The Most Giftable Books for Kids Ages 9-12
Get your gift wrap ready! These books, aimed at readers ages 9-12, are the perfect titles for gifting, with stories ranging from superheroes and graphic novels to nonfiction and realistic fiction.
No matter who you’re picking for, there is a book for every reader on this list!
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1
Add to BookshelfThe Poisoned King
by Katherine Rundell
The second installment of the Impossible Creatures series is here! Like the first book, this one is filled with adventure, dragons, and revenge! Young readers will love the magical, fast-paced plot and the stunning black-and-white illustrations sprinkled throughout.
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$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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2
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Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Battle of the Beasts
by Maple Lam
With villains, weapons, battles, beasts, and plenty of humor, this graphic novel is an excellent fit for young readers who love action and adventure!
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$24.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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3
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An Immense World (Young Readers Edition)
by Ed Yong
Do you have an animal lover in your home? Snag a copy of the Young Readers Edition of An Immense World. It is chock full of jaw-dropping illustrations and animal facts you don’t want to miss.
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$24.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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4
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Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel
by Calista Brill and Nilah Magruder
Nora doesn’t want to move away from everything she knows, especially the horseback riding barn where she spends her time. Will she be happy at the new barn, Creaky Acres? Can she make new friends?
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$24.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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5
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The Last Kids on Earth and the Destructor’s Lair
by Max Brallier
The much-anticipated tenth book in The Last Kids on Earth series has arrived, and it’s jam-packed with twists, turns, and a quest!
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$14.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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6
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Dragonborn
by Struan Murray
Can you imagine waking up one day and finding out you are actually a dragon? This happens to twelve-year-old Alex, who’s already overwhelmed from the death of her dad.
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$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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7
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The Library of Unruly Treasures
by Jeanne Birdsall
Penderwick fans, rejoice! This beloved author has a new book available. Gwen doesn’t feel wanted, brave, or witty. When she has to help an unsuspecting creature at the library, she must overcome her doubts.
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$17.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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8
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Grossology: The Science of Really Gross Things!
by Sylvia Branzei
This book covers all the gross things — scabs, farts, vomit, and more — complete with illustrations. If your child loves disgusting things, this book is for them!
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$16.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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9
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The Dragon’s Apprentice
by James Riley
Twelve-year-old Ciara knows that it’s punishable in her village to conjure any magic. However, she can’t help herself, and accidentally summons a dragon!
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$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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10
Hardcover
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11
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A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation
by Pablo Cartaya
Gonzalo is not thrilled about going across the country for the summer with his grumpy, author grandfather. But things take an adventurous turn when the creatures from his grandfather’s fantasy novels end up being real!
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$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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12
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The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze
by Derrick Barnes
Thirteen-year-old Henson Blayze is a football prodigy, and everyone in the town can’t wait for him to play in high school. But everyone’s dreams (including Henson’s) could crumble due to a town injustice.
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$17.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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13
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The Green Kingdom
by Cornelia Funke and Tammi Hartung
Twelve-year-old Caspia isn’t a city person, so when she finds out she has to spend her summer in Brooklyn, she isn’t happy. The tides shift when she finds some letters with riddles that send her on an epic adventure.
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$16.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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14
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AJ Torres and the Treasure of Captain Grayshark
by José Pablo Iriarte
Have you ever wanted to go on a journey to find a pirate treasure? Join three friends as they attempt to discover where Captain Grayshark hid his legendary treasure!
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$17.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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15
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The Adventures of Invisible Boy: Zeroes to Heroes: A Graphic Novel
by Doogie Horner
Gene and Stanley are back and better than ever. Now that they know how to control their invisibility, they decide to use it to fight crime. But is crime-fighting as fun and rewarding as they thought it would be?
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$23.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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16
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Operation Sisterhood: Stealing the Show!
by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
In this fourth book in the series, the four sisters decide to put on a musical for their community. However, things don’t go smoothly, and they aren’t sure their creativity is up to the challenge.
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$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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17
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Finding Lost
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Cordy wants to stay in the small town where she grew up, even though it reminds her of her late father. One day, she finds a stray dog who convinces her mom not to move their family away.
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$17.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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18
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Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest
by Chris Grabenstein
Brothers Benjamin and Ethan don’t want to go on a family road trip, especially since it means spending a lot of time together. Things change when they find a clue leading to a million dollars!
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$17.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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19
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A Copycat Conundrum (The Misfits)
by Lisa Yee
The second book in this highly illustrated series is just as much fun as the first! Can the group of oddly paired, crime-fighting teens keep it together when everything goes wrong?
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$14.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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20
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National Geographic Kids Almanac 2026
by National Geographic Kids
You can’t go wrong with a book from National Geographic Kids! Filled with incredible photographs, fascinating facts, and handfuls of activities, this almanac is the perfect gift for someone who loves the great outdoors!
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$25.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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21
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Fart Boy and Reeky Dog
by Joan Holub
Most kids love potty humor, and this book is filled to the brim with it! With flatulence that literally blows the bad guys away, Phartolomew (yes, that’s his name) takes on a new persona to fight crime — Fart Boy!
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$14.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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22
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Speak Up, Santiago!
by Julio Anta
Santi can speak Spanish, but is it good enough to keep up with the Spanish-speaking community he is moving to for the summer?
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$21.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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23
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What Was Built to Be a Ship of Dreams?: The Titanic
by Emmett Nahil and Who HQ
The Who HQ Graphic Novels series is a massive hit with kids — especially those who gravitate toward nonfiction. Don’t miss this new installment featuring the ever-popular story of the Titanic.
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$13.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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24
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Sugar Shack
by Lucy Knisley
Jen is excited to spend time with her new stepsisters. But when the new sisters get into a squabble, Jen realizes having a blended family can be complicated!
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$21.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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25
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Penny Draws a Team Sport
by Sara Shepard
Series fans will love diving into the fifth book in the Penny Draws series. Penny is nervous about the upcoming pickleball tournament because she’s not particularly athletic. Can she find happiness through her art?
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$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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26
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The Boxcar Children Classic Treasury
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Boxcar Children have been solving mysteries and delighting readers for decades, and this classic treasury is a sure-fire hit for gifting.
Add to BookshelfBoxed Set
$151.81Buy from Other Retailers:
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27
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Max and the Midknights Paperback 3-Book Boxed Set
by Lincoln Peirce
If you have a Big Nate lover, don’t miss this read-alike gift set. Grab your swords, humor, and imagination, and devour this three-book set!
Add to BookshelfBoxed Set
$32.97Buy from Other Retailers:
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28
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Katie the Catsitter: Kitty Carrier Box Set (Books 1-4)
by Colleen AF Venable
Some people love sports, others love food. Katie loves cats! Get the first four books of this adorable graphic novel series for a fellow animal lover.
Add to BookshelfBoxed Set
$55.96Buy from Other Retailers:
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29
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It’s All or Nothing, Vale
by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Vale was one of the top fencers at her fencing school until her accident. And when she becomes healthy enough to get back into the sport, her body doesn’t move like it used to.
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$8.99Preorder from:
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30
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The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez
by Jasminne Paulino
Alex dreams of going to space, but his family and school teachers don’t understand that a self-contained classroom doesn’t help him achieve that goal. He needs to move to the mainstream class so he can continue to grow.
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$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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31
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Momo Arashima Breaks the Mirror of the Sun
by Misa Sugiura
Full of magical powers, new friends, and a little bit of thievery, this book has plenty of fantasy and adventure in store for readers.
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$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
