First published 1975
Jamie cannot speak, but he dreams of playing a shepherd in his school's Christmas pageant. He practices his part carefully, imagining himself watching over the sheep and the baby Jesus. The silent boy feels perfect for this quiet role that requires no words. When a snowstorm forces the school to cancel the performance, Jamie feels crushed. His family lives in the Appalachian mountains where winter weather often disrupts plans. But the storm brings unexpected visitors to their home on Christmas Eve. Suddenly Jamie discovers he can be a shepherd in real life, not just on stage. The boy who never speaks finds himself at the center of a Christmas miracle that matters more than any school play ever could.
Genres: fiction, christian-fiction, christmas, 20th-century, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, silent-protagonist
Setting: Appalachian Mountains
Period: Christmas Eve
88 pages · Library Binding · Henry Holt & Co