A Boy Called Christmas

Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island , Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 10, 2017

Review

Nikolas, the boy who will someday be called Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, begins his story as a twelve year old very poor boy living in Finland. "A boy who knew very little about the world except the taste of mushroom soup, the feel of a cold north wind, and the stories he was told." His mother has tragically died and his father, Joel the Woodcutter, is a hardworking but sad and bitter man. Nikolas' adventure begins when Joel leaves him on a search to prove the existence of Elves in the North and thus make his fortune. After several months of living with his cruel Aunt Carlotta Nikolas runs away to retrace his father's steps and reunite. His journey takes him through harsh conditions in which he faces starvation, brutal cold and even death on his way to find the North Pole. He meets and befriends a flying reindeer and names him Blitzen and reaches his destination only to find himself imprisoned by the Elves with a human eating troll and a Pixie who delights in making people's heads explode. With the help of a spell called a Drimwick, a belief in magic and the impossible, and the unfailing ability to find goodness in all Nikolas saves the day, comes to live with the Elves and eventually becomes Santa Claus. Sprinkled with black and white cartoonish illustrations and some wonderful unexpected humor (Blitzen delights in peeing on humans as he flies over, for example) this book would be a welcome addition to a 3rd - 5th grade Holiday collection and a very fun read aloud as well.

Overall Book Score: very good