Christmas is a time to kick back and relax, so curl up before the fireplace or lay your towel on the beach and embrace the festive season with a good book.
Christmas Romances
The Princess Present by Meg Cabot, a Princess Diaries Book (HarperTeen, 2004) Even princesses have trouble finding the perfect Christmas gift. In this frothy holiday romance, Princess Mia is spending Christmas in Genovia with her Grandmère. She's delighted that her best friend and boyfriend are coming to join her, but worried about what to give to Michael. A light, holiday read for those who don't want to think too deeply.
Mistletoe by Hailey Abbott, Melissa de la Cruz, Aimee Friedman & Nina Malkin (Scholastic, 2006) This delightful collection of four short stories with a Christmas theme is sure to bring a little romance into the holiday season and get you thinking about who you'd like to meet under the mistletoe. Perfect for older teens.
Secret Santa by Sabrina James (Scholastic, 2007) An hilarious romp through the intricacies of teen relationships as each of the characters trys to solve the mystery of their secret santa and end up with the one they love the most. Lots of fun.
Christmas Classics
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Amelia C. Houghton (Yesterday's Classics, 2006) The enchanting tale of Nicholas the Wandering Orphan and how he grew up to be Santa Claus. For teenagers who'd like to travel back in time and remember the innocence of childhood. A truly wonderful story.
Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery (McClelland & Stewart, 2002) Although only two of the short stories in this collection centre around the character of Anne, the spirit of Green Gables is present throughout. An enchanting gift for fans of L.M. Montgomery, heartwarming and certain to leave you with a happy glow.
Christmas Fantasy
The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittany Ryan (HarperCollins, 2005) The engaging fantasy tale of Santa's daughter and her quest to save the Land of the Immortals from the evil Herrikhan. An epic adventure with a strong heroine that blends fantasy and history as it moves from the Land of the Immortals to Victorian New York.
Kringle by Tony Abbot (Scholastic, 2005) A very untraditional Christmas tale of goblins and elves, Kringle is one of the few Christmas books that will appeal to boys as much as girls. The world is dark and danger lurks but Kringle has a mission, to stop the enslavement of children. An unusual and exciting read.
A Small Town Christmas
A Very Dairy Christmas by Sylvia Hysen (1st Impression Publishing, 2005) A humorous fish out of water story about a sophisticated New York teen who is forced to spend the holidays with her grandparents on a Wisconsin dairy farm. Pick it up if you want a good laugh.
The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson (Revell, 2006) No town loves Christmas as much as Christmas Valley, but this year The Shephard's Inn is hosting a variety of strangers that are sure to turn Christmas on it's head. A joyful and humorous book about the true meaning of Christmas.
Looking for Christmas books for your little brothers and sisters? Why not check out my articles on Christmas-Themed Picture Books, Christmas Mysteries for Primary Students and Christmas Novels for Primary Students.
Jodie Wells-Slowgrove - You might say my life has revolved around kids. At university I studied teacher-librarianship. Working in public libraries on the ...
