12 Christmas Chapter Books for Tweens

Eleven-year-old Nikolas-nicknamed "Christmas"-has received only one toy in his life: a doll carved out of a turnip. But he's happy with his turnip doll, because it came from his parents, who love him.

Then one day his father goes missing, and Nikolas must travel to the North Pole to save him. This engaging story is one I gave to my kids three Christmases ago, and they still love it.

This book couples perfectly with A Boy Called Christmas, but they are not gendered, so don't feel like you have to give one to a boy and another to a girl. Both my kids enjoyed both these books.

Amelia Wishart was the first child ever to receive a Christmas present. It was her Christmas spirit that gave Santa the extra boost of magic he needed to make his first trip around the world. But now Amelia is in trouble with her mother sick and her sent to the workhouse under a cruel master.

Christmas has come, and with it a sparkling white winterfrost. When Bettina’s parents are called away unexpectedly, leaving her in charge of the house, the farm, and baby Pia, Bettina neglects to set out the traditional bowl of Christmas rice pudding for the tiny nisse.

No one besides her grandfather ever believed the nisse were real, so what harm could there be in forgetting this silly custom?

Once upon a time, an egg rolled away from its mother and landed in the ocean, where it froze solid and stayed peacefully for thousands of years. Then one day Santa and his elves discover the frozen egg, and Santa sits on it to see if it will hatch.

But he can't guess what's inside. Meanwhile, a young boy named William Trundle has only ever wished for one thing for Christmas: a dinosaur!

So when Santa accidentally gives William the real Christmasaurus instead of a stuffed replica....

These elves are off the shelves. Ollie and Celia think they know what the life of an elf is supposed to be like: Make toys. Help Santa. Make more toys. Help Santa. Try out a new ice-cream flavor. Help Santa.

But then Santa rocks the North Pole with a surprise announcement! He's decided this is going to be his last year in the Big Red Suit--and instead of letting his oldest son, the unfortunately named Klaus Claus, take over, he's opening up the job to an kid who wants to apply - Claus or elf.

'Tis the season... for heartbreak? Emery Mason is not a fan of the holidays. She's so over the tinsel, the shopping, and all the other trappings of the season.

Unfortunately, this year, Em is forced to work - as an elf! - at her parents' Santa photo booth at the mall. There, Em meets Alejandro Perez, who works at the hot cocoa shop next door and is always full of holiday spirit.

Alex is cute, but he's nothing like Em's real crush - the brooding and artistic Sawyer Kade. But the more time Em spends with Alex, the more she realizes that she may not be the Grinch she always thought she was.

This year, the girls are everywhere but home for the holidays. From a tropical cruise to a ski trip to Switzerland, it promises to be a Christmas to remember.

Becca, Megan, Emma, Cassidy, and Jess have plenty of reading material to bring on their trips too, because the book club is tackling the Betsy-Tacy series before their next meeting on New Year’s Eve.

But from unexpected blizzards to a sledding disaster, nothing goes as planned. Even the Secret Santa presents are turning into a huge disappointment.

Georgie has waited for this moment her whole life--to dance the part of Clara in The Nutcracker ballet. And when she finally gets the part, it's like a dream come true.

Every time Georgie dances with the Nutcracker doll, she leaves the ballet studio and enters a world where everything around her is larger than life. Then the Nutcracker's magic seeps into the real world, putting Georgie's friend in danger.

Christa is a holiday junkie. What’s not to love? There’s decorations! Gifts! Caroling with friends! But thanks to her parents’ recent separation, Christa’s favorite time of year is now filled with heartache.

When her mom announces that she’s taking her on a mother-daughter trip to Europe over winter vacation, Christa knows she should be excited. She just can’t imagine spending the yuletide season without her dad.

However, waiting at her hotel in Italy is a special package from her father: the first of twelve dares that take Christa to landmarks in three beautiful countries and introduce her to people who will show her that hope is alive in the strangest of places.

Nancy is spending her winter vacation at the most beautiful ski resort in Montana. Everything looks perfect, from the spectacular mountain views to the cozy rooms inside complete with fireplaces and holiday decorations.

Unfortunately, not all is as jolly as it seems. Things started to go wrong on her very first day, and it's a week of unfortunate events for rest the resort too, from a sabotaged opening dinner to multiple hotel room break-ins to a dangerous trap was set for the star chef.

But can Nancy solve the cases from her enforced bedrest after breaking her leg in multiple places?

Yes, JoJo Siwa starred in the movie adaptation of this book. Seventh grader Frannie Hudson wonders what it would be like to trade in her family for a new one.

Her big brother ignores her. Her mean older sister can’t stand her. And her parents have just announced they’re going on a last-minute vacation—without her.

When Frannie makes one desperate, crazy wish, she magically bounces into a whole new life, with a totally different family. There’s only one catch: waking up as someone else keeps happening.

Santa Claus is the King of Forever, Land of the Immortals. When one special boy writes to Santa asking what no other child has ever asked, a miracle occurs: Santa and his wife are blessed with a daughter.

But the birth of Holly Claus also brings about a terrible curse -- from an evil soul named Herrikhan. Holly's heart is frozen, and the gates to Forever are locked, barring exit or entry.