Once your kids are old enough to explore the YA genre, they become more absorbed in longer chapter books and increasingly complex characters — and more discerning about their reading preferences! To help give your teen the right books this season, we've curated some of the titles that captured our hears, minds, and shelf space this year.
If your teen loves Alice Oseman – the award-winning author and illustrator of the best-selling graphic novel Heartstopper series – share her book Nick & Charlie. This novella follows the lead characters as they face one of their biggest challenges: a long-distance relationship. With illustrations throughout, it's a sweet addition to the series. Oseman's newest best-seller is the novella This Winter, which reunited Tori Spring, her little brother Charie, and Charlie's boyfriend Nick, in a book that shares how they all navigate a difficult holiday season.
Graphic novel fans will admire the incredibly imaginative world of The Good Neighbors, a trilogy that's been brought together for the first time in one volume. Protagonist Rue Silver's faerie mother has disappeared, and her father has been suspected of killing her. While things are more complex than that, Rue fights to save her mom while also defeating an evil faerie force that threatens the mortal world. It's a dark urban fantasy perfect for anyone yearning to figure out who they are.
If your reader is more interested in historical fiction than fantasy, try the graphic novel Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust. The novel weaves together five stories of Jews escaping or resisting Nazi forces during World War II, creating one incredible tale of courage in the face of terror. It's a truly moving example of hope and the power of witness.
For gamers and readers of the Five Nights at Freddy's series, there's the glossy Five Nights at Freddy's Character Encyclopedia. Full of over 200 pages of full color art, this oversized hardcover book provides fans with a detailed overview of the incredible roster of characters from the games, novels, and short stories. Or, if they'd rather lose themselves in a story from the series, try the Five Nights at Freddy's: Original Graphic Novel Trilogy Box Set.
We've fallen for Anna Liang's novel, This Time It's Real, a fun romance about a viral essay and the relationship that emerges to hide the truth behind the words. Readers who adore thrillers might have already read Ryan LaSala's novel The Honeys. His latest mystery, Beholder, is set in New York City where a teen with a dark past tries to solve a grim series of murders. It will have readers thinking twice about looking in the mirror.
The novel I am Not Alone chronicles the story of an undocumented teenager, eighteen year old Alberto, living in New York City and struggling with mental illness. When he's accused of a crime that he's not sure he has committed, he goes on the run. Told through the perspective of Alberto and a Jewish high school senior, Grace, who is drawn to him, it's a beautiful and illuminating story of mental illness, love, and hope.
Revisit a classic series with Suzanne Collins book: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes — a story about the tenth annual Hunger Games, 64 years before Katniss enters the arena, which will be coming to the big screen in November. Devoted Harry Potter fans, can now also add the newest Minalima edition to their collection with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It's a breathtakingly beautiful way to reread the book.
Whichever ones you choose, these titles will inspire your teen and introduce them to rich character development and beautifully nuanced narratives. Shop these bestsellers and holiday-themed book gifts for teens below. You can find all these books and much more for teens at The Scholastic Store.
Looking for holiday gifts for kids? Explore trending books, gifts to spark their imagination, and ideas to instill a love of reading and learning in our Holiday Gift Guide. You'll find everything you need for a book-filled holiday, including holiday book gifts for preschoolers, the best book sets by age, the top reads under $5, and much, much more! Shop our picks and more at The Scholastic Store. Or to give a reader you love the gift of choice, give an egift card.
