December reading list

This time of year, everyone is scrambling to find the perfect gift. Luckily for you, we’ve got your back! From stories you can share with your kids to current cultural phenomena, we’ve got some unique books for your holiday gift giving.

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1. Hamilton: The Revolution – Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Hamilton: The Musical one of the most talked about and influential musicals in recent memory. It inspired its audience and sparked a discussion about the importance of diverse storytelling.

This beautifully published volume holds the entire award-winning script and provides an exclusive look behind the scenes. Including full-color photographs, detailed interviews, and Lin-Manuel’s own revealing footnotes, Hamilton: The Revolution provides a look at the development of this award-winning musical.

2. When the Sea Turned to Silver – Grace Lin

Pinmei and the other children of her village have grown up on her grandmother’s exciting tales. But the stories end the night the Emperor’s soldiers come and kidnap the storyteller. Determined to get her grandmother back, Pinmei seeks the one thing she knows the Emperor wants more than anything: the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night. Along with a mysterious boy named Yishan, Pinmei searches for the Luminous Stone and finds herself facing obstacles found only in her grandmother’s stories.

This U.S. National Book Award Finalist is a fast-paced and beautifully illustrated story of adventure and legend for both the young and old. Best of all, it has two companion novels set in the same universe, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky.

3. Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History – Sam Maggs

According to author Sam Maggs, who happens to be the best-selling author of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy as well, “Women have always been able to change the world, even when they didn’t get the credit.”

In this anthology of biographies, meet an allied spy, the woman who revolutionized Chinese textiles, the German painter and scientist who set out on the world’s first scientific expedition, and so many more. Whether for an experienced reader or a young girl looking for role-models, Wonder Women is a fun, feminist read for this holiday season.

4. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly – Sun-mi Hwang

Heralded as a Korean Charlotte’s Web or Animal Farm, this is the story of a hen called Sprout who dreams of escaping the routine of her barnyard life and explore life in the wild.

Whether you’re sharing this with your kids or reading it for yourself, The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a brilliant example of a spirited heroine who rebels against tradition, who wants to see beyond the barnyard walls. It’s a tale about freedom, individuality, and motherhood and a unique window into Korean society, through the lens of engaging animal characters. With all the layers and analogies, it’s still pretty fun bestseller sold more than 2 milion copies.