Top 10 Book Recommendations for Tweens and Teens

As a 22-year-old who left her teenage years not too long ago, I know that the variety of books marketed towards ages 12-16 are not always appropriate, well-written, or demonstrate good concepts. These are my top ten recommendations based on the overall message, open vs. closed-door romances (aka sexual content), swearing, and intrigue of the story. 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder and the Lunar Chronicles series is a fun fantasy series I recommend for ages 13+. The second book in the series, Scarlett, and the fourth book, Winter, both contain closed-door romance and brief innuendo of the characters’ desires to have sexual relations with one another. There is no swearing, and the overall story and writing quality are excellent!

 A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

I loved the first book as an adult! I would recommend it for ages 14+ due to the themes of murder and brief mentions of abuse. It doesn’t have graphic descriptions of violence; however, there is a mention of a teacher at the high school having an affair with a student. There is no sexuality nor descriptions of sexual acts. I would only recommend the first book in the series because the last two books become increasingly dark thematically. 

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

This extremely wholesome story reminds me of reading The Princess and the Goblin as a child. It is entirely clean of all sexuality and swear words. The theme is an adventure to save her fiance, perfect for ages 11+. 

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

The entire series is clean, wholesome, and appropriate for ages 11+.

The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

I enjoyed these books so much as a teenager! They are captivating, and the writing style is perfect for young teenagers. The books are void of swearing and sexuality, and the story is adventure-based and lighthearted. 

The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

Depending on your family’s political views or views on witchcraft in literature, the books are incredible for young teens and adults! All of the books are clean of sexuality, and the only swear word utilized is “bloody hell.” The themes can be darker due to the villain and his tactics. 

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

These are older classics, but they are still very prevalent today. All books are clean, wholesome, and have an excellent message!

The Giver Series by Lois Lowry

I have personally read most of Lois Lowry’s books, and they are all clean of sexual content and swearing and not too dark for young readers. These novels are dystopian and similar to Divergent, minus the romance and sexuality. 

Holes by Louis Sacher

I found Holes to be absolutely hilarious as a teen, and I highly recommend this book for younger audiences! 

Hatchet by Louis Sacher

Hatchet is the story of a boy in a plane crash who learns to survive in the wild. Since most of the story is from the boy’s perspective, it is clean and wholesome.