Christmas Sonata

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to question the 'magic' of the world or when they are navigating the heavy reality of a loved one's illness. Gary Paulsen, known for his rugged survival stories, offers a surprisingly tender and nostalgic look at Christmas during the Second World War. It is a story about holding onto wonder even when the world feels cold and uncertain. Set in 1943, the narrative follows a young boy traveling to rural Minnesota while his father is away at war. While the backdrop includes the grief of a dying cousin and the anxieties of wartime, the core of the book is a beautiful, restorative moment of family connection. It is ideal for children ages 8 to 12 who are transitioning into more complex emotional territory but still need to believe in the goodness of the human spirit.