Young Adult – Boundaries Basics

Nonfiction

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself – Nedra Glover Tawwab
Clear, practical strategies for understanding personal limits and creating healthy relationships.

Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin – Anne Katherine
An accessible introduction to boundaries — what they are, why they matter, and how to set them.

The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens – Lisa M. Schab
Activities and tools that strengthen confidence and decision-making, which support healthy boundaries.

How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety – Ellen Hendriksen
Helps young adults build self-awareness and confidence to say “no” and hold their ground.

The Assertiveness Guide for Women – Julie de Azevedo Hanks
Though written with women in mind, its communication tools are useful for any young adult learning boundary-setting.

The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery – Brianna Wiest
Encourages young adults to recognize self-defeating habits, set healthier boundaries with themselves, and grow into their best selves.

Fiction

Turtles All the Way Down – John Green
Explores friendship, mental health, and the importance of recognizing personal needs and limits.

Eleanor & Park – Rainbow Rowell
A story of young love that highlights respect, trust, and the importance of emotional boundaries.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay – Adib Khorram
A teen learning to balance family expectations, cultural identity, and his own emotional space.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Jenny Han
A lighthearted novel that shows how honesty and self-awareness are key in maintaining healthy relationships.

Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell
Follows a young adult navigating independence, relationships, and personal boundaries while transitioning to college life.