20 Wholesome Christmas Chapter Book Recommendations
The holidays are the perfect time to curl up with a good book, especially one filled with wonder, laughter, and the warmth of Christmas. If you’re looking for wholesome reads that capture the true spirit of the season, this list is for you.
Each story on this list was chosen for its positive message, engaging storytelling, and timeless holiday spirit. These are books families can enjoy together year after year, full of laughter, adventure, and heartfelt reminders of what Christmas is all about.
We’ve split the list into two sections: books for ages 8–10 and ages 10–12.
Best Christmas Chapter Books for Ages 8–10 (Younger Audience)
1. Campground Kids: Christmas Chaos
Author: C. R. Fulton.Publisher: Bakken Books (paperback edition).
Pages: ~150 pages.
Format: Paperback (and also appears in audio edition).
Age range/grade: For ages 8–12, Grades 3–7.
Book description: Isaiah, Sadie, and Ethan head to the campground for Christmas. Between flying squirrels, missing hot dogs, and a messy tree hunt, they discover the true meaning of Christmas — family, fun, and faith.
2. The Lost Letters of Christmas
Author: Lisa Renée Ruggeri.
Publisher: Independently published (Oct 2024).
Pages: ~139 pages.
Format: Paperback and Kindle.
Age range/grade: For ages 8–12.
Book description: Twelve-year-old Sadie uncovers a bundle of forgotten Christmas letters and embarks on a mission to bring long-lost wishes to life. A heartwarming, magical mystery that captures the joy of giving.
3. Juniper’s Christmas
Author: Eoin Colfer.
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press / Macmillan (2023).
Pages: 368 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback, eBook.
Age range/grade: Ages 9–12.
Book description: Juniper meets a mysterious man in the park who might just be Santa Claus. When danger strikes, she must help him bring Christmas back to a world that’s forgotten its magic.
4. The Christmas Carrolls
Author: Mel Taylor-Bessent.Publisher: Farshore (2021).
Pages: 336 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback, eBook.
Age range/grade: Ages 8–11.
Book description: The Carroll family celebrates Christmas all year long, but not everyone appreciates their cheer. Nine-year-old Holly Carroll sets out to show her town the power of kindness and joy.
Author: Ben Miller.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s UK (2021).
Pages: 128 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback, eBook.
Age range/grade: Ages 8–11.
Book description: Tog, an elf-in-training at Santa’s workshop, dreams of joining the Toy Department. When toys start disappearing, it’s up to him to solve the case before Christmas Eve!
6. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Author: Barbara Robinson.
Publisher: HarperCollins (Classic).
Pages: 128 pages.
Format: Paperback, eBook, audiobook.
Age range/grade: Ages 8–10.
Book description: The Herdman kids—“the worst kids in the world”—take over the church Christmas pageant, leading to chaos and an unforgettable discovery of true Christmas meaning.
7. A to Z Mysteries Super Edition: The White House Christmas Mystery
Author: Ron Roy.
Publisher: Random House / Aladdin Paperbacks.
Pages: ~128 pages.
Format: Paperback and Kindle.
Age range/grade: Ages 7–10.
Book description: Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose get invited to the White House for Christmas—until a valuable gift goes missing! A festive whodunit perfect for young mystery lovers.
8. A Christmas Mystery: A Timmi Tobbson Junior Christmas Books
Author: J. I. Wagner.
Publisher: Freshwater Bay Publishing (2019).
Pages: 120 pages.
Format: Hardcover and paperback.
Age range/grade: Ages 8–10.
Book description: Timmi Tobbson and his friends find themselves racing through snow-covered streets to solve a Christmas mystery before the big day arrives. With puzzles woven into every chapter, this interactive adventure sparks curiosity and teamwork—perfect for young readers who love codes, clues, and cozy holiday fun.
9. The Christmasaurus
Author: Tom Fletcher.
Publisher: Random House UK (2016).
Pages: 384 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback, audiobook.
Age range/grade: Ages 7–9.
Book description: William Trundle, a boy in a wheelchair, befriends a dinosaur hatched at the North Pole. Together, they embark on an unforgettable Christmas Eve adventure filled with courage and laughter.
10. The Naughty List
Author: Michael Fry.
Publisher: Harper (2020).
Pages: 224 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback.
Age range/grade: Ages 8–10.
Book description: When Bobbie’s name ends up on the Naughty List, she joins Santa’s detective elves to clear her record and save Christmas from total disaster. A laugh-out-loud holiday romp!
Christmas Chapter Books for Ages 10–12 (Older Audience)
11. The Christmas Mystery
Author: Jostein Gaarder.
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books.
Pages: 240 pages.
Format: Paperback.
Age range/grade: Ages 10–12.
Book description: Every day of December, Joachim opens a new window in his Advent calendar and uncovers a magical story that stretches through time, revealing the wonder of Christmas itself.
12. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
Author: L. Frank Baum.
Publisher: Various (Public Domain Classic).
Pages: ~160 pages.
Format: Paperback and audiobook.
Age range/grade: Ages 10–12.
Book description: The author of The Wizard of Oz spins a magical origin story of Santa Claus—from his childhood among forest immortals to his lifelong mission of joy and giving.
13. The True Gift: A Christmas Story
Author: Patricia MacLachlan.
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2009).
Pages: 96 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback.
Age range/grade: Ages 9–12.
Book description: When siblings Lily and Liam discover a lonely cow left alone for Christmas, they rally the town to help—reminding everyone what true generosity looks like.
14. The Christmas Pig
Author: J. K. Rowling.
Publisher: Scholastic (2021).
Pages: 272 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback, audiobook.
Age range/grade: Ages 9–12.
Book description: When Jack’s beloved toy pig goes missing, he journeys through the Land of the Lost to find him. A richly imaginative adventure about love and hope.
15. The Angel Tree
Author: Daphne Benedis-Grab.
Publisher: Scholastic (2014).
Pages: 256 pages.
Format: Paperback.
Age range/grade: Ages 10–12.
Book description: Every Christmas, the Angel Tree grants wishes in a small town. Four kids team up to uncover who’s behind the tradition and discover how kindness connects them all.
16. Winterfrost
Author: Michelle Houts.
Publisher: Candlewick Press (2014).
Pages: 224 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback.
Age range/grade: Ages 10–12.
Book description: When her parents are away, Bettina discovers a tiny Danish elf (nisse) who changes her Christmas forever. Folk magic, family, and faith blend beautifully in this winter tale.
17. The Miracle on 10th Street (and Other Christmas Writings)
Author: Madeleine L’Engle.
Publisher: Convergent Books (2016).
Pages: 304 pages.
Format: Hardcover, eBook.
Age range/grade: Ages 10–12.
Book description: A collection of short stories and reflections from the beloved author of A Wrinkle in Time, celebrating peace, wonder, and light during the Christmas season.
18. The House Without a Christmas Tree
Author: Gail Rock.
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (1974).
Pages: 144 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback.
Age range/grade: Ages 10–12.
Book description: Addie Mills lives in a home where Christmas has been forgotten since her mother’s passing. Determined to bring the tree—and joy—back, she learns about love and forgiveness.
19. The Family Under the Bridge
Author: Natalie Savage Carlson.
Publisher: HarperCollins (1958).
Pages: 128 pages.
Format: Paperback, eBook.
Age range/grade: Ages 9–12.
Book description: A Parisian hobo’s life changes when he befriends three homeless children just before Christmas. A sweet, classic story of compassion and redemption.
20. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Author: Karina Yan Glaser.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2017).
Pages: 304 pages.
Format: Hardcover, paperback, eBook.
Age range/grade: Ages 9–12.
Book description: The five Vanderbeeker kids have just 11 days before Christmas to save their Harlem brownstone home from eviction. Full of laughter, love, and community spirit, it’s a modern holiday favorite for families.
Why Pick These Books? Family Reading Tips
Each of these books captures the true spirit of Christmas through stories that inspire kindness, gratitude, and joy. They balance adventure and imagination with meaningful lessons about what matters most in life. As children read, they’ll see the power of friendship, the importance of family, and the beauty of giving to others. These stories remind readers young and old that the Christmas season is about more than gifts or decorations—it’s about love, faith, and the joy of sharing that light with the people around us.
Family Reading Tips
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Pick one or two books to read aloud together throughout December, a “literary Advent calendar” for cozy family nights.
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Keep a Christmas book basket by the tree for easy reading time after school or before bed.
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Let kids choose which story to revisit each year — it builds tradition and anticipation.
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Pair reading time with cocoa, cookies, and conversation about each story’s message of hope or kindness.
Closing Thoughts
Christmas stories have a special way of slowing us down, drawing families closer, and filling our homes with light and laughter. Whether you’re camping with the Campground Kids, solving mysteries at the White House, or discovering lost letters with Sadie, these books remind us that the greatest gifts aren’t found under a tree, they’re found in faith, family, and the joy of giving.
