35 Best Middle Grade Christmas Books for Ages 8–12 to Add to Your TBR

If you love middle grade Christmas books, this list is for you.

I gathered 34 Christmas books for ages 8–12, and I want to read as many of them as I can this season.

Middle grade readers usually fall between ages 8 and 12, so these picks suit tweens and any grown-up who enjoys reading along.

Some are funny Christmas books for kids, some are spooky Christmas books for tweens, and a few are Santa Claus middle grade adventures.

You will also find classics, cozy family stories, and faith-based Christmas books for kids.

Whether you want Christmas chapter books for kids to read on a snowy afternoon or gift ideas for middle grade readers, start your TBR here.

Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer

Eleven-year-old Juniper Lane suspects that the mysterious woodsman living in her local park is Santa himself.

After she asks him for help, she accidentally gets exposed to North Pole magic.

The cast includes a neighbor who always believed in Santa, a young reindeer in training, and a crime boss after Santa’s magic.

A reindeer in training is the detail that wins me over first.

Eoin Colfer’s signature exuberance is promised, along with festive illustrations.

I am curious how all these characters collide.

The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent

For Holly and her family, it really is Christmas every day.

Their decorations and tree stay up all year, and carols are not saved for December.

Then the family settles into a new neighborhood, and Holly starts at a new school.

Not everyone enjoys her continuous Christmas cheer.

I am curious whether Holly can keep her festive enthusiasm going.

It is described as funny, fast-paced, quirky, and heartwarming.

Anyone who wishes it were Christmas every day will understand this family.

Krampus and the Thief of Christmas by Eldritch Black

Krampus Night is coming, and this story promises dark fairy tales and a magical battle for the heart of Christmas.

Gabrielle Greene has just been crowned the worst girl who ever lived.

That lands her at the top of Krampus’s naughty list.

When her younger brother vanishes, she searches for him and ends up in a shadowy otherworld.

Terrible trolls, murky forests, and coal-black mountains fill that place.

I am curious about that title, the Thief of Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Everyone knows the Grinch, but I want to read the original book.

Cindy Lou-Who is the little girl who sees past his un-cheerful attitude.

She helps him see the true meaning of Christmas.

Plenty of movie versions exist, yet the book itself comes in true Seuss style.

Its rhymes should make the reading experience extra fun.

Beautifully illustrated editions are out there too.

Reading a classic aloud sounds like a lovely way to spend a December evening.

Elf Road by Jacqui Hazell

Tizzy and Wilf are sad to leave their cosy Cornish cottage.

They must spend Christmas with a grandmother in London whom they have never met.

Their mum, dad, and three cats stay behind.

Then the siblings find a hidden underground tunnel that leads them to the North Pole.

They meet the elves and even Santa himself.

It is called fast-paced and unique, with a fresh spin on Santa and the North Pole.

A secret tunnel to the North Pole is the kind of idea I cannot get enough of.

Stealing Christmas by Matthew Sullivan

Seventh grader Mitch Murphy learns he is finally getting a PlayStation 4 for Christmas.

Hours later, his cousins start a Thanksgiving food fight and lose their Christmas presents as punishment.

Mitch is only a bystander, yet he loses his gift too.

Then he discovers where all the presents are being stashed.

He rallies his motley crew of cousins to steal them back.

A holiday heist sounds like a funny twist for middle grade.

I am curious whether they can learn to work together.

The Arctic Code by Matthew J. Kirby

In the near future, the earth has entered a new ice age.

Eleanor Perry lives in Tucson, a popular destination for refugees of the Freeze.

Her mother, a climatologist, believes Arctic oil deposits may hold the key to human survival.

Then she disappears after sending Eleanor cryptic messages.

Eleanor sets out to find her and unravel what has happened to the planet.

The hint of a threat that may not be of this world gives me chills.

This sounds like a gripping pick for readers who want a wintry sci-fi mystery.

Abigail and the Christmas Contest by Bethany McIlrath

Abigail expects the best Christmas ever, with her cousin visiting, snow, presents, and a new puppy.

She even has a plan for an amazing Christmas contest, and she hopes to win.

Once the cousins are together, jealousy begins to threaten her joy.

Nine-year-old Abigail learns that the joy Jesus brings can never be taken away.

The Nativity story comes alive in her life along the way.

A faith-centered story with a puppy and a contest sounds sweet to me.

I am curious how the cousins’ rivalry plays out.

The Naughty List by Michael Fry

Fans of Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid might want to take note.

Bobbie tries to save her brother’s Christmas, but her bumbling efforts land him on Santa’s Naughty List.

To fix it, she has to travel to the North Pole.

Rogue elves, dysfunctional reindeer, and a lazy Santa are waiting for her there.

Comic illustrations are packed into the pages, which makes me want to flip through it right away.

I am looking forward to a laugh-out-loud holiday adventure.

Wishyouwas by Alexandra Page

It is 1952 in London, and Penny feels lonely this Christmas season.

Her mum is away, her Uncle Frank is busy running his post office, and the smog is thick.

So she helps out at the post office.

One evening she hears shuffling, scratching, and scurrying.

It turns out to be Wishyouwas, the sorter of lost mail.

Together they explore a secret underground world Penny never knew existed.

A nostalgic tale with a mysterious new friend sounds like a cozy read for me.

Holiday High by Blake Harris

Holiday High is a magical school for people who believe in holidays most.

Eve December, a legacy enrollee, is surprisingly placed into the haunted Halls of Halloween High.

Her Christmas dreams vanish into a thick, moonlit fog.

She has one chance to earn her way back to Campus Christmas.

To do it, she must lead a misfit crew of ghouls, monsters, witches, and costume keepers.

Blake Harris co-wrote Hocus Pocus 2, so I expect a fun imagination at work.

This looks perfect for readers who love Halloween and Christmas equally.

Stanley’s Christmas Adventure by Jeff Brown

Santa Claus is in a terrible mood and not his usual jolly self.

He believes children no longer appreciate Christmas.

This year, he has decided not to deliver any presents.

His daughter, Sarah Claus, knows exactly who to call for help.

That would be the Lambchop family.

Their task is convincing Santa that good children still exist, and Stanley is the one expected to do it.

At only 96 pages, it looks like a quick, fun read.

Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett is best known for The Secret Garden, yet this novel is called underrated.

Cedric Errol is a generous, kind American boy.

He is told he must come to England to his grandfather’s estate.

Supposedly, he is the heir of the Earl of Dorincourt.

In the nineteenth century, middle-class America and British aristocracy were worlds apart.

Still, Ceddie adjusts quickly, even though his grandfather is not very kind for a long while.

I am curious about this nostalgic classic and what it offers middle grade readers.

The Christmas Genie by Dan Gutman

It is the last day of school before Christmas vacation, and Mrs. Walter’s fifth graders are desperate for the bell.

Then a meteorite crashes through the classroom window, and a genie named Bob pops out.

Bob will grant just one wish for the whole class.

The catch is that they must agree on it within an hour.

Imagining a classroom debate over one wish makes me laugh already.

It is described as thought-provoking and hilarious, and I am curious whether the class can agree.

Nutcracked by Susan Adrian

Georgie has dreamed her whole life of dancing Clara in The Nutcracker.

When she finally lands the part, it feels like a dream come true, quite literally.

Each time she dances with the Nutcracker doll, she enters a world where the furniture, tree, and presents are larger than life.

Then the magic seeps into the real world and puts her friend in danger.

Christmas is almost here, so the timing is stressful.

I am looking forward to seeing how Georgie handles it.

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

Winter 1940 brings Nazi troops parachuting into Peter Lundstrom’s tiny Norwegian village.

At first, nobody thought the Nazis could be defeated.

Then Uncle Victor tells Peter how the children could fool the enemy.

Their dangerous plan involves slipping past guards with nine million dollars in gold hidden on sleds.

They would be risking their country’s treasure and their own lives.

It is a classic that has captivated generations of readers, so I want to see why.

A snowy wartime adventure led by kids is a different kind of winter read for me.

The Great Reindeer Rescue by Stephen Mangan

Holly cannot sleep because she is so excited for Christmas.

She is about to have the most adventurous Christmas of her life.

Her travels take her to all corners of the world.

She hopes to save Santa’s reindeer, her dad, and Santa himself.

Dave, a reindeer who has only just started his new job, helps her.

A rookie reindeer sidekick is a detail I adore.

It is described as full of joy, fun, laughter, and adventure, so I am ready.

A Very Scary Christmas by John Ward

While visiting a local Christmas store, Kelsey notices the owner, Madame Trudeau, performing a strange ritual.

The ritual happens over three elf dolls that her younger brother Colby picked out.

Strange and chilling things begin to occur.

Kelsey comes to believe the dolls can come to life.

Three vengeful elf dolls sound a lot scarier than one creepy doll.

This is a spooky pick for readers who like their holidays with a shiver.

I am eager to see what Kelsey discovers.

Let it Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy

Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at holiday pageant tryouts and think they are seeing double.

Both know they were adopted, but neither knew about an identical twin.

Aviva has a big personality and Broadway plans, while Holly is a quiet dreamer who wants to become an author.

Curious about each other’s holidays, they secretly trade lives.

They plan a dramatic reveal for their families, though the book asks what could possibly go wrong.

A twin swap during the holidays is the kind of premise I adore.

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab

Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square.

It is called the Angel Tree.

Some townspeople tie wishes to the tree, while others work to make those wishes come true.

Nobody has ever known where the tree comes from.

That mystery has always been part of the tradition’s charm.

I only know the setup so far, which makes me curious about where the story goes.

A town tradition built on wishes is a cozy idea for a holiday read.

Young Scrooge by R.L. Stine

Rick Scroogeman cannot stand Christmas carols, pageants, lights, or mistletoe.

What bothers him most is watching A Christmas Carol at school every year.

His last name leads classmates to call him Scrooge, which he hates.

Things shift when three ghosts visit him.

At first he assumes it is a dream, but it may turn out to be a nightmare.

R.L. Stine writing a Scrooge story feels like a fun pairing.

I want to see what those ghosts have in store for him.

The Rise of Nicholas the Noble by Chanda A. Bell

Shipwrecked in the Arctic Tundra, young Nicholas and his loyal dog, Barry, find a mysterious world.

It is called One True North and is home to gnomes, fairies, and magical elves.

The residents protect the Lumistella Stone, a shard of the Christmas star that fell to Earth long ago.

Gangleri, driven by greed and hate, wants the stone and plans to attack with an army of Lightalfs.

An ancient prophecy puts Nicholas and his new fellowship in the middle of it.

I am curious whether a little boy can find the courage to become a hero.

Top Elf by Caleb Huett

Santa announcing his last year in the Big Red Suit is a great way to start a story.

Instead of passing the job to his son Klaus Claus, he opens it to any elf or Claus.

Ollie and Celia enter the Santa Trials, even though their elf lives have been all about making toys.

Squeezing through impossible chimneys and racing runaway sleighs sounds like a wild survival test.

I am curious who earns the reward that is bigger than Christmas.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

This one is described as feeling like a warm hug.

The story centers on a family and the special bond between the siblings.

The neighbors have become part of the extended family, in a sense.

Family stories with close-knit communities are my favorite kind of cozy read.

It is called a perfect winter read.

It belongs to a series, which means more time with the family if I love it.

I am saving it for a chilly evening with a blanket.

Bah! Humbug! by Michael Rosen

Michael Rosen and Tony Ross retell Charles Dickens’s holiday classic in this one.

Harry Gruber plays Scrooge in his school’s production of A Christmas Carol.

He feels extra nervous tonight because his father is in the audience.

Usually his dad is away on business.

I am curious whether the play’s message of love can reach his father’s distracted heart.

A play within a story feels like a clever way to revisit a classic.

That father-and-son angle makes me want to pick it up.

The 12 Dares of Christa by Marissa Burt

Christa adores everything about the holidays, from decorations to caroling with friends.

This year feels different because her parents have recently separated.

Her mom plans a mother-daughter trip to Europe, yet Christa cannot imagine the season without her dad.

A package from her father waits at the hotel in Italy.

Inside is the first of twelve dares that send her to landmarks in three countries.

Fans of Wendy Mass and Lisa Greenwald are told to expect a feel-good adventure.

I love the idea of a Christmas story built around travel and hope.

The Lost Frost Girl by Amy Wilson

Amy Wilson’s debut is a modern-day fairy tale full of frosty magic.

Its heroine discovers that she is Jack Frost’s daughter.

That reveal alone has me wanting to know more about her.

Fans of the Emily Windsnap series and Frozen are the readers it is aimed at.

I enjoy fairy tales with a modern twist.

A winter story with a Jack Frost connection feels right for a chilly evening.

I am looking forward to seeing how that frosty magic unfolds.

Christmas Dinner of Souls by Ross Montgomery

This one is for readers who lean toward Halloween but still want something festive.

It gathers spooky, creepy, dark tales within a larger story.

In the ancient Soul’s College, eleven-year-old Lewis must sit through a Christmas dinner unlike any other.

The guests all hate Christmas and compete to tell the most terrifying tale.

The winner earns a chance to enter the catacombs beneath the college.

Why they want in remains a mystery, and I want to know.

The Christmas Cookie Chronicles by Tanya G Govender

Lucas finds a mysterious, glowing cookie on his windowsill.

It leads him on a magical Christmas adventure with his clever friend Ellie.

Following golden crumbs, they reach the long-forgotten Sugarplum Factory and its enchanted recipes.

The factory’s magic has faded, much like the Christmas spirit in their town, Silverpine.

A friendly talking snow globe and the spirit of a magical oven guide them.

They must gather selfless wishes and bake the legendary Heartspice Cookies.

At only 94 pages, it looks like a quick cozy read.

The Night I Met Father Christmas by Ben Miller

Ben Miller offers a child-friendly retelling of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.

It explains how Father Christmas got the job.

It also reveals why he started bringing toys and presents to children every Christmas Day.

That origin story is exactly what I want for any child who doubts Santa.

It is described as nostalgic, and I love that in a holiday story.

It is also said to be lovely for adults, so it could be a family read.

Christmas Carol and the Defenders of Claus by Robert L. Fouch

Carol loves Christmas so much she wishes it could last all year.

Living in Florida, she is far from snow, and her only family is her workaholic Uncle Christopher.

On a December trip to New York City, the real Santa meets her at the top of Rockefeller Center.

He explains that she descends from a long line of Defenders of Claus, just like her father.

A masked man is trying to destroy Christmas, so Carol is whisked off to the North Pole.

I am curious whether she can save Santa before it is too late.

The Jingle Bell Pact by Cheryl Babirad

Julia moves from Kansas to New York hoping for a fresh start.

Then she runs into Francesca, leader of the Gridlock Girls, who rule the halls of Bellows Middle School.

Luckily, she quickly bonds with Savannah, a spirited science lover from Georgia.

As the school plans its annual Jingle Bell Dance, tensions rise.

Can the two friends melt the ice between the in-crowd and the new kids with some Christmas cheer?

School drama plus a dash of holiday magic sounds like a feel-good read.

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

Eleven-year-old Nikolas, nicknamed Christmas, owns only one toy, a doll carved from a turnip.

He is perfectly happy with it because his loving parents gave it to him.

Then his father goes missing, and Nikolas has to travel to the North Pole to save him.

That turnip doll already has me invested in this boy.

I want to follow his journey and see what waits at the end of it.

It sounds like a story with plenty of heart for tweens who love a good quest.

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher

One year has passed since William Trundle’s adventure with the Christmasaurus, an extraordinary dinosaur.

Now William is swept back to the North Pole.

He meets the mysterious, icy Winter Witch, whose control of time lets Santa make his Christmas Eve journey.

Santa calls her the best-kept Christmas secret of all.

When the fate of Christmas hangs in the balance, William and the Christmasaurus must team up with her.

A dinosaur at the North Pole is a combination I cannot resist.

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Time to Build Your Christmas TBR

That is my full list of holiday books for 8 to 12 year olds, and my TBR just got a lot longer.

Pick the ones that match your mood, whether that is cozy, funny, spooky, or faith-centered.

I plan to read these slowly, one chilly evening at a time.

Save this post, check your library shelves, and keep an eye out for the titles that catch your attention.

Tell me which middle grade Christmas book you are most excited to read, and happy reading!