Explore Read & Co’s gift list of books for teenagers. From famous classics like Emma, Anne of Green Gables, and The Great Gatsby, to adventure novels of Mark Twain and Alexander Dumas, this gift book list for teens is sure to help you find that perfect pressie for a teenager this Christmas.
If you’re aiming to inspire nostalgia or introduce a loved one to classic literature, these beautiful fiction books will make thoughtful gifts to be treasured for many years to come.
Inspire teenagers with the cherished classics.
Anne of Green Gables.
Anne of Green Gables is a great book for teenagers as it follows the relatable journey of the strong protagonist, Anne, a young girl whose resilience, self-acceptance, and headstrong character resonate with the challenges of adolescence.
In this collection, we bring together the first three books in the Anne of Green Gables series, which tells the tale of a little red-headed orphaned girl mistakenly sent to Cutherbert’s farm on Prince Edward Island. Anne’s strong character and vivid imagination both help and hinder her as she makes her way through life on the island.
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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre explores the timeless themes of love, morality, social class, and happiness, making it a perfect gift for teenagers and young adults. Her determination, intelligence, and refusal to conform to societal norms of her time have empowered teen readers for over a century.
Set in the north of England during the reign of George III (1760–1820), it chronicles the different stages of the life of a woman called “Jane Eyre”. Through her character, Charlotte Brontë offers profound perspectives on a number of important social issues, often questioning the status quo and traditional ideas.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgeral, published in 1925, is considered one of the greatest works of twentieth-century literature.
An intricate portrait of the exuberant Jazz Age, The Great Gatsby is set in the Roaring 20s. Featuring lavish parties, millionaires’ mansions, mysterious characters, and dark secrets, it captives a young adult audience.
This fast paced novella is also under 200 pages making it a perfect accessible classic for teens.
Set in the fictional village of Highbury and the surrounding estates, the story revolves around the various relationships among the inhabitants. Emma is a fantastic tale with themes of romance, relationships, and youthful mistakes which resonate with teen readers.
Emma makes a great gift book for teenagers who are fans of Bridgerton or other Regency romance novels.
Action and Adventure Novels for Teenagers.
The Three Musketeers – by Alexandre Dumas
Set in seventeenth century France, it tells the story of d’Artagnan’s journey to Paris to join the legendary Musketeers of the Guard.
A masterful adventure romp packed with swashbuckling action, heroism, and camaraderie, this tale of the famous musketeers is an ideal gift for teenagers.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
In a quest for freedom, Huck and Jim form a strong bond whilst they encounter thieves, murderers, family feuds, con-artists, and tricksters along their trip downriver. Eventually, their friendship is put to the ultimate test when Jim is re-captured.
This classic coming of age novel explores themes of freedom, racism, and moral awakening, providing a thought-provoking gift for a young adult audience.
Books for Teenagers who enjoy Chills and Thrills.
Tales of Mystery and Imagination – Edgar Allan Poe
This fantastic volume contains a collection of some of Edgar Allen Poe’s most famous tales, including: “The Gold-Bug”, “A Descent into the Maelström”, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, “The Pitt and the Pendulum”, “The Tell-Tale Heart”, and more.
Poe is considered the master of the macabre and classic supernatural horror. His short stories are a great accessible format for teens who are fans of the horror genre.
Tales in the Cthulhu Mythos by H. P. Lovecraft
H.P. Lovecraft tales are considered excellent classic horror reads for teens who enjoy the horror genre.
His Lovecraftian universe, The Cthulhu Mythos, is a myriad of zealous cults, horrifying monsters, ancient gods, and supernatural beasts. It is the framework that has had a profound influence on popular culture, from contemporary horror stories, rock music, animation and more.
Lovecraft’s influential Cthulhu Mythos and cosmic horror, provide rich, atmospheric tales well-suited for teens craving spine-tingling reads.
1984 by George Orwell
One of the first dystopian novels written. The novel is set in London, in the new country of Oceania, but it’s a very different city from the one we know today. It opens in April 1984 as ‘the clocks were striking thirteen.’. The country is under totalitarian rule, meaning the government controls everything and everyone.
This dystopian novel’s chilling depiction of totalitarian control captivates teens and engages a young audience in discussions about government power and individual freedom. Many of Orwell’s novels make great gift books for teenagers.
