My Mother’s Wish: An American Christmas Carol

Young Ellee Crumb McKutcheon’s favorite word is “contrariwise,” and thus she lives, contrary in the writing of her Christmas list (across the lines, from the bottom of the page up), contrary in wanting to be called “Ellee” as opposed to the “Eleanor” of her mother’s choosing, contrary in comparison to the perfection of her sister Susie, and most definitely contrary to all her mother expects her to be. Finally, the tension with her mother reaches a breaking point when she labels Ellee an incorrigible gypsy and Ellee runs away from home. She ends up at the Comeback Cafe, where she finally realizes the value of home and belonging.

From the product description:

A grandfather’s song has turned a diner into hallowed ground. A contrary girl with a gypsy heart feels the tug of home. And a truck driver named Jedidiah keeps his foot on the gas, ready to sweep you into an unforgettable story of belonging and grace.

It’s the 1960s Midwest, and Ellee Crumb wants to change the world, starting with her mother, but she’s having trouble even getting her teachers to know her real name. So Ellee sits at the Comeback, her broken heart lying there on a table, when a three-armed waitress and a quirky stranger show up and hand her back the pieces.

An affecting tale, My Mother’s Wish: An American Christmas Carol will remind you of the power of grand hopes and effect of impossible expectations. You’ll witness the influence every life has on another, and you’ll find new reasons to believe in the comfort and joy in an everyday, American version of the story of Christmas: being known and loved, just as you are.

This is a short, endearing read. While I don’t agree (theologically) that the story of Christmas is merely about “being known and loved, just as you are,” this is a heartwarming story of a mother’s expectations and a daughter’s determination to live life her way. Author Jerry Camery-Hoggat writes with true nostalgia, fitting for an “American Christmas Carol.” View an excerpt of this book here.

If you’d like to share one of your favorite books for children with a Christmas theme, please link up to our Children’s Classics — Christmas edition on December 9. You can also join us in reading Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for our December 2 Classics Bookclub.

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….