A Dolly for Christmas
The True Story of a Family's Christmas Miracle
by Kimberly Schlapman
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2020
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- adoption
- family love
- faith and prayer
- hope
- patience
- Christmas spirit
- perseverance
About this book
This true Christmas story follows Daisy, a young girl who wishes for a sibling more than any toy under the tree. As her family navigates the long wait for adoption, Daisy’s hope, prayers, and letters to Santa keep the dream alive. Gentle text and cozy holiday scenes make it a comforting read-aloud for families. Kids enjoy its heartfelt message about love, patience, and the magic of Christmas wishes.
Setting: contemporary American home during the Christmas season
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Dolly for Christmas right for my child?
Yes — A Dolly for Christmas is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include adoption, family love, faith and prayer.
How long does it take to read A Dolly for Christmas?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, A Dolly for Christmas takes around 6m to finish. The book has 800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does A Dolly for Christmas have an AR quiz?
Yes — A Dolly for Christmas has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is A Dolly for Christmas?
A Dolly for Christmas has an AR reading level of 3, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.