Best Christmas Books for Teens and Middle Schoolers

20 minutes a day! That has been browbeaten into me ever since I was pregnant. I loved it when they were small. But at this busy time of year, it can be tough to carve out even 20 minutes. That’s why I loved doing a Christmas book advent calendar.

When they’re little, it’s easy to read one book a day to them. Now that they’re older, their age-appropriate books take longer than 20 minutes to read.

best christmas books for kids

Still, with sports in full swing and darker nights, the daily reading schedule often goes out the window. A good book or Christmas book for teens can help keep them engaged.

I have a middle schooler and one in high school. We may even stray away from reading Christmas books and into things like Mad Libs and Would You Rather. But you know what? Both of those options still encourage language skills.

Christmas Book Advent Calendar

Have you heard of the trend of a Christmas book advent calendar? I love the idea! It will be such a great memory for your kids, it encourages literacy, and it’s something to do together rather than just a gift.

I just received a new Scholastic book order from my son’s school, so now is the time to look at those $1 books that they sell. If you don’t want to invest in 24 or 25 books right now, you can always do 5 days this year, 10 days next year, and so on.

It’s not about getting a gift each day, it’s about spending time reading each day. Admittedly, this is a tradition that is harder to do as they get older.

Sale
The Girl Who Saved Christmas (Boy Called Christmas)
1,908 Reviews
The Girl Who Saved Christmas (Boy Called Christmas)
  • Haig, Matt (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 320 Pages - 10/16/2018 (Publication Date) - Yearling (Publisher)

I also go to used book sales to help with this task. Even when you have 24 or 25 books for a Christmas advent calendar, you may want to update them. As kids grow, they may feel that some of the books are too babyish for a teenage or middle schooler.

Krampus & The Thief of Christmas: A Christmas Novel
125 Reviews
Krampus & The Thief of Christmas: A Christmas Novel
  • Black, Eldritch (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 246 Pages - 11/17/2016 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)

Best Christmas Books for Teens

These books were picked using bestseller lists and teacher recommendation lists.

Sale
Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas Magic: 101 Holiday Tales of Inspiration, Love, and Wonder
148 Reviews
Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas Magic: 101 Holiday Tales of Inspiration, Love, and Wonder
  • Audible Audiobook
  • Jack Canfield (Author) - Jean Barrett (Narrator)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 05/28/2013 (Publication Date) - Audible Studios (Publisher)

All of these links should be clickable. I double-checked all of them (for this update) and they all were working.

Would You Rather? Christmas Edition: Laugh-Out-Loud Holiday Game for Kids
118 Reviews
Would You Rather? Christmas Edition: Laugh-Out-Loud Holiday Game for Kids
  • Daly, Lindsey (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 128 Pages - 09/06/2022 (Publication Date) - Z Kids (Publisher)
Sale
Tessa and Weston: The Best Christmas Ever
217 Reviews
Tessa and Weston: The Best Christmas Ever
  • Emmons, Abbie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 218 Pages - 11/01/2021 (Publication Date) - Abbie Emmons (Publisher)

Christmas Books for Upper Elementary Students

If your child isn’t quite ready for chapter books, some of these options may work for them.

Sale
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
2,690 Reviews
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
  • Hardcover Book
  • Robert Barry (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages - 10/17/2000 (Publication Date) - Doubleday Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Christmas Stories: 7 Original Short Stories
389 Reviews
Christmas Stories: 7 Original Short Stories
  • Moore, Kevin (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 110 Pages - 07/09/2016 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
  1. Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer-Hardback $14.90, Board Book $7.19, Kindle $6.83
  2. Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time by Corine Hyman-Paperback $10.34, Kindle $4.99
  3. Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh-Hardcover $12.02, Kindle $3.99
Would You Rather Book for Kids: Christmas & Winter Edition - Fun, Hilarious, Ridiculous and Challenging Questions for Kids, Teens and the Whole Family
394 Reviews
Would You Rather Book for Kids: Christmas & Winter Edition - Fun, Hilarious, Ridiculous and Challenging Questions for Kids, Teens and the Whole Family
  • Jokester, Jake (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 108 Pages - 10/25/2019 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
A Head Over Heels Christmas: Book 3 in the Head Over Heels series
23 Reviews
A Head Over Heels Christmas: Book 3 in the Head Over Heels series
  • Downing, Sara (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 111 Pages - 10/28/2020 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

Christmas books for Teens and Tweens

  1. The Christmas Quiet Book: Deborah UnderwoodHardcover $10.33
  2. A Christmas Carol: Charles DickensHardcover $8.96
  3. Christmas Fun Mad LibsPaperback only $3.59

Here are the best-selling books for Tweens and Teens on Amazon right now.

#PreviewProductRatingPrice
1 It's Laugh O'Clock: Would You Rather? Christmas Edition: A Hilarious and Interactive Question Game Book for Boys and Girls - Stocking Stuffer for Kids (Fun Christmas Books For Kids) It's Laugh O'Clock: Would You Rather? Christmas Edition: A Hilarious and Interactive Question Game... 732 Reviews $10.97Amazon Prime
2 So, This Is Christmas So, This Is Christmas 224 Reviews $8.84Amazon Prime
3 The Girl Who Ruined Christmas The Girl Who Ruined Christmas 54 Reviews $10.39Amazon Prime
4 A Nancy Drew Christmas: Nancy Drew Diaries, Book 18 A Nancy Drew Christmas: Nancy Drew Diaries, Book 18 301 Reviews $11.71
5 So Many Books, So Little Time - Funny Socks for Women and Teens who Love to Read Books - Reading Christmas Gift So Many Books, So Little Time - Funny Socks for Women and Teens who Love to Read Books - Reading... 4,983 Reviews $11.99Amazon Prime
6 Rubber Duck Sketchbook: Sketch book for Kids Boys Girls & Teen. Perfect Gift Idea for Student in Halloween Christmas Thanksgiving Day Rubber Duck Sketchbook: Sketch book for Kids Boys Girls & Teen. Perfect Gift Idea for Student in... 4 Reviews $5.99Amazon Prime
7 AHHHH I'm So Bored! Christmas Edition Activity Book for Teens Made By Teens: 102 Page Pencil Games and Coloring Book for the Holiday Gift Giving Season; Stocking Stuffer for ages 11-17 AHHHH I'm So Bored! Christmas Edition Activity Book for Teens Made By Teens: 102 Page Pencil Games... 19 Reviews $7.99Amazon Prime
8 Talk Santa to Me Talk Santa to Me 26 Reviews $8.90Amazon Prime
9 Christmas Joke Book for Kids, Teens, and Adults : Stocking Stuffers: 200 Funny Jokes : Perfect Christmas Gift For Girls and Boys Christmas Joke Book for Kids, Teens, and Adults : Stocking Stuffers: 200 Funny Jokes : Perfect... 19 Reviews $6.99Amazon Prime
10 A Reluctant Christmas Family for the Gentle Horseman: Mail Order Bride Historical Romance (The Twelve Mail Order Brides of Christmas Book 8) A Reluctant Christmas Family for the Gentle Horseman: Mail Order Bride Historical Romance (The... 53 Reviews $0.99
11 Flip Sequin Backpack for Girls Kids Kindergarten Elementary Middle School Bookbag Cute Spark Book Bags Teen Travel Outdoor Daypack Back Pack(Rainbow) One_Size Flip Sequin Backpack for Girls Kids Kindergarten Elementary Middle School Bookbag Cute Spark Book... 971 Reviews $32.99Amazon Prime
12 A Lonely Christmas Bride for the Solitary Miner: Mail Order Bride Historical Romance (The Twelve Mail Order Brides of Christmas Book 11) A Lonely Christmas Bride for the Solitary Miner: Mail Order Bride Historical Romance (The Twelve... 60 Reviews $0.99
13 Bookmark for Book Lovers Funny Bookmarks for Women Bookish Gifts for Christmas Birthday for Female Friends Teens BFF Bookworm Reader Reading Present Book Club Gifts for Friend Teacher Mentor Bookmark for Book Lovers Funny Bookmarks for Women Bookish Gifts for Christmas Birthday for Female... No ratings yet $9.99Amazon Prime
14 The Jackbox Party Pack 3 The Jackbox Party Pack 3 5,739 Reviews $24.99
15 The Summer I Turned Pretty - Official Trailer The Summer I Turned Pretty - Official Trailer 1,683 Reviews
16 Christmas Jars Christmas Jars 1,162 Reviews $14.95Amazon Prime
17 Never Let A Unicorn Meet A Reindeer! Never Let A Unicorn Meet A Reindeer! 3,366 Reviews $11.99Amazon Prime
18 A Boy Called Christmas A Boy Called Christmas 3,444 Reviews $6.25Amazon Prime
19 The Christmas Song The Christmas Song 960 Reviews $10.00
20 National Geographic Kids National Geographic Kids 17,313 Reviews

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