The Paper Bag Christmas...Review

About the book:
Dr. Christopher Ringle is the last person you'd expect to find moonlighting as Santa Claus at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving. But it is there that he meets a young man named Molar Alan, who desperately needs a new perspective on the underlying value of Christmas. Dr. Ringle recruits Mo and his older brother as volunteers at a nearby children's hospital for the holiday season. At the hospital, Mo is tasked to help bring holiday cheer to the young cancer patients on the fifth floor. His biggest challenge is befriending a decidedly angry girl who is so embarrassed by her scarred appearance that she hides her face behind the safety of a paper bag. Almost in spite of himself, Mo finds that Christmas joy emanates from a source far greater than the North Pole, while the young girl learns that she is more beautiful than she had ever imagined.

An inspiring, charming little story about finding "everything you never wanted for Christmas."

Mo and his brother Aaron meet Santa at the mall. Santa is a pediatric oncologist and instead of simply giving them a present, he enlists their help as Santa's elves in the children's ward at the hospital. Each boy is tasked with getting to know a specific patient.

Aaron befriends Madhu, a charming boy who, although not Christian, has a fascination with Christmas and wants to learn all he can. Mo befriends Katrina, a young girl who has been through surgeries which have left her scarred and vulnerable. She wears a paper bag on her head and hides away from everyone.

The boys learn the true meaning of friendship and what kinds of gifts we should give at Christmas.

A magical novella. Easily read in one sitting, a funny, heartwarming story and one that will stay with you. I loved it. This would make a great Christmas film.

Thanks to Hatchette Books for the opportunity to read this. You can find out more about Kevin Milne here. You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 10/08

* * * * *
5/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I think I need a good Christmas story to put me in the spirit this year. This sounds like a good one.

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  2. Sounds really sweet. Thanks for the review.

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  3. Dear Holly,
    We would like to send you a review copy of Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale...it's the third book in the Planet of the Dogs series and tells the true the story of how the dogs saved Christmas.
    For more information and sample chapters, please visit www.planetofthedogs.net and to learn more about the concepts behind the books and our involvement with therapy dog reading programs, visit http://barkingplanet.typepad.com

    Please send us a postal address at barkingplanet@aol.com and we will be pleased to send Snow Valley Heroes.
    Best wishes,
    Robert McCarty
    Barking Planet Productions

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  4. Thanks for reviewing this one. Sounds like a great story. I love holiday books.

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  5. Holly,

    I just read this book as well and agree that it is a magical story. It puts you in the Christmas Spirit, for sure! I am having a giveaway of my copy on my blog, details here.

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