Ten Novels to Enhance Your Teen’s Christmas Spirit

Leslea Wahl introduces ten novels teens can enjoy during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Searching for ways to bring the real spirit of Christmas to your teens? Here are ten book ideas to help your teens grow in faith this Advent. 

A Very Jurassic Christmas by Corinna Turner 

Corinna Turner’s unSPARKed series is a collection of stories set in a future where dinosaurs once again roam the earth. These unique installments are filled with a brilliant combination of exciting adventures and characters of deep faith. 

A Very Jurassic Christmas follows the parallel stories of dino-hunter Joshua and farmgirl Darryl. Joshua’s Christmas plans have been altered when he and his uncle take on the dangerous rescue of a large dino mama and her chicks, while Darryl learns a lesson of patience and humility when her Christmas day also goes awry.  

The Lost Son by Tamra Torero and Preston Norton 

I stumbled across this novel while searching for Christian Christmas stories for teens. It is not specifically Catholic, but it is an engaging story for older teens that is far more than a Christmas story.  

The Lost Son is about a teen boy who is responsible for the death of another teen after a night of drinking and driving. While the story has a heartbreaking backdrop, it is about hope, faith, love, and forgiveness. All these elements are woven into a touching story that is not as heavy and emotional as I expected for such a difficult subject matter. Humor and romance are interspersed through the book, keeping the story from becoming too preachy or emotionally draining. 

Gifts: Visible & Invisible by Catholic Teen Book authors 

Gifts: Visible and Invisible is the second anthology by authors at CatholicTeenBooks.com, and this book includes stories by two Catholic Mom contributing writers. This collection of eight Christmas-y stories will introduce readers to the authors’ unique styles and may help make Advent and Christmas a little bit more meaningful.

The stories in this collection cover a wide range of genres — contemporary, historical, dystopian, and saintly stories — making it easy for all readers to find a tale they can relate to. All the inspiring Christmas stories feature a gift and highlight an element of helping others. 

Agnes’ Gift by Kristelle Angelli 

The story centers around Jenna, a modern-day teen struggling through some very tough family issues. The one person in her life who was always there for her during those difficult times, her neighbor Agnes, recently died. Now Jenna finds herself alone on Christmas Eve, in more despair than ever. 

Before Agnes passed away, she left Jenna a final Christmas gift. While Jenna contemplates the unopened package, her guardian angel appears to her. He leads her on a miraculous journey to experience firsthand all the mysteries of the Rosary. 

Experiencing the moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary this way was very unique and beautiful. Pondering the mysteries in a new light was quite powerful. 

Mary’s Son by Darryl Nyznyk 

Mary’s Son is a fantasy tale that combines Jesus and Santa. That may sound odd, but this is a sweet story with a beautiful message. The book revolves around an elderly gentleman, Nicholas, who, with powers given to him by God, is able to show two teens from opposite sides of town the real meaning of Christmas.  

Spoiled and self-centered Sarah is the only child of the wealthiest widower in town. Angry and defensive Jared is the oldest child of a poor family who is still reeling from the abandonment of their father. Both teens are heading down a destructive path until Nicholas arrives and takes them on a journey — one they will never forget. A journey that will not only reveal what Christmas is truly about but one that will ultimately change their lives forever. 

From Afar by Roger Thomas 

I absolutely adore this fascinating fictional look into the Three Wise Men. While we all know of these three mysterious men, there is little historical knowledge about them. The author takes us on a fictional journey into how these men knew about the birth of a King and why they were even interested in a Jewish king. From Afar really brought to light the environment into which Jesus was born: the evil corruption of Herod and the communities that worshiped pagan gods.

The characters were fantastic. The three wise men were all so unique. Melchior, the elder, gentle teacher. The brilliant Balthazar. And my favorite — the brave and youthful Gaspar. There were also two fantastic supporting characters, a soldier and a young boy, who helped keep the story moving. And even though they only show up at the end of the story, I loved how Mary and Joseph were portrayed. You may never think of the Christmas story in the same way ever again.  

Saint Nicholas: The Wonderworker by Andrew Votipka 

Saint Nicholas: The Wonderworker is the second book I’ve read in The Mr. Baker’s Book Series. This series introduces readers to saints through fun adventures. While written for elementary-aged children, I think middle school students would thoroughly enjoy the story as well.  

Mr. Baker’s catechism classes are literally brought to life with a special time-traveling book. In this story, one of Mr. Baker’s students, Theo, is whisked away to discover more about the real Saint Nicholas. While the stories are light-hearted, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some faithful servants of God through factual tidbits amid plenty of humor, as modern-day kids travel back to ancient times.  

The Diaries of Joseph and Mary by Dennis P. McGeehan 

This novel is a fictional look into the lives of Joseph and Mary. The book consists of diary entries beginning when they were children. Seeing their story unfold through these personal accounts was quite intriguing. The author used his imagination, but also Catholic tradition and historical facts, to create this fascinating book.  

Readers will have a new appreciation for these holy parents as they experience the lives of Joseph and Mary. There are so many aspects to ponder that you might not have really considered before. When Mary and Joseph were young, what did they envision for their futures? How did they react to the heavenly visits from angels? What must it have been like to be the parents of the Messiah? Can you imagine their fear as they fled Egypt? What did their daily lives look like? What kind of child was Jesus? This short book brings the Holy Family to life and challenges the reader to really contemplate the lives of Mary and Joseph. 

Treachery and Truth by Katy Huth Jones 

Treachery and Truth is the true story of Good King Wenceslas. Many people know the name thanks to the famous Christmas carol, but have you ever thought about the inspiration for this classic song? Author Katy Huth Jones has written a beautiful story about this beloved Czech duke, who was a faithful Christian during a time filled with pagan gods, betrayal, and war. 

The story is cleverly told through the eyes of the duke’s faithful servant, which provided an intriguing way to tell this story. Though it’s a work of fiction, the story is based on the facts known about this historic figure and draws the reader into his extraordinary life.  

Deception in December by Doreen McAvoy 

Deception in December is the second book in Doreen McAvoy’s middle-grade Fern Valley Mystery series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. The author has created some wonderful characters — from the main protagonists to the supporting cast, they all help to bring the story to life. I especially appreciate the positive messages and life lessons that are woven into the story.  

Twins, Will and Wendy, and their friends find themselves involved in an intriguing adventure set at the town’s mysterious Mayfield mansion. As Christmas nears, can the twins and their friends uncover who is behind the strange happenings around town that threaten to tear their friend group apart? Can Will regain his confidence, on and off the basketball court? Will they learn the true spirit of Christmas? Join the residents of Fern Valley in this heart-warming Christmas-time caper.  

Merry Christmas and happy reading! 

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Copyright 2025 Leslea Wahl
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