoms while trying to help her best friend, Daisy, in a very unusual quest.

Green has been praised for his ability to create a believable and nuanced YA character with anxiety. Aza is relatable and funny. While her mental health conditions are an important part of her life, she doesn’t let them define her.

Editor’s Note: Check out “The Last of the Mentally Ill” by Joseph Rauch. Often compared to “Turtles All the Way Down,” it is a dystopian tale about a mentally ill teen and a life-changing quest.

John Green’s latest novel, “Hollywood, Ending,” is set to come out in September, 2026. It follows the story of Kai Laramie and Juniper Castillo, two young actors who get cast in an exciting new biopic of Andy Warhol.

The book is about Kai and Juniper’s lives as actors, as well as their burgeoning relationship. It considers the good and bad of fame, particularly for two young actors in their breakout roles.

“The Anthropocene Reviewed” is a collection of essays about the human-centered nature of planet Earth. After enjoying success with a podcast of the same name, Green’s essay collection provides an even deeper reflection on the impact of human life on our world.

The essays blend memoir, humor and history with explorations of everything from the QWERTY keyboard and Canada geese to human loneliness and Monopoly. Online reviewers praise the collection for its ability to conjure up a wide range of emotions.

In 2019 John Green visited Sierra Leone, where he learned about the terrible effects of tuberculosis in the modern world. He is now a passionate advocate for TB treatment and awareness.

“Everything Is Tuberculosis” is an exploration of the world’s deadliest infection. It looks at how healthcare inequality leads to over one million deaths from TB each year, and what we can all do to change that statistic.

John Green’s story “The Approximate Cost of Loving Caroline” appeared in a 2006 collection of short stories inspired by artwork, collated by illustrator Scott W. Hunt.

Green’s story is about a teenage boy with Indian and Black heritage. He reflects on his complicated relationship with Caroline, a young Asian girl. The story is about love, relationships and identity at a young age.

Written by John Green, “The Great American Morp” is about a group of girls who organize an anti-prom party (or “morp”) for teens who want to rebel against traditional school events. The short story focuses on female friendship and the power to break social conventions.

Edited by David Levithan and Lisa Ann Sandell, “21 Proms” includes 21 short stories about school proms, including sad, funny, scary and strange stories for young readers.

Edited by authors Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci, “Geektastic” is a collection of stories by self-proclaimed geeks in YA fiction.

Green’s story is about two friends, Lauren and Kayley, who are “freaked” (pranked) by the other girls in their school. They escape into the woods, reflecting on the intense pressure to fit into the school’s strict social hierarchy.

Some online reviewers praise “Geektastic” for its ability to make fellow geeks feel seen. Others argue that some stories in the collection are better than others.

“What You Wish For” is a short story collection by a selection of authors, including John Green, Alexander McCall Smith and Meg Cabot.

The book was published in partnership with the Book Wish Foundation, with all profits going towards building libraries for refugees from Darfur. The book also raised awareness for what refugees go through in pursuit of a better life.

Green’s story for the collection follows a young boy who is in love with a girl he’s never met, a sponsored Kashmiri child. The story considers the darker side of our wish to save those whom we view as less fortunate than ourselves. It looks at themes like morality, empathy and love.