10+ Best Christmas Books for 9-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

As the festive season approaches, finding the perfect way to keep your 9-year-old engaged and joyful can be as simple as picking the right read. Our list of Christmas books for 9-year-olds is packed with magical stories that capture the spirit of the holidays. Whether you're looking for a cozy bedtime story or an adventurous tale to spark their imagination, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our top picks for Christmas books that are sure to delight any 9-year-old reader!

Fun Christmas Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Christmas
  • Synopsis: A young boy takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and receives a special gift from Santa Claus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic of Christmas through beautiful illustrations and a captivating story that sparks the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Children who love magical adventures and the spirit of Christmas.

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Christmas, Classic
  • Synopsis: The Grinch, who hates Christmas, plans to ruin it for the village of Whoville by stealing all their presents and decorations. However, his heart changes when he sees the villagers still celebrating without gifts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic read that teaches the importance of the Christmas spirit over material possessions.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy a good rhyme and a meaningful message.

• The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Shane Devries
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Christmas
  • Synopsis: A young boy named William Trundle embarks on a magical adventure with a dinosaur called the Christmasaurus on Christmas Eve.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines dinosaurs and Christmas to create an exciting and unique tale that encourages friendship and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who love dinosaurs and magical tales.

• Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Christmas, Epistolary
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of letters written by J.R.R. Tolkien to his children every Christmas over many years, from the point of view of Father Christmas or Polar Bear.
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases Tolkien’s creativity and fatherly love through imaginative storytelling and whimsical illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy creative stories and fans of Tolkien’s other works.

• Winterhouse by Ben Guterson, illustrated by Chloe Bristol
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: An orphan named Elizabeth Somers is sent to the mysterious Winterhouse Hotel, where she uncovers magical secrets and puzzles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling mystery filled with puzzles and magic, perfect for developing critical thinking and a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love solving puzzles and mysteries.

These books are not only fun to read but also capture the essence of the holiday spirit, making them perfect Christmas gifts for 9-year-olds who are eager to dive into magical worlds.

Educational Christmas Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Christmas
  • Synopsis: When the magic of Christmas is in danger of disappearing, a young girl named Amelia Wishart must save it with the help of Father Christmas and a host of magical creatures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, resilience, and the spirit of giving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that combines adventure with the true spirit of Christmas, emphasizing the importance of hope and generosity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love magical adventures and heartwarming tales.

• The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Robert Ingpen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Christmas
  • Synopsis: Young Marie Stahlbaum's favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, appreciation for classical music and ballet, cultural knowledge
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a magical and timeless tale that inspires creativity and a love for the arts.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in music, ballet, and enchanting stories.

• The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Christmas
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book brings the classic Christmas song to life, depicting a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, memory skills, and cultural traditions
  • Why we recommend this book: The intricate illustrations and playful take on the classic song make it a delightful read that also helps with numerical skills and memory.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy singing along to Christmas carols and engaging with visually stimulating artwork.

• A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Christmas
  • Synopsis: Nikolas, a poor boy living in Finland, embarks on a perilous journey to find his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Along the way, Nikolas discovers his destiny to become Father Christmas.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Courage, perseverance, and the history of Christmas traditions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an origin story of Father Christmas that combines adventure with the message of hope and belief in the magical.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous readers who appreciate origin stories and mythical tales.

• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Interactive Book, Christmas
  • Synopsis: The Jolly Postman delivers letters to various fairy-tale characters such as the Big Bad Wolf, Cinderella, and others, with actual letters contained within the pages that readers can take out and read.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, interactive play, and familiarity with fairy-tale characters
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages young readers with its interactive format and charming storyline, enhancing reading enjoyment and comprehension.
  • Perfect for: Children who love interactive reading experiences and enchanting characters.

Challenging Christmas Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: During World War I, two French sisters discover a blind English soldier who has escaped the horrors of battle. He shares with them tales of courage and kindness, centered around a small, mystical silver donkey as a talisman.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative intertwines complex themes of war, morality, and human kindness, which are presented through metaphorical storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a gentle yet profound perspective on war and human virtues, fostering empathy and historical understanding.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in history and moral tales.

• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
  • Genre(s): Christmas, Classic
  • Synopsis: Jonathan Toomey, the best woodcarver in the valley, is always alone and miserable. His life begins to change when a widow and her son ask him to carve a Christmas nativity set and through this task, he experiences a transformation.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with themes of loss, redemption, and transformation, requiring a deeper understanding and sensitivity from the reader.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a touching story of healing and the restorative power of kindness, ideal for fostering compassion and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate stories of hope and transformation.

• The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
  • Genre(s): Folklore, Christmas
  • Synopsis: This book retells a Mexican legend about how the poinsettia came to be an important symbol of Christmas through the humble offering of a little girl who had no gift to present to the Christ Child.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces cultural folklore and the symbolic meaning behind common holiday traditions, which can be complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates cultural diversity and the idea that the most modest gifts can hold great significance.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in cultural stories and the origins of holiday traditions.

• The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Edmund Dulac
  • Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A classic tale about the struggle between good and evil as experienced by two children, Kay and Gerda. The story explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the power of love.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story's rich, symbolic narrative and old-fashioned language present a higher reading level and deeper thematic exploration.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a magical and enduring story that challenges readers while introducing them to classic literary themes.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy epic tales of adventure and magical realism.

• The Toymaker's Apprentice by Sherri L. Smith
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Christmas
  • Synopsis: Stefan Drosselmeyer is a young apprentice toymaker whose world turns upside down when his cousin, Christian Drosselmeyer, returns with a mysterious invitation to become the new royal toymaker and save the kingdom with magical toys.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines complex character development with a richly woven plot involving magic, adventure, and historical elements.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers an imaginative twist on the holiday season, encouraging creativity and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love fantasy with a blend of adventure and historical intrigue.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking for ways to make reading Christmas books more engaging for your 9-year-old, you've come to the right place. Below are some fun and effective exercises designed to help young readers dive deeper into their books while developing good reading habits. Let’s get started!

• Create a Reading Calendar
  • What it is: Set up a calendar to plan which days and times to read.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and responsibility in managing reading time.
  • Tips: Let your child place stickers on the calendar for each day they read, making it fun and rewarding.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using favorite characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of character actions and emotions.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-playing more exciting and engaging.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the story’s events.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the plot and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Use colored pencils or markers to differentiate between different parts of the story.

• Book Club Discussions
  • What it is: Organize weekly book discussions with friends or family who are reading the same book.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and provides different perspectives on the story.
  • Tips: Prepare questions ahead of time to guide the discussion and keep it lively.

• Vocabulary Hunt
  • What it is: Look for new or interesting words in the book and write them down.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of the text.
  • Tips: Use a notebook specifically for new words and encourage your child to use these words in sentences.

Implementing these exercises can make reading more than just a solitary activity; it becomes an interactive, enriching experience that can significantly boost your child’s reading skills. Plus, it’s a great way to get into the festive spirit with some Christmas-themed books! Happy reading!