Grade 3-5–Nine-year-old Tess believes in Santa–truly believes. And on Christmas Eve, she gets to see the magic: the animals talk and Santa, the
real Santa, arrives. But will he save Tess's best friend's father from dying of cancer? Tess learns about magic, miracles, and the power of hope in a satisfying story that mostly avoids sentimentality and an excess of Christmas sparkle. A full-page, decorative black-and-white watercolor painting opens each chapter.
–Susan Patron, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
Tess is a very likeable girl who believes in Santa and hatches a plan to see him and talk to him one Christmas Eve. She has always wanted to do this, but this year, she needs make a very special Christmas wish, and it has to be done in person. The story is sweet, full of the magic of the season and a charming, pure joy.
However, there is nothing on the book jacket that indicates there is a character with cancer, and by March after Christmas everyone is at a funeral.
This could be very upsetting to the young audience this book gears to. In my case, we have a parent in the family with cancer, and I can't believe I nearly gave the book to my child to read as a Christmas-y, magical, pick-me-up. I do wish the book jacket and blurb on the sleeve had been more open about the story line.
If you or your child enjoys sad books, however, this is a very nice holiday read.
