The Angel Doll: A Christmas Story [Hardcover]

Jerry Bledsoe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 1999

If even a small part of a child still lives within your heart, you can't help but be captivated by this deeply moving novella based on bestselling author Jerry Bledsoe's childhood memories.

Set in a North Carolina manufacturing town during the 1950s, it is the poignant story of two ten-year-old boys and their search for an angel doll, a search that turned into a lesson of love.

Every day Whitey Black reads The Littlest Angel to his sister Sandy, a four-year-old stricken with polio. Now she wants just one thing for Christmas: an angel doll. Unfortunately, in this small North Carolina town, no one has ever heard of such a thing. Nevertheless, Whitey Black and his best friend set out to find her one, at great cost and for even greater reward.

Along the way they learn much about sadness and heartbreak, but most important, they learn about the transformative power of love.

The Angel Doll is about childhood reaching out in later life and grabbing hold-never to be forgotten or remembered exactly as it was. Timeless and touching, The Angel Doll is sure to become a family favorite and a tradition for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Proof that a Christmas book need not drip with mawkish sentimentality is offered by this affecting novella from the author of such true-crime novels as Bitter Blood. Though published as fiction, the story Bledsoe tells has the ring of truth, plus the asset of his lean prose and carefully nuanced delivery. The tale is set in the early 1950s in a small North Carolina town, where the 10-year-old narrator shares a newspaper route with a friend, Whitey Black. Whitey's father is dead, and his younger sister, Sandy, has survived polio with a wasted leg and precarious health. Inspired by her favorite book, the classic The Littlest Angel, Sandy hopes for an angel doll for Christmas. How Whitey manages to find the doll, and the tragic event that ensues, is the substance of the story. Because Bledsoe doesn't milk the emotions, the poignant ending is neither manipulative nor preachy, but authentically moving. One wishes, however, that the illustrations by Tim Rickard were a tad more sophisticated.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA?Life in Thomasville, NC, in the 1950s is not easy for 10-year-old Whitey Black. He is new to town, with no father, a perpetually weary mother, and a four-year-old sister, Sandy, who has polio. Sandy's greatest pleasure is for Whitey to read to her The Littlest Angel and, more than anything else, she wants an "Angel" doll for Christmas, just like the one in the story. Whitey, his hard-won friend (the narrator of the story), and other members of the small community work together to give the child her wish. It is the story of their efforts and the results that are the basis of this Christmas tale. Told matter-of-factly, the story is evocative of a time and a place, and has great appeal to readers of all ages.?Pamela B. Rearden, Centreville Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (November 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312171048
• ISBN-13: 978-0312171049
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,847,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE AWSOMEST!, January 20, 2000

By 

Geneva Edwards (Athens, GA., USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Angel Doll: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's sad that the boys sister is sick, but glad because he cares so much for her, he wants to by her a book called THE ANGEL DOLL. After he reads her the book she wants an Angel Doll for Christmas. In order to figure out what happens in the story, you have to read the book. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes Christmas stories, and to anyone who likes sad and happy stories.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Story of goodwill for the Christmas season., December 26, 2001

By 

Denise Bentley "Kelsana" (The California Redwoods) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Angel Doll: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

Whitey Black has a chronically ill younger sister Sandy and all she wants is a Christmas angel doll. It is the 1950's and Whitey and his friend are working together on a paper route. The setting is the rural south and friendship is at the center of this wonderful story.

This is the premise to a blessed event that will fill the lives of many sick children for years to come. It is a story of remembrance and benevolence. It is a heartrending tale of a young boys love for his sister. For those of you who enjoy THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL there is a sequel titled, A GIFT OF ANGELS. This is a superb pair of books with appeal for the whole family, a Christmas tradition. [e-mail] 12/25/01

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching Holiday Tale, November 9, 2000

By 

Judith E. Pavluvcik (Dreaming of the beach in Hawaii, but living in the reality of the desert in Arizona!!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Angel Doll: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

The Angel Doll is a quick read and one to surely bring tears toyour eyes. It is a beautiful story, (definitely one for the holidayseason), set in the South in the 50's. This is the kind of story thatone would want to read to their children each and every Christmas.With the "me" generation is full force, this tale will bringhome, in full force, the power of love and caring and friendship.This tale will leave its full impression on your heart and leave youwondering about the mystery of the dolls. I just discovered on ...,that there is a sequel to this lovely tale and can hardly wait to readit! Uplifting tale for the entire family and I strongly encourageparents to have their children read it!