Young Adult Novels Where Trying to Help Turns Into Something Else

In our recent posts “Good Intentions, Big Consequences” and “Graphic Novels Where Good Intentions Go Hilariously (or Horribly) Wrong” we explored characters that endured great mishaps or miscalculations, to still come out on top. Now we direct that story idea to the YA category.

In YA fiction, good intentions can be a double-edged sword. Teen characters tend to act for love, justice, or in protection of others – but these actions don’t always make for good results. In fact, some of the most powerful YA stories are about characters who try to be good… and get hopelessly in over their heads. These books consider the impact of idealism, impulse, and emotional decision making upon someone’s life, for better or for worse.

“Fixing the World, Breaking Yourself”

In All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir, Salahudin is determined to save his family’s struggling motel; while his best friend, Noor, is looking for a way out of their small town. The both have good intentions, but then their decisions begin to unravel everything that they cherish. Their motives are based in love, anger, and loyalty – and the fallout is hard and real.

“Trying to Be the Good One”

In You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow, Emory wants to be a good daughter, the supportive sister, and the fixer of everyone’s problems. But the strain of the efforts, to keep her family afloat, following her brother’s drug overdose becomes more than she can bear. Her journey is one of understanding that being good doesn’t include carrying the weight everyone’s burden.

“Saving the Future, Losing the Moment”

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He centers on two sisters separated in a climate-ravaged world. One attempts to save humanity with tech; the other just wants to be again with her sister. Both take huge risks with good intentions – and the story keeps you questioning who is truly doing the right thing until the very end.

“Good Deeds, Bad Reactions”

In Jas Hammonds’ We Deserve Monuments, Avery digs into her family’s past, in hope of healing old wounds. But shining light on the truth means dredging up pain, danger and tension in a town that wants to forget above all else. Her goal is justice and healing, but what she uncovers has enormous implications.

“Hero Complex, Real-World Fallout”

In The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen, Caleb is empathic – he can feel other people’s emotions. He wants to use it to help others, especially those he cares about, but his attempts tend to either smother people or spectacularly misfire. His impulse to be helpful becomes something he has to learn to control – and accept for what it is.

Wrap-Up: Good Intentions Aren’t Always Easy

These YA books take the idea of “doing the right thing” and complicates it in all the best ways. The include thoughtful, impulsive, loving, and flawed characters. They serve as a reminder that intentions matter – but so does the outcomes. For teen readers, these stories provide a heads-up along with a connection, showing that it’s all right to bumble around the path to doing good.

Books Mentioned