From noted writer Wally Lamb, author of She’s Come Undone and The Hour I First Believed, comes a tale that’s nostalgic and full of all-things-holiday, Wishin’ and Hopin’: A Christmas Story.
This book’s feel is somewhat, well, different than Lamb’s previous novels. It’s told from the perspective of a fifth grader, unhappy in his being a student in a Catholic school. The story is set in the mid-1960s, when so many things were changing in America….and it is an early coming of age of sorts for the main character, Felix Funicello. (Which means, of course, that he is distant cousins to the booming popularity figure, Annette Funicello.)
Felix is dark skinned and haired and extremely adorable, leading everyone around him to remind him constantly that he bears strong resemblance to a cartoon character of the time. His mother is preoccupied with things such as, oh, competing in the Pillsbury Bake-Off, in which she recently finds out she’s a finalist. And at school, Felix also has a fierce struggle to gain significance over the class brainiac and brown-noser, Rosalie Twerski.
Things start to turn, though, when his head teacher has a nervous breakdown and is ushered out of service until after the holiday break. In her place comes eccentric yet elegant substitute teacher Madame Frechette, and not long after, a mysterious Russian student enters the scene. It all culminates in an unforgettable fiasco in the form of a not-quite-normal school Christmas play. All of these crazy happenings make for one holiday season that Felix will never forget!
The book tells his story in a hilarity-filled way, all the time giving us a picturesque and well-rounded view of life in the mid-60s, a time before I myself was born, but by which I’m constantly fascinated and intrigued. What a terrific way to combine two of my favorite things, history and the holidays, into one excellent novella that, like many lighter-hearted Christmas reads, is readable again and again!
You can purchase Wishin’ and Hopin’: A Christmas Story by Wally Lamb for $19.99 from HarperCollins’ online store or wherever books are sold. (What a terrific teacher’s gift this would be!)
Win it! Courtesy of HarperCollins, TWO of you will win a copy of Wishin’ and Hopin’: A Christmas Story! Just tell me another HarperCollins title that you’d love to have around to read during the holidays. I’ll close the contest next Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 11pm EST, when I’ll announce all of the winners of the Cozy Christmas Reads event. US and Canadian addresses are eligible for this giveaway. Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Lindley A (2 years ago)
We would enjoy ‘Where the Wild Things Are”- my son loved the movie- thanks!
TRACY HEYER (2 years ago)
We like When You Give A Mouse A Cookie.
Staci A (2 years ago)
I’d love to read Far from Home too! It looks like an interesting read.
Winning Readings (2 years ago)
We’d love to read Fancy Nancy!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
amandasue (2 years ago)
50 Things to Do with a Book (Now That Reading Is Dead) By Bruce McCall sounds pretty amusing
Thanks for entering me into this giveaway.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
Wendy (2 years ago)
I’d love to add the book Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas to our Christmas collection of books.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
Pamela S (2 years ago)
LOVE Wally Lamb!!! I’d like to read the “Happiness Project” from Harper Collins. Thanks.
Melissa Nunley (2 years ago)
I’d also read Just Kids by Patti Smith
Meredith (2 years ago)
Going Rouge would be my choice!
julie L (2 years ago)
Christmas at Stoney Creek sounds cute
Molly (2 years ago)
I would love to read The Christmas Pearl by Dorthea Benton Frank. Sounds great!
Mollydawn1981 at aol dot com
Connie (2 years ago)
My grandson’s would love Christmas in the USA or Give a Mouse books!
Please enter me in this terrific giveaway!
Connieed53{at}AOL{dot}com
karenk (2 years ago)
would enjoy reading dorthea benton frank’s ‘the christmas pearl’
I enjoy her books
Patti Bright (2 years ago)
We would like to get Where the wild things are
plb8156@aol.com
Daniel M (2 years ago)
wishin’ and hopin’ looks like a fun one
Barbro (2 years ago)
I would love an Amelia Bedelia book.
But this one would be perfect for a boy.
I think I’ll read it myself too.
Barbro
melissa (2 years ago)
I also like How to talk to Santa
Heather M (2 years ago)
the happiness project looks like a great book!
Laureen (2 years ago)
We’d like to read Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia during the holidays. Thanks!
Nancye Davis (2 years ago)
I would like to read “Take One” by Karen Kingsbury. She is one of my favorite authors.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Naddez (2 years ago)
Memories of Muhammad Memories of Muhammad
By Omid Safi