Best Teen & Young Adult Botany Books of 2025

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer and adapted by Monique Gray Smith, is a thought-provoking book that demonstrates how all living things provide us with gifts and lessons every day. This new edition reinforces the importance of listening to the earth's oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and beautiful illustrations by Nicole Neidhardt, this book brings Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation. Overall, this book is an exceptional and unique read that will leave readers feeling inspired and connected to the natural world.

Basic Soil Science for Successful Vegetable Gardening is an introductory guide that will help gardeners of all skill levels understand the science behind gardening. Author Bruce McCord provides a simple, step-by-step method for planting and growing crops, as well as a breakdown of the different types of gardens and in-depth analysis of pros and cons. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to have a flourishing garden of their dreams.

A guide to the discovery of the forces at work in the world of plants, "First Studies of Plant Life" by Yesterday's Classics is an engaging introduction to botany for middle school and beyond. Through germinating seeds and varying their growing conditions, students learn by observation the different ways seeds germinate and young plants respond to moisture and light. The life stories of different plants and the forces they have to contend with in their struggle to survive encourage students to continue to read and interpret their surroundings. This book is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about the fascinating world of plants.

The Complete Garden Planner Journal and Logbook is a comprehensive gardening book that combines garden design, plant information, garden journaling, maintenance, and container design. It includes Garden Layout Planner Sheets, a Plant Logbook, Container Designer Sheets, Year-Round Scheduling Sheets, and a Journal. This book is perfect for both beginners and experienced hobby gardeners, offering a one-stop spot for all your thoughts to plan and record everything garden and landscaping. With over 200 pages of original content, hand-illustrated artwork, and lettering, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in gardening.

The Complete Garden Planner Journal and Logbook is a comprehensive gardening book that combines garden design, plant information, garden journaling, maintenance, and container design. It includes Garden Layout Planner Sheets, a Plant Logbook, Container Designer Sheets, Year-Round Scheduling Sheets, and a Journal, making it a one-stop spot for all your thoughts to plan and record everything garden and landscaping. This book is suitable for both beginners and experienced hobby gardeners, with all original content and hand-illustrated artwork on cream paper for a retro field book look. Overall, it's a must-have for anyone who loves gardening and wants to stay organized.

Gardening for Kids: 35 nature activities to sow, grow, and make is a fantastic book for parents who want to introduce their children to the joys of gardening. With 35 outdoor and indoor projects, Dawn Isaac has created a book that is full of inspirational ideas to get kids interested in nature. From planting a sunflower alley to building an insect hotel, this book is packed with fun and creative activities that will keep children engaged throughout the year. Whether you have a big garden or just a window ledge, this book has something for everyone. Overall, this is an excellent book that is sure to inspire children to get their hands dirty and start gardening.

The Hawaiian Plants and Animals Coloring Book by Y. S. Green is a beautifully illustrated coloring book that captures the unique flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands. The book features 44 finely detailed illustrations of plants like the mango, breadfruit, and pineapple, and exotic animals like the cone-headed grasshopper and slipper lobster. Each page includes captions that identify the plants and animals, making it an informative and fun activity for both coloring book enthusiasts and nature lovers of all ages. It's a great addition to the Dover Nature Coloring Book series and a must-have for anyone interested in ecology and the natural world.

The DK Visual Dictionaries' Plants book is a well-crafted guide on the various types, structures, and functions of plants. It features labeled illustrations and photographs that illustrate the specialized botanical vocabulary, with lush illustrations organized under categories. The book is not for beginners, as the explanations are not extensive, and there is no glossary, but the striking illustrations could stand alone for browsers. Overall, this book is an excellent choice for reference and circulation, with over 3,000 entries in the index, making it especially accessible.

Katya's Book of Mushrooms is a fascinating read for any teen or young adult interested in botany and the natural world. Written by Katya Arnold, the book covers a range of topics from fungi and fauna to facts and folklore. The author's passion for mushrooms is apparent in the detailed descriptions and beautiful illustrations throughout the book. Sam Swope, the author of other popular children's books, also contributes to the book. It's a great addition to any nature lover's library.

Buildings That Breathe: Greening the World's Cities is an informative and inspiring book that showcases how architects are integrating nature into urban spaces to combat climate change, pollution, and heat. The book features stunning photographs of green architecture projects from around the world, including the Bosco Verticale in Milan, the first high-rise forest, and the planned Liuzhou Forest City in China. Author Nancy Castaldo's accessible writing style makes this STEAM offering a great read for young adults interested in botany, architecture, and environmentalism. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of sustainable urban living.