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Chris K. Soentpiet

Cynthia Rylant

Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story Hardcover – Picture Book, September 1, 1997

by Cynthia Rylant (Author), Chris K. Soentpiet (Illustrator)

238 ratings

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In Appalachia each Christmas, a boy named Frankie waits beside the tracks for the Christmas Train, which will bring presents to the children who live in coal towns and hollows. Year after year, Frankie hopes that one particular gift -- one very special gift -- will be tossed to him from that train. And it is this enduring hope that will guide him to the true meaning of the season.

Reading age

4 - 8 years
Print length

32 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Kindergarten - 3
Dimensions

9.5 x 0.5 x 10.75 inches
Publisher

Scholastic Inc.
Publication date

September 1, 1997
ISBN-10

9780531300510
ISBN-13

978-0531300510
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4. Full-page watercolor paintings decorate this warm, sentimental story loosely based on actual events. Rylant traces the origins of an Appalachian "Christmas Train" that travels through the mountains each year on December 23 to a rich man who wished to repay a debt of kindness he had received many years before. He faithfully returns and tosses silver packages from the caboose to the coal-town children who wait by the tracks. One such child is Frankie, who longs for a doctor's kit every year; instead he gets much-needed socks or mittens along with small toys. As an adult, he moves back to the town to live and work, having fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor. With her clear, balanced, and well-paced storyteller's voice, the author builds the anticipation and excitement that the children?and especially Frankie?feel at the train's annual arrival. Although the heroic profile of this child-turned-man makes him more of a symbol than a real person, his story is capably told. The illustrations provide panoramic views of the Appalachian countryside, with deep nighttime blues and wintry colors, strengthening the sense of place. A well-rendered reflection on the importance of giving and sharing.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Rylant's story is enhanced by the paintings of Chris K. Soentpiet, whose renderings of frosty Appalachian days and a young boy's memories are vibrant. Together, Ryland and Soentpiet have created a story for children and parents too." -- The New York Times Book Review

"A well-rendered reflection on the importance of giving and sharing." -- School Library Journal

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 053130051X
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Inc.; 1st Edition (September 1, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780531300510
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0531300510
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 0.5 x 10.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #204,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #170 in Children's Country Life Books
- #210 in Children's Trains Books (Books)
- #442 in Children's Christmas Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
238 ratings

About the authors

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Chris K. Soentpiet
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Chris Soentpiet (SOON-peet) is the recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work and Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year for SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. His other prestigious honors include the International Reading Association (IRA) Book Award for MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, MOLLY BANNAKY & COOLIES which has won the Parents Choice Gold Award. His illustrations have been featured in the New York Times, Houston Chronicle, Ebony Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today. Chris’s stunning realistic watercolors plays with the illumination of light. Fellow illustrators at the Society of Illustrators in New York City rewarded his artistic realism with its highest honor, a Gold medal. As an adoptee, Chris’ multicultural background and experiences are reflected in his choice of distinct cultural and historical setting. Chris is known for his books celebrating diversity and visiting schools across the country promoting the love of literature and the arts.
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Cynthia Rylant
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Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series: Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as her Cobble Street Cousins early-chapter series, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning Missing May, the Newbery Honor Book A Fine White Dust, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books.
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Customer reviews

5 star		91%
4 star		7%
3 star		1%
2 star		1%
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Top reviews from the United States

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Cindy Heilman

Pay hope forward

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

My 6 year old grandson is being raised far from the Appalachian heritage of his ancestors. He will know little of the struggles of life in WV except what his mother tells him. She isn't from WV and views us in contempt. I wanted him to hear about the hard working, hope in difficulty, and the pay it forward attitude that is our culture.

2 people found this helpful

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Emily McCachren

My Favorite Christmas Book

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

I have always, always, always, loved this book... I remember my dad reading it to us around the tree growing up. Now I am a pastor and love to open this book and share the familiar story with my congregation members. Thought it is not overtly religious, it reads as a modern parable. It lends itself to a silver package craft, which every age group seems to love. The story is masterfully woven. The artwork is beautiful and reflects the nuances of the story. The message is everlasting for every person. I highly recommend this book.

One person found this helpful

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madonna

6 year old asked for this book

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

My 6 yr old grandchild asked me to order this so she could give it to her mom for Christmas. To date, I haven't read it but my daughter absolutely loved it and said she cried a few times while they read it. My daughter doesn't read or cry. Must be a heck of a story.

Helpful

Emily J. Morris

Beautiful and touching Christmas tale

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2011

Verified Purchase

This was recommended to me by a fellow teacher. I've always loved Cynthia Rylant's powerful work that makes me homesick for an Appalachian life my western US self has never known, and that same spirit comes to life in this Christmas gem.

Based on the train that delivers packages each November, this tells the story of a boy whose holiday magic depends on the gifts thrown from the train. Year after year, he never receives the Christmas present he dreams of. His disappoint results in a strong message that makes this book so memorable.

The book imagines a back story to the train of a generous rich gentleman trying to pay back a town's kindness, and this same mood permeates the story. Perhaps not historically accurate, but certainly appreciated and appealing to the imagination.

The illustrations are vivid and details and full of expression.

This is one that is hard to read with a dry eye.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

G. or J. Steele

great story, great history

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful story for the holidays to highlight our blessings and encourages gratefulness and contentment. If you are from the Appalachian region, this will especially hit home. Cynthia Rylant never disappoints, and the illustrations in this are beautiful. We have a copy in our home and I also give it as gifts to our family members with little ones.

One person found this helpful

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Jenny

Such a great Christmas message

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book is just the sweetest! We got it at the library last year and I cried every time I read it to my son. I decided we had to own it! Such a great Christmas message!

5 people found this helpful

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Jamie

A Great Christmas Story

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016

Verified Purchase

I read this to a group of 2nd graders and as I was reading I fell in love with the book. I'm a avid hiker in the Smoky Mountains and I didn't realize what I was reading (the teacher just handed me a book to read to the class). I immediately ordered the book for my own children when I finished with the class.

2 people found this helpful

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Susan Larson

a great "growing up" stogry

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2020

Verified Purchase

The author illustrated very well how the main character grows up and realizes, and is grateful for, what it truly important in life.

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