First published 1991
This anthology brings together Christmas tales from authors who won the John Newbery Medal for children's literature. Ramona Quimby stumbles through a holiday pageant in her sheep costume. Eliot Miles explains his complicated feelings about Christmas wishes. Characters navigate family gatherings, holiday traditions, and seasonal celebrations across different time periods. Beverly Cleary joins E.L. Konigsburg, Madeleine L'Engle, Eleanor Estes, and other celebrated writers in crafting stories that range from comedic mishaps to nostalgic memories of past Decembers. Some tales focus on humor and childhood antics. Others explore the deeper connections between family members during the holiday season. The collection spans generations of acclaimed authors, from Ruth Sawyer and Rachel Field to Nancy Willard and Katherine Paterson. These stories capture both the chaos and joy that define Christmas experiences for children and families.
Genres: fiction, family, anthologies, christmas, holiday
Vibes: emotional, intimate, nostalgic, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, holiday-mishaps
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
208 pages · Hardcover · Delacorte Books for Young Readers