Begin A New Family Tradition and Gift a Book This Holiday Season

Gift-giving is one of the greatest joys of the holiday season, and it can extend well beyond wrapped presents. Books are one of the best holiday gift ideas because they enable families to create lasting memories as they share in the excitement of what each new story brings and get to know beloved characters together. Discover some of the best gifts for book lovers from ThriftBooks.

Start Your Family Tradition with a Fiction Series

Although some children's books are written with young readers in mind, many have rich world-building elements, iconic characters, and thrilling plots that every family member can enjoy. Here are some titles that make perfect book gifts for young families looking to start a reading tradition together:

Harry Potter Series
First published in 1997, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone follows the primary character during his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At school, Harry develops friendships with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as he discovers the truth of his identity and confronts the fiercest villain of the wizarding world. All this occurs in the first book of the beloved series, which contains six other books.

The Harry Potter books make great gifts for book lovers because they contain all the hallmarks of great fiction. Children and adults can appreciate author J.K. Rowling's engaging writing style and imaginative storylines. The books begin at a third-grade reading level and become more mature as the series goes on, allowing children to grow with their favorite characters. The traditions don't need to stop after your family has finished reading the book series. You can watch the Harry Potter movies and create even more memories together.

Percy Jackson Series
In 2005, Rick Riordan brought ancient Greece to contemporary times in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. This book follows Percy as he travels across the United States to find Zeus' master lightning bolt. Along the way, he finds new friends, namely a satyr and the daughter of Athena. This series includes five books and several spin-off titles, as well.

Intended for readers eight to 12 years old, this action-packed series opens children up to the Greek and Roman mythology world without exposing them to more adult themes in the original stories. Additionally, several of these novels have been adapted into movies, allowing you to expand your family's reading tradition.

The Hunger Games
If your children prefer sci-fi to fantasy, Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games is the perfect book for family reading. This dystopian novel was published in 2008 and followed Katniss Everdeen as she participates in the annual Hunger Games. These games force teenagers from the twelve districts of Panem into a brutal battle held by the ruthless Capitol.

As The Hunger Games deals with more intense themes, it is best for kids ages 12 and older. However, it still makes an excellent choice for reading as a family. The book is thrilling and stimulates interesting conversations about humanity and survival. The three books of the Hunger Games trilogy have all been adapted for the big screen.

Holes
Initially published in 1998 by Louis Sachar, Holes follows Stanley Yelnats at a boys' detention center called Camp Green Lake. All-day, these boys must dig holes as punishment for delinquent behavior. Stanley discovers that the warden is hiding something, and there is more to this tedious task than simple character development.

This book is excellent for families to read together because it encourages kids to contemplate crime and redemption while enjoying an exciting story. Holes is best suited for fifth- to seventh-grade kids given its premise and dark humor. When your family finishes reading the book, enjoy the 2003 film adaptation together.

Animorphs Series
The Animorphs series is another ideal choice for families who crave science fiction. This story centers around six characters who can transform into any animal by touching it. With these powers, the characters fight against an Earth invasion by a race of alien parasites. This unique series was written by K.A. Applegate and ran from 1996 to 2001.

Animorphs is a gripping series that helps kids understand numerous thematic ideas, from war and morality to freedom and growing up. The books introduce both human and alien characters. Despite its more intense elements, Animorphs is well suited for kids ages eight to 12. This book series was made into a short television series, allowing families to dive into more of the story after reading the books.

Start New Family Traditions with Thriftbooks

When you need holiday gift ideas for loved ones, turn to ThriftBooks for a vast and affordable selection of books. We also proudly offer ReadingRewards, our loyalty program that allows members to unlock exclusive offers, earn points on purchases, and receive free books. Create an account with us to begin today!

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