What are some good books about depression for teenagers in fiction?

Sure. 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson is a good one. The main character, Melinda, is a high school student who has been through a traumatic event which has led to her depression. As she tries to find her voice and deal with her emotions, readers can see how she copes day - to - day. It's a powerful book.

Well, 'The Catcher in the Rye' can be considered in a way. Holden Caulfield is often seen as a character with depressive tendencies. Then there's 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. It's a complex and emotional story that has elements of depression throughout. Also, 'Turtles All the Way Down' by John Green, which gives a look into the mind of a teen dealing with mental health issues including depression.

For beginners, 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a great start. It's very accessible and gives a broad view of the hardships during the Great Depression.

I'd recommend 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'. It's not directly about depression but shows the main character's emotional turmoil which includes elements of depression. His growth throughout the story, with the help of his friends, is inspiring. It gives hope that one can get through tough times.

A really good one is 'Turtles All the Way Down' by John Green. It follows the story of a girl with OCD and depression, and through the eyes of her friend and potential love interest, we see how difficult and yet how important it is to love someone dealing with these issues. The book is very well - written and gives a deep look into the mind of the character with mental illness.

One great book for teenagers is 'The Hunger Games'. It's a thrilling dystopian novel that follows Katniss Everdeen as she battles in a deadly arena. The story is full of action, adventure, and also touches on themes like survival, power, and sacrifice.

They tend to have a sense of melancholy. In 'A Little Life', the overall tone is quite sad as it portrays the character's continuous struggle with his past traumas and the resulting depression. The descriptions of his pain are very detailed and heart - wrenching.

Often, they have a very introspective narrator. For example, in 'The Bell Jar', Esther Greenwood is constantly reflecting on her own state of mind and her feelings of alienation, which is typical of depression - themed fiction. The mood is usually quite melancholic, like in 'A Little Life' where there's a sense of pervasive sadness throughout the story.

One of the best is 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath. It's a semi - autobiographical novel that vividly portrays the protagonist's struggle with depression. The main character, Esther, experiences a mental breakdown and her journey through the asylum is both harrowing and eye - opening.

For teenagers, 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli is a great read. It focuses on a gay teenager's journey of self - discovery and coming out. 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky is a classic. It portrays the life of a shy freshman in high school dealing with mental health issues and making friends. 'If I Stay' by Gayle Forman is about a girl who has to decide whether to stay alive after a tragic accident.