All of the books in our winter chapter books for kids collection take place in the winter - the beautiful, magical, and sometimes harsh - world of winter. quiet. This is yet another awesome book list for kids that we've pulled together based on our favourites, awards, and reviews. I always search high and low for the titles for my book lists.
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Do you read more books in the winter? I love to cozy under a blanket with a book in the winter. In fact, I even love getting all bundled up in my winter gear and reading a book on my front porch. And, I find that my kids will even follow my lead and read outside in the winter too!
This collection is filled with chapter books taking place in the winter. Some of the stories are about survival in the winter and some are simply set in the snowy weather. As a Canadian, I know that cold weather can play an important role in a story. What role will the snow play in these books? I've included suggested ages for each book. Many of these would be great read-aloud books for younger kids too.
Winter Chapter Books for Kids
Wilderness by Roddy Doyle - (Grades 7-9) This book tackles difficult family situations through the story of Grannie, John and Tom. While Grannie and her father remain in Dublin to face the return of Grannie's mom, Tom, Johnny and their mother make a journey into the wintry wilderness of Finland. When things take a difficult turn in Finland, the boys must pull together to help their mother.
Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe CS Lewis (9+ yrs) The classic introduction to the amazing adventures in the land of Narnia. The White Witch wants to continue her endless winter in Narnia. However, when the children venture through the wardrobe they have no idea the critical role they will play in the fate of this magical land.
Greenglass House by Kate Milford (10 yrs+) Oh, I do love a winter mystery book. Greenglass House is typically quiet during the winter, but not this winter. As strange guests arrive and strange things start happening young Milo and Meddy have to try and solve what exactly is going on. Cozy up by the fire to read this one.
The Sea in Winter by Christine Day (9 yrs+) Maisie has suffered a life-changing leg injury - she can no longer dance, and will not become a ballerina. This book explores Maisie's hopelessness, depression, and her journey to move forward from her injury - physically and emotionally. Christine Day takes readers to the winter landscape of the American Northwest and provides a beautiful insight into Maisie's Indigenous family. A really lovely and important book for middle schoolers to read.
Alone by Megan E. Freeman (9 yrs+) 12-year-old Maddie is living a pretty typical life - divorced parents and the usual issues with friends. However, she wakes up one morning to discover that she is alone...completely alone...no one around but her neighbor's dog. Where did everyone go? How will she survive? A story of survival, written in verse that takes readers along with Maddie as she figures out how to survive in Colorado (harsh winters, for sure) all alone for 4 years.
Brian's Winter by Gary Paulson (10 yrs+) Brian's Winter is the third in Gary Paulson's series, which begins with Hatchet. These books follow Brian's survival story, after the plane he is on crashes and he's the only one who survives. This book imagines what would happen if he wasn't rescued. He finds himself in the harsh wilderness of Northern Canada and, in this book, the winter weather is settling in. Brian has to pick up his survival skills quite quickly, how will he fare against the realities of winter?
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson (9 yrs+) Cozy up and get swept away to Winterhouse Hotel, a mysterious hotel, with Elizabeth. Elizabeth is orphaned and lives with her aunt and uncle...who she doesn't particularly like...when they send her to Winterhouse Hotel for the winter holidays she finds herself in a strange hotel filled with mystery. Can she figure out the secrets of Winterhouse? Bonus, I love a book with creative illustrations and this one has quirky illustrations throughout.
The Winter King by Christine Cohen (12 yr+) Set in a Nordic village, under the cruel grasp of the Winter King, the wintry imagery comes off the page. Cora's family suffers from a seemingly unjustified "curse" from the other villagers and she must find ways to cope with the animosity from those living around her. As she sets out to take on the Winter King she discovers secrets that she couldn't even imagine.
Nancy Drew and the Case of the Sneaky Snowman by Carolyn Keene (6-9 yrs+) I cannot have a chapter book list without including a Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew mystery! When winter arrives and the crew builds Sherlock the snowman weird things start happening. First of all, Sherlock goes missing! And, pranks are popping up all over town. Is Sherlock the sneaky snowman the prankster? Can Nancy, Bess, and George solve the mystery? You know they will!
Shadows of Winterspell by Amy Wilson (9 yrs+) I love a book with a map and a magical forest. 12-year-old Stella lives just at the edge of Winterspell and longs to be "normal". A magical story about friendship, family, and finding yourself with a whole lot of adventure mixed in too.
Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick (8-12 yr) Truly Lovejoy and her family have to move from Texas to a small town in New Hampshire when her father is injured in Afghanistan. Her family is tasked with running the local bookstore. Truly must navigate the troubles of middle school at a new school, make friends and help her family at the store. Then she discovers a mystery in the pages of a priceless book that she must solve. A thoughtful, easy-to-read book for middle-schoolers.
The Lost Frost Girl by Amy Wilson (9 yr+) Another book from author Amy Wilson. This time around we enter a modern day fairy tale. We meet a girl named Owl and while she has always lived with and known her mom she has only now discovered her father is Jack Frost. Owl starts to notice changes - she seems to have wintry powers, her tears turn to ice and she starts noticing strange frost patterns too. As Owl digs deeper into learning about her father she is actually understanding more about herself.
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu (9 yr+) Hazel and Jack have been best friends forever. But, they're getting older now, and their relationship is changing. So, when Jack suddenly stops talking to Hazel she is sad, but not surprised. It's when Hazel realizes that Jack has actually disappeared that she realizes she needs to find her best friend and rescue him. Hazel enters a magical world and discovers Jack is in great danger. Can she save her friend and get them both back home again?
The Polar Bear Explorers Club by Alex Bell (9yr+) Go on a fun and imaginative adventure with Stella Starflake Pearl and her band of Polar Bear Explorers. When Stella and 3 of her fellow explorers are separated from the main pack on their icy expedition how will this unlikely group of friends survive and what adventures await them? They'll have to face off with frost fairies, snow queens, outlaws, and more! And, what will Stella discover about her own past on this adventure? A fast-paced icy story that is perfect for winter reading.
The Dogs of Winter by Bobbie Pyron (10 yr+) The Dogs of Winter is based on the true story of early 1990s Russia, the fall of communism, and the harsh realities of tens of thousands of children living on the streets of Moscow. Ivan is one of these children - after his grandmother dies and his mother brings home an abusive man, who wants to take Ivan to an orphanage - Ivan escapes to the streets. The book is uniquely told from the perspective of young Ivan so the language used reflects his age and his lack of education. Ivan finds a family in a pack of dogs - they protect each other and love each other unconditionally. But, how long will Ivan survive on the streets before the State intervenes? A heartbreaking story that will truly open readers' eyes.
The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood-Hargrave (10 yr+) Imagine living in a land of perpetual winter. This is the reality for Mila, her sisters, and her brother Oskar. Everything is turned upside down when a fur-clad stranger arrives at their little cabin in the woods, seeking shelter for himself and his men. The next morning, they've gone and they have taken Oskar with them. Now Mila and her sisters must set out to bring Oskar back - even if it means going north, crossing frozen wildlands, and facing dangers they did not even know existed. Will they bring Oskar back home? An, at times intense, wintry fairy-tale adventure for older kids.
Fire and Ice Stories of Winter from Around the World by Lori Don (9 yr+) Fire and Ice is a collection of short stories about winter based on myths and legends from around the world. The stories include Native American stories, Celtic, Canadian, Mediterranean, Greek, Viking tales and more. The illustrations are lovely too.
Raven Winter by Susanna Bailey (9 yrs+) Raven Winter is the story of a girl named Billie, whose father has been sent to prison and whose mother's new boyfriend, Daniel, has moved in. Daniel is emotionally abusive to both her mother and Billie. When Billie finds an injured raven in the woods she takes him home to care for, whilst also trying to find a way to escape and reunite with her father. Set in the harsh winter, this is a book about finding friendships, overcoming difficult obstacles, and the importance of family.
Print and color our winter bookmarks to pop inside your new winter chapter book.
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