The Best YA Books To Gift Teens
by Dena McMurdie
I know how difficult it can be to find the perfect gift for a teenager. As the mom of two teens, I often find that books are well-received and can be enjoyed for weeks or months after the holiday season ends. And, let’s be honest — wrapping books is a breeze, and they look fantastic tucked under a tree or inside a stocking. So, if you’re looking for some good reads to keep your teens occupied during the holiday break, you can’t go wrong with these titles!
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For the fantasy lover:
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Heir
Buy from:Fantasy lovers will be thrilled to receive the latest breathtaking novel from the bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes. This story is set in the same universe and takes readers on an all-new adventure. It follows three young people from different backgrounds as their stories overlap and intersect. It’s the perfect gift for established Sabaa Tahir fans and newcomers alike.
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A Cruel Thirst
Buy from:Vampires, forbidden love, and Mexican lore? Yes, please! When Lalo gets turned into a vampire, he sets out to search for a cure. Instead, he meets Carolina, a vampire hunter descended from a long line of legendary monster-killers. They form an unlikely alliance to search for the source of vampirism — and try not to lose their hearts in the process. This must-read fantasy romance is the perfect holiday gift!
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Shadows of Perl
Buy from:Dark fantasy is at its finest in this romantic follow-up to House of Marionne. Quell’s newfound dark powers make her an outcast in society, and she flees to a new home where her magic is celebrated. Meanwhile, Quell’s ex-lover, Jordan, fears the only way to stop the world from crumbling into violence is to do the unthinkable — kill the girl he loves.
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Murtagh: Deluxe Edition
Buy from:The Inheritance Cycle is a modern classic and one of the most beloved young adult fantasy series. Fans will love this gift-worthy deluxe edition of Murtagh, which returns readers to the World of Eragon in an all-new adventure. This edition includes full-color maps and art, a new scene, and artwork created by the author. The stenciled edges and foil-stamped cover make this an extra appealing holiday gift.
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The Thirteenth Child
Buy from:From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows comes a new dark retelling of the fairytale “Godfather Death.” Get lost in an atmospheric and ominous tale about a girl beholden to her godfather. Cursed with the ability to know the cures for every ailment, Hazel also knows when death is inevitable. So, when she falls in love with the son of a dying king, she must decide whether to let fate take its course or put herself at risk by thwarting Death.
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Legends of Lor’yan 4-Book Boxed Set
Buy from:Get swept away by the fairy tales in this boxed set from bestselling YA author Elizabeth Lim. The set includes The Six Crimson Cranes Duology and The Blood of Stars Duology, which means your young adult reader can get their fill of Asian folklore, fantasy, romance, and adventure in one gorgeous package.
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For teens who want all the feels:
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The Glass Girl
Buy from:Readers who loved Kathleen Glasgow’s #1 New York Times bestseller, Girl in Pieces, will want to unwrap the author’s newest heart-wrenching novel. Faced with the pressures of modern teenage life, Bella turns to alcohol for comfort. But when her drinking gets out of hand, she must journey down the long, difficult road to recovery.
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The Ruta Sepetys Collection
Buy from:Give the avid reader in your life the opportunity to time travel. This boxed set contains Ruta Sepetys’s award-winning and gripping historical fiction novels — Between Shades of Gray, Out of the Easy, Salt to the Sea, and The Fountains of Silence. Sepetys writes accessibly but beautifully about the harsh costs of war beyond the battlefield. Though targeted at young adults, her work has amassed fans of all ages, making this set perfect for sharing among book lovers.
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For teens who love thrills and chills:
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Heart-Shaped Lies
Buy from:Internet fame turns deadly in this YA thriller from the award-winning author of the graphic novel Fibbed. When Kiara, Priscilla, and Nevaeh find out they are all dating the same social media-famous prankster, the girls dump him. But when his body gets found the next day, the girls become the main suspects in his murder case.
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One of Us Is Lying Series Paperback Boxed Set
Buy from:YA readers will get their fill of murder mysteries with this boxed set containing all three books in the One of Us Is Lying series! Dive into the world of Bayview High School, where everyday events can turn deadly. Amateur sleuths will devour every page of this series!
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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Complete Series Paperback Boxed Set
Buy from:A school project turns into a full-blown obsession for an amateur sleuth named Pip in this New York Times bestselling series and TikTok sensation. As Pip looks into a cold murder case and shares her findings on a podcast, she quickly realizes she could be in over her head. The killer is still out there, and they’re not happy that someone is dredging up the past. Stalkers, death threats, and dark secrets await Pip at every turn of this addictive series.
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Just for fun:
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Would You Rather? Teen Challenge Edition
Buy from:Give the gift of screen-free fun with this game book of funny and thought-provoking questions. Each page poses a “Would you rather?” question that teens take turns answering. It’s set up to work like a game but can also be enjoyed independently. It’s perfect for sleepovers, parties, and conversation starters.
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30 Days of Creativity
Buy from:Send your teen (or yourself) on a creative journey with this whimsical book from Johanna Basford. In it, you’ll find doodle prompts, coloring pages, drawing guides, and art advice from Johanna herself. It’s the perfect way to disconnect from social media and reconnect with yourself.
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Jane Austen Trivia
Buy from:Die-hard and casual Jane Austen fans will love this card deck with 400 trivia questions. From the classic novels to the modern pop culture adaptations, these trivia questions cover it all. Whether you’ve read the books or watched the movies on repeat (or both!), you can test your knowledge of all things Austen.
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For teens who love happy endings:
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A Queen’s Game
Buy from:Bridgerton fans will love the latest novel from the bestselling author of the American Royals series. Step back in time to the Victorian era and follow three young women as they navigate the royal courts of Europe. Alix, Hélène, and May have big dreams of finding love and happiness — and changing history while they’re at it.
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Dungeons and Drama
Buy from:Desperate to avoid her shifts at her father’s game store, Riley hatches a fake-dating plan with her nerdy co-worker, Nathan. She will pretend to be his girlfriend and make his crush jealous if he covers her shifts at the store. Before long, Riley realizes there’s more to Nathan than she thought, and she starts to fall for him. Don’t miss the next book in the series, Dating and Dragons, publishing in January 2025!
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For graphic novel fans:
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The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance
Buy from:This action-packed graphic novel is a must-have for fans of campy TV shows. While investigating a crime in her town, teenage detective Vivian Vance uncovers a disturbing secret — the monsters from her bedtime tales are real. Now, Vivian must face the creatures to save the town and her friends from becoming the monsters’ next meal.
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The DC Icons Series: The Graphic Novel Box Set
Buy from:For young people who love graphic novels, you can’t go wrong with this boxed set. It includes three action-packed graphic novels adapted from the novels by the same names: Batman: Nightwalker, Wonder Woman: Warbringer, and Catwoman: Soulstealer. Readers can get lost in these origin stories about superheroes, villains, romance, and friendship.
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Be That Way
Buy from:This heartfelt story is about a teenage girl learning who she is in the pre-internet era. In 1996, Christine is a high school junior and wants to be popular. This graphic novel follows her throughout the year as she endures friendship breakups, bad kisses, and self-discovery. She documents her journey through prose and art in her journal.
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For heist-obsessed readers:
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Heist Royale
Buy from:Heist stories are extremely popular, and this sequel to Thieves’ Gambit does not disappoint. Alliances and rivalries intersect once again as a new Gambit forms, promising control of the criminal world. Devroe and the other thieves set out on a desperate race to outsmart the villain and each other while trying to win the Gambit at all costs.
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Zodiac Rising
Buy from:Ancient curses, a hidden boarding school, and murder combine in this magical heist thriller. Three supernatural teens and one human join forces to steal back the source of their people’s magic and break their curse. But the Fae won’t let the magic go easily, and danger riddles each step along the way. This action-packed novel is perfect for fans of Legendborn.
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