{"id":15840,"date":"2024-05-08T05:20:07","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T09:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=15840"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:42:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T17:42:40","slug":"book-gifts-high-school-graduates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughtful Books To Gift High School Graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"

I graduated high school over a decade ago, and though I\u2019ve purged my bookshelves several times since then, I\u2019ve never given up the book my mom gifted me for graduation \u2014 The Last Lecture<\/em> by Randy Pausch \u2014 with a very dear inscription. (Parents, take note! Inscriptions are key!)<\/p>\n

Now, I have 12 years before I must choose the book that I\u2019ll bestow on my oldest niece when she graduates, which means 12 years to decide the type of graduation gift-giver I am. Will I go the sentimental route? The concerned about her nutrition\/finances\/study habits route? Will I just want to pump her up before she heads off to change the world, like the incredibly gifted and kindhearted young woman she\u2019s already poised to be? (I\u2019m not crying; you\u2019re crying!)<\/p>\n

Most likely, I\u2019ll give her a stack of books that check off all of the above. If you\u2019re still deciding what type of graduation gift-giver you are, we\u2019ve rounded up some possibilities, paired with their ideal matches. Good luck, and congrats to your graduate!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

yes no If you\u2019re worried they\u2019ll get too many copies of Oh, the Places You\u2019ll Go!<\/i><\/a>: 9780812996272 Congratulations, by the way<\/i> by George Saunders <\/p>\n

For a poignant graduation speech they can return to again and again, gift them the inimitable George Saunders\u2019s commencement address, originally delivered at Syracuse University in 2013. The speech went on to achieve internet virality, thanks to its simple and heartfelt message to live a kinder life. The New York Times<\/i> calls the volume \u201cas slender as a psalm, and as heavy.\u201d <\/p>\n

9798217034673 Dear Graduate<\/i> by Charles McEnerney and Adam Larson <\/p>\n

Dear Graduate<\/i> encourages graduates to dream about the life they want to live. By taking the time to consider the 30 thought-provoking questions in this book, grads can consider who they aspire to be, the values they want to develop, and the mark they want to leave on the world. A beautiful book to celebrate this important milestone. <\/p>\n

yes no If you’re excited for the lifelong friendships they’ll make in college: 9780593315200 Stay True <\/i> by Hua Hsu <\/p>\n

This Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times<\/i> bestselling memoir captures a young man\u2019s experiences with an unlikely friend during college. Even though Hua and Ken have nothing in common on the surface, the two boys develop a deep connection that leaves a lasting impression. This heartfelt exploration of friendship, culture, grief, and art is a must-read.<\/p>\n

yes no If you want them to fully embrace their awesome self \u2014 flaws and all: 9781401974343 Becoming Flawsome <\/i> by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani <\/p>\n

This inspirational self-help book from the co-founder of the global educational company Mindvalley encourages readers to embrace their imperfections. In it, the author discusses how perfectionism and self-doubt can hold you back, how to let go of unrealistic ideals, and accept your authentic self.<\/p>\n

9780143138228 I Decided to Live as Me<\/i> by Kim Suhyun, translated by Anton Hur <\/p>\n

This utterly charming self-help book rose in popularity after Jung Kook from the K-pop band BTS recommended it. Through insightful essays and comforting illustrations, Suhyun encourages readers to break free from societal expectations and live a life true to themselves. She offers tips on dealing with anxiety, respecting yourself, and not making life about winning or losing. Though a light read, her advice is profound.<\/p>\n

yes no If you want to inspire them to make their mark on the world: 9780593139752 Carpe Every Diem<\/i> by Robie Rogge <\/p>\n

After all the pomp and circumstance for your new graduate, the question remains for them: Now what?<\/i> Perhaps they’ll find the answer in this curated keepsake collection of quotes from speeches of famous commencement speakers. From Jimmy Buffett’s “Be Santa Claus whenever you can” to Jon Bon Jovi’s sage advice on mapping out the future in pencil, the wisdom contained within this book is sure to inspire any new graduation looking to make an impact. <\/p>\n

9780593465271 The Hill We Climb<\/i> by Amanda Gorman <\/p>\n

Amanda Gorman\u2019s beautiful poem that she read at the presidential inauguration struck a chord with millions of people, and I think it could also have been read as a graduation commencement address. Her message is an excellent reminder to all people that words have meaning, and that we should continue to strive for unity, heal divides, be authentic to ourselves, and show kindness to all. <\/p>\n

yes no If you\u2019re learning to let go, but can\u2019t resist imparting some last-minute advice: 9781607748526 College Rules!, 4th Edition<\/i> by Sherrie Nist-Olejnik and Jodi Patrick Holschuh <\/p>\n

Now in its fourth edition, College Rules!<\/i> is the go-to for incoming college students \u2014 preparing them for the huge transition ahead and offering tips to dodge rookie mistakes. From topics like time management, alleviating stress, the anatomy of a syllabus, and how to interact with professors, this is the kind of guide they might hide from their new roommate, but will be oh-so-grateful to have as a resource when it starts to feel like everyone\u2019s speaking another language. <\/p>\n

yes no When you want to offer a fresh (and quirky) new perspective on life’s many ups and downs: 9781683693840 When in Doubt, Play Dead<\/i> by Ally Burguieres <\/p>\n

Inject a little humor into your graduate\u2019s life with this book of advice from an opossum. If you\u2019ve ever met an opossum in the wild, you know that these little critters are quiet, quirky, and utterly fearless. Author Ally Burguieres shares the odd and playful wisdom she has gleaned from opossums and shares it alongside playful photos of the creatures.<\/p>\n

yes no If you have a nagging feeling they\u2019ll live on ramen for the next four years: 9781611806106 Prep<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/595068\/prep-by-katie-sullivan-morford\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Katie Sullivan Morford <\/p>\n

New high school grads already have a lot on their plate, but that doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t learn how to cook up a few simple, delicious meals. With Prep<\/i>, chef Katie Sullivan Morford offers 10 basic lessons for beginners, including notes on essential kitchen tools, how to hold a knife, and what pantry staples to keep on hand. Recipes range from the healthy (actually tasty vegetables!) to the craving-inspired (loaded nachos), so you can rest easy knowing they\u2019re getting at least a little<\/i> variety in their diet. <\/p>\n

yes no If you want to send them off with their head held high: 9780744092196 Make Good Trouble<\/i> by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Devon Blow and Ashley Lukashevsky <\/p>\n

The title for this book comes from a quote by congressman John Lewis\u2019s call to challenge injustice in which he said, \u201cnever, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.\u201d This powerful book highlights famous moments of global activism throughout history and empowers young readers to make a difference. Filled with vibrant illustrations and additional resources on how to get involved, get ready to inspire your graduate to make their own good trouble! <\/p>\n

yes no If you\u2019re the sneaky sentimental type who loves a good pep talk: 9780593084199 The Algebra of Happiness<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/609305\/the-algebra-of-happiness-by-scott-galloway\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Scott Galloway <\/p>\n

Scott Galloway teaches at NYU\u2019s Stern School of Business, but he\u2019s most recognized for his \u201cno BS\u201d insights that rack up millions of views on YouTube. His anecdote-fueled wisdom is collected in The Algebra of Happiness<\/i>, where he tackles the \u201cequations\u201d for a life well lived, what career success looks like (and how to get there), the importance of making room for relationships in a capitalist world, and remembering to care for yourself as a human. It\u2019s a refreshing counterbalance for ambitious, results-oriented grads. <\/p>\n

yes no When you want them to have the skills to survive literally anything: 9781683693550 The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Apocalypse<\/i> by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht <\/p>\n

Graduating high school can feel like a worst-case survival scenario for many people. In which case, this hilarious book will come in handy. From making your bunker feel like home to fighting off robots, this humorous book of end-of-world advice is just the sort of gift a recent high school grad will appreciate.<\/p>\n

yes no If you still have a collection of their childhood artwork and want to encourage more: 9780593652886 The Creative Act<\/i> by Rick Rubin <\/p>\n

Where does creativity come from? How do we cultivate it in our lives everyday? Legendary music producer Rick Rubin\u2019s inspiring book The Creative Act<\/i>, answers these questions and more. In this book, grads will love exploring Rubin\u2019s thoughtful insights and putting his ideas into action. It is the kind of book that will live on their shelves for years to come. <\/p>\n

yes no If you love to ask the age-old hypothetical, \u201cIf everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?\u201d: 9780143128854 Originals <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/318648\/originals-by-adam-grant-foreword-by-sheryl-sandberg\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Adam Grant <\/p>\n

With Originals<\/i>, psychologist and author Adam Grant approaches the monumental task of changing the world, arguing that the best way to do so is by valuing new ideas and resisting conformity. Grant tells stories of non-conformists who work in the worlds of business, sports, politics, and entertainment, and he offers readers tangible advice for becoming an original in their own lives: how to be heard, find their allies, avoid groupthink, manage self-doubt, and more. <\/p>\n

yes no If you just remembered how you<\/i> handled money at their age: 9780143130529 The Index Card <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/317640\/the-index-card-by-helaine-olen-and-harold-pollack\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack <\/p>\n

There are countless personal finance books you could gift your graduate (and speaking as someone who graduated during the Great Recession, it\u2019s a worthwhile gift!). That said, I\u2019d heartily recommend The Index Card<\/i>, which boils down everything you need to know about personal finance into 10 simple rules that fit on a \u2014 you guessed it \u2014 4\u201d by 6\u201d index card. Co-written by University of Chicago professor Harold Pollack and financial journalist Helaine Olen, this little book packs big lessons. <\/p>\n

yes no If you can\u2019t stop bragging about how brilliant they are: 9781524744212 The Genius of Women <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/598507\/the-genius-of-women-by-janice-kaplan\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Janice Kaplan <\/p>\n

Janice Kaplan, author of The Gratitude Diaries<\/i><\/a>, was stunned to read a recent poll in which 90% of Americans said that geniuses tended to be men. Her ensuing investigation is a mix of historical anecdotes, personal narrative, and interviews with dozens of women geniuses working today: mathematicians and musicians, physicists and philosophers, artists and writers. Kaplan celebrates their barrier-breaking work and persistence; together, their stories chart a path forward.<\/p>\n

yes no If you\u2019re tempted to send them a steady stream of motivational memes: 9781984854278 Gmorning, Gnight!<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/603592\/gmorning-gnight-by-lin-manuel-miranda\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Lin-Manuel Miranda, illustrated by Jonny Sun <\/p>\n

Another delightful book gift along the lines of Oh, the Places You\u2019ll Go!<\/i> and Congratulations, by the way<\/i>, Lin-Manuel Miranda\u2019s Gmorning, Gnight!<\/i> gathers the Hamilton creator\u2019s most memorable Twitter affirmations, paired with illustrations from acclaimed artist Jonny Sun, for the ultimate nightstand accessory. One of my favorites: \u201cGood night now, and rest. \/ Today was a test. \/ You passed it, you\u2019re past it. \/ Now breathe till unstressed.\u201d <\/p>\n

yes no If you want to inspire a future Girlboss with stories of accomplished women in history: 9781984861740 The Women Who Make History Collection [3-Book Boxed Set]<\/i> by Rachel Ignotofsky <\/p>\n

This stunning boxed set brings together Rachel Ignotofsky\u2019s bestsellers Women in Science<\/i>, Women in Sports<\/i>, and Women in Art<\/i> together for the first time. These beautifully illustrated titles feature 150 pioneering women who followed their dreams and made their mark on the world. As your grad reads about these change-makers they\u2019ll be inspired to blaze their own trail! <\/p>\n

yes no When you want them to see the beauty and hope in life’s transitions: 9780593139035 The Moth Presents: A Point of Beauty <\/i> edited by The Moth <\/p>\n

The Moth is a nonprofit organization that focuses on live storytelling. Every so often, they collect some of the most thought-provoking stories into a book. This edition is about finding beauty, strength, and joy in life\u2019s transitions. Inside, readers will find real-life stories that touch hearts, inspire, and uplift. You can\u2019t go wrong with gifting this book to a new graduate.<\/p>\n

yes no When you want to encourage self-discovery and self-care: 9780399559150 Becoming Me: A Work in Progress<\/i> by Andrea Pippins <\/p>\n

This interactive journal is the perfect way to not only get the creative juices flowing, but offers advice on how to better interact with the world around you. With helpful prompts that encourage self-care and self-discovery, grads will also be putting in the work to decide who they want to be going forward. Perfect for anyone at a crossroads, in need of some self-reflective alone time, or just looking to add more creativity to their everyday routine. <\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2024 and updated in 2025.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether they’re headed to college or the real world, show your high school grad how proud you are with books that make great graduation gifts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":114413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[168,657,800],"coauthors":[1238],"class_list":["post-15840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-book-gifts","tag-celebrations","tag-graduation","ages_stages-teen"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Best High School Graduation Gifts | Book Gifts | Brightly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether they're headed to college or the real world, show your high school grad how proud you are with books that make great graduation gifts.\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Best High School Graduation Gifts | Book Gifts | Brightly\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Whether they're headed to college or the real world, show your high school grad how proud you are with books that make great graduation gifts.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Brightly\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-05-08T09:20:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-22T17:42:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/assets.readbrightly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BRI_Graduation-850x607-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"850\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"607\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Eliza Smith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Eliza Smith\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Best High School Graduation Gifts | Book Gifts | Brightly","description":"Whether they're headed to college or the real world, show your high school grad how proud you are with books that make great graduation gifts.","canonical":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Best High School Graduation Gifts | Book Gifts | Brightly","og_description":"Whether they're headed to college or the real world, show your high school grad how proud you are with books that make great graduation gifts.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/","og_site_name":"Brightly","article_published_time":"2024-05-08T09:20:07+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-05-22T17:42:40+00:00","og_image":[{"width":850,"height":607,"url":"https:\/\/assets.readbrightly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BRI_Graduation-850x607-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Eliza Smith","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Eliza Smith","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/","url":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/","name":"The Best High School Graduation Gifts | Book Gifts | Brightly","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/assets.readbrightly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BRI_Graduation-850x607-1.jpg","datePublished":"2024-05-08T09:20:07+00:00","dateModified":"2025-05-22T17:42:40+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/#\/schema\/person\/83f79c91169d50d163a43b9897dd3ac6"},"description":"Whether they're headed to college or the real world, show your high school grad how proud you are with books that make great graduation gifts.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/assets.readbrightly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BRI_Graduation-850x607-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/assets.readbrightly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BRI_Graduation-850x607-1.jpg","width":850,"height":607,"caption":"high-school-graduation-gifts"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/book-gifts-high-school-graduates\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Thoughtful Books To Gift High School Graduates"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/","name":"Brightly","description":"Reading Is the Just the Beginning","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/#\/schema\/person\/83f79c91169d50d163a43b9897dd3ac6","name":"Sarah Mangiola","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/a6c26dd8b9d386f8348299f06e119bbc","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ac4e8ba4cfdb2ba9899db29375acab5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ac4e8ba4cfdb2ba9899db29375acab5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Sarah Mangiola"},"url":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/contributor\/smangiola\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15840"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15840"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15840\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15840"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15840"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=15840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}