Ten Gifts for the Girl Bookworm Age 9 to Teen

When buying gifts for a child who is a bookworm, you don't necessarily have to stick with books. There are many types of gifts that kids who are obsessed with books will enjoy. From simple book plates to bookmarks, obvious choices are everywhere, but chances are there are a few bookworm gifts that you might not have considered. So, before you head to Borders to buy another paperback that your bookworm may have already read or already owns, read this list of ten great gifts for the girl bookworm, age ten to fifteen.

1. Reading Lamp- A great item that few bookworms have is a reading lamp. From desk style to the kind that screws into the wall with a swinging arm, good lighting is essential for easy reading. The standard green library lamp has come a long way, as reading lamps now portray the images of trendy cartoon characters, flowers, and even embedded dolphins. Clip book lamps are nice for stocking stuffers. These small lights attach to a book so it can be read in bed or anywhere the light is too dim to easily read.

2. Reading Journal- Readers tend to like writing as well. Consider purchasing a special journal for your little bookworm to log books read and books they are thinking of reading. Include a smaller one for them to take into the library with them with an attached sleeve for a library card. That way, when they find a book they'd like to check out later, they can write down the call numbers for easier location when they're ready to borrow it.

3. Book bag or backpack- Bookworms go through bookbags and backpacks relatively quickly. A nice leather satchel with plenty of room for other treasures is a great gift for bookworms who like to tote several books around at one time. Want to make it even more special? Have it personalized.

4. Stationary and a Penpal- Avid readers typically haven't lost the art of old-fashioned letter writing, and arranging to have a distant family member write, like a young cousin or an out-of-state grandparent is a wonderful gift for both writers. Be sure to contact the potential pen-pal. The gift can be set up beautifully in a basket with pens, stamps, an address book, and several varieties of stationary.

5. Magazine Subscription- Give your bookworm fresh reading material every month with the gift of a magazine subscription. Choose one with the personality of the recipient in mind. Teen Ink is a magazine written by teens for teens, and gives young readers the opportunity to write as well as read the work of other teens.

6. Reading Snacks- A basket of yummy reading snacks goes great on an afternoon with a good book. Be sure to include all the necessities from pretzels to chocolate chip cookies. Accessorize your basket with a pretty bookmark and a card that clarifies that the basket contains special reading snacks.

7. Text Adventure Games or RPGs- Readers tend to love adventure games where they choose the route they travel. The text adventure is a spin on the old Choose Your Own Adventure books of the 1980's, but the possibilities for an outcome can be nonlinear, allowing for an endless combination of scenarios. Because they function like a book, the RPG, or role playing game, is also one typically appreciated by bookworms. Some popular series of RPG and adventure games are MYST, Final Fantasy, and Star Ocean.

8. Reading Beanbag- The beanbag chair is making a comeback, and nothing is cozier to read in! You can purchase beanbag chairs at nearly every retail chain. Be sure to choose one that will clean easily and is safe for use around babies and small children.

9. Pajamas- A comfortable evening reading is always more comfortable with a nice set of PJs. PJ bottoms can also be worn around the house on a grungy day, so choose a set with fun designs out of a comfortable fabric. Encourage your bookworm to dedicate at least one day out of a month to lounging around in PJs and taking the time to read.

10. Book Ends- Decorative bookends are a lovely way to accent a room and can be purchased in a number of styles, including themes of favorite books. Keep the recipient's room in mind when choosing book ends so that you don't select a set that will clash with the décor. Be sure to include a gift card to your bookworm's favorite book store with this gift so they can pick out something to put between the book ends.

For the most part, bookworms are like any other kid, but they have certain preferences for how they enjoy spending time. Try not to purchase only books as gifts for her, however easy that concept might be, as it is likely many others will go that route. Instead, focus on how she reads. After all, she's going to pick out the books she wants herself. Gifts that keep in mind the reading environment are far better than taking a chance selecting something for her to read next.