Customer Reviews

The House Without a Christmas Tree

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book to my classes when I taught 4th grade in Nebraska. It was touching and heartwarming, we especially liked the school Christmas party. The characters were so well developed. Everyone related to Addie and her lonely life. I remember it being on TV with Jason Robards as the father. How can we get it back on TV?

I remember reading this book when I was in grammar school. It really touched me. Today I am a teacher, and I read it to my classes. They adore it. The T.V. special was excellent too. It was very heart warming, especially for the holidays! I definitely recommend it.

This is such a heartwarming story. Addie is a wonderful role model for young girls -- She is so intelligent, independent, and strong-willed. I've always loved reading the beginning of the "Addie Mills" books, when she tells the reader, "I'm an artist now, and I live and work in the city..." I think it's very inspiring for a child to see that this character -- an awkward little girl -- pursued her dreams and became a successful artist.

My father gave me this book when I was ten years old, and then bought me the others in the "Addie" series. I am now 25 years old, and I still read them from time to time. They've been read so many times they are literally falling apart. Each time I enter a used book store, I search for the titles...It's such a shame they are out of print.

I remember the first time CBS aired this t.v. Christmas special. I must have been about 8 yrs old,I'm now 33 and I still scan the T.V. guide in hopes I may catch a re-run ( every Christmas I've done this )I miss it very much. I've also read all of Gail Rock's books about Addie. Are you out there Gail?

I read this book at 11 in 1975, and still get out my copy each Christmas to relive the touching Christmas of Addie. I love this book as much now as I did 20 yrs. ago. Would Love to know why the series of "Addie" stories are no longer in print.

I love this book. It is so sweet and heartwarming and a must read around the holidays. The characters are very interesting with a lot of depth. Addie is so typical of a young girl that I feel like many young woman can relate to her. I love her grandmother. What a wise woman! The father is all too human, grieving for his deceased wife. It's a tender tale and one I like to reread every holiday season!

I read this book in school. It's a really great book. Addie's dad I thouhgt was sort of mean, but it all turns out great.The book was sad, happy,funny, interesting and exciting.I'm glad we read it in school.

I gave this book 5 stars because i thaugh it was great . I think everyone should read this. This book was so good i can only give you a list of words that discribe it & thay are: great meningful wonderful & stupendences

Some have speculated that The House Without a Christmas Tree by Gail Rock is inspired by true events in the author's life. Indeed, there are many reasons to think this. Consider that main character Addie Mills lives with her dad and grandmother--and that the dedication reads "To Grandma and Dad". Then there is the prologue, in which the narrator states that she now lives in the city, but once lived in Clear River, Nebraska. She often thinks of that little town and that special Christmas in 1946 when she was ten-years-old. There is also the epilogue, but I can't tell you about it without ruining the ending for you. As for the story itself, in many ways it feels like what anyone in a small town might experience--up to a point. Addie and Carla Mae are best friends who like to hang out at each other's homes. This particular December day, they're talking what to buy for the student exchange at school and Addie is stumped about what to buy snobby Tonya. As Addie and Carla Mae spell their names with soup noodles, the conversation shifts to what each girl wants for Christmas. Sound like typical small town life? Oh, and Addie and Billie have a crush on each other, but of course neither will admit it. Then Carla Mae asks, "How come you haven't got your Christmas tree up yet?" Addie parrots the argument that her dad uses: they cost too much. The reality is sadder, to the point that the topic is a forbidden topic. Sometimes even true stories can become cliché. When telling my husband about this book, he easily guessed its big secret. Yet my biggest problem instead is how long the secret is withheld and then how quickly Addie's problems are resolved once we know the truth behind them. Even so, The House Without a Christmas Tree remains a charming seasonal classic that everyone should read once.

What a disappointment this book is out of print. When I used to read to my fourth grade class, this book had riveting moments which resulted in total silence as every child processed what was happening. It was frequently mentioned by students as their favorite book.