Most Beautifully-Written YA Books (67 books)

Discover new books on Goodreads

Meet your next favorite book

Listopia > Most Beautifully-Written YA Books

Books that TRULY stand out because their text is uniquely and excellently crafted. They should not only to tell a good story, but make brilliant use of the English language via vocabulary, unique and surprising metaphor or simile, alliteration, rhythm and fluency, and so on. These are not your run-of-the-mill YA titles. They are the jewels of the genre. So, please, vote wisely.

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) by Tahereh Mafi 3.84 avg rating — 1,322,779 ratings score: 1,198, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1) by Laini Taylor (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 388,713 ratings score: 995, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 14,476 ratings score: 586, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Blackbringer (Faeries of Dreamdark #1) by Laini Taylor (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 6,064 ratings score: 490, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Once Upon a Road Trip (Once Upon a Road Trip, #1) by Angela N. Blount (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 470 ratings score: 400, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Realm of the Goddess by Sabina Khan (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 84 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 3.80 avg rating — 4,016,606 ratings score: 298, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Delirium (Delirium, #1) by Lauren Oliver (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 482,337 ratings score: 296, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt 3.91 avg rating — 302,748 ratings score: 295, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Finale (Hush, Hush, #4) by Becca Fitzpatrick (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 189,674 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Silence (Hush, Hush, #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 298,474 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 341,011 ratings score: 292, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 753,515 ratings score: 291, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Silksinger (Dreamdark #2) by Laini Taylor (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 2,164 ratings score: 287, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.30 avg rating — 4,637,879 ratings score: 286, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.01 avg rating — 377,554 ratings score: 286, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	How To Make A Bird by Martine Murray (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 283 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Light of the Moon (Legend of the Dreamer, #1) by David James (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 100 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	I Thirst by Gina Marinello-Sweeney (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 88 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Wintersong (Wintersong, #1) by S. Jae-Jones (Goodreads Author) 3.54 avg rating — 33,986 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Final Life (The Final Life, #1) by Rose Garcia (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 437 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis 3.96 avg rating — 14,466 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 43,818 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Fae Away (Fae Bloodlines, #1) by Rose Garcia (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 497 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, #3) by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.59 avg rating — 1,091,449 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2) by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.51 avg rating — 1,182,273 ratings score: 184, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Where Do You Stop?: The Personal History, Adventures, Experiences, and Observations of Peter Leroy by Eric Kraft (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 100 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Mesmerized by David-Matthew Barnes (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Tall, Dark Streak of Lightning (Dark Lightning Trilogy, #1) by J.M. Richards (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 102 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Solan by Jonathon Jones (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 15 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Jackboot Britain by Daniel S. William Fletcher (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 113 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 1,199 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Caucasia by Danzy Senna 4.08 avg rating — 10,771 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Paradox Love by Dorothy Gravelle (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 76 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	This is Not a Test (This is Not a Test, #1) by Courtney Summers (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 16,342 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Oaken Throne (The Deptford Histories, #2) by Robin Jarvis 4.22 avg rating — 621 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Story Bends by Sheala Dawn Henke (Goodreads Author) 4.71 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 34,483 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Babel by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 545,528 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Veil's Edge (Book 1: The Seed; Part 1: Pandora's Gifts) by Carla Atherton (Goodreads Author) 4.78 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Young Unicorns (Austin Family Chronicles, #3) by Madeleine L'Engle 3.77 avg rating — 6,524 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Swimming to Chicago by David-Matthew Barnes (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 55 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Hannah Green 3.90 avg rating — 37,001 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Alchemist's Cat (The Deptford Histories, #1) by Robin Jarvis 3.99 avg rating — 986 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 2,982,159 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Rose and the Sword (The Veritas Chronicles, #2) by Gina Marinello-Sweeney (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 38 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 24,210 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 2,187,047 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Thursday's Children by Rumer Godden 4.28 avg rating — 676 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Luxe (Luxe, #1) by Anna Godbersen 3.65 avg rating — 74,722 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Fifty Yards and Holding by David-Matthew Barnes (Goodreads Author) 3.33 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Anita and Me by Meera Syal 3.71 avg rating — 3,359 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Reapers are the Angels (Reapers, #1) by Alden Bell 3.89 avg rating — 12,716 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Thomas (The Deptford Histories, #3) by Robin Jarvis 4.11 avg rating — 397 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Peter (The Veritas Chronicles, #3) by Gina Marinello-Sweeney (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 16 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 2,996 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 4.04 avg rating — 1,318,525 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 2,996 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Dark Portal (The Deptford Mice, #1) by Robin Jarvis 3.83 avg rating — 2,692 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 401,071 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	The Crystal Prison (The Deptford Mice, #2) by Robin Jarvis 4.04 avg rating — 1,392 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	No Such Thing as Dragons by Philip Reeve (Goodreads Author) 3.57 avg rating — 924 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Final Reckoning (The Deptford Mice, #3) by Robin Jarvis 4.11 avg rating — 1,306 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw 4.24 avg rating — 14,136 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3) by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.55 avg rating — 749,587 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.41 avg rating — 3,240,445 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Black Juice by Margo Lanagan (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 1,362 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars