2025 Recommended Christmas Gift Book List

We love to create these recommended gift booklists! Why? It gives us a chance to look back at some of our favorites from this past year.

We keep this question in mind: Is this a book you will want to have on your family’s library shelves (and not just a book to check out from the library)?

We think they are all excellent, and we’ve got a little something for everyone.

GIFT BOOKS FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS

Think: a book to give your grown-up children, a teacher you want to bless, your sister-in-law who just another baby, etc. Titles are linked to Redeemed Reader reviews where applicable. You can shop this list in our new Amazon storefront!

• The Redeemed Reader by the Redeemed Reader team 

• Faith Builder Catechism by Jared Kennedy and team: Level up your family devotions with Faith Builder Catechism, a family devotional well-suited to today’s readers.

• The Sword by Marty Machowski (good whole-family gift): Dive into the book of Romans with your kids using The Sword: Magnus and the Mystery of Romans.

• The Storyteller’s Bible by Kathryn Butler (another good whole-family gift): The Storyteller’s Bible weaves the gospel into 35 theologically-rich stories from scripture.

• The Kingdom and the King Storybook Bible by Bob Harman (another good whole-family gift): review coming soon! Hint: it’s a star!

• Glory, Too and Glory in the Margins by Nikki Grimes: Two striking and deeply spiritual collections of poetry worth savoring, particularly on Sundays throughout the year.

• Indescribable Atlas Adventures by Louie Giglio (another good whole-family gift): A large format picture book full of interesting details about the world God made, including people, places, and animals.

• Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor, illustrated by Joe Sutphin (another good whole-family gift): The greatest allegory of the Christian life, retold for younger children, is significantly improved with masterful illustrations.

• Little Christmas Carol, illustrated by Joe Sutphin (another good whole-family gift): A classic Christmas story of an old sinner who finds redemption through visits from four spirits who convict him of his worldly wretchedness.

PICTURE BOOKS

These cover a range of ages. Titles are linked to Redeemed Reader Reviews where applicable! All are linked in our new Amazon storefront in their own picture books gift list.

• New House New Home by Megan E. Saben: Lively text and pictures show what it takes to make a New House, New Home—by our own Megan Saben! 

• Peek-A-Boo! By Janet & Allan Ahlberg: Rhyming text invites young listeners into a game of peek-a-boo with a British baby boy in 1940s England.

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox: A cheerful rhyming celebration of babies around the world, each possessing Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.

• Knight Owl and Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise: Little knight-fanciers (and their parents) will be totally charmed by the gorgeously-detailed, medieval-themed artwork tinged with whimsey.  

• Hymns for Little Ones Series from Harvest Kids 

• How Elegant the Elephant by Mary Ann Hoberman: How Elegant the Elephant teams a beloved poet with a Caldecott-honor author to create a winning collection of animal poems.

• All About … Bible Animals by Simona Piscioneri: review coming soon! But you know we love it, or it wouldn’t be on this list!

• The Watcher by Nikki Grimes: Two children learn much about the Watcher who watches over them in this poignant picture book.

• Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang: It’s hard for Luli to play with other children when none of them can understand one another until she practices the common language of hospitality. 

• Painting Wonder by Katie Wray Schon: Painting Wonder, an outstanding example of a picture book biography, is a sure winner for all Narnia and Tolkien fans.

• Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegl: Nothing will stop Mother Shrew’s quest to fetch wild honey from the moon for her sick son, Hugo. 

• Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson: A charming whimsical picture book with a very important message: Don’t Trust Fish!

• John Ronald’s Dragons by Caroline McAlister: Lovely illustrations and beautiful narrative prose tell the story of Tolkien, from boyhood to The Hobbit. 

• Otto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger: Otto and the Story Tree is a winsome reminder of the importance and power of stories, both for the hearer and the teller.

• Pippa and the Singing Tree by Kristyn Getty: Pippa and the Singing Tree lyrically celebrates the joy of Creation’s song and invites us to join in. 

• Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan: Toad is busy helping other drivers, but sometimes the helper needs help. Perfect for newly independent readers.

• A Pinecone! By Helen Yoon: A Pinecone! shows the delight in collecting nature through a child’s eyes, with sympathy for the parent who has to deal with the consequences. The 2025 Redeemed Reader Picture Book of the Year!

• Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear: Oh, the joy of noodle delivery when acrobatics are involved!

• *Psalm Twenty-Three and *The Lord’s Prayer, both illustrated by Tim Ladwig: Tim Ladwig illustrates two well-known Biblical texts, using Black families in urban settings in these picture books.

• Built to Last by Minh Le and Dan Santat: In this beautiful picture book, two boys want to build something that will last, but their final product is not what they first expect.

• A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Vesper Stamper: Review coming!
• Dance in the Desert by Madeleine L’Engle, illustrated by Khoa Le. This classic nativity story by Madeleine L’Engle, gets a new look in this 2025 revision.

EASY READERS AND CHAPTER BOOKS

Titles are linked to Redeemed Reader Reviews where applicable! We did not create an Amazon storefront list for this short list partly because some of these have multiple books in the series. All are fun for new readers, and we commend them to you!

• King and Kayla by Dori Hillestad Butler: The King & Kayla series offers up warm, winsome humor (and mysteries, too!) for newly independent readers.

• Earl and Worm by Greg Pizzoli: Earl and Worm are neighbors with opposite personalities who sometimes agree and sometimes don’t, but manage to accommodate their differences and develop a real friendship.

• Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke: Four stories take us through the season, each with its pleasures, mandates, and even dangers, but all end with Beti fast asleep, safe and warm in her little round house. We love Atinuke’s chapter books! See also Too Small Tola and Anna Hibiscus.  

• Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay: The Lulu books form a noteworthy chapter book series: tightly written with just the right ratio of words to pictures. Great characterization, good plot resolution, and solid relationships make these books winners. 

BOOKS FOR MIDDLE GRADES (AGES 8-12) 

Titles are linked to Redeemed Reader reviews where applicable. You can shop this particular list in our Amazon storefront!

• Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett: Young readers are invited by a narrator into the stories of his father’s dragon in this modern classic. Fantasy.

• Benny on the Case by Wesley King: Benny on the Case introduces a sleuth with Mosaic Down Syndrome and an indomitable, loyal partner. Mystery.

• The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty: Magical woods, fairy stories, music, and sacrificial friendship offer Thomas and a stone tiger hope as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Fantasy/Realistic Fiction.

• Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents … by Ian Lendler: These graphic novels are clever and humorous adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. Drama.

• The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri: Balak valiantly takes up his father’s mantle to be the teacher of nomad land; along the way, he himself is taught much. Winner of the 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (and we liked it, too!). Historical Fiction.

• The Golden Necklace by Mitali Perkins: Sona is determined to find out who stole her friend’s golden necklace in order to clear her brother of suspicion in this new mystery series set in India. Mystery.

• The Mistmantle Chronicles by M. I. McAllister: The Mistmantle Chronicles is an action-packed and beautifully written series of five books that follow the adventures of Urchin, a young and brave red squirrel with an unknown past . . . and a cool sword. Fantasy.

• The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser: The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli takes readers on parallel quests through 8th-century China and New York’s Depression-Era Chinatown. Historical Fiction/Fantasy.

• The Blossoming Summer by Anna Rose Johnson: 1940, England: as war threatens, one family journeys to Wisconsin for a fresh start in The Blossoming Summer. Historical Fiction.

• The Girl, the Gate, and the Dragon by Grace Lin: The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon blends folklore, contemporary fantasy, and painting into a lovely work of art. Fantasy.

• Eric’s Greatest Race by Tim Challies: Eric’s Greatest Race is a lively graphic novel-style biography of a man who followed Christ to the Olympics and to China. Biography.

• Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence: Beyond Mulberry Glen is a deeply satisfying, enjoyable fantasy that would make a great family read aloud. Fantasy.

• The Hiding Place graphic novel, adapted by Mario deMatteo: The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel faithfully adapts Corrie Ten Boom’s story for graphic-novel fans. This is one of our 10 Readers’ Choice Finalists for 2026! Biography.

• Tuck Everlasting graphic novel, adapted by K. Woodman-Maynard: Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel is an excellent visual presentation of a classic story. Fantasy.

• Frog’s Rainy-Day and Other Fables by Michael James Dowling: Frog’s Rainy-Day and Other Fables is a collection of modern-day fables exposing contemporary follies in an amusing and discussion-worthy way. Fables.

• The Outsider: Ruth: A Retelling and Songs of a Warrior by Katy Morgan: Well-done biblical fiction perfect for middle grade readers. Review of Songs of a Warrior coming! Biblical fiction.

• Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes: Will’s Race for Home is a classic coming-of-age story set during the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. Historical Fiction.

• How to Tell a True Story by Tricia Springstubb: How to Tell a True Story ponders how “truth” is perceived and what it may cost to reveal it.

• Olivetti by Allie Millington: Olivetti features an uncommon protagonist—a manual typewriter—with the keys to unravel a mystery. This is one of our 10 Readers’ Choice Finalists for 2026! Science fiction.

• The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin: An intriguing, code-breaking adventure introduces young teens to the work at Bletchley Park. This is one of our 10 Readers’ Choice Finalists for 2026! Historical Fiction.

• The Dreamkeeper Saga by Kathryn Butler: The Dreamkeeper Saga weaves Christian themes, Arthurian legend, and reliable fantasy tropes into a promising series for middle-graders. This is one of our 10 Readers’ Choice Finalists for 2026! Fantasy.

• Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo: The Puppets of Spelhorst is a bittersweet fairy tale with engaging characters and an enthralling conclusion. This is one of our 10 Readers’ Choice Finalists for 2026! Fantasy.

• Ben Washington by Jasmine Mullen: Young Ben Washington, the star of this new middle-grade series, is funny, flawed, and fully relatable. Realistic fiction.

• For those avid readers who just can’t get enough, check out our Series Fiction for Tweens Booklist.  

TEENS (AGES 12 AND UP)

The titles below are great choices for younger teens, but age up nicely. We have a short selection following this list that should be reserve for older teens. All titles are linked to Redeemed Reader reviews where applicable. Particularly with Young Adult titles, we recommend reading reviews if you are unfamiliar with a title; you know your child best, and you may decide a book is best left for later. You can shop this list in our Amazon storefront!

• 52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition by Trillia Newbell: 52 Weeks in the Word thoughtfully guides students through reading the New Testament in a year. 

• Once a Castle by Sarah Arthur: Readers return to Sarah Arthur’s fantasy world (from Once a Queen) with a whole new adventure and cast of characters in Once a Castle.

• Watership Down graphic novel by James Sturm and Joe Sutphin: The graphic-novel version of Watership Down combines the dramatic force of the original story with winning art. This is one of our 10 Readers’ Choice Finalists for 2026!

• The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin: While a series starter, The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is a fun, contained, YA fantasy from Christian publisher, Enclave.

• Seeds of America Trilogy by Laurie Halse Anderson: The Seeds of America Trilogy powerfully examines some of the complex ideas of the American Revolution: freedom, justice, and equality for all.

• Everything Sad Is Not True by Daniel Nayeri: In this one-of-a-kind, richly evocative memoir, “Everything Sad” disguises an otherworldly joy.

• Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins: Chiko and Tu Reh learn to face challenges and love their enemies in modern day, war-torn Burma in this realistic fiction novel for teens.

• You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins: In this appealing multicultural novel, three generations of a Bengali family find life and love in America.

• Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband by John Flanagan: A best-selling series for young teens set in a Medieval-esque, pseudo European world that combines adventure, heroism, villains, danger, and a touch of love (Ranger’s Apprentice). Brotherband continues with swashbuckling adventure and mythical Medieval Vikings.

• Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown: The Boys in the Boat is a gripping nonfiction story about teamwork, perseverance, and triumph at the Olympics. 

• Fallout by Steve Sheinkin: Sheinkin brings the Cuban Missile Crisis to life in this nail-biting read for young teens. 

• See also “13 Books for 13 year old Boys (and Girls!)” and “15 Books for 15 Year Old Boys” 

TEENS (AGES 15 AND UP)

All titles are linked to Redeemed Reader reviews where applicable. Particularly with Young Adult titles, we recommend reading reviews if you are unfamiliar with a title; you know your child best, and you may decide a book is best left for later. You can shop this list in our Amazon storefront!

• Embergold by Rachelle Nelson: Embergold is a thought-provoking fantasy for teens that includes true love, sacrifice, and dragons.
• Shepherd Suspense Trilogy by Andrew Huff: Action-packed thrillers with a conscience and spiritual sensitivity, the Shepherd Suspense novels will hook teen readers.
• Berliners by Vesper Stamper: Berliners is the story of a family scarred by war, politics, and false ideology in postwar Germany.
• 52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition by Trillia Newbell: 52 Weeks in the Word thoughtfully guides students through reading the New Testament in a year. 

• The Mythmakers by John Hendrix: In The Mythmakers, John Hendrix explores an extraordinarily fruitful friendship and its roots in myth and legend. 

• Glory, Too and Glory in the Margins by Nikki Grimes: Two striking and deeply spiritual collections of poetry worth savoring, particularly on Sundays throughout the year.

• Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim: Beauty and the Beast, with echoes of other fairytales, is spun together with Chinese folklore in this excellent YA fantasy.

• See also “16 Books for 16 Year Old Girls”