Gideon's Gift (The Red Gloves Collection #1) (Hardcover)

by Karen Kingsbury (Author) "The red gloves were all that mattered..." (more)
Key Phrases: red gloves, mission director, Brian Mercer

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Kingsbury, a beloved novelist in the CBA market, is known for weepy tales replete with hospital bedside scenes, emotional reunions and miracles. This eager if predictable novella will please her established fans, and may win a few new ones as well, provided they are armed with enough Kleenex. In the story, the Scrooge-like Earl Badgett-a grumpy and aggressive version of the typical widower of CBA fiction-has his Christian faith revived through the efforts of an eight-year-old girl. Pious, mature children who lead adults back to faith were a staple of 19th-century domestic fiction, and remain so in the CBA today; sweet little Gideon Mercer is no exception. And if the novel's emotional quotient weren't high enough, she's even suffering from leukemia. Despite the overwrought stereotypes, Kingsbury writes quite well; her skill with pacing goes a long way toward redeeming this tired and contrived plot.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Gideon Mercer, an eight-year-old leukemia patient, is hoping for a huge Christmas miracle. She does not wish that her parents will scrape together $50,000 for a life-saving bone marrow transplant for her. Nor does she want her dream Christmas with a light-filled tree and a truck for her little brother. Instead, Gideon hopes that the belligerent homeless man she met while her family worked in a food kitchen will believe in God. Five years prior, Earl Badgett lost his faith when his wife and daughter were killed in a car accident. Unable to go on, he took to the streets, hoping to die. An unexpected Christmas gift from Gideon brings God back into Earl's life with repercussions for both of them. This pleasantly conventional story will appeal to sentimental readers. Purchase to augment holiday collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446531243
• ISBN-13: 978-0446531245
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #196,863 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touching book, December 12, 2002

By	Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Gideon's Gift is not one story, but two. It is the story of Earl Badgett, a man who lost his wife and daughter, and, consequently, his reason for living. And, it is the story of Gideon Mercer, an eight-year-old girl with Leukemia, who wants a special gift for this Christmas - a miracle, but not a miracle for herself, a miracle for someone else. Christmas is a time for miracles, and when Earl and Gideon meet at a homeless shelter, Gideon may just get her wish.

I must say that this is one of the most touching books that I have read in a long time. Indeed, I doubt that it is possible to read it without becoming choked up. This is a very heartwarming tale that will touch your heart and your soul. I highly recommend this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great reading!, January 8, 2003

By	Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

Gideon is an angelic little girl who is dying with cancer. However, just at Christmas, in the season of miracles, she gets one, remission from her disease. Determined to spread the joy, she uses all she has saved to buy a cynical, homeless man a pair of red mittens, hopefully replicating the ones he lost, and with their loss, lost hope and faith. Somehow, the used mittens she is able to buy are the very ones that he lost. Then, life turns for the worse, and Gideon needs another miracle. Her cancer is back, and worse than ever. Will there be another miracle, or will she join the angels for whom she is named?

**** As always, Ms. Kingsbury delivers a story that warms your heart through the tears pouring down your face. Closing one of her books never fails to leave the reader untouched and with a new lease on life. I also encourage readers to take time to read the author's message at the end and support the projects mentioned so as to help bring miracles to more people. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read Christmas treasure!, November 22, 2002

By	Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I just loved this book! I am not a fiction-reader, and if you check out my other reviews, you'll see that I'm very picky about my fiction! Most of my reading is Christian non-fiction.

Having said that, you MUST READ THIS BOOK! The author does an excellent job of decribing Gideon's sweet spirit, her parents' love and concern for their sick daughter, and the homeless man Earl's toughness and depression and his giving up on life.

Before buying a book (or checking one out at the library), I look at how it's laid out. This book beckons you with its blue typeface and the motif of the gloves at the beginning of each chapter.

Most of all, you have to read this book for the amazing story. This book WILL become a Christmas classic. It is poignant, gentle, and touching without being saccharin. If you're looking to read a good story that will stick with you for a long time to come, without investing hours of reading time, this is a must-read for you!

I would highly recommend giving this book as a gift - perhaps before Christmas? The message is one of God's miracles and hope and what happens when you BELIEVE.

Please check out my other reviews of Christian books!