20 “Unputdownable” Books to Get Your Grandkids This Holiday Season
What better Christmas gift to give your grandkids than a love of reading? If that’s your goal this holiday season, we commend you! Reading is sadly on the decline among teens, with one 2024 study reporting that only 14 percent of 13 year olds read for fun every day. Of course, getting your grandkids hooked on reading isn’t as simple as handing them a book and hoping for the best. You have to get them good reads, too! So if you’re looking for well-written page-turners, you’re in the right place. We’ve found great books for grands of all ages. Better yet, all the entries on our list have a PG rating! So, without further ado, here are the most “unputdownable” books to get your grandchildren this Christmas!
1. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Genre: Children’s Christmas fiction
Reading age: 7+ years
Why we recommend it: First published in 1972, this award-winning, best-selling story is still every bit as charming today. When the horrible Herdmans barge their way into a church’s Christmas pageant, they quickly turn the entire production upside down. Their antics are laugh-out-loud funny and unforgettable. This is only the first book in a trilogy and is also a movie starring none other than Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls fame. So if your grandkids enjoy the book, you can have a movie night, too!
Blurb: The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, and swear. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale—the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies—has a lot of people up in arms. And their wild antics cause havoc throughout the play’s production. But the actual pageant is full of surprises for everyone, starting with the Herdmans themselves, as they ultimately lead the town in finding the true meaning of Christmas. They will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Genre: Portal fantasy
Reading age: 6+ years
Why we recommend it: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe isn’t the first book in the Narnia series, but it’s probably the most well-known. Starring the four Pevensive siblings and a host of magical creatures, this portal fantasy will have your grandkids begging to go to the nearest furniture store to find a magical wardrobe of their very own. Though the plot is simple enough for a child to understand, its deep allegorical themes make this the sort of book they’ll always want in their library. Like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, it also inspired a movie that’s available on Disney+ and a Netflix film set to release soon.
Blurb: Four adventurous siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years. This is a stand-alone read, but if you would like to explore more of the Narnian realm, pick up The Horse and His Boy, the third book in The Chronicles of Narnia.
3. The Great Date Experiment by Ashley Mays
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Reading age: 13 – 18 years
Why we recommend it: If you’re looking for a romance with all the swoon and none of the spice, look no further than The Great Date Experiment by Ashley Mays. This book has it all: a second-chance romance with a dash of friends-to-lovers, witty banter, and an adorkable love interest some readers might term a “golden retriever boyfriend.” Even you might want to read it once your grandchild is finished!
Blurb: When seventeen-year-old Callie Christianson answers the doorbell, she never expects to find her ex-best friend, Egan Pasko, there with flowers. Their childhood friendship ended their freshman year when he shut her in a locker and walked away. But now he’s sorry and he’d like to take her on twenty-one dates to prove it. It’s an experiment, he says, to see if two people who used to be “just friends” can fall in love. And, of course, they’ll record the whole thing and put it online to see how many views they can wrangle out of it.
Callie’s ready to tell him to get lost. Until she realizes Egan’s crazy, stupid idea could help her gain the followers she needs to earn the mentorship opportunity that will launch her baking career. So the dates begin. And, even though nothing goes according to Callie’s plan, all the time spent with Egan is reminding her of everything she used to love about him.
The only problem is their viewers aren’t falling in love with her. The haters come out in droves to tell her exactly how terrible they think she is. The only thing keeping Callie in the experiment is Egan’s hints that he might be starting to fall for her. Except she can’t be sure he’s not playing it up for the sake of the camera.
Then Egan shares the most vulnerable parts of Callie’s life story online without her permission, stunning her into a shame spiral and leaving her to fend for herself in the comments. With their friendship once again at stake, will Callie walk away for good? Or is her heart too involved to let Egan go?
4. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Genre: Fantasy
Reading age: 9+
Why we recommend it: Your grandkids might’ve already seen the Studio Ghibli version of Howl’s Moving Castle. But maybe they don’t know it was based on a book by beloved British author Diana Wynne Jones. While somewhat different than the movie, it’s still worth the read. Sophie Hatter is more of a firecracker than her movie counterpart, and her banter with Howl is both adorable and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. We guarantee your grandkids will love it, regardless of their ages!
Blurb: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle.
To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.
In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl’s castle?
5. Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading age: 5 – 9 years
Why we recommend it: If you’ve got a granddaughter who loves all things Laura Ingalls Wilder, then she’s going to love the Betsy-Tacy series. Like the Little House series, it’s a semi-autobiographical look into a young author’s life. Unlike the Little House series, it’s far less tragic…and set about twenty years later. The first book is about Betsy―the fictional version of Maud Hart Lovelace, the author―and her friendship with Tacy, based on her real-life best friend, Francis “Bick” Kenney. The best part is that if your granddaughter likes this first book, then she has nine more to look forward to! Each one follows Betsy through a different year of her life, all the way up to adulthood. We absolutely love this series and couldn’t recommend it more!
Blurb: Best Friends Forever
There are lots of children on Hill Street, but no little girls Betsy’s age. So when a new family moves into the house across the street, Betsy hopes they will have a little girl she can play with. Sure enough, they do—a little girl named Tacy. And from the moment they meet at Betsy’s fifth birthday party, Betsy and Tacy become such good friends that everyone starts to think of them as one person—Betsy-Tacy.
Betsy and Tacy have lots of fun together. They make a playhouse from a piano box, have a sand store, and dress up and go calling. And one day, they come home to a wonderful surprise—a new friend named Tib.
Ever since their first publication in the 1940’s, the Betsy-Tacy stories have been loved by each generation of young readers.
6. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Realistic children’s fiction
Reading age: 8 – 10 years
Why we recommend it: This quirky, award-winning novel will appeal to any child who’s ever felt like an outcast. Like some other entries on our list, it also inspired a movie adaptation starring Jeff Daniels, Eva Marie Saint, and AnnaSophia Robb. The titular character is a scruffy mutt named Winn-Dixie, who we fell in love with immediately, along with the rest of this eccentric cast of characters. Because of Winn-Dixie is worth the read and watch.
Blurb: One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries—and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it’s because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie.
7. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Genre: Children’s fantasy novel
Reading age: 9 – 12 years
Why we recommend it: We’ve all wondered what immortality would be like, and this modern-day fairy tale explores that question beautifully. The plot is simple: Winnie Foster must decide if she wants to live forever…or for the moment. We’re unleashing our inner musical theater kid to note that Tuck Everlasting is not only a movie starring Alexis Bledel (AKA Rory Gilmore) but also a short-lived Broadway musical with an incredible soundtrack. We definitely recommend checking it out after you read the book!
Blurb: Is eternal life a blessing or a curse? That is what young Winnie Foster must decide when she discovers a spring on her family’s property whose waters grant immortality. Members of the Tuck family, having drunk from the spring, tell Winnie of their experiences watching life go by and never growing older. But then Winnie must decide whether or not to keep the Tucks’ secret―and whether or not to join them on their never-ending journey.
8. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Reading age: 13 – 17 years
Why we recommend it: It’s a common trope: the awkward nerd tutoring the popular football player and falling in love in the process. However, Jones breathes new life into a tired, old cliché with her hilarious wit and lovable characters. I’ll Be Yours is the perfect blend of angst, humor, romance, and heartbreak with a swoon factor that is second to none. In fact, you might want to purchase two copies―one for your grandchild and one for yourself!
Blurb: The day Andrew Levin arrives at Washington High, Harper O’Malley knows he’ll make the perfect starter boyfriend. The school’s newest band geek is totally in Harper’s league, yet completely out of this late-bloomer’s reach. Between fitting in with a new family, scoring the first chair in band, and rescuing dogs for the local animal shelter, Harper’s never had the opportunity to hone her dating skills. But even though Harper’s love life is far from perfect, she’s got the perfect plan.
Harper knows she’s insane to agree to tutor Ridley Estes, a notorious heartbreaker and the star of her high school’s football team—but in exchange, he’s offered to school her in the game of love. Just when she sees promise with her crush, a football scandal rocks her family, her town, and Ridley’s entire future.
Harper suddenly has everything to lose—her family, friends, and even her heart. When the dust of the scandal settles, nothing will be the same. Including the girl who asked the most popular jock to teach her about love.
9. Just Like Click by Sandy Grubb
Genre: Middle-grade superhero fiction
Reading age: 9 – 12 years
Why we recommend it: “Superheroes don’t exactly tell the whole truth. Superman hides behind Clark Kent’s thick black glasses. Batman wears a mask to protect Bruce Wayne. Who would ever suspect Peter Parker is Spider-Man? Then there’s me.” If those opening lines don’t pull you in, then we don’t know what to tell you! The winner of the prestigious Kraken Book Prize, this fun, quirky middle-grade novel was practically written for boys and girls who love superhero stories. This book is so adorable and fun, with some surprisingly relatable messages for us adults! We absolutely adored Nick and all his quirky friends. And the comic panels before each chapter? Genius!
Blurb: Nick Townley has lived his entire life— all eleven years— at Black Butte Ranch, nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains. While his parents push him to study, practice sports, and make friends, Nick prefers to retreat into his superhero universe and create exciting Adventures of Click comics. When a string of robberies threatens Dad’s job, forcing them to move across the country, Nick’s world implodes. He loves his home, and what will he do about the $237,000 in cash under his bed that Great Gramp gave him before he died? Desperate to stop the move, Nick steps off his comic book pages and ventures into the night as Click, an undercover superhero. Catching thieves would be a lot easier if he had actual superpowers. When three new kids discover his identity and want to join him, Nick vows to stay undercover… until he realizes even a superhero needs friends. But can he ask them to put their lives in danger to save his home? What would Click do?
10. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Genre: Children’s fantasy
Reading age: 4 – 10 years
Why we recommend it: Almost everyone has seen the Peter Pan Disney movie. However, not everyone has read the novel on which the Walt Disney masterpiece was based. With its beautiful illustrations and heart-pounding action scenes, Peter Pan is the very definition of “unputdownable.” It’s a perfect read for the young and the young at heart, the latter of which is pretty much what Peter Pan is all about!
Blurb: In pursuit of his lost shadow, a young boy named Peter Pan dashes into the bedroom of three children named Wendy, Michael, and John. After much blundering about, Wendy manages to reattach Peter’s frenetic shadow, and in return, Peter propositions the three siblings to accompany him back to his home in a place he calls Neverland.
A world of fantasy, flight, and fun, Neverland brings wonderment to Wendy and her brothers at every moment with Peter and his ageless band of Lost Boys, but with the magnificence that Neverland offers so too also lurks the evil Captain Hook…
11. Match Me If You Can by Tiana Smith
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Reading age: 13 – 18 years
Why we recommend it: Loosely based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this comedy-of-errors book is not your average romcom. It’s sweet, adorkable, and, of course, unputdownable. It’s impossible not to root for Mia and Logan, who’s one of the cutest book boyfriends we’ve ever encountered. If your grandchild likes romance novels with hilarious banter, love triangles, and all the feels, make sure to grab them a copy of Match Me If You Can this Christmas! (Side note: if you hate the miscommunication trope, this isn’t the book for you.)
Blurb: Mia’s best friend Robyn is known for her matchmaking skills, which is perfect, because homecoming is just around the corner. But Robyn refuses to set Mia up with the guy of her dreams, which forces Mia to take matters into her own hands. She uses Robyn’s matchmaking service to make sure popular Vince Demetrius falls for her.
Vince asks her out, but Mia doesn’t count on Logan, the persistent school newspaper photographer who seems to like her out of the blue. Now she has to choose between Vince – the guy she knows is right for her – and Logan, who insists that she give him a chance. And she needs to make sure Robyn doesn’t find out that Mia’s been matchmaking behind her back.
Mia has two weeks before homecoming. Can she fix the mess she made or will she have to kiss her perfect match goodbye forever?
12. When Marnie Was There by Joan G. Robinson
Genre: Magical realism
Reading age: 9 – 11 years
Why we recommend it: Anna believes she’s outside a magic invisible circle that surrounds everyone but her. But when she meets Marnie, the perpetual outcast feels a sense of belonging…and possibly, familiarity? This book is also a Studio Ghibli film, so your grandchildren can experience the story across multiple mediums and have their hearts broken all over again. Even though we were a little older when we discovered this British classic, we still related to Anna’s struggles. Definitely a good book to read with your grandkids!
Blurb: Anna hasn’t a friend in the world – until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn’t all she seems…
Sent away from her foster home one long, hot summer to a sleepy Norfolk village by the sea, Anna dreams her days away among the sandhills and marshes.
She never expected to meet a friend like Marnie, someone who doesn’t judge Anna for being ordinary and not-even-trying. But no sooner has Anna learned the loveliness of friendship than Marnie vanishes…
13. Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
Genre: Realistic children’s fiction
Reading age: 4 – 9 years
Why we recommend it: Written by Newbery Award winner Beverly Cleary, this classic book will introduce your grandchild to one of literature’s most unforgettable heroines. Ramona Quimby may get under her older sister’s skin, but she’s charmed generations of readers. If you remember falling in love with Ramona and her antics in grade school, pass on her stories to your grandchildren. And don’t forget to watch the movie of the same name, starring Selena Gomez and Joey King!
Blurb: Having a little sister like four-year-old Ramona isn’t always easy for Beezus Quimby. With a wild imagination, disregard for order, and an appetite for chaos, Ramona makes it hard for Beezus to be the responsible older sister she knows she ought to be…especially when Ramona threatens to ruin Beezus’s birthday party. Will Beezus find the patience to handle her little sister before Ramona turns her big day into a complete disaster?
14. Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Genre: Mystery
Reading age: 8+ years
Why we recommend it: Nancy Drew was one of the series that made us fall in love with reading, and we’d bet that a lot of older adults reading this would say the same! If you want to pass on your love of Nancy Drew to the next generation, then consider buying your granddaughter the book that started it all: The Secret of the Old Clock. Nancy Drew is one of our absolute favorite heroines, and though the revised version of the heroine is far less spunky than the original version, we still adore her and this story. If your granddaughter ends up loving The Secret of the Old Clock, then you can also buy a game of the same name by Her Interactive! We know that might seem a bit counterproductive to your goal of weaning your grandchildren off electronics, but personally speaking, the games only made us that much more interested in reading all the Nancy Drew books again!
Blurb:
Read the original Nancy Drew mystery, the first book in the iconic mystery series that introduced readers to America’s favorite teenaged sleuth!
The accidental rescue of a little girl who lives with her two great-aunts leads to an adventurous search for a missing will. Longtime fans and aspiring detectives alike will enjoy solving the case alongside Nancy Drew in this suspenseful, action-packed thriller.
15. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Genre: Coming-of-age
Reading age: 8+ years
Why we recommend it: Full of magic, mysteries, and plot twists, The Secret Garden is more intriguing than any electronic device. It’s a classic for many reasons, least of which is that it’s one of the best stories we’ve ever read. We appreciate that Mrs. Burnett didn’t try to sugarcoat Mary Lennox. She’s been through a lot, and she’s no Pollyanna. That just makes her transformation all the more fun to read about! The Secret Garden has been adapted into a movie many times over, but if you want to pair this book with a movie night, we’d recommend the 1993 version starring Dame Maggie Smith. It’s definitely our favorite!
Blurb: When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle’s great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.
The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary’s only escape. Then, Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. With the help of two unexpected companions, Mary discovers a way in—and becomes determined to bring the garden back to life.
16. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Genre: Children’s fantasy
Reading age: 7 – 12 years
Why we recommend it: With the Wicked craze still going strong, there’s no better time to snag your copy of the book that started it all. We all know the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, starring plucky Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto. However, there are enough differences between the book and the movie that you might be surprised by what you read! Plus, this is only one of many books set in the land of Oz. In fact, L. Frank Baum wrote over 14 Oz books, most of which don’t even feature Dorothy! A note to grandparents everywhere: while Wicked is a family-friendly movie and musical, do not―we repeat, do NOT―get your grandchildren the book of the same name. Just trust us on this one.
Blurb: When a tornado sweeps Dorothy and her loyal dog, Toto, away to the whimsical land of Oz, they find themselves in an impossible predicament. Not only has Dorothy’s house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, but they can’t return home until they find the Powerful Wizard of this strange land. Following the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy embarks on a journey to Emerald City, home to the Enigmatic Wizard of Oz, where she meets her unusual new friends.
Dorothy encourages them to ask for help from the Wizard to grant their wishes: a brain for the Scarecrow, a heart for the Tin Woodman, and courage for the Lion. But as they wander through the vibrant land of Oz, they face packs of wolves, flocks of crows, haunted forests, and the malevolent Witch of the West in a battle that will determine their fate and the future of Oz itself.
First published in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has charmed generations with its unique characters and priceless lessons about friendship, bravery, and love. Whether you’re revisiting this beloved classic or discovering it for the first time, this beautifully crafted collection will take you on an adventure like no other.
17. Winnie the Pooh: The Classic Edition by A.A. Milne
Genre: Children’s fiction
Reading age: Baby – 7 years
Why we recommend it: For nearly a hundred years, readers of all ages have been falling in love with Winnie the Pooh. This classic edition features all the stories you love, plus fully colorized versions of the original illustrations. We guarantee your grandkids will love reading about the beloved bear just as much as they enjoy watching him!
Blurb: Winnie the Pooh has enchanted readers of all ages for nearly one hundred years with its relatable, heartwarming adventures that follow the famously friendly and lovable teddy bear. In this classic collection, Winnie navigates the Hundred Acre Wood with Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, and Rabbit, learning the true meaning of friendship and the value of accepting everyone exactly as they are.
18. Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Genre: Children’s fiction
Reading age: 8 – 12 years
Why we recommend it: Referenced in You’ve Got Mail, Ballet Shoes is the perfect read for any aspiring ballerina. They’ll enjoy meeting the Fossil sisters, three orphans with big goals and even bigger dreams. If they enjoy the book, they’ll be pleased to learn there’s also a movie starring none other than Emma Watson. Or, as some might better know her, the actress who played Hermione Granger. While the word “underrated” is both overused and misused, we do feel that Ballet Shoes is genuinely an underrated classic. If your grandkids enjoy this one, make sure to buy them the other books in the Shoes series. Our personal favorite is Dancing Shoes.
Blurb: Pauline, Petrova, and Posy love their quiet life together. They are orphans who have been raised as sisters, and when their new family needs money, the girls want to help. They decide to join the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training to earn their keep. Each girl works hard following her dream. Pauline is destined for the movies. Posy is a born dancer. And Petrova? She finds she’d rather be a pilot than perform a pirouette.
19. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Genre: Coming-of-age
Reading age: 8+ years
Why we recommend it: This book is the very definition of a coming-of-age story. Anne Shirley, the ginger-haired heroine, probably needs no introduction. Who can forget the time that she broke her slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head? Or when she mistakenly dyed her flaming locks of auburn hair a sickly green? There’s also a hint of romance in this book, as no reader can deny the chemistry between Anne and her bitter rival, Gilbert. Anne of Green Gables is only one of the many books in a series about Anne Shirley, so if your grandchild likes the first one, make sure to get them its sequels!
Blurb: Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908 by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is the beloved classic story of an orphan girl, Anne Shirley, who is adopted by the Cuthberts, a family living on Prince Edward Island in Canada. With her wit, charm, and strong spirit, Anne quickly wins the hearts of everyone she meets and learns to navigate the world around her, eventually growing into an independent young woman. Along the way, she experiences the joys and sorrows of growing up and develops meaningful relationships that last a lifetime.
20. The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Reading age: 13 – 17 years
Why we recommend it: When done correctly, the fake-dating trope is a delight to read, and The Fill-In Boyfriend knocks it out of the park. This book is the perfect mixture of fluffy and heartbreaking, with some of the best banter we’ve ever read. The romance is adorable, and while we won’t spoil the love interest’s name, we will say that he’s one of the cutest nerds ever written. Plus, as of 2025, this book got an adorable new cover that we think is pretty fantastic!
Blurb: When Gia Montgomery’s boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she decides to do the unthinkable…convince the cute guy waiting to pick up his sister to pretend to be her boyfriend for the night. The task is simple: two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.
The problem is that days after prom, she can’t stop thinking about her fill-in boyfriend. But can Gia turn her fake boyfriend into a real one without exposing her lie and possibly destroying her friendships and her newfound relationship?
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Originally published December 11, 2025
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