Book Review: Paper Bag Christmas

The Paper Bag Christmas

by

Kevin Alan Milne

My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars ****

Hardcover: 160 pages

Publisher:  Center Street; (October 29, 2008)

Format: Kindle

Source: Purchased at Amazon.com $1.99

Completed: December 2010



Summary:  After visiting Santa one Christmas, two young brothers, Molar and Aaron are enlisted to spend the month of December as Santa's "elves" helping out on the oncology floor at a children's hospital in Portand, Oregon.  They are both promised the "best Christmas gift they never had" in exchange. Through the guidance of Dr K. Ringle (a pediatric oncologist, who the boys secretly suspect may be the "real-deal" Santa Clause) they meet many children with life threatening illnesses. During this time Molar and Aaron participate in a unique Christmas Pagent, have perilous adventures and kindle special friendships with the children who inadvertently teach them the true meaning of Christmas.

Ramblings:  The Paper Bag Christmas is a short, sweet little story told through the voice of young Molar, a 9 year old boy.  The top of each chapter is adorned with a meaninful Christmas quote. Reading the book will reveal the significance behind the unusual title.  The story unfolds predominatley in a hospital setting.  Despite being short, the book is still action packed, touching on themes of beauty is more than skin deep, death and dying and the true meaning of Christmas.  Molar is a very believable character who is totally all boy, sometimes finding his big mouth getting him in over his head.   He and his brother Aaron are assigned to help two specific patient's at the Children's Hospital.  Aaron's patient is an Indian boy named Madhu, a friendly, outgoing young man who desperately needs a liver transplant. Madhu yearns to learn more about Christmas, since he is not a Christian. Molar's assignement  proves to be a bit more challenging. Katrina, is the direct opposite, a friendless, introverted girl with a devestating brain tumor.  Multiple brain surgeries have left her so disfigured she wears a white paper bag over her head because she is "ugly"and the other children poke fun at her appearance.  Both children feel as though Santa couldn't possibly grant their unconventional Christmas wishes this year.  Are they right or will the powerful magic of the Christmas season work miracles for these two deserving young kids?

Recommendation:  I would recommend this book to readers of all ages looking for rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas. If you want a story which takes you on an emotional roller coaster, from laughing out loud, to bawling like a baby, but then in the end leaves you with a renewed Christmas spirit, read this book!  However, be warned this book does touch on some mature themes such as: terminal illness, death and dying.  Still, the story does manange to evolk warm and fuzzy feelings leaving the reader with a lot to think about in the end.  The Paper Bag Christmas is the perfect book to read during the Christmas season.