The Family Christmas Tree Book
Open Road Media 2013
Challenging read for K–3rd grade
Reading level 4.3 (4th grade) is above the ages 5–9 interest range
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Genre
Themes
- family traditions
- holidays
- cultural history
- togetherness
- curiosity and learning
- celebration
- storytelling
- heritage
About this book
As one family decorates their Christmas tree, they share the story of how Christmas trees began, how ornaments and lights were introduced, and how traditions have changed over time. Tomie dePaola blends friendly narration, charming illustrations, and fun historical facts to make holiday history easy to enjoy. It’s a warm, cozy read-aloud that celebrates family traditions and curiosity. Perfect for young readers who love learning the “why” behind favorite holiday customs.
Setting: a family living room at Christmastime, with historical snapshots from Europe and America
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Family Christmas Tree Book right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Family Christmas Tree Book. The reading level is AR 4.3, which is typical for 4th 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 traditions, holidays, cultural history.
How long does it take to read The Family Christmas Tree Book?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Family Christmas Tree Book takes around 8m to finish. The book has 1,200 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Family Christmas Tree Book have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Family Christmas Tree Book 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 The Family Christmas Tree Book?
The Family Christmas Tree Book has an AR reading level of 4.3, which places it at a 4th 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.