If you're looking for a Christmas tale to warm your heart this festive season, then The Street Where Santa Lives by Harriet Howe and Julia Christians is just what you need. When a new old man moves in next door, only the little neighbour notices, convinced that he's none other than Santa Claus.
But as Christmas approaches and Santa falls ill, the entire street must band together to help him recover in time for the big night. This sweet, funny, and acutely observed picture book is a delightful celebration of community and the power of neighbours coming together.
For younger readers who love adventure and mystery, I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas by Lauren Child is an exciting new Charlie and Lola picture book that's full of excitement and anticipation as they prepare for their first Christmas with big brother.
On another note, The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The New School by Harriet Muncaster is a heartwarming story about finding joy and healing in unexpected places. When Merryn's family loses its way after the loss of her dad, a great storm leaves behind a driftwood and seaweed horse that becomes Merryn's new friend.
While older readers might enjoy more complex stories like Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop by Martin Seneviratne and Krystal Sutherland, which is part Spy Kids, part Artemis Fowl. The story follows genius 12-year-old twins who build a time machine but soon find themselves entangled in a web of TIME's (The Interdimensional Misconduct Enquiry) intricate rules.
Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley is another captivating tale that explores themes of justice and vengeance when Rizu is accused of witchcraft. She runs away to join a group of vigilantes who fight for women's rights, leading her down a path of discovery and growth.
For those looking for something sinister yet romantic, The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer is a Bluebeard retelling that delves into the mysterious murder of Count Bastien Saphir. As Mallory Fontaine becomes more entangled in the investigation, she finds herself developing feelings for the count's descendant Armand.
Lastly, Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington is a gripping and punchy YA thriller about a sister's quest for justice after her friend Erin's murder. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat as Mikky uncovers dark secrets in their small town's beauty industry.
But as Christmas approaches and Santa falls ill, the entire street must band together to help him recover in time for the big night. This sweet, funny, and acutely observed picture book is a delightful celebration of community and the power of neighbours coming together.
For younger readers who love adventure and mystery, I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas by Lauren Child is an exciting new Charlie and Lola picture book that's full of excitement and anticipation as they prepare for their first Christmas with big brother.
On another note, The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The New School by Harriet Muncaster is a heartwarming story about finding joy and healing in unexpected places. When Merryn's family loses its way after the loss of her dad, a great storm leaves behind a driftwood and seaweed horse that becomes Merryn's new friend.
While older readers might enjoy more complex stories like Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop by Martin Seneviratne and Krystal Sutherland, which is part Spy Kids, part Artemis Fowl. The story follows genius 12-year-old twins who build a time machine but soon find themselves entangled in a web of TIME's (The Interdimensional Misconduct Enquiry) intricate rules.
Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley is another captivating tale that explores themes of justice and vengeance when Rizu is accused of witchcraft. She runs away to join a group of vigilantes who fight for women's rights, leading her down a path of discovery and growth.
For those looking for something sinister yet romantic, The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer is a Bluebeard retelling that delves into the mysterious murder of Count Bastien Saphir. As Mallory Fontaine becomes more entangled in the investigation, she finds herself developing feelings for the count's descendant Armand.
Lastly, Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington is a gripping and punchy YA thriller about a sister's quest for justice after her friend Erin's murder. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat as Mikky uncovers dark secrets in their small town's beauty industry.
The holiday season is all about spreading love and kindness, but let's be real, who doesn't need a good Christmas tale to lift our spirits? 
I mean, The Street Where Santa Lives sounds like the perfect antidote for a chilly winter day - it's all about community coming together to save the big man himself! 
And can we talk about how cute it is that only one little neighbour thinks the new guy is actually Santa? 
The stories listed are all so different, but they share this common thread of warmth and inclusiveness. Like, who wouldn't want to read about a driftwood horse becoming someone's new friend after losing their dad? 
It's just what we need right now - some feel-good vibes and exciting adventures to get us through the season! 
And then there's "I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas", which is like a countdown to Christmas - I loved how Charlie and Lola were getting ready for their first Christmas with big brother 
. On the other side of the spectrum, I'm really curious about "Girls Who Play Dead" - it sounds like a thriller that's hard to put down 
. Have you guys read any of these books yet?
... And I love that some of these books deal with tough topics like loss and witchcraft, but also offer hope and resilience as characters navigate their way through difficult situations 
...
, but have you ever stopped to think about the toll that holiday season can take on families and communities? For example, what about those who've lost loved ones during the holidays or are struggling financially? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for spreading cheer, but let's also acknowledge the complexity of human emotions 
. Maybe we need more stories like "The Diary of Wiska Wildflower" that explore the darker corners of life while still managing to be uplifting 
. And then there's "Girls Who Play Dead" which is just so gripping and twisty, I couldn't put it down! What about you guys, what are you reading this holiday season? Any good books to share? 
. And Swanfall seems like a really thought-provoking story about justice and empowerment 
. On a more somber note, Girls Who Play Dead is really making me think about the importance of speaking out against injustice 
. Overall, it's great to see so many different perspectives and stories being told in these books 
. And then there's Swanfall - that one sounds super intense and dark for a Christmas read 
. I don't know if I'd want to get all caught up in a world of vigilantes and witchcraft during the holidays... might be a bit too much for this realist 
. Still, I guess it's always good to escape into a good story, even if they're not always exactly what we need 
. I also appreciate how Girl Who Play Dead tackles dark themes in a gripping way 
.
That's a lot of kids (and let's be honest, adults too) gettin' their holiday fix of adventure and friendship! 
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It's been a bestseller since its release in 2023! The book has sold over 2 million copies worldwide, with a significant chunk of those sales comin' from Amazon. 
That's a lot of young readers gettin' hooked on stories like Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington. 
. Who needs some old dude like Santa to get sick and all the neighbors to band together? Give me something with some real stakes, you know? Like those twins in Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop, building a time machine and getting entangled in this super complex web of rules... now that's a story I'd want to read. And don't even get me started on Swanfall - accusing someone of witchcraft is not cool, especially if they're fighting for women's rights 
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And I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas sounds like a total thrill ride! I love how Lauren Child always brings the excitement and anticipation. And on another note, have u read Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop yet?! It's like, Spy Kids meets Artemis Fowl, and I am HERE FOR IT 
And don't even get me started on The House Saphir, it's like a dark romance dream come true 
. Finally, Girls Who Play Dead has all the feels, I'm low-key invested in Mikky's case