17 Best Christmas Chapter Books for Kids

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In years past, I wrapped up 24 Christmas books before December 1st. My kids took turns unwrapping these literary packages every day, and we would snuggle up to read all throughout the holiday season. 

It was a wonderful tradition for young children. For many years, it was one of our favorite Advent activities. After my kids outgrew Christmas picture books, we transitioned this tradition to include the best Christmas chapter books for kids.

Truthfully, I was getting a little tired of reading the same books every year too. It was time to invest in a few of the best Christmas chapter books for kids. New books can breathe a little fresh air into holiday traditions.

Traditions change as families change.

Hopefully, your whole family will enjoy these Christmas chapter books.

The Best Christmas Chapter Books for Kids

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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This Christmas classic is a great way to incorporate classic English literature into the holidays.  This short book is ripe with big, juicy discussions as you talk about Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts.

This storyline is well known, so it is a great choice, even for younger kids (as long as the ghosts won’t scare them). This book has stood the test of time, earning it the top spot on my best Christmas chapter books list.

A Christmas Carol was first published in 1843, so it is in the public domain. This means that you can read it for free on a Kindle device or Kindle app.

Already read the book?  Watch the movie! It is a Christmas-time classic.

Take A Christmas Carol one step further by enjoying this online book club. Students will learn about Charles Dickens as well as grammar, vocabulary, and other traditional language arts skills.

2. Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne

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Christmas in Camelot is a book in the Magic Tree House series, making it a great choice for early elementary kids. 

Jack and Annie receive a special mystical invitation to spend Christmas Eve in Camelot. It wouldn’t be a Magic Tree House book without adventure, though! Will Jack and Annie be able to save Camelot?

3. Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday by Megan McDonald

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Judy Moody and her brother Stink are excited about the impending Christmas holiday. There is just one problem. Stink desperately wants a white Christmas. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a snowy Christmas in their town in over 100 years. 

They start to notice that their new mailman resembles a jolly elf…and knows a lot about arctic weather…and works long hours during the Christmas season. Will Stink get his wish?

Judy Moody was a favorite character in my household when my kids were younger. This Christmas chapter book is geared toward early elementary school kids.

4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

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The Herdman siblings are a force to be reckoned with. They are known around their town as “the worst kids in the history of the world”…which makes it quite ironic that they are the stars of their local annual Christmas pageant. 

Ultimately, this is a tale of the true meaning of Christmas.

We were introduced to this hilarious Christmas story a few years ago in my daughter’s book club.  It was a hit with all of the kids!  It is one of the easier holiday books for kids.

Already read the book? Watch the movie!

5. A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

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Nikolas, a young boy nicknamed Christmas, must journey to the North Pole to save his father.  Along the way, he encounters magical creatures and adventure. Will he be able to save his father?

A Boy Called Christmas looks perfect for a variety of ages. I know both of my children (9 and 12) will enjoy this new Christmas chapter book.

No time to read aloud?  Try an audio CD!

6. The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig

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This is the follow-up to A Boy Called Christmas. Amelia was a young girl full of Christmas spirit; in fact, she was the first person to receive a gift from Santa Claus. Unfortunately, she is forced into a hard institutional life, and her Christmas spirit suffers. Can Santa save her?

7. Stealing Christmas by Matthew Sullivan

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Mitch is really hoping for a new game system for Christmas. Unfortunately, he gets involved in a fight at Thanksgiving dinner, and his parents threaten to take away all Christmas presents as punishment. Mitch finds the hidden gifts and must decide what to do – steal the gifts or stay honest.

This book contains a warning from the editor – if there is even a remote chance that your child believes in Santa and Christmas magic, hold off on reading this book a little while longer.  The last thing the author wants to do is ruin Christmas magic for anyone.

8. The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson

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This Newbery Award-winning holiday book takes place in the city of Paris.  On Christmas Eve, a mother with three children begins to share a spot under a bridge with a homeless gentleman.  It doesn’t take long for them to care for each other and act as a family.

9. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman

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This Christmas chapter book is perfect for anyone who loves the Nutcracker ballet.

10. Top Elf by Caleb Huett

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Santa, aka the jolly old elf, makes an announcement that shocks the North Pole. He is beginning to look for his replacement! His son, Klaus Claus, is not automatically given the job. Instead, Santa is going to hand-pick the next top elf to wear the big red suit. The author describes this book as a middle-grade book.

11. Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (and so does May) by Barbara Park

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Junie B. Jones is trying hard to get in the Christmas spirit, but May keeps getting in her way. Will she be able to enjoy the holiday festivities?

I will say that parents tend to be divided over Junie B. Jones. Some parents find her to be a bad influence because she is whiny and not always nice. Other parents don’t mind her and use the negative behaviors as teachable moments. My kids loved reading the Junie B. Jones series, so I included this book on the list.

12. The Christmas Genie by Dan Gutman

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This new Christmas book spins a Christmas story that goes in a totally unprecedented direction. Students in a fifth-grade class are eagerly awaiting the end-of-the-day bell so they can begin Christmas break. While they are waiting, a meteorite crashes through their window, and a genie pops out! He is willing to make one wish for the class to share.

13. Stanley’s Christmas Adventure by Jeff Brown

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Santa is feeling grumpy and underappreciated. He doesn’t think the kids are thankful for his hard work and gifts. His daughter, Sarah Claus, knows just who to call to restore Father Christmas to his jolly mood.

Fans of Flat Stanley will love this Christmas version!

Check out these other ideas for family-friendly Christmas fun!

14. How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith

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A little mouse named Winston finds a letter addressed to Santa and decides to personally deliver it to Mr. Claus at the North Pole. The only problem? It is already Christmas Eve!

I really like the way this book is organized. There are 24.5 chapters, so you can read one chapter every day from December 1st – Christmas Eve and the last half chapter on Christmas Day. There is also an activity for kids to do after every chapter.

15. Christmas Stories by Laura Ingalls Wilder

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Christmas Stories by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a collection of Christmas stories drawn from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved Little House books. Children will enjoy reading about Laura and her family as they celebrate Christmas on the American frontier, with simple gifts, special treats, family traditions, and plenty of holiday fun.

16. December Dog by Ron Roy

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I had to add this title to the list of Christmas chapter books for kids as soon as I saw that it is about a lost puppy. My family fosters puppies, so I feel a personal connection to any story about a vulnerable pup. This book is considered an early chapter book, so it is perfect for young dog lovers.

17. Young Scrooge by R.L. Stine

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Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story by R.L. Stine puts a spooky twist on the classic A Christmas Carol. Rick Scroogeman hates Christmas and has become quite the bully, but everything changes when three ghosts visit him and force him to confront his past, present, and possible future. With humor, scares, and plenty of Christmas spirit, this is a fun choice for upper elementary kids who enjoy spooky stories. R.L. Stine is the author of the popular Goosebumps series, so he knows about scary stories.

These Christmas chapter books are a great addition to any December reading list for kids. Reserve them from the library early because Christmas chapter books for kids are hard to find by late November!

Keep reading . . .

• Awesome Christmas Homeschool Activities
• Christmas Books for Young Adults
• 12 Days of Sweet Christmas Books and Activities
• Christmas Activities for Tweens
• Christmas Lesson Plans
• Fun Christmas Unit Studies
• The Best Books to Learn About Christmas Around the World
• Best Historical Fiction Christmas Books for Kids
• Christmas Book Basket

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