We love to read and nothing is cozier in those quiet Christmas days than snuggling up with a book, a warm fire, and a hot drink. We love to tuck books under the tree, so the kids have new reads to entertain them over Christmas break. Most of these recommendations came from my kids, so there’s your endorsement!
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Younger Children
I love reading aloud this sweet book about a little girl named Julia and her steadfast determination to dance with the penguins at the zoo! It was a library pick that became a must buy favorite.
Julia’s House for Lost Creatures
I promise I really love this book and I’m not just including it because the author is my brother. It’s a delight to read aloud and the pictures are beautiful. Our copy is so read that it is in tatters!
This is Kateri’s favorite book and she insisted that it be included on the list!
a classic favorite. Is there any better lesson than the ones we learn from Strega Nona and Big Anthony?
Bigger Kids (10+)
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
if your kids like fantasy and adventure, this is a great one for them. It’s a series and my big kids have enjoys all of them.
Sherlock Holmes is all the rage right now. Why not have the kids read the original works? We have a copy of the complete works and, while huge, it’s been a popular one to pick up and read here and there.
Biggest Kids (14+)
Ender’s Game and Ender’s Shadow
This science fiction novel enthralled my kids from about sixth grade on. It’s intense, so maybe not the best for the sensitive kiddos.
This tale of a girl and her love for the swamp where she grows up is charming and sweet.
I’ll preface this by saying that not all book by Neil Gaiman are suitable for kids, but this one is aimed to young teen / teen crowd. Spooky, intriguing, suspenseful; this one will keep the pages turning!
Graphic Novels
Graphic Novels are perfect for a range of ages. I’ve seen them turn reluctant readers into ravenous readers and the proficient readers keep coming back to them!
This is one the kids keep coming back to this trilogy about an adventurous girl and her intergalactic journeys.
My brother stop by this summer, with a merry troupe of traveling artists. Afterwards, Raina gifted us a set of her books. My kids quickly devoured these fun autobiographical tales of Raina and her family.
Satire, adventure, and a fun quirky read. This is a series, so it can keep you going for quite a while! My boys, especially, enjoy TinTin adventures.
These books by Nathan Hale are a fun way for kids to learn a bit of history, while reading an adventurous story. One Dead Spy is actually about the original Nathan Hale and is a house favorite. We’ve read quite a few and I think the historical references are pretty accurate and stories and graphics are enjoyed by the kids.
Ugly Cry Inducing (My teens love a good book cry!)
Of Mice and Men – a classic, no doubt. Hand this over with discretion. We deemed it the saddest book ever written.
Where the Red Fern Grows – another sad one! But my kids have all loved this classic little tale.
This is a tear jerker I remember fondly. It’s such a sweet story of friendship and imagination!
Add your favorite books to read or gift, in the comments! Other gift guides to check out: Toyless Gift Guide (2016) and Game Edition
Thanks Sarah!! Thanks to this list, I’ll definitely get Sherlock Holmes for Zeke, TinTin for Vinny, and the Sister Smile books look great for Isabel. I usually have most of my shopping done by now because I pick things up throughout the year…but I was too miserable to do that this year. Now I’m sort of scrambling, so this will be a big help!