Skip to content

Books
Articles

wonderlit

The right book for right now.

Books
Articles
About
Terms
Privacy

Discover

Life Moments
Themes
Interests
Ages

© 2026 wonderlit · Support indie bookstores

As an affiliate, Wonderlit earns from qualifying purchases through Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Can’t find a book? Let us know – we’re always adding new titles.

Send Feedback

Books About Joy & Gratitude for Ages 12–18 – Wonderlit | Wonderlit

Browse → Ages 12–18 → Themes → Joy & Gratitude → Ages 12–18

Books About Joy & Gratitude for Ages 12–18

Joy in adolescence is complicated by self-consciousness and the pressure to seem unbothered. These 730 books make the case for paying attention to what's good, even when (especially when) it feels uncool to admit that something made you happy.

730 books

Cover of The One who Came Back

The One who Came Back

For the child grappling with hope and loss, this story explores the enduring power of connection when a longed-for "one"

Cover of Funny Business

Puffin Joke Books

Bronnie Cunningham

For the middle-grade child who loves to be the center of attention or needs a quick icebreaker to bond with new friends

Cover of Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book

Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book

Celebrate the season through a gentle collection of traditional carols, old-fashioned lore, and festive holiday projects

1 2 3...31

Popular Series in This Category

2 books in this category

Cover of KidChat Christmas!

KidChat #3

KidChat Christmas!

Bret Nicholaus, Paul Lowrie

For the family looking to move beyond the excitement of presents and spark meaningful connections through festive conver

Ages 7–12

Cover of The Willows at Christmas

The Willows Quartet #4

The Willows at Christmas

William Horwood

For the family seeking a nostalgic return to the River Bank, this cozy sequel captures the warmth of longtime friendship

Cover of Piñatas and Paper Flowers

Piñatas and Paper Flowers

Lila Perl, Alma Flor Ada

For children curious about their heritage or classmates' traditions, this bilingual guide brings the vibrant holidays of

Cover of But I Hate Him

They Were Roommates #2

For the teen navigating the friction of high school rivalry while discovering their true self. A joyful look at competit

Cover of In the Forest of Your Remembrance

In the Forest of Your Remembrance

Gloria Jean Pinkney

For children seeking quiet moments of reflection, these thirty-three spiritual stories and parables offer comfort, faith

Cover of The Glorious Christmas Songbook

The Glorious Christmas Songbook

Cooper Edens, Benjamin Darling

For families wishing to start a holiday singing tradition, this collection pairs timeless carols with beautiful vintage

Cover of Shake a Palm Branch

The Story and Meaning of Jewish Holidays #2

Shake a Palm Branch

Learn how the Israelites celebrated their arrival in the Promised Land. This history of Sukkot explains the traditions o

Cover of The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

For the teenager grappling with the weight of the future or the pain of a recent loss, this story finds beauty in the mu

Cover of Jump Back, Honey: The Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar

Jump Back, Honey: The Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar

For the family looking to celebrate Black heritage through the soulful rhythms of poetry, capturing both the joys of nat

Cover of Prayers from the Ark Selected Poems

Prayers from the Ark Selected Poems

Carmen Bernos de Gasztold

Each animal aboard Noah’s ark shares its own quiet, personal prayer in this gentle and beautifully illustrated collectio

Cover of More All-of-a-Kind Family

All-of-a-Kind Family #2

More All-of-a-Kind Family

Five sisters navigate the bustling streets of New York's Lower East Side, finding warmth in their Jewish traditions and

Cover of The Door Is Open

The Door Is Open

Veera Hiranandani, Supriya Kelkar, Maulik Pancholy, Simran Jeet Singh, Aisha Saeed, Reem Faruqi, Mitali Perkins, Rajani LaRocca, Naheed Hasnat, Sayantani DasGupta

For children exploring how their cultural heritage and personal passions fit together within their community.

Cover of When Mischief Came to Town

When Mischief Came to Town

Katrina Nannestad

For the child who has a big heart but finds that their high energy often leads to accidental trouble while trying to fit

Cover of Stairstep Farm: Anna Rose's Story

Latsch Valley #2

Stairstep Farm: Anna Rose's Story

Anna Rose lives a lively life on a farm full of many brothers and sisters in this story of a Polish-American childhood.

Cover of Winding Valley Farm: Annie's Story

Latsch Valley #4

Winding Valley Farm: Annie's Story

Life on a large early twentieth-century farm comes to life through the daily joys and small heartbreaks of a young girl

Cover of Nicholas: A Manhattan Christmas Story

Nicholas: A Manhattan Christmas Story

Anne Carroll Moore

For the child who loves the magic of the city during the holidays, this vintage tale invites young explorers to see New

Cover of Make a Joyful Sound: Poems for Children by African-American Poets

Make a Joyful Sound: Poems for Children by African-American Poets

The voices of Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, and Gwendolyn Brooks fill these pages with rhythm, humor, and inspiration

Cover of Sing a Song of Seasons

Sing a Song of Seasons

Wake up to a new nature poem for every single day of the year. This collection captures the changing seasons through the

Cover of Strong Is the New Pretty A Celebration of Girls Being Themselves

Strong Is the New Pretty A Celebration of Girls Being Themselves

Authentic joy and grit shine through in over 175 photographs of girls being their wild, stubborn, silly, and 100% fearle

Cover of Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art

Diane Siebert Americana Poetry #7

Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art

For families dreaming of road trips or learning about different states, this book offers a poetic and artistic tour of A

Cover of Seacrow Island

Astrid Lindgren

For families longing for a slow, sun-drenched summer where children roam free, explore rocky shores, and find magic in t

More Ages 12–18 Books

Books About Gratitude & Appreciation for Ages 12–18(214)Books About Patience & Waiting for Ages 12–18(227)Books About Anger & Frustration for Ages 12–18(557)Books About Embarrassment for Ages 12–18(827)Books About Letting Go for Ages 12–18(886)Books About Forgiveness & Redemption for Ages 12–18(886)Books About Jealousy & Comparison for Ages 12–18(1293)Books About Honesty & Integrity for Ages 12–18(1712)

Joy & Gratitude for Other Ages

Books About Joy & Gratitude for Ages 0–3(9103)Books About Joy & Gratitude for Ages 4–7(12887)Books About Joy & Gratitude for Ages 8–11(5835)