Even though I'm known most for my work as a cozy historical mystery novelist, I started out writing Young Adult. I found there was a market for "clean" reads. Clean when used as an adjective for books usually means story-telling without explicit sex, bad language or graphic violence.
I usually read a lot of books in the genre I write in, and when I was writing YA, I read a lot of great young adult books written by other authors.
Here are 6 awesome clean teen reads you might enjoy.
1. The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter
Who wouldn't love a book (or six!) about teenage spies? From the Amazon blurb: Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission -- falling in love.
2. Wings by Aprilynne Pike
This 5 book series is about a teen who discovers she's connected to the fairy world. From Amazon blurb: In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.
3. Matched by Ally Condie
This 3 book series is young adult dystopian taking place in an alternate reality. From Amazon blurb: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
4. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer
The 4 books in the Lunar Chronicles are fairytale twists, the first being Cinderella. From the Amazon blurb: The #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . .
5. The Heist Society Series also by Ally Carter
From spies to mobsters, this series also from Ally Carter is sure to please. From the Amazon blurb: With its glamorous international settings, intriguing suspense, complicated cons and even more complicated romance, Heist Society is stealing the hearts of Ally Carter fans everywhere.
6. Clockwise by Lee Strauss - shameless plug!
Almost sixteen-year-old Casey Donovan just wants to survive high school ~ uncontrollable trips to the 19th century do NOT help, especially when you accidentally take the cutest boy in the school back in time!