Christmas Sonata, A [Hardcover]

Gary Paulsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 1997

A young boy and his mother spend Christmas 1943 with relatives in northern Minnesota while his father is fighting in the war in Europe. They take a long journey by train to a snowy land of vast frozen lakes, deep and sparkling cold, and the most magical Christmas tree the boy has ever seen. He knows this will be the last Christmas he will spend with his cousin, who is dying. The boy's uncle overhears the two cousins say there is no Santa Claus, and in a grand gesture that is nothing short of a Christmas miracle, he restores the children's faith in the spirit of the season.

This handsome keepsake edition is destined to become a family treasure that will be shared year after year. Complete with a special foreword by Newbery Award-winning author Gary Paulsen, this touching story is sure to capture the hearts of all readers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A holiday heartwarmer that will appeal to a wide audience."
--Kirkus Reviews

From the Inside Flap

A young boy and his mother spend Christmas 1943 with relatives in northern Minnesota while his father is fighting in the war in Europe.  They take a long journey by train to a snowy land of vast frozen lakes, deep and sparkling cold, and the most magical Christmas tree the boy has ever seen.  He knows this will be the last Christmas he will spend with his cousin, who is dying.  The boy's uncle overhears the two cousins say there is no Santa Claus, and in a grand gesture that is nothing short of a Christmas miracle, he restores the children's faith in the spirit of the season.

This handsome keepsake edition is destined to become a family treasure that will be shared year after year.  Complete with a special foreword by Newbery Award-winning author Gary Paulsen, this touching story is sure to capture the hearts of all readers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (September 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385304412
• ISBN-13: 978-0385304412
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,056,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newberry Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas Sonata, January 12, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Christmas Sonata (Paperback)

Let me start by saying I absolutely loved A Christmas Sonata. The author Gary Paulson reached out and pulled you into a heartwarming sensation . Between the laughter and tears Gary Paulson catches your attetion and makes you want to read the book.

In this novel if I had to change anything I would change nothing because it is such an awesome story. Another reason is it's so interesting.

In this novel my favorite scene was when the mountains and the river plus the animals were seen on the train. Also when the mother and the young boy were waking to the aunt's and uncles store they saw beautiful snow fall.

In the novel the characters were so believable that you felt like you could relate to them that's why I could tell my friends about this book. Plus how respectful he is and how nice he is.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (...)Book Review, December 15, 2001

By 

Kipp Demars (Pennsylvania PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christmas Sonata (Paperback)

(...)P>There is a little boy in this story and he is the main character. One day he was running up and down the halls oh there apartment complex and he saw one of his neighbors (Mr. Henderson) dressed up as Santa Claus. The little boy tells his mom and she says he gets paid to go to stores and talk to little kids. The little boy starts not to believe in Santa Claus.

Then they get a call from There Aunt and Uncle. They want the little boy and his mom to come to their house for Christmas. They say yes because their dad is away in a war in Germany.

This book was really interesting to read because new events kept happening like the little boy would be sad because he doesn't believe in Santa Claus any more then he would be happy because they were going to go to there aunt and uncles house for Christmas. Gary Paulsen is a really good author.

This book will really amaze the reader because they will never get tired of reading a Christmas Sonata. Just when you think it's getting boring it starts to get really interesting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kipp Demars Book Review, December 15, 2001

By 

Kipp Demars (Pennsylvania PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christmas Sonata (Paperback)

Kipp Demars
Book Review

There is a little boy in this story and he is the main character. One day he was running up and down the halls oh there apartment complex and he saw one of his neighbors (Mr. Henderson) dressed up as Santa Claus. The little boy tells his mom and she says he gets paid to go to stores and talk to little kids. The little boy starts not to believe in Santa Claus.

Then they get a call from There Aunt and Uncle. They want the little boy and his mom to come to their house for Christmas. They say yes because their dad is away in a war in Germany.

This book was really interesting to read because new events kept happening like the little boy would be sad because he doesnt believe in Santa Claus any more then he would be happy because they were going to go to there aunt and uncles house for Christmas. Gary Paulsen is a really good author.

This book will really amaze the reader because they will never get tired of reading a Christmas Sonata. Just when you think its getting boring it starts to get really interesting.