Think books make a great gift? So do we! Jamie Bryant from our sponsor, Christ Church Episcopal School, has written this article for us. She’s sharing book recommendations that would be great under your tree this year! The recommendations are organized by age. Happy reading!
Thank you to sponsor Christ Church Episcopal School for writing this article.Â
This isn’t one of those articles about gifts that aren’t toys or why fewer toys will benefit your kids. Nonetheless, there is something to be said about the slippery slope of toy-overload, especially for those of us with generous gift-giving relatives and houses that already have toys occupying every available space. Ah yes, the minimalist lifestyle has its’ unconventional appeal, but I’m not about to preach that we should all become minimalists this holiday season. There is joy in toys, happiness in electronics, magic in stuffed animals and dolls, and pleasure in scooters and bikes— and the education, discovery, cognitive and motor skill development that many toys provide does not go unnoticed by me. But the perfect companion for those rattling, buzzing, glowing toys that fill their stockings with wonder, and the surest way to expand their imagination, will always be a great book.
A great book will invoke a wondrous spirit of imagination and experiences, expanding their world, keeping them entertained, engaged, and using their minds. And above all, finishing an entire chapter book or a novel will build their self-confidence and help lead children toward a life-long love of reading.
Also, see How to Make the Book Gift the Most Special Gift of All.
Give the gift of reading this holiday season
I asked the Lower School and Middle School Librarian at Christ Church Episcopal School, book aficionado, and resident book-lover— Brenda Stephens — for her top recommended books for all levels of readers.  And she was so very helpful in providing a list of great book selections for all ages!
Kindergarten/Primer
Excellent Ed by Stacy McAnulty
My Dog’s a Chicken by Susan McElroy Montanari
The Itchy Book by Mo Willems
First Grade
Wolf Camp by Andrea Zuill
The Bad Guys in Alien vs. Bad Guys by Aaron Bably
Ava and the Lost Pony (Owl Diary series) Â by Rebecca Elliott
Second Grade
Fly Guy and the Alienzz by Ted Arnold
I’m a Duck by Eve Bunting
Joan Procter, dragon doctor : The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez
Third Grade
Avalanche by Terry Lyn Johnson
Full of Beans by Jennifer Holm
The Hero Two Doors Down: Based on the True Friendship Between a Boy and a Baseball Legend by Sharon Robinson
Fourth Grade
The Poet’s Dog by Patricia Maclachlan
Save me a Seat by Sarah Weeks
Fifth Grade
Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
Dragon Overnight (Book 4 of the Upside Down Magic Series) by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins
Sixth Grade
Refuge by Alan Gratz
The Darkdeep by Allie Condie and Brendan Reichs
Seventh and Eighth Grade
The Girl I Used to Be by April Henry
Projekt 1065 by Alan Gratz
Four-Four-Two by Dean Hughes
The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magic Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
Need a little assistance with where to shop for a good book to give this Christmas? Â Check out the local book stores included in the Kidding Around Greenville Shop Local Guide. Local book stores usually have a helpful staffer to help you make the perfect seletion!
Do you have a book to add to our list of great Christmas gifts?
Also, see How to Make the Book Gift the Most Special Gift of All.
Jamie Bryant, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Christ Church Episcopal School, previously provided a broad range of marketing and communication services to private golf and resort clubs. She earned her degree in International Business from Clemson University. Jamie also serves as the JV Girls’ Lacrosse Coach at CCES. She is married to Garry and they have two children Alex and Francesca, both current students at CCES.