Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Holiday Book 6th - 10th grade, December 30, 2007
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:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is one holiday gem that won't stay a 'Secret' for long!, November 14, 2007
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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4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Cute, June 24, 2009
While this book is very predictable, it was still very cute and heart warming. So if you want something that will lift your spirits and make you smile then chose this book.
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