Best Gifts for Teen & Young Adult Readers (Ages 13–18): Romance, Fantasy, Graphic Novels & More at Midsummer Books

Teen readers are some of the most passionate, thoughtful, emotionally attuned readers as they use reading to help them better understand the world and themselves. Of course, like the rest of us they also read to escape, to find joy, to feel seen, to feel connected, and to explore worlds bigger than their own. And compared to how they read in their earlier stages, they crave stories with high stakes — romantically, emotionally, morally, or magically.

After growing up with phones, constant notifications, and online identities, many teens today are also craving something slower, more intentional, more theirs. Books are one of the rare spaces where they can disconnect from algorithms and reconnect with themselves.

Our YA section is intentionally curated to reflect the full spectrum of teen reading identities: romantics, realists, fantasy obsessives, graphic-novel lovers, dark-academia kids, mystery solvers, social-justice readers, and those who prefer lighthearted escapism. Whether your teen devours big fantasy series, loves heartfelt contemporary stories, wants thrills and twists, or needs a gentle entry point into older fiction, we carry books that meet them where they are, and where they’re growing.

If you want to give the teen in your life something that might do more than pass the time, here's our roundup of recommendations:

YA Romance & Contemporary: Big Emotion, Big Heart

Modern YA romance and contemporary fiction are filled with emotion, humor, growth, and the kind of messy, real-life feelings that teens connect with deeply.

• Divine Rivals (Rebecca Ross): WWI-inspired fantasy-romance with typewriters, letters, and sweeping emotion. Beautifully written, tender, and wildly popular.

• Better Than the Movies (Lynn Painter): A rom-com that feels like a teen movie. It's sweet, funny, and completely delightful.

• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Holly Jackson): Teens love this series. It's smart, compulsive, and full of twists.

• You’ve Reached Sam (Dustin Thao): Emotional and beautifully written, this is a fantastic pick for sensitive, thoughtful readers.

• The Sun Is Also a Star (Nicola Yoon): Romance + fate + identity + big questions. A modern YA classic.

YA Fantasy: Sweeping Worlds, High Stakes & Impossible Choices

YA fantasy is HUGE right now, and for good reason. These books offer escapism with emotional punch.

• Six of Crows (Leigh Bardugo): A perfect heist duology with rich world building, morally complex characters, and fan-favorite dynamics.

• Shadow and Bone (Leigh Bardugo): Great for younger YA fantasy readers who want a vivid world and fast pacing.

• Children of Blood and Bone (Tomi Adeyemi): Epic West-African–inspired fantasy with rebellion, magic, and heart.

Thrillers, Mysteries & Dark Academia

Perfect for the teen who wants smart puzzles, shadowy settings, or twisty plots.

• One of Us Is Lying (Karen M. McManus): Queue the twists. A staple mystery series for teens who want suspense without gore.

• The Inheritance Games (Jennifer Lynn Barnes): Heirs, puzzles, romance, riddles, and secret rooms. This has been one of the most addictive YA series to date and it blends in plenty of romance.

• Truly Devious (Maureen Johnson): This is dark academia done right. A fantastic fit for teens who love boarding schools, cold cases, and clever clues.

• A Study in Charlotte (Brittany Cavallaro): Sherlock Holmes reimagined for YA, more accessible but still smart, witty, and full of tension.

Emotional, Powerful, Life-Changing YA Stories

For readers who want books that stay with them. These books are honest and raw, heartbreaking and powerful.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: A tender, timeless coming-of-age story about friendship, identity, and first love.

• The Fault in Our Stars (John Green): Heartbreaking but full of humor and hope. A modern YA classic.

• The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas): Powerful, urgent, and unforgettable. Essential reading for socially aware teens.

• Turtles All the Way Down (John Green): A beautifully crafted portrayal of mental health, friendship, and connection.

• They Both Die at the End (Adam Silvera): A fan-favorite tearjerker about love, fate, chosen family, and what it means to really live. Perfect for teens who crave emotionally immersive, character-driven stories.

• Girl in Pieces (Kathleen Glasgow): Raw, poetic, and deeply compassionate. A survival and healing story for mature YA readers who want honesty and emotional depth.

• Me (Moth) (Amber McBride): A stunning novel-in-verse about grief, identity, ancestral history, and connection. Atmospheric and beautifully written, it’s a powerful pick for thoughtful, introspective teens who love lyrical storytelling and books that linger long after the last page.

YA Graphic Novels & Illustrated Reads

Graphic novels remain incredibly popular with teens — bold artwork, emotional depth, fast pacing, and stunning design.

• Heartstopper (Alice Oseman): A tender, wholesome queer love story beloved across generations.

• The Prince and the Dressmaker (Jen Wang): Gorgeous, heartfelt, and empowering — a standout gift.

• Nimona (ND Stevenson): Funny, chaotic, and brilliant. A perfect “gateway” graphic novel for older readers.

• The Girl from the Sea (Molly Knox Ostertag): Magical, emotional, and beautifully illustrated.

Graphic novels make perfect gifts for reluctant readers and voracious ones — and they pair well with bookmarks, journals, and cozy accessories.

Bridge Reads for Reluctant or New-to-YA Readers

Not every teen is ready for heavier themes or 500-page fantasies, and that’s okay. These accessible YA (and upper-MG) reads help build confidence.

• The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins): Fast, gripping, political, and readable, high-interest and iconic.

• The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton): A forever-classic that still hooks teen readers instantly.

• Long Way Down (Jason Reynolds); Written in verse this story is brilliant, propulsive, and surprisingly accessible.

Gently-Loved YA: Bigger Libraries, Better Prices

Teens read widely, intensely, and quickly — and gently-loved books let families explore more authors, genres, and formats while staying within budget.

Our used YA shelves are:

• clean

• curated

• affordable

• filled with popular series, stand alones, romance, fantasy, thrillers, and contemporary gems

Non-Book Gifts for Teens

For 13–18-year-olds, non-book gifts are all about expression, creativity, and comfort. Keeping it analog, we have curated a selection of gifting sets, kits, and stand alone to help fill our teens wish list: Journals & Sketchbooks Great for annotators, doodlers, writers, and deep feelers. Teens love a space that's entirely their own.

• Stickers Perfect for fandom kids, water bottles, laptops, and backpack decorators. A fun, affordable way to personalize their world.

• Jewelry Cute, mood-boosting, expressive pieces that make easy, thoughtful gifts.

• Topps Surprise Balls Silly, collectible, and fun at any age — a great stocking stuffer or bundle add-on.

• Board & Card Games: Perfect for teens who love strategy, clever thinking, and group play. Games like Fuxx and Cryptid are a great fit for teens wanting more screen-free connection.

Get your teen a gift bundle they will love

Let us know what your teen is interested in and we will hand-pick a selection of new or gently used books and gifts that pair perfectly and are sure to bring delight this holiday season.