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The True Gift: A Christmas Story (2009)

by Patricia MacLachlan(Favorite Author)

3.74 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

141699081X (ISBN13: 9781416990819)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

review 1: When Lily and Liam go to stay with their grandparents during the week leading up to Christmas, Liam becomes troubled by the presence of White Cow. She is alone in the paddock. Does she get lonely? Is she sad? He feels that she must be, and therefore, he wants to find her a friend. They don't have a lot of money, but when a family advertises that they want to sell their calf, Liam knows that is the friend for White Cow. So, he sells all his books to the used book store to gain the extra money they need to buy Brown Cow. But will it be too late?A quiet novel that will sneak up on the reader. On the surface, it is just a story about a boy who is a bit odd. Even his supportive family at times gets frustrated with his eccentricity ... especially sister Lily. But the underlying... more themes of caring, sacrifice and selflessness make a powerful entrance in the last part of the book. Liam's concern for the animal will resonate with students, as well.
review 2: Well, I kept meaning to read this book since it came out as it is in my library, after all. So at long last, I just sat down during a quiet evening shift and read it cover to cover, enjoying Floca's illustrations nearly as much as MacLachlan's writing.Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised by the ending but my mushy old heart was truly touched. I had to leave the desk and hide for a while as I have been cursed with one of those complexions that turns deep red and stays red for a long time after a cry. I hate other people seeing me get teary because for me, red eyes, cheeks and swollen eyelids come so easily. But, it was worth it. Part "Gift of the Magi", part "Mixed-Up Files" (at least in the brother-sister interaction), this was a gem that I will be adding to my personal collection for home. It seems to me to be particularly fitting that I read this on St. Nicholas' Day. And...I think I may have to become, at long last, vegetarian. less

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