3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Holiday Book 6th - 10th grade, December 30, 2007
This review is from: Secret Santa (Mass Market Paperback)
I'm a mom who bought this book for my 6th grader's stocking. The book store had it on the table with all the other holiday classics, yet its new (10/07). They had it right though--this is sure to withstand the test of time to become a holiday favorite. It's fun santa cover made it an eye-catcher and who doesn't like secret santas for a storyline? It's all about relationships, just what kids this age are getting into. I was surprised the content was so captivating, it really held my interest. Meant for teens and tweens, I couldn't put it down either!! the ending is quite exraordinary--the last line a little grown-up, but very appropriate for the storyline. I really think kids from middle school thru 10th grade, the grade level most of the characters are in would enjoy this book. A perfect stocking stuffer. Pick one up for your favorite tween or teen! A great holiday book, but probably a fun summer read as well when dreams of romance under the mistletoe, bright lights against winter snow and cups of cocoa with minimarshies abound!!
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Secret Santa, December 4, 2007
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Secret Santa (Mass Market Paperback)
Its Christmas in Manhattan and North Ridge High has decided to go a different route with a game of Secret Santa. Who will end up together? Find out yourself!
I really liked this book and would definitely recommend. It just has a bunch of high school students trying to figure out the secret Santa gifts, "Presents? Kisses? Maybe both!"
Noelle Kramer and Lilly Norris have been best friends their whole lives. They stick together through this adventure. Noelle had a crush on Charlie Grant, her neighbor, for as long as she can remember, but what will happen when his little brother comes into the picture? Lilly has yet to get over her last boyfriend, but who knows what this game will do for her?
Celia Armstrong, also known as "beach girl," just moved in and hangs around with the "popular girls," but would rather be with Noelle and Lilly. You'll be surprised at who she ends up with!
This book makes you guess who will end up together, but don't get confused! Sabrina James made this book suitable for almost any age, by making it something to relate to. It is a quick read, but still a great book.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is one holiday gem that won't stay a 'Secret' for long!, November 14, 2007
This review is from: Secret Santa (Mass Market Paperback)
If there's one thing living just a stone's throw away from Manhattan has instilled in North Ridge High School students, it's to expect a white Christmas, full of hot chocolate, holiday light displays, and, this year, something completely unexpected...a Secret Santa event.
Noelle Kramer has lived next-door to Charlie Grant for almost an entire decade, and, with each passing year, her infatuation with him as grown and grown. Unfortunately, as a lowly sophomore, Charlie, one of the hottest senior's at North Ridge, seems to be oblivious to Noelle's affections; or to the fact that she is completely willing and able to hold the title of being his girlfriend for all eternity. Pulling his name from the Secret Santa sack will give her the perfect opportunity to prove her love for him.
Noelle's best friend, Lily Norris, on the other hand, has had it with love. After having her boyfriend cheat on her over the summer while he was working as a camp counselor, Lily has had enough of guys, and simply wants to enjoy the holidays - boyfriend free. But with the stress of attempting to choose the perfect gifts for her Secret Santa, Lily just knows that the holidays are going to be one blunder after another.
Celia "Beach Girl" Armstrong, never thought she would find herself thrust into the middle of a cold climate like New York, after spending her entire life lounging under the sunny skies of California. But, now that she's here, she knows that she'd better make the best of it. And, after falling in with the "girls about town," Amber Davenport and Shawna Westin, Celia thinks that she'll be able to make a splash at North Ridge. Ad she does. Unfortunately, it's not the kind of splash she was craving. Hanging with Amber and Shawna is fun, but it's totally not her style; she'd much rather be palling around with Noelle and Lily. Luckily, she draws the name of her uber-crush from the Secret Santa pouch and thinks that, perhaps, her Christmas wish of having a boyfriend will come true. But when her gifts go over less-than-perfect, she begins to contemplate whether she'll ever truly survive in the chilly New York climate.
If there's one thing I can't resist around the holidays, it's a Christmas story to put me in the spirit. Sabrina James' SECRET SANTA is the ideal place to turn. James has turned the popular school activity of playing Secret Santa into a fun holiday romp that leaves both the reader and the characters in a state of confusion, as they attempt to identify each and every Secret Santa. While every character is to-die-for, I couldn't help but find myself truly adoring Celia and Shawna. The fact that they both play puppets to Amber's puppet-master was irritating, but they both had such shining personalities that came through in each and every scene they appeared in. I will admit that the amount of characters - there are over ten - were slightly hard to keep track of in the beginning, as the book wore on, everyone's personalities began to shine as bright as Christmas lights, making it simple to differentiate one character from another. And the fact that James incorporated a little charity work - in the form of Toys for Tots - only made me love the story more. This is one holiday gem that won't stay a SECRET for long!
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
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