Things on a Tree by D.L. Finn

I finished this book today and my review follows the author’s book blurb found on Amazon.

“What a way to spend Christmas Eve! Thirteen-year-old Aimee is sick and missing her dad, who died in a car accident last year. While the rest of her family are outside playing in the snow, she is alone by their Christmas tree. Aimee sighs as the tears begin to fall. She wishes she still believed in Santa Claus. Then she could ask him to change the last year. Yeah, right, she thought. She turns away from the tree, and falls asleep. Later that night, Aimee awakens to a strange noise.

Clink! Clink! Clink!

Her fever must be higher than she thought, because she can’t believe what she is seeing running down her purple blanket! But everything happening to her is very real, including the fact someone wants her dead. Aimee is thrust into a world of magic, wonder and greed. Her journey takes her from her snowy rooftop, to the streets of New York and the North Pole with the promise to return her father to her family. Who could she trust when things aren’t always what they seem?”

I wasn’t sure of the age range for children when I first started my reading. As I read I realized that this book is one that I consider great for children aged 10 – 13 or grades 5 – 8.  Never have I read a Christmas story like this one. I am amazed at how cleverly Finn wove this story. The magic of Christmas comes back to those kids who have outgrown their belief in Santa. This is a well-written, well-worded fantasy story about Christmas with magic woven into the fabric and well laid out. The illustrations are cute. Definite five stars from me!