Unique Gifts for Teen and Young Adult Readers

If you have a teen or young adult in your life, you know how hard it is to capture their attention. Between social media, streaming, and everything else competing for their time, getting a teenager excited about reading can feel like an uphill battle.

Many parents ask, "How do I get my teenager to read more?" The answer may have less to do with finding the right book and more to do with finding the right format. That's where Fiction Mail comes in.

What Is Fiction Mail?

Fiction Mail is a story told through a series of real, physical letters, mailed directly to your teen one letter at a time. Each letter comes from a fictional character, with your teen's name woven throughout the story, so they become a character in it. The letters are printed on custom letterhead in a realistic handwriting font and mailed weekly or monthly until the story is complete.

It's a one-time purchase, with no subscription and nothing to renew. And it's reading that doesn't feel like homework.

A Unique Way to Get Teenagers to Read More

Real mail is a novelty

Many teens have never received a real letter in the mail. When an envelope shows up addressed to them personally, curiosity takes over. They open it, they read it, and then they wait for the next one.

It's personal

Instead of sitting down with a book, they're getting letters from a "friend" with a gripping story to share, and their name is in it.

Built-in anticipation

Because the story arrives one letter at a time, there's no binge and no skipping ahead. They'll actually look forward to checking the mailbox.

It's completely screen-free

A welcome bonus for parents trying to balance screen time.

It can become a family activity

Fiction Mail Series Teens Love

The Cold War Spy (8 weekly letters)

Eliza cleans out her late grandmother's apartment and finds a mysterious journal and a blackbird pendant that reveal an astonishing secret: her sweet, cookie-baking grandmother was a Cold War spy in the 1950s. Each week, Eliza uncovers more of her grandmother's double life. See The Cold War Spy.

One customer, Laurie L., bought it for her 15-year-old daughter: "The story inspired my daughter to start digging into my great grandmother's history."

The Time Traveler (4, 8, or 12 letters)

Professor Mellon, a witty time traveler, writes from history's most pivotal moments, with run-ins with famous historical figures along the way. It's a great way to sneak a little history into your teen's week, like hiding vegetables in a meal they already love. Choose 4 weekly letters, 8 weekly letters, or 12 monthly letters to match their reading pace.

In Plain Sight (4 weekly letters)

4 Weekly Letters · Cozy Fantasy

In Plain Sight

A grumpy dwarf merchant secretly cares for a baby mimic in his shop. Four lighthearted letters, and a great pick for younger teens who love fantasy.

See the Series

Scavenger Hunt (8 weekly letters)

Sarah's office team-building game turns into a real treasure hunt when she finds an ancient map, complete with puzzles, danger, and rivals who will stop at nothing to beat her to it. This series includes some violence, so it's best for older teens. See Scavenger Hunt.

See all of our series for teen readers.

A Gift They Won't Expect

Whether it's for a birthday, a holiday, or a graduation, Fiction Mail gives a teen something they've probably never received before: a story that belongs entirely to them.

For more ideas, see our picks for graduation, birthdays, and Christmas, or browse the full Fiction Mail Gift Guide. Curious how the format works? Read Story Letters by Mail.

See Series for Teen Readers