Clean But more Mature YA (71 books)

This is a list of books that don't have sex, large amounts of swearing or innuendos, but paint a realistic picture of teenagers. I have problems with a lot of clean YA because it's basically middle grade and this list is not for that. Can't we have complex plots and multidimensional characters without a lot of sex?

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 277,955 ratings score: 496, 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
2	The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 2,025 ratings score: 489, 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
3	The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 101,765 ratings score: 395, 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
4	Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah 4.08 avg rating — 41,682 ratings score: 392, 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
5	Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 1,201 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
6	The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins 4.35 avg rating — 9,953,049 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
6	Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 1,014,235 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
8	The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1) by Marie Rutkoski (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 114,735 ratings score: 272, 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	A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 6,081 ratings score: 272, 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	The Reluctant Heiress by Eva Ibbotson 3.93 avg rating — 8,573 ratings score: 256, 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	A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson 3.91 avg rating — 21,623 ratings score: 255, 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	The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 2,890,180 ratings score: 196, 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
13	Fracture (Fracture, #1) by Megan Miranda (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 15,540 ratings score: 195, 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
14	A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 45,894 ratings score: 193, 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
15	Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 257,137 ratings score: 192, 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
16	Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1) by Elizabeth Wein (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 128,635 ratings score: 188, 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	The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1) by Renée Ahdieh (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 186,376 ratings score: 180, 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
18	The Selection (The Selection, #1) by Kiera Cass (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 1,769,208 ratings score: 174, 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
19	The Elite (The Selection, #2) by Kiera Cass (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 874,207 ratings score: 172, 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
20	The One (The Selection, #3) by Kiera Cass (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 779,652 ratings score: 170, 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
21	Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1) by Laini Taylor (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 385,151 ratings score: 165, 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	Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 1,111,376 ratings score: 160, 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	A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, #1) by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 225,657 ratings score: 157, 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
24	Once a Witch (Witch, #1) by Carolyn MacCullough 3.75 avg rating — 15,542 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
24	Portrait of a Girl Running (Portraits #1) by J.B. Chicoine (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 111 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
24	Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw 4.25 avg rating — 13,706 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
24	No Feign No Gain (Sonic Sleuths Series, #2) by Carrie Ann Knox (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 65 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
24	A Leaf of Faith (Messengers and Thieves Book 2) by J. Suthern Hicks (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 16 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
29	Aria, Volume 1 (Aria, #1) by Kozue Amano 3.94 avg rating — 1,201 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
29	The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner 3.82 avg rating — 1,494 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
29	The Third Witch by Rebecca Reisert 3.71 avg rating — 696 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
29	Impulse Spy (Sonic Sleuths Series #1) by Carrie Ann Knox (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 379 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
29	Where the Garden Begins (Messengers and Thieves #1) by J. Suthern Hicks (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 23 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
34	Anya's War by Andrea Alban Gosline 3.35 avg rating — 258 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
34	Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt 3.90 avg rating — 15,853 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
34	Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 41,180 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
37	The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 403,090 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
38	Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1) by Ransom Riggs 3.92 avg rating — 1,360,007 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
38	Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn 3.62 avg rating — 42 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
40	Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol. 2 (Hetalia: Axis Powers, #2) by Hidekaz Himaruya 4.49 avg rating — 3,263 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
40	Flora's War by Pamela Rushby 3.78 avg rating — 73 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
42	I, Coriander by Sally Gardner 3.84 avg rating — 8,370 ratings score: 93, 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
42	Mahtab's Story by Libby Gleeson 3.59 avg rating — 431 ratings score: 93, 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
44	Valkyrie Rising (Valkyrie, #1) by Ingrid Paulson (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 6,540 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
44	The World Within: A Novel of Emily Brontë by Jane Eagland 3.37 avg rating — 228 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
44	Playing for the Commandant by Suzy Zail (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 2,915 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
47	Valentina by Kevin McDermott 2.52 avg rating — 61 ratings score: 91, 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
47	Promising Azra by Helen Thurloe (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 202 ratings score: 91, 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
47	Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf 4.16 avg rating — 10,163 ratings score: 91, 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
50	Dark Goddess (Templar Chronicles, #2) by Sarwat Chadda (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 1,498 ratings score: 90, 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
50	Once at the Edge of the Sea by Sue Saliba (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 20 ratings score: 90, 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
52	Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 24,126 ratings score: 89, 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
53	Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 8,460 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
53	Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 46,709 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
55	Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle, #1) by Rachel Hawkins (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 42,400 ratings score: 87, 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
55	My Family for the War by Anne C. Voorhoeve 4.27 avg rating — 2,401 ratings score: 87, 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
57	Aurelia (Aurelia, #1) by Anne Osterlund (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 6,854 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
58	Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah 3.59 avg rating — 3,980 ratings score: 84, 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
59	Bewitching Season (Leland Sisters, #1) by Marissa Doyle (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 5,016 ratings score: 83, 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	Ruin and Rising (Shadow and Bone, #3) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 592,906 ratings score: 82, 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
61	Siege and Storm (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #2) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 685,679 ratings score: 81, 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	Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) by Marissa Meyer (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 461,929 ratings score: 79, 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
63	Uprooted by Naomi Novik (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 264,810 ratings score: 78, 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	The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb (Goodreads Author) 3.09 avg rating — 1,688 ratings score: 77, 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	Sekret (Sekret, #1) by Lindsay Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 2,152 ratings score: 73, 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	Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles, #1) by Ellen Oh (Goodreads Author) 3.50 avg rating — 3,883 ratings score: 71, 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	Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 4,392,366 ratings score: 70, 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
68	Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 4,535 ratings score: 69, 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
69	Chains (Seeds of America, #1) by Laurie Halse Anderson (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 59,005 ratings score: 67, 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
70	Anastasia and Her Sisters by Carolyn Meyer (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 731 ratings score: 65, 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
71	Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle, #2) by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 111,937 ratings score: 63, 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