Top 20 Clean YA Novels for Teen Readers: Adventure and Heart
Explore my top 20 clean YA novels, perfect for teens seeking thrilling adventures and heartfelt stories.
1. "The Giver" by Lois Lowry A profound and captivating story set in a seemingly utopian society where a boy learns the dark truths of his community's past.
2. "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery" The timeless tale of an imaginative and spirited orphan girl who finds a home and family in the picturesque town of Avonlea.
3. "Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan A thrilling adventure where Percy discovers he is the son of Poseidon and embarks on a quest across modern-day America to prevent a war among the gods.
4. "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio A heartwarming story about a boy with facial differences experiencing mainstream school for the first time and teaching everyone around him the importance of acceptance and kindness.
5. "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen A gripping tale of survival, where thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson must survive alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash.
6. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak Set in Nazi Germany, this novel tells the story of Liesel, a young girl who finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others, including the Jewish man hidden in her basement.
7. "Cinder" by Marissa Meyer A futuristic reimagining of the Cinderella story, where Cinder, a cyborg mechanic, becomes entangled in a struggle against a deadly plague and intergalactic politics.
8. "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green A touching and witty novel about two teens with cancer who fall in love, exploring themes of love, loss, and the meaning of life.
9. "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini The first book in the Inheritance Cycle, Eragon discovers a mysterious stone that leads him on a journey as a Dragon Rider, destined to fight the tyrannical ruler of Alagaësia.
10. "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle A classic science fiction adventure that follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe as they travel through space and time to save Meg's father.
11. "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han A sweet and charming story about Lara Jean, whose secret love letters accidentally get sent out to her crushes, leading to unexpected consequences and revelations about love.
12. "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton A powerful and enduring tale of friendship, conflict, and the realities of growing up on the fringes of society, told through the eyes of Ponyboy Curtis.
13. "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli A captivating and moving story about the perils of popularity and the thrill and pain of being true to oneself. Stargirl Caraway, a previously homeschooled girl, starts attending high school and immediately stands out with her quirky behavior and nonconformity.
14. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised competition where teens fight to the death.
15. "Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo Set in a world divided by darkness and light, Alina Starkov discovers she has a power that could save her country, but entering the world of the Grisha comes with a price.
16. "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell A relatable novel about Cath, a fanfiction writer struggling with her first year of college, learning to live her own life outside of her comfort zone.
17. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky A moving and insightful epistolary novel about Charlie, a freshman in high school, navigating the complexities of adolescence, friendship, and the pain of growing up.
18. "Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs After a family tragedy, Jacob explores the ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, uncovering a world filled with mystery and danger.
19. "The Princess Diaries" by Meg Cabot A humorous and delightful story of Mia Thermopolis, a New York City teenager who suddenly discovers she's the heir to the throne of a European principality.
20. "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness A deeply moving tale about Conor, a boy dealing with his mother's illness, who is visited by a monster who tells stories that help him face his fears.