Customer Reviews

The Legend of the Twenty-First North Pole Santa

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

 

 

The story of "Twenty-First North Pole Santa" is excruciatingly politically correct (if I had to read about the main character's "proud Athabascan heritage" one more time I was going to scream), but that's not why I've given it a low rating. I'm giving it a low rating because the book seriously needed an editor who was competent of grammar and style. It obviously didn't have one. Zahn is a repetitive and choppy author; and she apparently doesn't know what a question mark is or how it is used to indicate an interrogative sentence. This is not of publishable quality.

I bought this book for my young son, but I don't know that I'll let him keep it. The story is no great shakes, and the writing itself is subpar. I don't want him to think that this is good authorship!

I have taught 4th and 5th graders for years. During the holiday season, my students and I read this book. It's a fantastic teaching tool. I love to use it as a thematic unit. My students enjoy learning about the Athabascans (Native Alaskans) as well as other cultures. Since society is so diverse, children can relate to this story.

I realize the publisher had some typo's, but that's what makes it even more of a learning experience for kids.......to find them and critique them. Denise Graham Zahn has given kids of all ages a greater understanding of what "sticking together through thick and thin" means. This is wonderful for character education, too. Teachers from all over the world should share this with their students, and then, they can share it with their families to keep the tradition alive. My students have also written to the author, and she took the time to write back to each one of them. What an experience for us!

Hi! I'm the author. I guess there were quite a few errors in my first edition. I hope you won't discount a wonderful story about a multicultural Santa Claus family because of that. It's also about an adopted girl in the Santa family. I've had many women tell me (unsolicited) that it brought tears to their eyes, and they loved it. They wanted the book for the daughters or granddaughters. Each had read a borrowed copy. It's more of a "chick" story, I'll admit. I just think that it's time to update the Coca-cola Santa to be inclusive, even if that does sound politically correct.
I will tell you that as a new author it broke my heart to have my story trashed so horribly, but Mr. Hudson did force me to take another look at the mechanics that, indeed, needed some repairs.
Maybe we'll see Holly, the main character, on the big screen someday. Enjoy!

My two kids loved this book. Thanks for keeping the Christmas tradition alive.