The 13th Day of Christmas

by Jason F. Wright

Marva Fergusen has a very personal Christmas tradition that happens every December 26th. As an aging widow, the tradition means more to her now than it ever has.
Her newest neighbor, nine-year-old Charlee Alexander, loves Christmas too. But her family has fallen on hard times and things get worse when Charlee becomes critically ill.
Then, on December 12th, Charlee makes a wonderful Discovery. A mysterious note is delivered that promises twelve days of gifts and stories that will reveal the truth behind the beloved Christmas song "The 12 Days of Christmas." As the days go by, the gifts hint to a possible lost lyric. WAs there once a thirteeth day of Christmas? And if so, could it's magic change - or save - a life?
Filled with laughter, tenderness, and hope, The 13th Day of Christmas invites us to see how an old Christmas favorite can become a true Christmas miracle.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Holiday, Audiobook, Book Club, Christian, Adult

236 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author.

Jason also writes an occasional column which has appeared in over 100 newspapers, magazines and web sites across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Deseret News, Forbes, CNN, FoxNews, and others.

Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the miracle of opening doors, faith, failure, the Christmas Jars movement, the lost art of letter writing, and many other topics. He has been seen on CNN, FoxNews, C-SPAN, and on local television stations around the country.

Each year Jason visits schools across the country and presents assemblies and writing workshops to students at all ages.

Jason grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has also lived in Germany, Illinois, Brazil, Oregon and Utah. In 2007, while researching Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for his novel The Wednesday Letters, Jason fell so in love with the area that he moved his family westward from northern Virginia to Woodstock.

Jason is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys they love, and two grandchildren they love even more.

Reviews

[Terrie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The 13th Day of Christmas" by Jason F. Wright is a worthy family read/listen for the Holiday Season!

Life for nine year-old Charlee Alexander is about to change. Her family is experiencing tough times financially and need to move where there is work for her father. The biggest change is moving to a new town and living in a trailer park where Charlee doesn't know anyone!

Charlee soon strikes up an unexpected friendship with an elderly widow who lives next to the trailer park. Charlee and Miss Marva form a special bond that soon encompasses the entire Alexander family.

Change is in the air once again that will challenge Charlee's family even more. Then along comes the traveling elves...

This is a squeaky clean 'G' rated Christmas story that can be read/listened to by the entire family, no matter the age. It's about the important things that matter in life and the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. The audiobook narrator Dawn Harvey does a great job with the voicing!

A bit sad but hopeful with a religious-message ending that I wasn't expecting. I realize this is fine for some but may feel a little over-the-top and preachy to others. None-the-less this is a worthy family read/listen for the Holiday Season!

3.5 stars!

[Readaholic Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a touching, heartwarming novel.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a winning Audible Plus discovery! I thought I was Christmas story-ed out but the description sounded so intriguing I couldn't resist. Absolutely loved it and will be on the hunt for more books by Jason F. Wright. A classic Christmas tale that definitely tugs at a reader's emotions. Sometimes it's bittersweet, but it's always hopeful. And faith infused with the simplicity only a very old woman and a very young girl can see clearly. Love the inter-generational friendship that develops between Marva and Charlee, the way their lives intertwine to help each overcome hardships. For fans of Richard Paul Evans and Donna LaViere. And the narration by Dawn Harvey surpasses amazing!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is moving along at a nice clip until Charlee's Dad Thomas, loses his construction business and then home in bankruptcy. Most is sold off in a yard sale and they move to where Thomas can find work. the home they can afford is in an old trailer park called 27 homes, far from their old home.

Big brother Zach struggles with the move. Mom Emily is working to make ends meet. Dad has multiple jobs as they come available. Charlee is left alone to walk the neighborhood where unfortunately people aren't overly friendly.

Charlee sees an elderly woman in the one house in the neighborhood and she waves Charlee over. Miss Marva is a widow and her and Charlee become fast friends. Miss Marva is a collector of aprons, each with different saying and symbols on them. One for every day of the year. When Charlee comes over to help decorate for Christmas, Miss Marva has an apron chosen for her.

Bad news hits in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner at Marva's when Charlee passes out from what later is found to be a brain tumor.

The Christmas elves bring Charlee a letter daily for the 13 days before Christmas. Celebrating the traditional 12 days of Christmas song, but tweaking it to be a bit more fun for a young girl. Each day a gift comes with the note as well.

A very special bond between Charlee and Miss Marva developes as God puts these two lonely hearts together just when they need each other most. They are blessed with their time together and their love and friendship is cross generational.

This was a beautiful Christmas story, with strength and love. Miss Marva is a saint in her reaching out to Charlee and her family, and it has blessed them as much as it did Marva herself.

Jason Wright has written a Christmas classic that I will read each season!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinons expressed are solely my own.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 13th Day of Christmas was my "Christmas Read" for this year. I read and enjoyed Wright's book The Christmas Jars a couple years ago and decided to give this one a try.

From the reviews I had read I was expecting to need a box of Kleenex while reading this book but found myself dry eyed throughout. That doesn't mean it was a touching story because it was. Just for me personally I found it more inspiring than sad.

Anyone who has listened to the song The 12 Days of Christmas may have had thoughts similar to the ones I've had such as... "What lame gifts" ... The 13th Day of Christmas gives us the "original" version of the song as told by travelling elves who originally collected the gifts. And the long lost 13th day of Christmas.

If you are looking for a book to help put you in the Christmas Spirit this is a great choice.

[Cheryl, The Book Contessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this book a solid 3 stars. It was a sweet story, a fast read. It is of the Christian fiction genre, which I didn't know going into it; but somewhat expected because it is a Christmas themed book. A very sweet spirited girl affected by hard times for her family & medical issues. She meets an unexpected friend in the trailer park where they need to move. Some of it is corny,yet still very sweet. The book, for me, had 4 stars right up to the ending, when the author seemed to amp up the faith/religion/need to be saved part & drain the story right out of the book. Don't get me wrong; I am fine with faith of any kind as part of a story. I just think Mr. Wright was done with the story, went straight to the Jesus part & left it there. I hope some readers who are searching for just that, find the faith they need in his presentation.

[Erica T · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s time for my annual cheesy-Christmas-book reading, and this one filled that purpose. Predictable, Christmasy, and almost too sweet this was a fun way to start my December reading.
**Squeaky clean read

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 This was surprisingly deeply emotional while charming, quirky and fun. A most pleasant read; exactly what I needed right now. The overly religious last chapter/epilogue took it down a notch, though.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a young girl and her elderly neighbor who become best friends and share good times, silly times and sad times. A quick read.

[eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay this was much more religious than i was expecting, but it was also so much more than that! a heartfelt exploration of childhood, family, friendship and love- gorgeous

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, beautiful Christmas book. This will go on my list of favorites and top recommendations! It will make you laugh and cry! Mr Wright writes with feelings and strong emotions.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Jason Wright
Published by: Shadow Mountain
Age Recommended: All Ages
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5
Review:


"The 13th Day of Christmas" by Jason Wrightwas a wonderful Christmas book that I throughly enjoyed and well written. It was a quick read for me in that once I got started I didn't put it down until the very end. It was a interesting story of how this story of the 13th day of Christmas came about along with this authors development of characters were simply well thought out. You will have many thoughts from the read...'heartache, love and giving of ones self.' This is a loving story of a family what is 'hard up on their luck, and a widow who befriends them.' Now, this is where I say that you must pick up this excellent read to she how there will be lots of low and even humor that will lead this to a loving lesson on "The 13th Day of Christmas."

Would I recommend this novel? Yes because it will bring to you a new true meaning to the Christmas Holiday.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe more of a 2.5. I don't really feel like I wasted a few hours of my life reading the book, but I didn't particularly enjoy it, either. Ambivalent might be the word to describe how I feel about it. I do like the 13th day concept, though. I was quite annoyed by little technical things that could have been easily fixed. I found it distracting that the author seemed to jump in methods of telling the story. What was with the one journal entry? Name spellings were not consistent. And why was the mom always Emily and the Dad was more often Mr. Alexander or Dad? The book didn't feel sincere to me at all. It felt hastily shoved through the publisher because they knew it would make money. The only part that seemed like it was heartfelt was the authors note at the end. That being said, the story was cute enough, and somewhat endearing. I certainly did enjoy the aprons.

[Alysha DeShaé · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh... This was such a heavy-handed and self-righteous Christian propaganda book. I should have stopped when I realized what it was, but I kept hoping there would be something redeemable.

And you know, if the message was just "be a good person and help others less fortunate year round, not just at Christmas", then I could have gotten behind that. But that's not what the message was.

I even liked the characters, for the most part, but I can't get past the heavy-handedness of the religious aspects.

This book tanked my holiday mood. Which sucks because it was the last holiday book on my list. Currently looking for another one. A better one.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was our Christmas read aloud this year even though it took us a month longer. Everyone gave it 5 stars except MK. She gave it 4. This was definitely a predictable tear jerker, but a great Christmas story. We loved the letters from the Traveling Elves and their humor. We also loved the testimony of Christ shared at the end.

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too contrived and cheesy for me. There's a lot of author intrusion that stops the story each time.

[Maygon Brack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming, touching and emotional Christmas story. I absolutely loved the 2 main characters. Although they are generations apart they become best friends, a young little girl Charlee and an older widow Marva. They are just the most lovable & cutest characters. Your heart goes out to sweet young Charlee finding out she has a brain tumor. And her best friend Marva will keep you smiling at her sweetness and at her collection of aprons with funny & cute sayings on them. But the best part is the 13th day of Christmas and the message that is shared about it, the true meaning of Christmas.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are things I like about this book... but it absolutely has the vibe of a Christian who posts about a loving God but bad mouths folks and screams their damnation. And I know people will say I'm too sensitive to the signalling and fat jokes but that's fine. There is a reason I don't go to a lot of churches in my area. If you know, you know.

[Rochelle Saldaña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlee, a 9 year old girl, and Marva, an older woman, embark on a relationship that will last a lifetime. The compassion, wisdom, and generosity of Marva brightens Charlee’s family’s world at a time when they most need it. Charlee’s innocence, curiosity, and growth shine a light in Marva’s lonely world when she most needs it. What better time than Christmas?!

My one complaint: the 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day, not 12 days before Christmas!

[Lacepaperlife · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is something so endearing about relationships between the young and the old. Wether they are family or just friends they generational gap create the perfect situation to build those bonds, story tellers and story lovers.

With Christmas traditions and magic to share elderly Mrs. Ferguson quickly bonds with her new neighbor Charlee who’s family has fallen on hard times. A beautiful and preciousness Christmas take with a strong religious finish.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars and rated G

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I thought it was an eye-roller—predictable, formulaic, overly dramatic. But by the middle, it took a creative turn, and I became interested. By the end I understood, and began to love it. I’m pretty sure this book was given to me some years ago, and sadly I’ve forgotten by whom. But I do know that I will be thinking all year of who I want to give it to, and I hope whoever it turns out to be doesn’t wait as long as I did to read it. It is a little gem.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few other holiday books by this author and loved them. I listened to this and it was a touching, yet sad, story reminding you the importance of the season and friendship - in whatever form it takes.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, though at times sad, Christmas story. It lost a star because it got a a little too preachy at the end for me. For me, subtlety works best for strong "faith-based" fiction. I listened to the audio because it was part of the Audible Plus catalog.

[Kajsa Ivarsdotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

En bok jag fått av mamma för kanske 9 år sen och haft liggande i alla år. Handlar om julens kristna budskap ffa med fokus på att ge och göra saker för andra. Detta var mamma expert på och boken fick mig att sakna henne väldigt mycket, särskilt såhär i juletider, en tid mamma älskade.

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, quick, easy, sappy Christmas read.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet Christmas story.

[Lisa Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!!

[Audiobook Accomplice (Gillian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh gosh—the happy happy kind of sob sob sobbing. A very high 4-stars!
My Full Review

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)

[Solange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story about a very unlikely pair of best friends.