10+ Best Christmas Chapter Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Hey there! Are you on the hunt for the perfect festive read for your young reader? Look no further! Our list of Christmas Chapter Books for 10-Year-Olds is packed with magical tales that capture the spirit of the holiday season. Whether your child is a budding bookworm or just getting into reading, these picks are sure to keep them hooked. Keep reading to discover our top picks for Christmas chapter books that are just right for 10-year-olds!
Table of Contents
Fun Christmas Chapter Books for 10-Year-Olds
- The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Holiday
- Synopsis: When Amelia Wishart is thrown into a workhouse, the magic of Christmas begins to fade. Santa Claus realizes he must find Amelia to restore hope and Christmas cheer.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a magical story that combines adventure with the true spirit of Christmas, encouraging hope and resilience.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love magical adventures and the spirit of Christmas.
- Winterfrost by Michelle Houts
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Holiday, Folklore
- Synopsis: When Bettina's parents unexpectedly leave her in charge during Christmas, an ancient Danish tradition of mischief and magic leads to the disappearance of her baby sister. Bettina must venture into the world of nisser to bring her back.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to Danish folklore with a heartwarming and thrilling winter adventure, enhancing their appreciation for cultural stories.
- Perfect for: Kids interested in folklore and magical tales.
- The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Shane Devries
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Holiday
- 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's a fun, unique story that blends dinosaurs with Christmas, offering excitement and a sense of wonder.
- Perfect for: Dinosaur enthusiasts and fans of Christmas stories looking for a new twist.
- Top Elf by Caleb Zane Huett
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor, Holiday
- Synopsis: Ollie and Celia enter a contest to become the next Top Elf at the North Pole, facing off against elves and other magical creatures in a series of challenges.
- Why we recommend this book: It's packed with humor and inventive Christmas-themed challenges, perfect for keeping readers engaged and laughing.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy competition, humor, and a good dose of Christmas magic.
- Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Holiday, Epistolary
- Synopsis: This book is a collection of letters written by J.R.R. Tolkien to his children over many years from Father Christmas, detailing the magical events at the North Pole.
- Why we recommend this book: It showcases Tolkien’s creativity and is a charming addition to holiday reading that reveals the warmth and festive spirit of Christmas.
- Perfect for: Young Tolkien fans and anyone who enjoys creative Christmas stories.
Educational Christmas Chapter Books for 10-Year-Olds
- The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson, illustrated by Garth Williams
- Genre(s): Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: This heartwarming story is about Armand, an old homeless man in Paris who dislikes children until he meets a family of children living under a bridge. As they prepare for Christmas, Armand finds himself caring about the family and helping them find a permanent home.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, understanding of different lifestyles, social awareness
- Why we recommend this book: It's a touching narrative that teaches compassion and the importance of family during the holiday season.
- Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories that highlight the importance of kindness and family.
- The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
- Genre(s): Family, Holiday
- Synopsis: The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street in Harlem, but just a few days before Christmas, they receive news that they must move out. The five Vanderbeeker children, aged four to twelve, decide to do whatever it takes to stay in their home.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem solving, teamwork, community engagement
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the spirit of Christmas with a lively tale of a family working together to overcome adversity.
- Perfect for: Children who love stories about family dynamics and community spirit.
- Nutcracked by Susan Adrian
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Holiday
- Synopsis: Georgie gets the lead role in the Nutcracker ballet, but when she discovers that the old nutcracker her uncle gave her magically transports her into the world of the Nutcracker every time she dances with it, she must navigate the adventure while figuring out how to return to her own world.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of ballet and performing arts, imagination, adventure solving
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a magical twist on the traditional Nutcracker story, inspiring creativity and a love for dance.
- Perfect for: Young dancers and those who enjoy magical adventures tied to classic stories.
- The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements
- Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Sixth-grader Hart Evans is known as the most popular boy in school, but when he is given control of the holiday concert, he learns about leadership and the importance of cooperation in creating a successful event.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Leadership skills, teamwork, music appreciation
- Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging story that explores the challenges and rewards of unexpected leadership roles, particularly in a school setting.
- Perfect for: Aspiring leaders and music lovers.
- When Santa Fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke, illustrated by Paul Howard
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Holiday
- Synopsis: When Santa Claus crash-lands in the middle of a real-world town during a storm, he's on the run from Gerold Geronimus Goblynch, an evil man determined to turn the holiday into a grim affair. Santa, with the help of some new friends, fights to save Christmas.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, understanding of good versus evil, resilience
- Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of Christmas magic while incorporating a thrilling adventure to save the holiday.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fantastical tales with a dose of heroism and holiday spirit.
Challenging Christmas Chapter Books for 10-Year-Olds
- A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Holiday
- Synopsis: This is the story of Nikolas, a poor boy who embarks on a perilous journey to find his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of Elfhelm.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative weaves complex themes of loss, hope, and perseverance, which are advanced for younger readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a backstory to the myth of Santa Claus, blending adventure with a heartwarming message about the importance of belief and generosity.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy origin stories and magical adventures.
- The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum, illustrated by Michael Hague
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Classic, Holiday
- Synopsis: This book offers a detailed, imaginative account of Santa Claus's life from his childhood to immortality, explaining many Christmas traditions.
- Why this book is challenging: It features archaic language and complex narrative structures uncommon in modern children's literature.
- Why we recommend this book: It enriches the reader's understanding of Christmas traditions through a beautifully crafted fairy tale.
- Perfect for: Readers who appreciate folklore and classic storytelling.
- The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
- Genre(s): Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Known as the best woodcarver in the valley, Jonathan Toomey is grumpy and alone until a widow and her son ask him to carve their Christmas nativity set.
- Why this book is challenging: The subtle emotional depth and the development of the characters provide a complex narrative that requires thoughtful engagement.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that illustrates the healing power of kindness and community during the holiday season.
- Perfect for: Readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven stories.
- The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan, illustrated by Laurel Long
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance, Holiday
- Synopsis: Holly Claus, the daughter of Santa Claus, is cursed by an evil sorcerer. Her heart is frozen, and only true love can break the spell as she ventures into the world of mortals.
- Why this book is challenging: The book combines a complex plot with rich, descriptive language and a deep exploration of themes like love and sacrifice.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique and enchanting twist on the traditional Santa Claus story, focusing on his daughter's magical adventure.
- Perfect for: Readers who love detailed fantasy worlds and epic quests.
- Kringle by Tony Abbott
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Holiday
- Synopsis: This novel follows the adventures of an orphan named Kringle who grows up to be Santa Claus. Along the way, he battles goblins and other mythical creatures to rescue kidnapped children.
- Why this book is challenging: It features a dense plot with intricate world-building and a mix of mythological elements.
- Why we recommend this book: It's an epic fantasy that combines thrilling adventure with the origins of Santa Claus, offering both excitement and a festive spirit.
- Perfect for: Adventurous readers who enjoy fantasy epics and origin stories.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're diving into the wonderful world of Christmas chapter books, it's a great opportunity to develop some solid reading habits. Here are a few exercises that can help any 10-year-old become a more engaged and thoughtful reader. Not only will these make reading more fun, but they'll also enhance comprehension and retention. Let's get started!
- Set Reading Goals
- What it is: Decide how many pages or chapters you want to read each day.
- How it helps: Keeps you motivated and makes reading a regular part of your day.
- Tips: Choose realistic goals that fit into your daily schedule.
- Summarize Chapters
- What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after you read it.
- How it helps: Improves understanding and helps remember the story better.
- Tips: Keep summaries short and focus on main events.
- Discuss With Friends
- What it is: Talk about the book with friends who are reading it too.
- How it helps: Enhances understanding through discussion and different perspectives.
- Tips: Try to bring up specific scenes or characters to make the discussion more engaging.
- Create a Book Map
- What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the book’s events and settings.
- How it helps: Helps visualize the story and connect the plot points.
- Tips: Use colors and symbols to mark important events or turning points.
- Predict the Next Chapter
- What it is: Guess what might happen next before starting the next chapter.
- How it helps: Stimulates imagination and makes reading more interactive.
- Tips: Write down your predictions and check how many were right as you read.
- Read Aloud to Someone
- What it is: Read a chapter aloud to a family member or a pet.
- How it helps: Improves fluency and confidence in reading.
- Tips: Try to express the emotions of the characters with your voice.
These exercises are not just about reading more, but about reading better. They'll help you dive deeper into the magical Christmas stories and maybe even find a new favorite book this holiday season. So, grab your book, pick a cozy spot, and let's make this reading adventure unforgettable! Happy reading!