For kids 6–14 · 2026–27
A Winter Break Reading Plan Your Child Will Actually Finish
Two to three weeks, one good book, and a few small habits that make it stick.
When is the winter break?
The 2026–27 school year. Schools can differ, so check your child's calendar.
Singapore
Year-end holidays
Late November to 31 December
UAE
Winter break
14 December to 3 January
India
Winter break
Late December into January
Varies by state and school
United States and Canada
Winter break
About two weeks over Christmas and New Year
United Kingdom
Christmas holidays
About two weeks over Christmas and New Year
Australia
Summer holidays
Mid-December to late January or early February
See the summer plan
The plan
Three weeks, one book at a time.
Week 1
Pick the book together
Two or three options they choose from. A book they picked is a book they finish.
Week 2
A small daily reading time
15 to 20 minutes, same time each day, and one question a day about the story.
Week 3
Finish, and give a verdict
Would they recommend it to a friend? Why? Then pick the next one.
Winter reading bingo
Nine small challenges for the break. Print it for the fridge.
Winter reading bingo
- Read in a blanket fort
- A book by an Indian author
- A funny book
- Read to a grandparent, or call one
- A book with a map
- Finish a book in a series
- A festival or winter story
- Swap a book with a friend
- Write a new ending
Books to start with
From our lists by age, every one checked for age-appropriate content.
Ages 6–8
Ages 6–8
Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty
Ada is an endlessly curious girl who loves to ask why, what, and how. When a terrible smell fills her house, she launches into a full-scale scientific investigation to track down the source. Makes room for curious questions and discovering how things work.
Ages 6–8
Narwhal and Jelly
by Ben Clanton
Meet happy-go-lucky Narwhal and slightly cynical Jellyfish in this delightful early graphic novel. Despite their opposite personalities, the two sea creatures bond over a shared love of waffles, imaginative make-believe, and playful underwater adventures. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
Ages 6–8
Magic Tree House
by Mary Pope Osborne
Siblings Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house full of books in the woods near their home. Whenever they open a book and make a wish, the magic tree house whisks them away to different times and places throughout history, from ancient lands to distant eras. Helps young readers connect with history through people and places.
Ages 9–11
Ages 9–11
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown
When Roz the robot opens her eyes for the first time, she finds herself alone on a remote, rugged island. To survive harsh weather and suspicious wildlife, she must observe her surroundings and learn to communicate with the local animals. Her life changes completely when she unexpectedly becomes the adoptive mother to an orphaned gosling. This gentle, engaging survival story explores family, kindness, and community through short, illustrated chapters that keep young readers hooked.
Ages 9–11
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley is starting middle school, where undersized weaklings like him share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. To survive, he records his daily misadventures, family annoyances, and flawed plans for popularity in an illustrated journal. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Ages 9–14
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson is a twelve-year-old boy who discovers he is actually a demigod, the son of the Greek god Poseidon. After being accused of stealing Zeus's master lightning bolt, he must journey across modern-day America to find the real thief and prevent a war among the gods. Invites readers to discover and appreciate rich storytelling traditions.
Ages 12–14
Ages 9–14
Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
Ten-year-old August Pullman was born with severe facial differences that kept him out of mainstream school—until now. Entering fifth grade at Beecher Prep, Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid, but his new classmates struggle to look past his appearance. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
Ages 9–14
Holes
by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is plagued by bad luck, thanks to a curse placed on his great-great-grandfather. Sent to Camp Green Lake, a brutal juvenile detention facility in the middle of a dried-up desert lake bed, boys are forced to dig one five-foot hole every day. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Ages 9–14
Malgudi Schooldays
by R.K. Narayan
Ten-year-old Swaminathan navigates the ups and downs of childhood in the charming fictional town of Malgudi in colonial India. Between dodging strict teachers, dreaming about cricket matches with his friends, and getting tangled in small daily rebellions, Swami finds everyday life full of drama and amusement. A lively choice for readers who enjoy movement, teamwork, and determination.
Over the break, with a mentor
Start with a free 60-minute 1:1 session. Then book sessions at your own pace, and pause when school starts.