The Paper Bag Christmas
Sale price
$2280
Chapter Book · 2006

The Paper Bag Christmas

By Kevin Alan Milne

Two brothers' holiday wishes lead them to unexpected roles in a hospital, changing lives forever.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,470 ratings
160 pages
$24.00Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Molar and Aaron's Christmas lists are turned upside down when a mall Santa, Dr. Chris Ringle, assigns them as elves in a children's ward. Aaron befriends Madhu, a curious boy awaiting a transplant, while Molar faces the challenge of reaching out to Katrina, a scarred and withdrawn girl. As they navigate these tasks, the brothers discover the true spirit of Christmas, transforming their lives and those around them in unforeseen ways.

From the publisher

When Molar Alan and his older brother, Aaron, fill out their Christmas wish lists front and back, the Santa at the mall informs the boys they won’t be getting anything they asked for. Instead, he says, they will receive everything they never wanted. This isn’t your garden-variety Santa, he’s Dr. Chris Ringle, a pediatric oncologist, and he enlists the brothers as Santa’s elves at the children’s ward for the holidays. Each boy is charged with a very special assignment. Aaron will befriend Madhu, a fast-talking boy on an organ transplant list who, though not Christian, has an insatiable curiosity and wants to learn all about the holiday. Madhu is determined to be a wise man in the hospital pageant, despite the objections to his interpretation of the role. Molar’s task is considerably harder, as he attempts to help a lonely little girl named Katrina. Katrina’s surgery has left her scarred, and she has shut herself away from everyone. But it is through her that the true spirit of Christmas will touch the lives of all those around her in a way none of them would have foreseen.

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
160
Audience
Juvenile Reader
Lexile
~870L
Themes & topics
Books about friendshipBooks about ChristmasBooks about holidaysBooks about familyBooks about coming of age
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5.6
F&P level
~U
AR points
5
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
135419
Publication
Published
October 3, 2017
First published
January 1, 2006
Publisher
Center Street
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9781478974765

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