The Best Books for Teens for Gifts and Stocking Stuffers
As you begin to tackle your naughty and nice lists while shopping this season, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed with all that’s out there. The latest electronics, fashions, and must-haves are easy to grab, but you want to nail the perfect gift and still ensure they’ll love it, too. So if you find yourself shopping for a bookworm this season, have no fear—we’ve got you covered. From mysteries to sci-fi and seemingly everything in between, here are some of our favorite reads from the year that are the best books for teens for gifts and stocking stuffers. These are books that are sure to entertain the reader, while also maybe teaching them something new about a world they don't know about. And hey, it helps that their covers are pretty eye-grabbing. Check out our picks for the best books for teens, which will be sure to delight beyond the holiday season.
The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
It’s not unusual for a high schooler to go into a party with big expectations. But rarely do we leave the party any differently than we came in. But for the title character in David Arnold’s The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik, one party seems to have lasting effects on the teen after he’s hypnotized. Suddenly, he’s noticing things he never has before and various parts of his life feel rewritten. Noah Hypnotik, which Booklist says is “guaranteed to mesmerize readers and leave them altered,” is a surreal, memorable examination of how our relationships can both hurt and ultimately save us.
Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down: The Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion by Gina McIntyre
We know, we can hardly wait for the return of Eleven, Mike, Hopper, and the rest of the Hawkins crew. But while we sit around and twiddle our thumbs until Netflix graces us with Stranger Things 3, pick up the series’s official companion book. Featuring a foreword by series creators the Duffer Brothers as well as interviews with Millie Bobby Brown and other members of the cast, the book also digs deep into the mythology of the show, like a pullout spread with information on creatures such as the Demogorgon and more. Enter the Upside Down, if you dare.
A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi
Atia Abawi’s debut novel tells the story of Tareq and his family, who seek refuge after their home in Syria is bombed. They travel as refugees from Syria to Turkey to Greece, encountering dangers at every stop. A Land of Permanent Goodbyes marks the arrival of a talented new storyteller who tells the story of a young boy and his family’s fight for survival while also bringing us brings us a personal, intimate, human look at the cost of war.
I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
Each of the three main characters in I Have Lost My Way are dealing with the loss of something, whether it be a piece of themselves or someone close to them. Gayle Forman’s book tells the separate stories of three teenagers who happen to come together one day in Central Park. There’s Freya, who has lost her voice while recording her debut album. Harun is working on plans to run away from his loved ones. And Nathaniel has just arrived in New York City with just the bag on his back. The three’s chance encounter will teach them about grief, love, and finding yourself after it seems like you’d be lost for good.
Glimmer of Hope: How Tragedy Sparked a Movement by The March for Our Lives Founders
Inspiring and heart wrenching, this collection of essays and testimonials from Parkland survivors and families is something all teens (and many adults) should read. It’s perfect as a gift of education and empowerment, detailing the various ways these people are continuing their fight to end gun violence in all communities. Plus, 100% of net proceeds from sales are donated to the to the March For Our Lives Action Fund, too.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
A remix of Pride and Prejudice, this novel puts a twist on the classic tale. This rendition puts has Afro-Latinx Zuri Benitez as the protagonist, a teen trying to keep her Brooklyn neighborhood from being rapidly gentrified. Things get complicated when the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, and Zuri eventually finds common ground with new neighbor Darius. Dealing with societal pressures of life as a teen, issues of class, family dynamics, and complicated romance, many readers are sure to relate to at least one aspect of this current day rendition.
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American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott
This coming of age story from Patrick Flores-Scott follows the story of three siblings on a road trip in search of answers and healing. Teodoro “T” Avila is only looking toward the future, but things change when his brother Manny returns from a tour in Iraq with a devastating case of PTSD. Their sister Xochitl wrangles the siblings together for a road trip to help pull their family together, and all three end up discovering a bit about themselves and their relationships with one another while on their journey.
