Chita's Christmas Tree
by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Aladdin Books 1993
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- family and community
- resourcefulness
- holiday traditions
- generosity
- hope
- creativity
- city life
About this book
Chita dreams of having a Christmas tree in her family’s small city apartment, but money is tight and the holidays are fast approaching. With creativity and help from loved ones, she discovers that the spirit of the season isn’t about what you buy, but what you make and share together. This warm, urban holiday story celebrates family, community, and simple traditions. It’s a cozy read-aloud for ages 5–8 that invites kids to notice kindness and find joy in making do.
Setting: a bustling city neighborhood and small apartment at Christmastime
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chita's Christmas Tree right for my child?
Yes — Chita's Christmas Tree 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 family and community, resourcefulness, holiday traditions.
How long does it take to read Chita's Christmas Tree?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Chita's Christmas Tree takes around 7m to finish. The book has 900 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Chita's Christmas Tree have an AR quiz?
Yes — Chita's Christmas Tree 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 Chita's Christmas Tree?
Chita's Christmas Tree 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.