The Best YA Books To Gift Teens
by Janssen Bradshaw
I know how difficult it can be to find the perfect gift for a teenager. As the mom of 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!
Our Top 5 Book Gifts for Teens (2026)
If you’re short on time, start with these can’t-miss favorites:
- House of Salt and Sorrows: A haunting fairy-tale retelling filled with mystery, romance, and sinister twists, packaged in a gorgeous deluxe edition with stunning cobalt-blue edges.
- The Heart Trials: A high-stakes fantasy adventure that blends romance, deadly competition, and a daring heist into one page-turning read.
- Project Hail Mary (Deluxe Edition): A gorgeous collector’s edition with stenciled edges, new cover art, and illustrated endpapers.
- 30 Days of Creativity: A screen-free mix of doodling, coloring, drawing prompts, and creative inspiration.
- The Dungeon Master Campaign: A must-have journal for D&D fans to dream up monsters, build worlds, and plan their next campaign.
Scroll down for more gift ideas for every kind of teen!
Browse by Category
For Those Who Like More Hands-On Books
For Those Who Love Suspense
For the Fantasy Lover
For Those Who Want Beautiful Books to Display
For the Pop Culture Fan
For the Romance Reader
For the Nonfiction Fan
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For Those Who Like More Hands-On Books
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Cozy Corner
Buy from:My family discovered this line of coloring books last year, and my four kids can’t get enough of them. The pictures are darling and detailed, but not so detailed that they’re overwhelming! My kids love coloring the pages while I read aloud to them. Pair it with an audiobook for an irresistible gift!
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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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Burn After Writing
Buy from:This bestselling interactive journal is perfect for a teen who wants or needs some self-reflection, a creative boost, or a detox from social media platforms. Giving the gift of free expression without others commenting on it is priceless!
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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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Little Felted Dogs
Buy from:From a ball of fluff to a lovable Dalmatian or dachshund, these charming miniatures are simple to make and perfect for a beginner!
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The Dungeon Master Campaign
Buy from:If you know someone who is a big D&D fan, this journal is a must-have! It’s made specifically for Dungeon Masters, with tons of space and prompts to track storylines, dream up monsters, plan settings, and organize all the ideas that go into an amazing campaign.
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For Those Who Love Suspense
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The House of Gardenias
Buy from:After 16 years of abuse at home, Minerva finally gets the chance to escape when she takes a job as a lady’s maid for a wealthy widow. But when things outside turn dangerous, the two retreat to the widow’s family estate, which hides its own creepy secrets. Minerva may have escaped one nightmare only to find herself right in the middle of another.
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The Heart Trials
Buy from:This dystopian fantasy is full of romance, adventure, and enough suspense to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat. Axira knows being Lowborn means keeping her guard up and doing whatever it takes to survive. But when she agrees to steal something from the Tournament of Hearts, a deadly dating competition where the winner gets citizenship, she has to enter the competition herself. Suddenly, pulling off the heist means risking more than she planned, including the heart she’s worked so hard to protect.
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Mischief Girls
Buy from:Thirty years ago, three students at Ellison College disappeared into the woods, and only one came out alive. Now, freshman Raina finds herself pulled into the decades-old mystery when another student goes missing after investigating the murders. This twisty dark academia mystery is a great pick for teens who love unsolved crimes, secret-filled campuses, and trying to figure out the culprit before the characters do.
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We Fell Apart
Buy from:You probably know E. Lockhart’s incredibly popular book, We Were Liars. This stunning spin-off novel returns to that world with another mystery filled with twists, turns, and gobs of lies that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
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For the Fantasy Lover
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Blightfall
Buy from:Two extraordinary fantasy authors join forces to create the Skyward Flight trilogy. Arturo Mendez and his team of pilots must deliver a group of diplomats to a lost human settlement. But when they arrive on the planet of Blightfall, they soon learn there is much more to it. Trapped on a planet they know nothing about, they face danger at every turn. Will Arturo and his team figure out a way to survive and make it home?
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Waiting on a Miracle
Buy from:What if Mirabel and her sisters had to leave the Encanto? When the Madrigal family’s magical gifts begin to disappear, Antonio sets off on his own to find a solution, and Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabela must venture beyond the safety of their home to bring him back. Encanto fans will love this magical new adventure filled with family secrets, sisterly bonds, and a quest that could change the Madrigals forever.
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Empire
Buy from:The highly anticipated sequel to Heir brings readers back to the crumbling Martial Empire, where war is raging, an ancient evil is on the loose, and Quil is desperate to find the woman he loves. Fans of Sabaa Tahir won’t want to miss this action-packed conclusion filled with magic, danger, romance, and plenty of twists.
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A Forgery of Fate
Buy from:Truyan never planned on becoming a con artist. She also never planned on her father being lost at sea or her mother having a gambling problem. With her gift of art forgery that tells the future, Truyan is forced to marry an enigmatic dragon lord who wants to use her gift for his own treasonous ends.
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For Those Who Want Beautiful Books to Display
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House of Salt and Sorrows
Buy from:Don’t judge a book by its cover — except for this one! With beautiful cobalt blue page edges, this book is truly a work of art! Annaleigh and her family live a sheltered life on Highmoor. But when four of her eleven sisters die tragic deaths, she starts to speculate how these “accidental” deaths occurred.
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The Last King of Faerie
Buy from:Not only does this book have a beautiful cover and incredibly designed page edges, but this fantasy novel is also one no teen will want to miss. Kidnapped and scared to be around Prince Ash Morgenstern's dark presence, Dru can’t shake how much she is drawn to him. Meanwhile, a new threat against the Shadowhunter world forces Kit Herondale and Ty Blackthorn to come together for a remarkable mission.
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Project Hail Mary (Deluxe Edition)
Buy from:After the smash-hit movie, every Ryland lover needs this gorgeous edition with stenciled edges, new cover art, and full-color, illustrated endpapers. Space never looked so good! Science fiction lovers will be thrilled to unwrap this book!
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Our Strange Duet
Buy from:Told from Christine Daaé’s perspective, this Phantom of the Opera retelling is a must-have for theater lovers! As Christine begins to shine at the Opera Populaire, she finds herself torn between Raoul, her childhood friend who represents a familiar and comfortable future, and the mysterious Phantom, whose brilliance draws her into a world that feels completely different. Our Strange Duet is an incredible take on a classic story.
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For the Pop Culture Fan
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Stranger Things Boxed Set
Buy from:If you know a Stranger Things fan, pick up this boxed set! Each book follows a different character from the show and gives readers the inside scoop on their backgrounds. YA readers won’t want to miss these origin stories!
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Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga 3-Book Boxed Set
Buy from:This is a fantastic boxed set to give to any sci-fi-loving young adult who has seen the movies or who hasn’t read the books yet. This gorgeous, adventure-filled three-book collection makes an excellent gift for anyone who loves a fabulous story!
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Dear Reader: An Immersive Literary Journey Through Taylor Swift’s Lyrics
Buy from:Calling all Swifties! Filled with journaling prompts, gorgeous pictures, and lyric easter eggs galore, this interactive journal will have your teen swooning and singing!
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The World of Minecraft
Buy from:Do you have a gamer in your life who would love to grow their Minecraft knowledge? This book covers everything you need to know about this incredibly popular game, from how it started to how the community grew. Read it all here!
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For The Romance Reader
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Library or Lattes
Buy from:When Lila inherits money from her aunt, with the condition to use it to see the world, she must decide whether to study travel journalism or take an epic trip around the globe. The chapters in this romance story alternate between the two different paths she can take with her inheritance. And of course, it’s not only life choices at stake, but the choice between two boys.
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13 Little Love Stories
Buy from:Thirteen fabulous authors came together to form this compilation of love stories inspired by Taylor Swift’s songs! These love stories are quick to read, but are impossible to forget!
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From Square One
Buy from:After an accident leaves Riley with amnesia, he discovers he’s forgotten the last year of his life — including the fact that he had a serious boyfriend. Even more surprising? His boyfriend is Aaron, his older brother’s former best friend and a guy Riley is certain he can’t stand. As the two reenact their first dates and kisses in hopes of bringing Riley’s memories back, he might just find himself falling in love all over again.
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For the Nonfiction Fan
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Essential Life Skills for Girls
Buy from:I love a good, relatable life skills book, and this one is exceptional. Geared towards girls aged 10-14, it comes with challenges and checklists for girls to complete, teaching them essential life skills before they leave home and enter adulthood.
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Stealing Saint Nick
Buy from:This book is wild in the best way. M. T. Anderson digs into the real story of Saint Nicholas and how he became the Santa Claus we know today, including surviving the fall of the Roman Empire and having his bones stolen not once, but twice. Stealing Saint Nick is a fun mix of history and Christmas traditions, and it’s a great book for anyone who loves non-fiction.
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The Illustrated History of Soccer World Cup
Buy from:Calling all soccer lovers! This book takes you through every World Cup, from the first one in 1930 up to today. It showcases the stars, unforgettable goals, behind-the-scenes stories, and more!
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Game Plan
Buy from:If you have a young adult who thrives on books about success, I highly recommend picking this one up. Whether your teen has big goals or just wants to make the most of everyday life, this book helps them figure out what matters most and go after it. With practical ideas for staying focused, building motivation, and reaching their potential, it’s an excellent pick for teens who want a push toward whatever comes next.
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