When Santa Fell To Earth (Hardcover)

by Cornelia Funke (Author)
Key Phrases: caravan door, weather scientist, snow machine, Niklas Goodfellow, White Door, Merry Christmas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7–The leader of the Great Christmas Council, one Gerold Geronimus Goblynch, has outlawed all of the old, magical ways. Snowmobiles have replaced reindeer, elves and angels are banned, and noncompliant Santas are turned into chocolate. Niklas Goodfellow is the last real Santa. He and his ramshackle companions–two fat angels named Matilda and Emmanuel, an invisible reindeer, and a bunch of foulmouthed elves (steaming reindeer poo!)–are hiding from the Council. Luckily, local children Ben and Charlotte and Charlotte's dog, Mutt, join forces to save Niklas from a chocolatey fate. Funke's holiday fantasy, originally published in Germany in 1994, appeals on many levels and is surprisingly fresh. Howard's charming drawings, many full page, add just the right touch. Wonderfully imaginative details, adventure, danger, and a brave young Santa who fights to preserve all that is magical and special about Christmas make this a perfect read over a mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Now that Funke's U.S. name recognition is rock solid, it will surprise few to see her foreign backlist emerge in English editions. In this illustrated Christmas novel originally published in Germany in 1994, short chapters tell of a grinchy takeover in Yule Land, where the region's crack team of Santas has been forced to submit to new, moneygrubbing policies. A renegade good Santa recruits main-character Ben and a lonely neighborhood girl to help topple the tyrant. Many members of the chapter-book audience will count themselves too worldly to truck with books about Santa, and for every glimmer of the invention that distinguishes Funke's later efforts, there are some odd notes, such as references to Ben's math difficulties, which read like a gleeful endorsement of cheating. Still, there are few Christmas-themed options for children wanting something more substantial than a picture book, and families seeking a seasonal, chapter-a-day read-aloud will find the cookie-cutter story line perfectly palatable alongside eggnog and gathered loved ones. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: The Chicken House; 1 edition (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 043978204X
• ISBN-13: 978-0439782043
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #385,627 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unstoppable holiday thrill ride that will leave everyone in the Christmas spirit!, November 15, 2006

By	Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ben is just beginning to get excited about the forthcoming holiday season, when he learns that his parents have decided to forgo the chilly weather, and head to a tropical environment where they can hang out in the sun, and sip fruity drinks. This news instantly sends Ben into a downward spiral, leaving him upset, and wishing that Christmas vacation will never come. But when he encounters a strange young man named Niklas Goodfellow, all of Ben's cynical emotions fly out the window. Niklas has seemingly appeared on Ben's street out of nowhere, his colorful caravan sitting in a strange spot. On a dare, Ben runs up to the door of the caravan, and meets the peculiar person, and so starts the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Ben soon learns that Niklas is the last real Santa Claus, and that his caravan - pulled by his currently missing, marzipan-loving reindeer, Twinklestar - crashed to earth in the midst of a storm, and is now stuck on this oft-times money-hungry street as he searches for the snow white colored reindeer, and attempts to fix the wheels on his broken caravan. But Niklas is not alone. He has brought two chubby angels with him - Matilda and Emmanuel - who flit around the good-natured man; along with a chest full of little elves who are preparing presents for all of the good little boys and girls. But there is one thing lurking about Niklas that could put him out of business for good. An extreme evil known only as Gerold Geronimus Golynch - a bad Santa who wants nothing more than to take Niklas' boots, and turn him into a bar of chocolate. But now, with the help of Ben, and a bug-eyed girl named Charlotte, along with her dog Mutt, Niklas plans to fight off Gerold, and bring the true spirit of Christmas back to every girl and boy in the world. But if he fails, Christmas may be lost forever.

Cornelia Funke is certainly one of the most intrepid new fantasy writers to hit the scene in years, and the release of her holiday novel, WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH, only illustrates that fact even more. Funke's trademark magical scenes, and enchanting moments prevail in this fantastical account of two children looking to help the "real" Santa Claus save Christmas. Funke adds her own little touches regarding the holidays, from making Niklas Goodfellow look quite different from what Santa Claus is known to look like; to giving the elves snippy personalities laced with bad language and fierce tempers. The angels Matilda and Emmanuel are saintly characters, whose good-natured, loving attitudes stay true to the spirit of Christmas; while the marzipan-loving Twinklestar is a supreme trouble maker, who you can't help but love. The friendship that develops between Ben and the unlikely Charlotte is quite a treat to witness; while the snowy world of Yule Land is a beauty all in itself. Coupled with gorgeous illustrations (sometimes full-page ones) by Paul Howard, WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH is a wonderful, fantastical joyride into the world of Santa Claus, and the many hardships he encounters each year. An unstoppable holiday thrill ride that will leave everyone in the Christmas spirit!

Erika Sorocco

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innocently Delightful Read!!, January 18, 2008

By	C. G. - See all my reviews

Cornelia Funke writes the perfect holiday book for both children and adults! The storyline is clever and makes you smile practically the entire way through!

The story is centered on Ben, a child that appears to be an underachiever, and Niklas Goodfellow, the last real Santa Clause. The evil Gerold Geronimus Goblynch is in charge of the Great Christmas Council and has outlawed the old ways magic was once used for children. Niklas Goodfellow's remaining friends, which consists of elves, angels, and a reindeer, have been banned and/or exterminated. Instead of utilizing these magical creatures, snowmobiles are replacing them forever. Any Santa who disagrees with the new rules is turned into Chocolate. While Niklas was supposed to be in hiding, his reindeer escapes while flying one night; thus, Santa falls to Earth! Now, it's up to Ben and his new friend Charlotte to help the last Santa.

While this is an excellent story, Funke concludes with almost a bittersweet ending. Funke's character, Ben, doesn't seem to develop as the story progresses. Readers will assume Ben is maturing, but as the story continues, he seems to fall into old habits that classify him as the underachiever. It's quite unfortunate that Funke portrays almost every adult as being neglectful of their children yet somehow keeps the spirit of Christmas anticipatory for children! It's a wonderfully hilarious book but be warned that some characters never change (even with the spirit of Christmas).

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas At Its Best, March 8, 2009

By	Cheri Williams @ kidzinklink.com (California, USA) - See all my reviews

A 2006 U.S. release, When Santa Fell to Earth is a less than traditional tale told in Funkesque style. The Great Christmas Council, consisting of hundreds of Santas, goes bad under the leadership of Gerold Geronimus Goblynch. After turning all but one of the reindeer into salami, the money-hungry, tradition-crushing Goblynch unjustly bars Niklas Goodfellow from working as a Santa.

Niklas (who is the last true Santa), two pint-sized angels, and a drawerful of hilariously grumpy elves, find themselves stranded on Earth when their invisible, marzipan-loving reindeer panics in a storm.

"Terrified, Twinklestar reared up, broke his reins, and bolted down toward Earth. Niklas Goodfellow's reindeerless caravan swayed from side to side like a boat on a churning sea. Then it toppled forward into the swirling clouds, Niklas tumbled out of bed, hitting his head on the leg of a chair, and rolled helter-skelter under a table" (Page 2).

With Goblynch's band of giant, evil Nutcrackers in hot pursuit and the threat of being turned into a chocolate Santa looming large, the clan joins forces with two neighborhood kids to set Christmas right.

The poetic style, dazzling imagery and timeless themes Funke is famous for are certainly present in this book, and exquisite pencil drawings by Paul Howard brilliantly complement the richness of her writing. The main question that weighs in my mind is whether a middle grader will buy into the concept of Santa. If so, this book is sure to please.

It's also important to keep in mind that When Santa Fell to Earth is not part of the Inkheart trilogy. With far less sub-plotting, emotion and conflict, this book is shorter and simpler in every way. That's not to say it's less in anyway. It's simply for the youngest end of the 9 to 12-year old range.