Here's wishing you all the best holiday! Many of you already are out of school while others of you will be out during this week. In between celebrations with family and friends we hope that you enjoy the many special features that we have at Kidsreads.com this month.

We certainly stocked our "shelves" with lots of great reading. Whether you want to request some of these as a last minute gift, or you are looking for a way to "spend" some holiday moola, you can't go wrong with the titles we have mentioned here. Or, even schedule a trip to your local library!

Have a great holiday and a terrific New Year. We'll see you next year!

Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)

Kidsreads.com wishes you all the happiest of holidays --- and to celebrate this joyous time of year, we've assembled a number of outstanding seasonal tales. Whether you gather around a Christmas tree, a Menorah or a Kinara, these books are guaranteed to provide you with a healthy dose of history and hysterics while pulling on all the right heartstrings.

As 2004 comes to a close, we at Kidsreads.com have assembled some of our favorite books of the year for children. These entertaining and memorable reads, which consist of both chapter books and picture books, make for great holiday gifts (to give or to get).

BEHIND THE DESK WITH...MATT CHRISTOPHER: The #1 Sports Writer for Kids - A Biography, by Dale Christopher
In 1954, Matt Christopher wrote and published The Lucky Baseball Bat and has since released more than 120 novels, making him the most prolific and bestselling sportswriter for children ever. Celebrate 50 years of good sportsmanship with Matt Christopher's own commemorative biography written by his son, Dale. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan. 

THE LUCKY BASEBALL BAT: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, by Matt Christopher
Martin is the new kid in town, anxious to prove himself on the diamond. But when he loses his lucky baseball bat, Martin fears that he also has lost his ability to play baseball. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan.

For more about Matt Christopher, go to MattChristopher.com

Did you like the book? Well now you can see the movie! Check out the newest fall flicks that are based on books to get another dose of the stories you love. Standouts include The Polar Express, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (which is based on Nickelodeon's popular animated series). Plus, Simon & Schuster has released a cool new book that ties in perfectly with the SpongeBob film!

LAUGH TILL YOU CRY by Joan Lowery Nixon
When thirteen-year-old Cody Carter moves from California to Texas to be near his sick grandmother, he finds himself in a not-so-funny situation when he's wrongfully accused of committing a crime at school. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle and excerpted.

SAM I AM by Ilene Cooper
With a Jewish father and a Christian mother, twelve-year-old Sam Goodman and his family try celebrating two different holidays --- Christmas and Hanukkah --- harmoniously. Reviewed by Kristi Olson.

THE TRUTH BEHIND A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS by Lois H. Gresh
Have you ever wondered how Violet Baudelaire invented a telephone? Or what Count Olaf's eye tattoo might really mean? Find out the answers to these and other mysteries of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" in Lois H. Gresh's companion guide to Lemony Snicket's highly successful series. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

BIRD by Angela Johnson
Thirteen-year-old Bird has run away to find her stepfather. She would like him to return home --- to fill the hole he left in their family. But while she hides near a farmhouse, she becomes involved in the lives of three people who also have holes to fill. Reviewed by Kristi Olson.

ENNA BURNING by Shannon Hale
When Enna's brother finds a mysterious piece of vellum that gives him the power to burn, Enna realizes that its dangerous beauty can mean the difference between life and death for her country --- and herself. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

Series Update: Geronimo Stilton
Book 14: THE TEMPLE OF THE RUBY OF FIRE by Geronimo Stilton
Geronimo's old friend Professor von Volt has discovered the location of the famous Ruby of Fire, and Geronimo and the gang race to find the legendary jewel. Unfortunately, the Ruby of Fire is protected by thousands of ancient booby-traps --- every mouse adventurer's worst nightmare.

How many books did you read this year?

More than 100
75-100
51-74
41-50
31-40
21-30
11-20
1-10
None