Support a small business this holiday season by shopping for the books on your gift list at Prestwick House! We’re more than just your go-to for essential English language arts resources. With over 1,400 titles, our paperback collection is filled with literary favorites spanning all genres. Plus, when you shop with us, you’ll always save at least 25% off each book’s cover price.
Browse our Holiday Gift Guide below to find the best books for everyone on your list!
For Those Who Love a True Story
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers
In this biography, Deborah Heiligman explores the relationship between Vincent and Theo Van Gogh, two brothers whose enduring friendship helped shape one of the most prominent figures in art history. This book chronicles the brothers’ lives, from Vincent’s successes and struggles as a painter to Theo’s unwavering support of his brother’s craft, drawing information from the letters Vincent wrote to Theo over the course of his lifetime.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Growing up in Malawi, one of Africa’s most underdeveloped nations, the ever-curious William Kamkwamba dreamed of studying science at a prestigious boarding school. But the 2002 Malawian famine forced William to drop out and help his family survive. Undeterred by the challenges set before him, William used his knowledge of physics to build a functioning wind turbine to generate electricity for his family’s farm. This moving true story will inspire readers to use the power of curiosity and creativity for social betterment.
They Called Us Enemy
In this graphic memoir, actor and activist George Takei joins artist Harmony Becker and co-writers Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott to shed light on one of the darkest moments in American history. In 1942, five-year-old George and his family are rounded up without warning and imprisoned within a Japanese American internment camp thousands of miles from home. Readers will be captivated by the book’s graphic novel format and the story’s poignant and timeless lessons on resilience, courage, loyalty, and love.
For Fans of Science Fiction
Dry
A cautionary tale, Dry offers a harrowing look into a future marred by climate change. In California, extreme drought has changed the rules of water usage: no watering the lawn, no long showers, no filling up pools. Alyssa has gotten used to the situation—until the taps run dry. Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into chaos as neighbors turn against each other on the hunt for water. When her parents go missing and her brother’s life is threatened, Alyssa must make impossible choices if they’re going to survive.
Aurora Rising
In the year 2380, the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are assigned their first missions. Tyler Jones, the academy’s star pupil, hopes to recruit the perfect team, but fate hands him a squad of misfits instead. Tyler finds himself in even deeper trouble after he rescues Aurora, a girl who was trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries. When powerful forces come looking for Aurora, Tyler and his eccentric crew must work to protect her and save the galaxy.
How Long 'til Black Future Month?
In this Alex Award-winning book, science fiction and fantasy author N. K. Jemisin presents 22 short stories that examine modern culture with a speculative eye. From stories of utopian societies and parallel universes to tales of ghosts and dragons, this Afrofuturist anthology explores themes of resistance, empathy, and redemption.
For Those Looking for a Magical Adventure
A Curse So Dark and Lonely
The heir to the kingdom of Emberfall, Prince Rhen is cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, transforming into a vicious beast each time. After years of torment, Rhen had given up hope—until Harper arrived. Magically whisked away to Emberfall from the streets of Washington, D.C., Harper is unsure of her role in this enchanted land. But as she spends more time with Rhen and his subjects, she realizes that dark forces are working to destroy Emberfall. In this contemporary reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, Rhen and Harper must work together to break the curse and save the kingdom.
Children of Blood and Bone
Magical powers, an evil monarchy, and supernatural characters await readers in Nigerian American novelist Tomi Adeyemi’s debut novel. In her quest to restore magic to the kingdom of Orïsha, Zélie Adebola must face unthinkable dangers and an oppressive ruler bent on suppressing all who have magical abilities.
An Unkindness of Magicians
After the power of magic inexplicably begins to fade, New York City’s secretive magical society commences another Turning, a competition that will decide which magical family will rule. But when an unusually powerful outsider named Sydney arrives to upset the Turning, the magical elite quickly find themselves embroiled in her quest for vengeance. An Unkindness of Magicians presents a compelling lesson on the dangers of unchecked power and privilege.
For Those Who Need a Good Laugh
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
When Norris, a Black French Canadian, moves to Texas, he finds his world turned upside down. At his American high school, the cynical teenager keeps to himself, passing the time by journaling about the students he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and so on. But against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris. As he learns the harm of making snap judgments of others, Norris realizes it might be time to stop hiding behind his snarky opinions and welcome others into his life.
Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card
At thirteen, Sara Saedi believes friends, fashion, and boys are her biggest concerns. But after her sister is denied a job because she doesn’t have a social security number, Sara uncovers a shocking secret: Her Iranian family has been living in America as undocumented immigrants since she was two years old. Sara soon finds herself juggling her fear of deportation alongside the everyday struggles of being a teen. Filled with witty writing, historical details, and '90s pop culture references, this memoir takes a critical look at the long and difficult journey to becoming an American citizen.
Born a Crime
In Born a Crime, actor and comedian Trevor Noah reflects on his youth in South Africa through 18 personal essays, beginning with his birth during the dark days of apartheid. Readers from all backgrounds will find Noah’s hilarious accounts of his childhood antics and awkward high school years all too relatable. Aside from being a witty coming-of-age tale, Born a Crime is also an insightful look into South African culture and makes an excellent resource for learning more about the country’s history.
For Mystery and Suspense Aficionados
Two Can Keep a Secret
Family issues send twins Ellery and Ezra to live with their grandmother in Echo Ridge, a quaint town in Vermont. But something sinister is lurking under Echo Ridge’s flawless veneer. Decades before Ellery and Ezra’s arrival, their aunt disappeared at age seventeen, and just five years ago, someone murdered the town’s homecoming queen. Now, another girl has gone missing, and true crime aficionado Ellery is determined to solve the mystery—and uncover Echo Ridge’s darkest secrets.
The Fountains of Silence
Written by bestselling author Ruta Sepetys, The Fountains of Silence tells a story of love and secrets in Spain during the fascist dictatorship of Francisco Franco. In 1957, Daniel, the son of an American oil tycoon, arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country through photography. He soon meets Ana, a hotel maid whose family lives in fear under Franco’s rule. As the pair explore Madrid, they uncover a dark secret hidden underneath its picturesque surface.
Patron Saints of Nothing
Jay Reguero planned on coasting by his last semester of high school before heading to college in the fall. But after learning that his Filipino cousin Jun was mysteriously murdered as part of President Duterte's war on drugs, Jay goes against his family’s wishes and journeys to the Philippines to uncover the truth—no matter the consequences. Tackling themes of grief and guilt, this coming-of-age tale masterfully explores the complexities of cultural identity and the importance of familial bonds.
For Those Who Hope for Social Change
Watch Us Rise
Tired of the way women are treated even at their progressive NYC high school, Jasmine and Chelsea create a club dedicated to empowering girls. They post their work online, from poems and essays to videos and rants, and soon go viral. But after the club receives unwanted attention from “trolls,” both online and in real life, the school principal shuts it down. Amidst threats to be silenced, Jasmine and Chelsea realize they must fight back if they want their voices—and those of other young women—to be heard.
Just Mercy
Early in his career, Bryan Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice for the poor, the wrongly convicted, and children. One of his first cases, that of a man sentenced to death for a murder he didn’t commit, drew Stevenson into a messy world in desperate need of compassion. This powerful, true story of one of America’s most committed lawyers examines the inequalities of the justice system through a life dedicated to defending those most in need.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
This insightful book by acclaimed author Jason Reynolds adapts Stamped from the Beginning, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s original bestselling book, into a gripping narrative for young readers. Both accessible and informative, this book educates readers about the history of racist ideas in America, from before the country’s founding to the present, explaining why racism continues to linger in society. It also discusses the insidious nature of racist ideas while offering ways readers can identify and end racist thoughts—conscious or not—in their daily lives.
For Poetry and Prose Lovers Alike
The Poet X
Written by award-winning slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X is an empowering novel-in-verse that explores the complexities of growing up and finding one’s identity. Xiomara Batista, an Afro-Latina teenager, just wants to be heard, but her family’s strict rules and unwanted attention from the neighborhood boys force her to keep quiet. It’s not until she joins her school’s slam poetry club that she musters the courage to speak her mind. Readers of all backgrounds will surely relate to Xiomara’s struggles and triumphs while appreciating Acevedo’s witty writing.
On the Come Up
Angie Thomas, the author of The Hate U Give, presents a moving story of the pursuit of dreams in this bestselling novel. As the daughter of a late underground rap legend, sixteen-year-old Bri wants to become a hip-hop star in her own right—not for the fame, but to lift her family out of poverty. Brilliantly interspersed with Bri’s rap lyrics, On the Come Up will hook readers with its diverse, complex characters and timely themes of inequality, prejudice, personal growth, and perseverance.
The Dreamer
Winner of the Pura Belpré Award, The Dreamer is an imaginative novel by Pam Muñoz Ryan and illustrator Peter Sís. Blending magical realism with poetry, literary fiction, biography, and art, The Dreamer tells the story of Neftalí, a young boy who loves to find beauty and wonder in the world around him. Despite his father’s harsh criticism and his own shyness, Neftalí pursues his creative spirit, eventually becoming the legendary poet we know today, Pablo Neruda.
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What books are on your holiday wish list this year? Let us know in the comments!