Shannon's Library

LET’S GET EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!

Two elderly ladies at a retirement center debate whether or not a family would borrow a grandmother for Christmas. As they decide to test out this theory with one of the ladies’ family members, the stress builds. Will a stranger really have a place to spend this Christmas? This sweet, heart-warming little novel makes a great Christmas read-aloud for families or a special gift for a friend, neighbor or family member.

Shannon’s Rating — G

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LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS BOOK!

Do you read books together as a family? Especially at Christmas time? “A Stranger for Christmas,” by Carol Lynn Pearson is one of my fondest childhood Christmas memories. Each year my parents would choose a Christmas book to read aloud to us in December. I don’t remember all of the books, but this one definitely made a strong impression on my little soul. I’ve never forgotten that December and I still re-read this book often to myself and to my family.

It’s the story of two elderly ladies who find themselves alone for Christmas. Myrna has five children, but she won’t be able to travel home to be with them this year. Florence never married and is childless. After watching, “Annie,” together one night, Florence wonders why Daddy Warbucks didn’t go to an retirement home and adopt a little old lady to entertain for Christmas instead of going to an orphanage.

“Wouldn’t that be wonderful? What if tonight somebody – not Daddy Warbucks, old men don’t interest me, but a family, a family, a real one with children and everything – walked right in the front door here and said, ‘We’d like to borrow a grandma for Christmas. Let’s see. That one over there, the one with the red hair, we’ll take her.’”

As Florence imagines what it would be like to spend Christmas with a family, she realizes that would never happen. No one would actually borrow a grandmother for Christmas. No one would ever bring a complete stranger into their home. Myra declares that her children would do it. She raised them to be selfless and giving to others. She often quoted to them the scripture, “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye took me in…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these…ye have done it unto me.” Florence and Myrna decide to test Myrna’s theory – that there are good people in the world who would happily bring a stranger into their home for Christmas. Together they create a fictional old lady named, Genevieve, who needs a home for Christmas. What will happen when Myrna calls her children and asks them to bring Genevieve into their homes for the holidays?

My parents would only read us one chapter each night while reading this book together. I vividly remember going to bed stressed and a little angry as the chapters went by. I SO wanted Genevieve to be invited to someone’s home for Christmas! Luckily, this is a short little book and so my stress didn’t have to last long – even when only reading one chapter a night.

If you’re looking for a sweet read-aloud book to enjoy as a family this Christmas, I highly recommend this one. It also makes a great Christmas gift. I’ve given out many over the years to friends and family! I hope you love spending some time with Myrna, Florence…and Genevieve…this Christmas season!