This list features Christmas books for more experienced readers. That is, books at the AR 4-level.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer
by Jan Brett
**New York Times bestseller list**
**Publishers Weekly #1 Children's Top Ten Bestseller List**
**New Yorker Magazine Best Children's Books**
**Starred Review - BookList**
Description: Little Teeka thought she had to be firm with the reindeer to get them ready for Santa's important flight, but when her bossy yelling only got their antlers tangled up, she knew she had to try something different. "
"Brett's precise, glowing illustrations, drawing on Swedish folk art, make this a beguiling Advent calendar of a book." -- Kirkus Reviews
"[A] sweet Christmas fantasy that shows Brett at her best." -- Publishers Weekly
"This tale with its humorous close-ups of stubborn reindeer and a sharp child protagonist should prove popular at story hours." -- School Library Journal
"Brett's precise, glowing illustrations, drawing on Swedish folk art, make this a beguiling Advent calendar of a book." -- Kirkus Reviews
"[A] sweet Christmas fantasy that shows Brett at her best." -- Publishers Weekly
"This tale with its humorous close-ups of stubborn reindeer and a sharp child protagonist should prove popular at story hours." -- School Library Journal
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
- ISBN-10: 0698116526
- Look Inside
- amazon
Technical Stuff:Word Count: 943
Reading Level: 4.1Accelerated Reading level: 4.1 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 6100
Lexile: AD670L
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story
by Gloria Houston, Barbara Cooney (illus)
Our review
Description: Ruthie and her mother wonder how they will fulfill their obligation of getting the perfect Christmas tree to the town for the holiday celebration, since Papa has left the Appalachian area to go to war.
Acclaimed author Gloria Houston has written a tale that is as joyful and timeless as Christmas itself. Jewel-like paintings by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Barbara Cooney capture all of the season's warmth and mountain flavor. "A heartwarming holiday story, simply told and graced with true sentiment rather than sentimentality."--Kirkus Reviews. Publisher's Weekly Bestseller. Booklist Best Books of the Decade.
Acclaimed author Gloria Houston has written a tale that is as joyful and timeless as Christmas itself. Jewel-like paintings by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Barbara Cooney capture all of the season's warmth and mountain flavor. "A heartwarming holiday story, simply told and graced with true sentiment rather than sentimentality."--Kirkus Reviews. Publisher's Weekly Bestseller. Booklist Best Books of the Decade.
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: Puffin
- ISBN-10: 0140558772
- Look Inside
- amazon
Technical Stuff:
Word Count: 2,460
Reading Level: 4.2
Accelerated Reading level: 4.2 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 699
Lexile: AD600L
The Christmas Story
by Jane Werner Watson, Eloise Wilkin (Illustrator)
Description: Beautiful paintings and inspiring text, make this story of the birth of Jesus one to share again and again.
- Hardcover: 24 pages
- Publisher: Golden Books
- ISBN-10: 0307989135
- Look Inside
- amazon
Technical Stuff:
Word Count: 647
Reading Level: 4.2
Accelerated Reading level: 4.2 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 41375
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski, P.J. Lynch (Illustrator)
**ALA Notable Book of the Year**
**Parents' Choice Honor Book**
**IRA Teachers' Choice Award **
**Kate Greenaway Medal**
**Christopher Medal for excellence in children's books**
**New York Times Book Review editor's choice**
**American Booksellers' Pick of the Lists**
**PaLA Carolyn W. Field Medal**
**Grammy Award nomination for gift pack CD**
Description: A grumpy woodcarver is transformed when he creates a Christmas creche for a child.
with CD: Gift Edition : Well, have to suggest any CD narrated by James Earl Jones :)
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: Candlewick
- ISBN-10: 0763636290
- Look Inside
- amazon
Technical Stuff:
Word Count: 2,859
Reading Level: 4.5
Accelerated Reading level: 4.5 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 14887
Lexile: 820L
Holly The Christmas Fairy (Rainbow Magic)
by Daisy Meadows
Description: The King and Queen of Fairyland are all in a fluster. Jack Frost is up to his old tricks and has kidnapped the Christmas elves. Without the elves to make the presents and decorate the trees, there won't be any Christmas this year. Can Rachel and Kirsty save the day, with a little help from Holly the Christmas Fairy?
Technical Stuff:
Word Count: 9,866 - Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
- ISBN-10: 043992880X
- amazon
Technical Stuff:
Reading Level: 4.5
Accelerated Reading level: 4.5 / points: 1.0 / quiz: 114469