books you need to buy your kids for Christmas + giveaways

We’re all on the same page about the importance of kids and reading, right?  Check this out if you’re still not convinced:

I’m pretty sure I’ll be using that sooner rather than later in my classroom.  It’s a powerful lesson.

So with that in mind, who’s getting their kids books for Christmas?  You are now, right? 

Good.

And being a professional book “recommender” (AKA: a teacher), I’ve got some I think your kids will like!

// Teens \
Reluctant Reader:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green or any other John Green novel, really.  He gets kids, believable characters, and real-life dialogue like few others do.  And he doesn’t leave the heavy stuff to adults.  These books are real and powerful and I haven’t met a kid (or adult, for that matter) that didn’t love some John Green. (reviews for The Fault in Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, and Looking for Alaska here.)

Reader that would rather watch TV: 
Dirty Little Secretsby C.J. Omololu is a fictionalized version of what a high school girl goes through living with a horder mother.  This novel is very high interest and the ending will shock you. (see my review here.) 
Heist Societyby Ally Carter is like Ocean’s Eleven but with teens, also a high interest novel that will take readers all over the world for a game that no one can afford to lose (review here). 
All the Lovely Bad Onesby Mary Downing Hahn is for kids that like to scare themselves silly.  If you have a kid that heads to the movies to be the first to see every scary movie that comes out, then this book or any other by Downing Hahn would be a hit. (review here.)

Lover of The Hunger Games:
Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie.  This series is probably geared toward girls (see reviews for Matched and Crossed).  The third and final book came out last month.  For boys, The Maze Runner trilogyby James Dashner is a good alternative.  (Both are good though, so you really can’t go wrong.)

For Pre-teen Boys:
Totally Awesome, Super-Cool Bible Stories as drawn by Nerdy Ned is an interactive Bible in the style of the Wimpy Kid books.  Full of illustrations, funny comments, and insightful observations, this Bible will make boys want to spend time in the Word and look forward to adding their own two cents by way of drawings, notes, and coloring. (see sample pages here.)

Sucker for a love story:
If I Stayand Where She Wentby Gayle Forman are books written in prose about a girl who has to decided whether she awakes from the coma that came from a car accident that killed her whole family or go to meet them on the other side.  She watches from outside her body as her boyfriend and family members cope with this tragedy.  Readers sit on the edge of their seats the whole time and once she finally decides, you’ll need the second book handy because you won’t believe what happens next. (reviews for the first and second book here.)

Intrigued by science:
Heavens Bible is the full NIV text, but written at a third grade level so younger children can understand the stories.  With tons of color pictures and Bible-based science explanations, this book will satisfy kids that can’t get enough of science class.

// Younger Readers \
Most popular preschool read in our house:
Hooray for Fish!by Lucy Cousins.  I’ve talked about my children’s love of this book before.  But I also feel like it’s worth mentioning that it’s fun to read for adults too.  I don’t know how many times I dread reading a book one of my daughters picks out to read.  There’s nothing worse than a bad children’s book that your child wants read ten times a day.  This is not one of those books, guaranteed.

Lover of summer:
Leelah at the Lakeby Pamela Fettig is a perfect year-round read about a sweet little girl, her love for all things outdoors, and how special her summers at the lake are.  This would make a perfect gift for the little girl who would rather be outside than any other place.

Interactive:
The Scribble Bookby Herve Tullet is great for your little artist or any kid that’s just really good at scribbling.  I ordered this for Ellie this summer and it became an instant favorite.  The creative things you can create by scribbling makes this a fun book for parents and kids alike.

// For All Ages \
Starting a Christmas tradition:
One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham is a book we’re using to start a new tradition at our house.  For preschoolers and younger elementary aged kids, this tells the Christmas story from creation to the resurrection.  With beautiful pictures and even more beautiful words, we’re reading a few pages of this every night leading up to Christmas.  Definitely too long to read in one sitting, but I feel this book is going to become one of our favorite December traditions. 

Reading a series as a family:
The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon.  That’s kind of a random suggestion, huh? Here’s why I make it: when my sister and I were younger, my father would read to use every night.  He read to us from his copies of The Hardy Boys, books that he had read as a child.  I loved the mysteries, the boys (the Hardy boys might have been my first official book crushes), and the suspense.  You just never knew who the bad guy was!  Truly, you don’t have to read this series to your kids, but I am suggesting you grab some books you loved as a kid and read them to your children.  Even if they’re old enough to read and might initially scoff at this idea.  They’ll soon be begging for storytime, talking about their favorite parts, making predictions, and looking forward to this time spent with you and a book.  It might be the best gift you give them this year.

Speaking of gifts, I’ve got some for you.  The publisher of One Wintry Night and Totally Awesome, Super-Cool Bible Stories want the readers of Trusty Chucks to have some books to give as gifts or start their own family traditions.  Just leave a comment below telling me about your favorite childhood book or a special memory you have of reading with your kids.  Good luck!

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DISCLOSURE: AFFILIATE LINKS USED & I HAVE BEEN GIFTED SOME BOOKS IN THIS POST BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE.