December Book Talk
December is filled with opportunities to captivate students through winter-themed read-alouds, holiday writing prompts, and activities celebrating traditions from around the world. This month’s book talk features engaging reads tailored for elementary, middle, and high school students. These winter books are perfect for sparking meaningful discussions, fostering connections, and nurturing a love for reading. Incorporate them into your lessons to inspire thoughtful conversations and enhance your classroom experience!
Check out what our Region 13 RLA Specialist had to say about this month’s top three picks, along with a full list of must-read titles! Plus, check out our team’s winter lesson plan suggestions for all grade levels below.
“Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright is a hilarious and engaging read-aloud for Pre-K through 2nd grade. The story follows Sneezy, a snowman who melts every time he tries to warm up, only to be rebuilt by his caring friends. The rhyming text is catchy and perfect for building fluency, while the humor keeps kids laughing.
This versatile book inspires winter-themed writing, simple science lessons, and even STEM activities like designing ways to keep Sneezy cool. With its humor and heart, Sneezy the Snowman is sure to leave your students smiling!“ – Gabrielle Sweetland-Garza, Elementary Education Specialist
“The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear is a heartwarming picture book that follows Charles, a young boy, and his trusty companion, Boggan the sled, on a journey to find a magical wish tree. Along the way, they encounter various woodland creatures in need of help.
Though Charles doesn’t immediately find the tree, his kindness and acts of generosity create moments of connection and joy. In the end, Charles discovers that the spirit of the wish tree lies in the experiences and relationships he built along the way. The story beautifully highlights themes of friendship, selflessness, and the magic of small moments.” – Kristeena Reiser, Elementary Education Specialist
“If you’re seeking a heartfelt middle-grade novel to share with your students—or enjoy yourself—Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo is a must-read. This beautifully crafted story delves into themes of resilience, community, and self-discovery with a gentle yet impactful narrative. Ferruolo’s evocative writing invites rich discussions about empathy, belonging, and bravery, while thoughtfully addressing tough topics like grief, bullying, and immigration.
Ideal for classroom read-alouds or book clubs, Ruby in the Sky inspires young readers to embrace their voices and stand up for what’s right. With its strong connections to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), this novel leaves a lasting impression. Trust me, it’s a book your students won’t soon forget—add it to your shelves; you won’t regret it!” – Kelley Weigand, Secondary Education Specialist
Children’s Books
Elementary Book Talk Recommendations
For younger readers, choose books for elementary students with relatable characters and engaging illustrations. Here are some excellent winter books to get your students excited about reading.
- The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg - Olive, the Other Reindeer
by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh - In Memoirs of an Elf
by Devin Scillian - Night Tree
by Eve Bunting - The Legend of the Poinsettia
by Tomie DePaola - Light the Lights!: A Story about Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas
by Margaret Moorman - The Trees of the Dancing Goats
by Patricia Polacco - Moon’s Ramadan
by Ndaa Hassan - The Seven Days of Kwanzaa
by Angela Shelf Medearis - The Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story
by Albert Whitman - The Mitten
by Jan Brett - Snowmen at Night
by Caralyn Buehner - The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
Middle School Books
Secondary Book Talk Recommendations
Middle school students often crave deeper themes and characters they can relate to. Winter books for teens that dive deeper and tackle important topics provide opportunities for students to discuss important issues and connect through shared experiences.
- Breadcrumbs
by Anne Ursu - Dog Driven
by Terry Lynn Johnson - The Girl Who Speaks Bear
by Sophie Anderson - The Ice House
by Monica Sherwood - Icefall
by Matthew J. Kirby - May B.
by Caroline Starr Rose - Odd and the Frost Giants
by Neil Gaiman - Ruby In the Sky
by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo - The Sea In Winter
by Christine Day - Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
by Jessica Day George - The Very, Very Far North
by Dan Bar-El - When the Sea Turned to Silver
by Grace Lin
Young Adult Books
High School Book Talk Recommendations
For high school students, good books for young adults dive into complex themes and real-world issues, offering opportunities for classroom winter books that spark thoughtful discussions.
- Flopping in a Winter Wonderland
by Jason June - Where the Library Hides
by Isabel Ibañez - In Want of a Suspect
by Tirzah Price - If You Can Hear This
by Faith Gardner - The Davenports: More Than This
by Krystal Marquis - I Shall Never Fall in Love
by Harri Conner - Darkly
by Marisha Pessl - Thanks for Listening
by Molly Horan - Heist Royale
by Kayvion Lewis - Dead Below Deck
by Jen Gangsei - When Mimi Went Missing
by Suja Sukumar - It’s Not Me, It’s You
by Alex Light
Meet Our Amazing Team
Gabrielle Sweetland-Garza
RLA Elementary Education Specialist
gabrielle.sweetland-garza@esc13.txed.net
Becky Schneider
Program Manager Content Services & TX Reading Academies
becky.schneider@esc13.txed.net
For more information on reading language arts visit our website or blog for related articles and check out this month’s lesson plan suggestions. Book Talk is an ongoing series we will release every month. We’d love to hear your feedback, comments, or suggestions!
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Kelley Weigand
Kelley Weigand has 18 years of classroom experience teaching reading and writing at the secondary level. She is an instructional leader, inquisitive learner, enthusiastic educator, and data nerd who is passionate about building campus culture and teacher capacity. Kelley is currently the Secondary RLA Specialist on the Content Services Team here at Region 13.
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