December, 2025 Reader’s Choice: Youth-Recommended Reads
DB88883 Over and Under the Snow by Messner, Kate
Annotation: A young girl and her father discover the world of animals living under the snow while on a cross-country ski trip. For preschool-grade 2.
E How Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time by Howe, James
Annotation: Houndsley likes the quiet of winter’s first snow, but Catina worries they will be snowed in and miss the concert they have been practicing for. However, the two friends still plan ways to enjoy this snowy day together. For grades K-4.
BR13975 Christmas in Camelot by Osborne, Mary Pope
Annotation: On Christmas Eve, the magic tree house transports Jack and his sister, Annie, to King Arthur’s castle in Camelot. They find the kingdom under a dark spell and undertake a quest to the Otherworld to restore joy to Camelot. For grades 2-4.
BR15998 Encore, Grace! by Hoffman, Mary
Annotation: Grace and her friends face unfamiliar experiences: a new girl in class, taking part in a Christmas play, losing a dear friend, and challenging the grown-ups to talk to them about situations that could affect their lives. For grades 2-4.
DB94703 BR22725 JLT Kin Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown by Kinney, Jeff
Annotation: When snow closes Greg Heffley’s middle school, he and his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, face a fight for survival as warring gangs turn the neighborhood into a wintry battlefield. For grades 3-6.
DB30768 The Christmas Revolution by Cohen, Barbara
Annotation: When Simeon Goldfarb, who is Jewish, announces that he will not sing Christmas carols with the rest of his class, Emily Berg, who is Jewish, decides to join him. The rest of the kids are surprised and mystified and resent the Jewish children’s lack of Christmas spirit. And when the school Christmas tree is knocked down, Simeon is accused. For grades 3-6.
DB38118 BR16320 BR5636 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Robinson, Barbara
Annotation: The Herdmans are the worst kids in town, so when they take over the lead roles in the church’s annual Christmas pageant, they cause quite a commotion. For grades 4-7.
DB88273 Nickel Bay Nick by Pitchford, Dean
Annotation: When eleven-year-old Sam gets into trouble again and is forced to work for his reclusive neighbor, Mr. Wells, he soon finds out that his mysterious new acquaintance hides many secrets of his own–including one that will change Sam’s life forever. For grades 4-7.
DB112857 The Ice House by Sherwood, Monica
Annotation: As a worldwide, extreme freeze continues, Louisa’s family, neighbors, friendships, and schoolwork are all affected, leading her to build a house of ice in the yard to escape. For grades 5-8.
DB63604 Wintersmith by Pratchett, Terry
Annotation: When thirteen-year-old witch trainee Tiffany interrupts the Dance of the Seasons, she attracts the unwanted attentions of the spirit of Winter. Tiffany requires assistance from the Wee Free Men to survive until spring. For grades 6-9.
DB111064 Winterkeep by Cashore, Kristin
Annotation: Queen Bitterblue of Monsea must head to the nation of Winterkeep after her envoys drown in suspicious circumstances, and somewhere there, Lovisa Cavenda waits and watches while tragedy with devastating political and personal ramification strikes. For young adult readers.
DB74585 Bittersweet by Ockler, Sarah.
Annotation: Fourteen-year-old Hudson Avery lost a figure-skating championship because of her parents’ impending split. Now three years later, Hudson bakes cupcakes at her mom’s diner for emotional comfort but soon finds herself back on the ice — with interesting prospects. For young adult readers.
