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ConGRADulations!

Popular Books & Gifts for Graduates

Congratulations to the many classes of 2024! See the top 10 for grads, plus more great gifts for your new adults. Through beloved children's stories, inspirational speeches, and even a hilarious laundry guide, you can show your grad love, give them some guidance, and send well-wishes with a story they can keep forever.

1.

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

In this joyous ode to life, Dr. Seuss addresses graduates of all ages--from nursery school to medical school--and gives them the get-up-and-go to move mountains with the unrivalled exuberance and charm that have made Dr. Seuss books favorites for years.
Oh, The Places You
2.

The Last Lecture

A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment. It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living. In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.
The Last Lecture Book Cover
3.

Assume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You'll Never Hear

This is Oh, the Places You'll Never Go --the ultimate hilarious, cynical, but absolutely realistic view of a college graduate's future. And what he or she can or can't do about it. "This commencement address will never be given, because graduation speakers are supposed to offer encouragement and inspiration. That's not what you need. You need a warning." So begins Carl Hiaasen's attempt to prepare young men and women for their future. And who better to warn them about their precarious paths forward than Carl Hiaasen? 
Assume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You
4.

The Freshman Survival Guide: Soulful Advice for Studying, Socializing, and Everything in Between

A values-based guide to navigating that critical first year of college that speaks to college students in their own language and offers practical tools that readers need to keep from drinking, sleeping or skipping their way out of college.
The Freshman Survival Guide: Soulful Advice for Studying, Socializing, and Everything in Between Book Cover
5.

I Wish You More

Some books are about a single wish. Some books are about three wishes. The infallible team of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have combined their extraordinary talents to create this exuberant, inspirational book for kids of endless good wishes. Wishes for curiosity and wonder, for friendship and strength, laughter and peace. Whether celebrating life's joyous milestones, sharing words of encouragement, or observing the wonder of everyday moments, this sweet and uplifting book is perfect for wishers of every age. Whether this is a preschool graduation gift, a present for elementary kids, or just a positive book for kids in your life, this book of wishes is sure to bring positivity to all who read it.
I Wish You More Book Cover
6.

Whatever You Are, Be a Good One

A collection of 100 quotes beautifully hand-lettered with accompanying artwork Delightful reminder to get out there and make the most of life: A quote book like no other, Whatever You Are, Be a Good One is a thought-provoking collection that compiles the timeless wisdom of great original minds--from Marie Curie to Stephen King, Joan of Arc to Jack Kerouac, Oscar Wilde to Harriet Tubman--brilliantly hand-lettered by beloved indie artist Lisa Congdon. 
Whatever You Are, Be a Good One Book Cover
7.

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College

For 10 years (and counting), The Naked Roommate has been the #1 go-to guide for your very best college experience From sharing a bathroom with 40 strangers to sharing lecture notes, The Naked Roommate is your behind-the-scenes look at EVERYTHING you need to know about college (but never knew you needed to know). This essential, fully updated edition is packed with real-life advice on everything from making friends to managing stress.
The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College Book Cover
9.

Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

Quite a few children’s books have made this list. Perhaps because these books remind a graduate of their early years, when reading and learning were new? This classic story of everyone's favorite wild girl and her messy kindergarten graduation is sure to stir up nostalgia and pull at the heartstrings of any graduate.
Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl Book Cover
10.

Year of Yes

In this poignant, hilarious, and deeply intimate call to arms, Hollywood’s most powerful woman, the mega-talented creator of "Grey s Anatomy" and "Scandal" and executive producer of "How to Get Away with Murder" reveals how saying YES changed her life.
Year of Yes Book Cover

More Gifts for Grads

Self-Help and Life Skills

More to explore: For the latest and most popular in teen fiction shop Young Adult books >

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