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)
1,965 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
149 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
  • 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
159 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
241 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
2,749 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
511 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
398 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 So, This Is Christmas So, This Is Christmas 235 Reviews $8.84Amazon Prime
2 The Girl Who Ruined Christmas The Girl Who Ruined Christmas 58 Reviews $13.95Amazon Prime
3 A Boy Called Christmas A Boy Called Christmas 3,578 Reviews $6.29Amazon Prime
4 Never Let A Unicorn Meet A Reindeer! Never Let A Unicorn Meet A Reindeer! 3,815 Reviews $11.99Amazon Prime
5 Christmas Hits for Teens, Bk 1: 11 Graded Selections for Early Intermediate Pianists Christmas Hits for Teens, Bk 1: 11 Graded Selections for Early Intermediate Pianists No ratings yet $7.99Amazon Prime
6 The Driving Book for Teens: A Complete Guide to Becoming a Safe, Smart, and Skilled Driver The Driving Book for Teens: A Complete Guide to Becoming a Safe, Smart, and Skilled Driver 227 Reviews $8.99Amazon 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... 21 Reviews $8.99Amazon Prime
8 The Case of the Christmas Counterfeiters: Classic Books for Boys; Mystery Books for Kids (The North Hollywood Detective Club) The Case of the Christmas Counterfeiters: Classic Books for Boys; Mystery Books for Kids (The North... 43 Reviews $11.99Amazon Prime
9 Christmas Riddles: #Stumped Volume 7 for Teens and Adults (Stumped Riddle Books: Original What-Am-I Mind-Benders, No Old Rehashed Riddles) Christmas Riddles: #Stumped Volume 7 for Teens and Adults (Stumped Riddle Books: Original What-Am-I... 13 Reviews $7.99Amazon Prime
10 Christmas Fun Mad Libs: Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs Christmas Fun Mad Libs: Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs 4,188 Reviews $5.99Amazon Prime
11 Talk Santa to Me Talk Santa to Me 33 Reviews $8.79Amazon Prime
12 The Promise and the Light: A Captivating Retelling of the Christmas Story for Kids Ages 8-12 The Promise and the Light: A Captivating Retelling of the Christmas Story for Kids Ages 8-12 99 Reviews $12.99Amazon Prime
13 I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas 38 Reviews $5.08Amazon Prime
14 Krampus & The Thief of Christmas: A Christmas Novel Krampus & The Thief of Christmas: A Christmas Novel 149 Reviews $13.99Amazon Prime
15 The Girl Who Saved Christmas (Boy Called Christmas) The Girl Who Saved Christmas (Boy Called Christmas) 1,965 Reviews $6.69Amazon Prime
16 All I Want for Christmas (Underlined Paperbacks) All I Want for Christmas (Underlined Paperbacks) 183 Reviews $5.49Amazon Prime
17 The Christmas Murder Game The Christmas Murder Game 1,905 Reviews $7.99
18 Disney Nightmare Before Christmas 16' Laptop Backpack Cargo Jack Skellington AOP Disney Nightmare Before Christmas 16" Laptop Backpack Cargo Jack Skellington AOP 9 Reviews $29.99Amazon Prime
19 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: Christmas Episodes Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: Christmas Episodes 89 Reviews $10.37Amazon Prime
20 Life Skills for Teenage Girls: How to Be Healthy, Avoid Drama, Manage Money, Be Confident, Fix Your Car, Unclog Your Sink, and Other Important Skills Teen Girls Should Know! Life Skills for Teenage Girls: How to Be Healthy, Avoid Drama, Manage Money, Be Confident, Fix Your... 732 Reviews $0.99

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