Podesta, Bobby. North for the WinterSeptember 2, 2025 by First Second
E ARC provided by Netgalley
In 1955, Virginia Kay and her father move from Arizona to Denver, Colorado. On the trip, the father (who was a pilot during the war) narrowly misses an animal on the road, and has to change a flat tire. Virginia goes off into the woods in search of the animal, and encounters a flying reindeer. When the animal sniffs her, she accidentally grabs a medallion of its collar. Her father isn't happy that she ran off, since they have recently lost her mother. Arriving at Aunt Frances' apartment, Virginia doesn't feel at home, but soon comes to terms with her cozy bedroom in the pantry, and makes friends with neighbor Benny Alvarez. In alternating scenes, we also see the men working at the Continental Air Defence Command Center (CONAD). Benny takes Virginia on a tour of Denver, including Gisser's Department Store, where his sister Gloria works in the toy department. Virginia is obsessed with the reindeer, and talks Benny into investigating the woods with her, and he even gets Gloria to drive them. The medallion is a compass, and Virginia ends oup flying with the reindeer. They show up on the CONAD radar, and almost get hit by a plane. Arriving back at the department store, they are met by manager Mr. Albright, who along with workers Joy and Noel are actually elves. Mr. Albright knows Donner, and tells Virginia that since she has the compass, Donner doesn't know where to meet up with his team to pull Santa's sleigh. If Santa doesn't make his deliveries, children will stop believing in Santa, so it's important that Virginia fix things. Unfortunately, she has to deal with a man they call the Tracker, who is trying to capture Donner. It's a tricky situation, and Virginia and Benny drive Benny's family car to the cabin (even though they are about 12!). Things escalate with the Tracker, and get pretty dark. With CONAD on high alert because of the odd radar sightings, will Virginia be able to save Christmas?
Strengths: In my mind, the 1950s are the Golden Years of Christmas, so it makes perfect sense to set the story during this time. I loved the note at the end about the serendipity of Colonel Harry Shoup and CONAD tracking Santa! The illustrations, including the color palette, have enough details from that time period to really sell the setting; the clothing, the cars, and the decorations at the department store. This gets a little dark, which is perfect for middle school readers; the Tracker seems like a real threat, and at one point Virginia jumps of the roof of the department store, just trusting that Donner would magically arrive and safe her. (He does. Whew.) Virginia and Benny, aided by a reluctant Gloria, are a wonderful detective team. The mix of history and fantasy reminds me a bit of Walsh's Red Scare: A Graphic Novel. My favorite part has got to be the description Joy and Noel give about Santa's marketing, brand strategy, and decentralization of manufacturing and staff!
Weaknesses: This is one book where the mother REALLY didn't need to be dead. Couldn't the entire family have just moved to Denver for someone's job? I loved Aunt Frances, but can't we even have HOLIDAY books without all the middle grade parents dying?
What I really think: I'll probably buy this one because the demand for Christmas books is high, and this one had a cinematic, quirky middle grade approach to Santa and his reindeer. You could not pay me enough to have this in an elementary library. Another reviewer thought it would be great for grades 2-4, but I think the dark tone of this one better suits children who have already decided that Santa does not exist. Because I told my daughter from a young age that I didn't believe in Santa, she was crushed to find out that I was right all along. When she was in 6th grade! Not my fault, but I wouldn't want to have to explain this one to any tender youth.
September 2, 2025 by Tiger Tales
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
When an older man with a long white beard and red jacket and hat moves onto her street, a little girl is determined that he is Santa, even though her sister Liv thinks it's embarassing to call him that! The little girl spends time with the man (after he tells her parents she's no bother), and the two talk and plant things in the local garden. When the man fixes the girl's bicycle bell, this leads to the creation of "Santa's Workshop" where neighbors can bring in small things for the man to repair. The girl helps out. As the weather turns colder, Santa doesn't show up at the workshop, and the girl is concerned. With her parents, she knocks on the door and finds out that Santa is ill. Posting flyers, the girl alerts the neighbors that Santa needs help, and they all descend with soup, food, and medicine to take care of their friend. Santa feels better just in time for Christmas.
I loved this because years ago, when my daughters were young, there was an older, portly man with a beard in our town who drove a red pick up truck and wore a red jacket and stocking cap. The girls were convinced that he must be Santa Claus! It's good to see the girl and Santa interact with so many people in their neighborhood; in addition to the garden, the neighborhood has parks, a restaurant, and a lot of folks out and about. That feeling of community is especially fun for young readers who might live in suburban neighborhoods where people are never outside!
Christians' artwork is delightful, and gives a certain European feel to the pages, with great use of light and attention to detail. The use of dark blue gives the pages set at night a very cozy ambiance.
There's a fine line between believing in Santa and not, and books that "explain" different aspects of Santa's life can help youngsters explore the reality of this gift giving jolly old elf. Pop this fun title under the tree with Sharff and Kaban's When Santa Came to Stay, Barnett and Smith's Santa's First Christmas, or Stewart and Beckett's How the North Pole Works for readers who are looking forward to Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment