Kid Tested, Librarian Approved: Christmas Together

There’s nothing like spending the holidays with the people you love. In each of these middle grade chapter books the main characters find out that what you do on Christmas is less important than who you do it with. Check out each of these heartwarming adventures that are perfect to curl up with by a warm fireside!

Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer is one of my favorite authors and I was very pleased to find this Christmas story he wrote. In this tale 11 year old Juniper discovers what it truly means have good neighbors and to be a good neighbor. She goes on an adventure and tries to solve a mystery to save her small town before Christmas.

"Colfer weaves a love story with numerous characters . . . on the determined efforts of his perceptive and big-hearted young protagonist. A soaring flight fueled by joys, sorrows, and deeds both ill and good." ―Kirkus, starred review

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

The library has a charming illustrated copy of this classic Christmas story. Jack and Della both want only one thing: to give each other the best Christmas ever. In the end they discover their love really is the best gift they can give or receive.

"The sepia-toned watercolors have an authentic period look; the details present in the New York City street scenes and the couple's rather shabby apartment add a strong feeling of time and place to the story." – School Library Journal

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand

This is a young adult book, but I had to include it on this list because it’s such a unique twist on the classic A Christmas Carol formula. What would happen if instead of a grouchy old man, Scrooge was a spoiled teenage girl? Furthermore, what would happen if instead of changing her ways, she ended up becoming one of the Christmas ghosts herself?

“Darkly funny. Save the coal and hand this to the Christmas spirit doubters.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Hand debuts with an engrossing take on the angel mythos... an engaging and romantic tale with solid backstory.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Sometimes the best Christmas pageant isn’t the one where everything goes right, but where everything goes wrong in just the ways it needs to. When a family of young troublemakers hijacks the community Christmas pageant, the whole town learns a thing or two about what it really means to be a community.

“Outrageous, lively, funny, and wonderful. The Christmas Story shines through with a new brilliance.” — Denver Post

“One of the best Christmas books ever.” — Publishers Weekly