Q: When my nieces and nephews were little, I loved choosing books for Christmas gifts. Now that they're in third grade and up, it's harder. What series are popular for tweens and teens this season?

A: There's no blockbuster like the "Harry Potter" series or "The Hunger Games." But even if there were, what's popular with one reader may bore another.

As readers grow, it's best to let them choose their own leisure reading.

"This motivates them to read more, especially when they can choose books based on their interests, or a series that really hooks them," says Carl Harvey, library media specialist at North Elementary School, in Noblesville, Ind.

Take them to a bookstore -- as President Barack Obama did recently with his daughters -- and let them pick their own presents.

"Browsing the shelves together is a great outing -- young people want the gift of your time and attention, too," says Harvey. "You'll show kids just how important reading is to you. Don't worry if what they choose looks like 'junk.' Wouldn't you rather have them read a comics series than not read at all?

"Once they've made their selections, you can still have them wrapped for the tree."

If an outing isn't possible, ask them if they have a favorite author or series (many do), and order the latest work from that author. Or give gift cards from local or national booksellers. If they have iPads or Kindles, buy gift cards for downloading books, too.

There is one sure-to-please category of nonfiction books to consider -- almanacs and record books.

"These span age levels and make reading a whole family affair," says Harvey. "They're fun, and they can also serve as reference tools for homework assignments."

Four entertaining, fact-packed 2013 almanacs to consider: Scholastic Almanac for Kids 2013 (Scholastic Reference, 2012), TIME For Kids Almanac 2013 (TIME For Kids, 2012), The World Almanac for Kids 2013 (World Almanac, 2012) and National Geographic Kids Almanac 2013 (National Geographic Children's Books, 2012).

The granddaddy of record books is Guinness World Records 2013 (Guinness World Records, 2012). Depending on the recipients' interests, browse for other titles, such as Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer's Edition (Guinness World Records, 2012) or Scholastic Year In Sports 2013 (Scholastic Paperbacks, 2012). The TIME For Kids Big Book of Why (TIME For Kids, 2010) is a great discussion starter.

Another idea is to give magazines, suggests Harvey.

"Even in this age of email, texting and digital content delivery, tweens and teens love to get things in the mail," he says.

Most print subscriptions come with online access to special digital content. Some geared-for-kids magazines to consider for tweens include: National Geographic Kids, Kids Discover Magazine, Sports Illustrated Kids, Odyssey: Adventures in Science and Muse. Cicada is a literary magazine for teens 14 and up.

Consider, too, magazines to match young readers' hobbies and interests, such as Popular Science, Sports Illustrated, NASCAR Illustrated, National Geographic, Vogue, InStyle and People.

"Identify a passion, and there's probably a good magazine about it for a teen or tween reader to enjoy," says Harvey. "When you give magazines, you put good reading in their hands year-round!"

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: Our boys, 8 and 9, love their dad's iPad, so we're getting them tablets for Christmas. Which tablet offers the best education and entertainment at the best price?

A: Warren Buckleitner, founder and publisher of Children's Technology Review, has rated children's software for two decades. The day I contacted him, he and his team were testing 22 devices in four categories: handhelds (such as Nintendo and PlayStation); Androids (Kindle and Nook, plus new entries); the Apple 'ecosystem'; and tablets from toymakers such as Fisher-Price, LeapFrog and Vtech.

When choosing a tablet for a child, Buckleitner wants parents to ask:

-- What device best matches your child's development? "An 8-year-old iPad user will find it hard to settle for a toylike tablet. The screens may not be as sensitive, it may lack a camera, and apps can take longer to launch," notes Buckleitner. "Kids care about power, aesthetics and ease of use -- just like adults."

-- What device will grow with your child? "Don't purchase something your child will be bored with in a few months," says Buckleitner. "Start with the apps. While I'm happy to see new Android entries, the quality and quantity of Android apps for kids doesn't compare to the tens of thousands of Apple apps for kids."

-- What are you really paying? A $150 tablet that requires the purchase of plug-ins, cartridges or online downloads, plus a constant replenishing of batteries, can end up being as expensive as a $300 product with lots of free and low-cost apps.

-- Does it pass the Angry Birds test? "Take your boys to a store and let them 'test-drive' devices," says Buckleitner. "Try an app you know, like Angry Birds. Does the game load quickly? Do the birds fly smoothly through the air? Is the sound muffled? Does it feel responsive?"

For children your sons' ages, Buckleitner suggests purchasing within the Apple iOS ecosystem. "My rule is simple -- go for as much quality for the money, and that means Apple. In addition, the iOS preferences let you kid-proof as much or as little as you like."

Of all the choices, Buckleitner likes the iPad mini. It delivers all the iPad apps in a smaller form with a clear display. "It has Wi-Fi, improved sound and good cameras. The mini can talk and listen, via Siri, and kids love to play with Siri!" he says. Prices start at $330.

A less expensive Apple alternative is an iPod touch (fourth generation). "It might be two years old, but this $180 option offers access to all Apple apps," he says. "Another solution is to buy used iPhones, or upgrade yours and give the boys the old ones with phone service disabled."

The goal is to "match high-quality digital experiences with your child's age and interests. You want experiences that are fun and empowering, and that you can learn and play along with, too," says Buckleitner.

Find top-rated kids' apps at childrenstech.com. The free content is valuable, and an annual subscription ($30) can be invaluable in selecting the best apps for your boys.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: Our 12-year-old daughter's friends say their parents let them lie about their age to get Facebook accounts. We don't think our daughter is mature enough for Facebook. Are there places online where kids can share their lives and interests with friends?

A: Although Facebook's privacy policy requires all members to be 13, a June 2012 Consumer Reports study indicates that approximately 5.6 million of Facebook's members are younger than 13.

Nonprofit media watchdog Common Sense Media urges parents to be proactive in educating tweens and teens about Facebook because the digital footprint they create will live a long time. The organization's "Tips for talking to teens about Facebook" lists topics to cover and rules to observe -- from setting privacy controls to encouraging teens to minimize how much personal information they share. (Visit commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/facebook-tip.pdf.)

There are several tween platforms available -- YourSphere, KidzVuz, Fooz Kids, Ohanarama, giantHello, Everloop and Rocket21 -- and more emerging. (For ratings and descriptions, go to commonsensemedia.org.)

Media entrepreneur (and father) Mark Grayson says the main challenges for parents are educating their children about social media and monitoring their kids' online activities -- on a platform that enables tweens to experience the promise of the Internet, such as connecting users with mentors, while mitigating its risks.

"The web offers great promise for allowing kids to learn from the world's most interesting people," he says. "We created Rocket21.com to put kids in touch with professionals who can guide their interests and get them dreaming.

"Think LinkedIn plus Quora plus Twitter for kids. We offer 'dream big' experiences, such as going to the Grammys, visiting Kennedy Space Center, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Yellowstone Park and Ted Turner's Flying D Ranch."

The site is influenced by the research of Dr. Danah Boyd, a senior researcher at Microsoft and a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard.

"Boyd believes shielding tweens from the Internet isn't the answer," says Grayson. "She challenges adults to provide social media platforms that safely allow kids to explore their interests with friends and connect with adult mentors. These mentors can be critically influential sources of inspiration to kids during an important period of identity formation."

Rocket21 takes kids behind the scenes of events and operations they may be passionate about (i.e., What's it like to work in professional auto racing? What questions would you ask an oceanographer? What does it take to win a Grammy?).

"We are a place where kids can hang out with peers who have similar passions and meet mentors who can encourage their dreams," says Grayson.

Rocket21 runs regular competitions. The winner of the current competition will travel to the world's largest aquarium in Atlanta and have a chance to meet former President Jimmy Carter, British entrepreneur Richard Branson and environmentalist and CNN founder Ted Turner.

The site has tested its privacy and safety technologies and procedures for more than two years.

"We're proving that there can be a safe place for kids to exploit the strengths of social media and learn personal responsibility on the Web," says Grayson.

Membership is free. For more information, go to rocket21.com.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)