Best riddles for teens

Pete is a worker on a large ship with hundreds of other men. He is constantly making mistakes, tying ropes the wrong way, steering the ship the wrong way, and making other blunders. One time he accidentally caused the ship to get stuck in a shallow shore, causing thousands of dollars in damage. However, when Steve, the captain of the ship, is asked about Pete, Steve says "I wish we had five men like Pete on this ship." Why would he say this?

What can be swallowed, but can also swallow you?

There is something which arrested for attempting but not for completing. What is it?

If I drink something, then I am just over. However, I can eat anything. What Am I?

I'm tall when I'm young, I'm short when I'm old, and every Halloween I stand up inside Jack O Lanterns. What am I?

How many apples can you put in an empty box?

A man had a book that was worth $40,000. There were only 2 books in existence. He threw it in the furnace, reducing it to a pile of soot. Why did he do this?

I am always hungry and will die if not fed, whatever I touch will soon turn red.

They have not flesh, nor feathers, nor scales, nor bone. Yet they have fingers and thumbs of their own. What are they?

I have a tail. I can fly. I'm covered in colorful feathers. I can whistle and I can talk. I am a...