MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS READING
I do not normally have the chance to read Christmas books. With a (very) few exceptions, I put Christmas books onto my list and then fail to sit down and actually read during December. Prior to this year, this month was all about running around. I cannot control the fact that I won’t be able to see my family this year for Christmas, but I can celebrate the time I have to enjoy reading about the season.
I love middle grade books. They go right to the heart of so many issues and I find myself beyond excited to tuck into these books.
MATT HAIG’S CHRISTMAS BOOKS
I am decently obsessed with Matt Haig after reading Notes on a Nervous Planet, The Humans, and How to Stop Time but I didn’t realize that he had anything for younger audiences. There are three I have my eye on but I know I will start with A Boy Called Christmas.
A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS
You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas.
It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible.
If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you.
Because this book is FULL of impossible things.
Are you still reading?
Good.
Then let us begin . . .
A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and an eleven-year-old boy called Nikolas, who isn’t afraid to believe in magic. from Goodreads.
THE GIRL WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
If magic has a beginning, can it also have an end?
When Amelia wants a wish to come true she knows just the man to ask – Father Christmas.
But the magic she wants to believe in is starting to fade, and Father Christmas has more than impossible wishes to worry about. Upset elves, reindeers dropping out of the sky, angry trolls and the chance that Christmas might be cancelled.
But Amelia isn’t just any ordinary girl. And – as Father Christmas is going to find out – if Christmas is going to be saved, he might not be able to do it alone . . .from Goodreads.
FATHER CHRISTMAS AND ME
It isn’t always easy, growing up as a human in Elfhelm, even if your adoptive parents are the newly married Father Christmas and Mary Christmas.
For one thing, Elf School can be annoying when you have to sing Christmas songs everyday – even in July – and when you fail all your toy-making tests. Also it can get very, very cold.
But when the jealous Easter Bunny and his rabbit army launch an attack to stop Christmas, it’s up to Amelia, her new family and the elves to keep Christmas alive. Before it’s too late . . .from Goodreads.
THE GREENGLASS HOUSE SERIES
The Greenglass House series is five books about Milo and his family’s hotel. Over winter break the family usually has time together. But, each year guests arrive at the hotel and no one is who they seem to be. If you are looking for a middle grade book for the Holidays with a little mystery, this series is perfect.
THE WINTERHOUSE SERIES
Another middle grade mystery! The first two of these books are, again, set at a hotel at Christmas-time. The Winterhouse series by Ben Guterson introduced readers to the word-puzzle loving Elizabeth and her invention crazy friend Freddy. My full review of the first book is here and I am excited to continue the series! The third book is set in the spring at Winterhouse which might be perfect for my 2021 reading.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS BOOK CHOICES
I am pretty desperate to get my hands on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Letters From Father Christmas in audiobook format. It is read by Derek Jacobi with John Moffatt and Christian Rodska, all amazing narrators. These are a series of letters that arrived addressed to the Tolkien children every year. This sounds like such a sweet tradition!
I am equally excited by the original Dicken’s story, A Christmas Carol. I have never read it but after working through David Copperfield, I am in love with Dickens’s storytelling.
BUT DON’T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT….
15 Middle Grade Books to read for Christmas
These fantastic recommendations come for Victoria, a teacher! I especially want to read Nutcracked off her list.
Six for Sunday
Another teacher’s selection of books! I love that these books are winter themed and not exclusively Christmas. I’ve got to read Mistletoe and Murder.
#TisTheReadson
This is a readathon covering everything Christmas. I am not participating but the book recommendations for the prompts on this site is amazing
Tell me, please! Do you have any middle grade Christmas reading recommendations?
Silver Button Books 
I need to get the Wonterhouse series for my oldest!
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I really loved the first book (especially Freddy!). I hope your oldest enjoys it.
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I love the first two Christmas books by Matt Haig and a Christmas Carol a firm favourite of mine too!
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I am burning through the first Matt Haig one on audiobook and already trying to figure out how to get my hands on the second. Did you know there are even more in the series? There is an elf one….I just want to hold the lovely illustrations in my hand.
Embarrassingly, I have never read The Christmas Carol but I now cannot wait!
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I listened to the first two because the library had them, but haven’t heard the third one, yet. I just bought first one yesterday as it was on offer and can’t wait to hear it again! 😀
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Letters from Father Christmas sounds absolutely wonderful! I know that The Hobbit was written for Christopher Tolkien, so it’s utterly wonderful to see even more evidence of how J. R. R. Tolkien loved his children.
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Can you imagine the knowledge that a story that has touched so many was for you? Sigh. The love of a parent right?
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Greenglass House is one of my favorite series to read in the wintertime! They’re such cozy, lovely books 🙂
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And those covers…so gorgeous right? Thanks for commenting!
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