'Tis the Season

Main Street #3

by Ann M. Martin

An unforgettable holiday story in Ann M. Martin's timeless new series

Format: 4 CDs, Unabridged

It's looking to be a hard holiday season for the girls of Main Street. For Flora and Ruby, it's the first Christmas without their parents around. For Olivia, gift giving and tree decorating must be balanced with the fact that both of her parents need jobs. And for Nikki, there's the presence of her mean, angry father to reckon with. Luckily, the girls have each other--and the community around them. As Camden Falls prepares for its annual festivities, Flora, Ruby, Olivia, and Nikki all find that the hard things become easier when there are family, friends, and neighbors to share things with.

Genres: Middle Grade, Christmas, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Contemporary

Audio CD

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Ann Matthews Martin was born on August 12, 1955. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, with her parents and her younger sister, Jane. After graduating from Smith College, Ann became a teacher and then an editor of children's books. She's now a full-time writer.

Ann gets the ideas for her books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences, while others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Many are written about contemporary problems or events. All of Ann's characters, even the members of the Baby-sitters Club, are made up. But many of her characters are based on real people. Sometimes Ann names her characters after people she knows, and other times she simply chooses names that she likes.

Ann has always enjoyed writing. Even before she was old enough to write, she would dictate stories to her mother to write down for her. Some of her favorite authors at that time were Lewis Carroll, P. L. Travers, Hugh Lofting, Astrid Lindgren, and Roald Dahl. They inspired her to become a writer herself.

Since ending the BSC series in 2000, Ann’s writing has concentrated on single novels, many of which are set in the 1960s.

After living in New York City for many years, Ann moved to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York where she now lives with her dog, Sadie, and her cats, Gussie, Willy and Woody. Her hobbies are reading, sewing, and needlework. Her favorite thing to do is to make clothes for children.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/annmma...

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed thoughts on this one. Also spoilers ahead...

I'm currently reading this series to my daughter. She still believes in Ho ho, and I hope she does for many years to come. But this book is more reflection of reality, there is a family who last year apparently Santa didn't come, couldn't find the house. This family has no money, abusive/alcoholic father. Mother who is also a drunk apparently. So the the main girls want to give their friends little sister a good Christmas. Which is all fine and lovely. But now here comes my issue, the talk of them buying all the gifts on her Santa list and giving it to her from Santa. On one hand it's a heartwarming message about helping others in need but then on the other I don't want me reading aloud a story book to take away her beliefs, we are already nearing age of questioning and doubt. (Stop growing so fast). So I pre-skimmed the book one day when she was at school so I knew when and where to switch things up.

So like I said torn.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Baby Sitters were decent and I read them all, but I can tell that Martin has really grown as an author in this series. I am really enjoying them. Martin addresses tough topics for kids with sensitivity.

[Tiffany]

I can't wait to read this book! I have read all the others, but I missed this one!

[Livvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Ana Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

is really cool.

[Charank20 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think this is a great book about 2 every day girls living a great yet sad life it was a great book

[Autumn Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good!!!

[Rachel Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I was just in a particularly sappy or Christmassy mood today when I finished this book, but I think this is probably the best in the series so far. I think it's got to the stage where all of the characters and families are developed enough that I'm starting to really care about them. I realise that Camden Falls is totally idealised, with their cute Christmas celebrations and how close-knit the community is, but it makes me wistful for times when communities were like this. I think this would be a great novel for a parent to read with their daughter at Christmas. I'm still not sure how a child would cope with the number of different characters and storylines going on in this book, but it's not all that different from the Baby-Sitters Club series, which I started reading when I was eight.

My only main qualm with this book was that, as sweet as it was that Flora, Ruby and Olivia conspired to give Nikki's family an amazing Christmas, I can't help but think they're giving Mae the wrong impression about Christmas being the time when you get everything you want. I always had wonderful Christmases growing up, but I knew I'd never get everything on my Christmas list and I knew not to ask for presents that were really expensive. Also, although Mae got everything she wanted this Christmas, does this mean everyone in the town is going to have to club together to buy the family presents year after year so as not to disappoint Mae? Maybe I'm overthinking this part of the book, but it did make me wonder if this book was giving the wrong message about what Christmas means.

However, despite my little concern over Mae's ideas of Christmas, this was a lovely story. I think I may have to buy the next book in the series. 4.5*

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com

I loved this book. I love this series. It is a reminder of the simple yet exciting stories that I read when I was a girl.

Flora and Ruby are orphaned when their parents died a year ago. They went to Camden Falls to live with their grandmother, Min. The books are about their adjustment to living there. I enjoyed 'TIS THE SEASON immensely because it was about Christmas. The traditions of a small town were fascinating and the kindness for others was overwhelming.

But this book wasn't dripping with honey. There is a particular story line of one of the kids in the book having to deal with abuse. One scene actually brought me to tears. The complex problems of the children are written with simplicity, and the problems are just a fact of life and not written with too much drama. I liked that because I think kids need to know that these things do happen in life, but we have to have the strength to live through them.

I loved the description used in the book. Ms. Martin described the decorating of Camdem Falls and I wanted to live there. This is another successful book in a wonderful series!

[Lauren Super · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series. When I first picked it up, I thought it would be just a fun read, what I call "fluff" but it is actually anything but. Ann Martin's characters are diverse - different races, religions, ages, levels of socioeconomic status and several suffer from various ailments and disabilities, but this diversity is not at the center of the plot or conflict; just like in everyday life, her characters are individual and unique. She also tackles difficult subjects, like alcoholism and Alzheimer's in a way that is appropriate for children, bringing awareness to an age group of readers that many other authors prefer to patronize with idyllic and homogeneous settings and characters. When I was a little girl, I couldn't get enough of the Babysitters Club - who would have thought that 30 years later, Ann Martin would hook me again? :)

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book main street: tis the season by ann m martin was a caring book. I really liked this book because Mae Sherman wanted presents for christmas and she wanted santa to bring the presents.

Olivia was listening to mae's presents, flora,olivia, and ruby bought and made presents for the Sherman's because they don't have enough money. When the group of friends came the Sherman's house and old mr willet was santa claus. Mae was so excited when santa came, she got a lot of presents. It was caring that olivia flora and ruby did something nice for someone who doesn't have a lot of money!!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book. It is the last one of the series that I have :(. I have no sisters, but a cousin who is pretty much just the same. The age difference to my cousin and I and Flora and Ruby are about the same, and Min is exactly as energetic and fun as our grandmother! I think that the fact that they are about the same age as my cousin and I really adds to the interest because they act sort of like us and relate to us in some ways.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Main Street series by Ann M. Martin is a series I would recomend to anyone! It is one of my most favorite series that I have ever read! It is a story of 2 girls journey as they begin to live with their Grandma in Camden Falls. They meet new friends, work at their grandmas store and help others in need as they go to their first year of school in Camden Falls and fun summers!!! I give this book, author, and series 5 stars!

[Shahrbano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tis the Season
In this Main Street book, Flora and Ruby spend their first Christmas without their parents in Camden Falls. They learn the Camden Falls Christmas Tradition, while still struggling without their parents. The good thing is the 2 girls have good friends and a kind grandmother. Read this book and see what Christmas was like in Camden Falls.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute but ultimately forgettable installment in a relatively good series for kids. The series itself is good for kids around the ages of 8-12. Far under my level now, but it was enjoyable once upon a time.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago and I really enjoyed it. It delves into some serious topics for a kid's book in a really good way yet kids can enjoy it. Just to note it talks about Santa if you get my drift. ( Not for young kids.)

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are light, easy reads. I feel like I know the town and characters well. I'm glad Nikki's father has gone away and hope Olivia's family doesn't move.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good way to get into the holiday spirt.

[Ruchita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

[Sana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy your holidays... Better yet, do it with a friend.

[cubbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

cozy and ridiculous.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really good book. Every time I read one of these books in this series I never want it to end!!

[Eleyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is my favourite of all the main street books I've read it tells what the meaning of a family is it was just a great book

[Cammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good!!!!!!!!!

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flora (10-11 years old) and Ruby (8-9 years old) have lost their parents and have moved to Camden Falls to live with their grandmother, Min. The girls have made new friends, especially Olivia who lives next door and Nikki. Flora and Ruby love helping and doing crafts at Min’s store Needle and Thread. This is the first year the girls will spend Christmas in Camden Falls and now they are learning to accept the joy of the season with the help of their friends and the love of close neighbors.

Olivia’s parents are struggling financially, and she is worried her parents will have to move out of town to start a new business. Nikki has always had to cope with an abusive father but this year he is leaving home for work elsewhere. The family waits to see if he will send any money home to help or if he will come back with his anger.

This is a middle grade story which is warm and easy to read. It shares problems that young girls might experience and shows how friends can help as well as a small, close community. The story addresses some adult issues like loss and grief, abuse and alcoholism. It also shares in a very touching way how others can be Santa’s helpers. This read fine as a standalone although I imagine starting at the beginning of the series would be good for the intended audience. I recommend this to tweens and their parents.

Audio Notes: Ariadne Meyers does a really nice job with the narration. She provides different voices for the characters and is able to portray the emotions of the children and the older characters. I enjoyed the listening experience.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book series has been completely surprising to me. On its face, it’s a story of two girls who have to adjust to tragic loss and starting over in a completely new situation. For a series aimed at younger children, it would be tempting to make things glossy and not move much past the surface of the story. But Ms. Martin does no such thing.
It turns out, this isn’t just the story of Flora and Ruby and their grandma Min, but of the whole town, or at least their particular part of the town and the people living in their row houses. There is a diverse group of families who live on the same block and are very involved in each others’ lives. You get a taste of the joys and pains of each family, and it’s truly lovely to see them all join up and celebrate seasons and life in general together.
The series doesn’t shy away from darkness - there are the two girls who lost their parents and we learn how the passing of time and marking special occasions affects them, there is a concern over being able to find jobs and if a family needs to move away, a husband dealing with his wife’s Alzheimer’s, and notably a poor family with alcoholic parents, and the toll it takes on the kids, tho if I’m being honest it does gloss over that a bit - dad leaves and mom suddenly is able to put drinking aside and lead her family forward. It’s a comforting thought, but doesn’t seem the most likely outcome.
The books are written with warmth and heart, and that covers a multitude of minor plot holes and leaves the reader feeling cozy and optimistic.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this third installment of the Main Street series, Flora and Ruby prepare to spend their first Christmas in Camden Falls with their grandmother and friends. There's plenty to keep them busy as the countdown to Christmas begins: snow days, surprising their family with special presents, preparing for a visit from their aunt, and planning a special Christmas surprise for their friend Nikki and their family. But in the midst of the holiday festivities, their friends Nikki and Olivia are facing uncertain changes in their own families as well. The four girls find their own ways to make Christmas a special time for their families and others.

The Main Street series reminds me of the Baby-Sitter Club series with the closeness of the girls' friendship. This book, as well as the others in the series, I would recommend for elementary and middle school readers. It also makes for a good Christmas read with all the events that lead up to big day.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I read this third novel in a series featuring Flora and Ruby, two girls who move to Camden Falls to live with their grandmother, I found myself thinking, "This is like a Fool's Gold romance novel for pre-adolescents!"
This installment features the run-up to Christmas, when the entire town celebrates. It's like something out of a Hallmark greeting card. Even with a few plotlines that aren't "happily ever after," the book feot a bit too sweet for me, kind of like that fourth or fifth candy cane or gingerbread cookie we ate as kids ...
Still, the author has created characters that readers will care about, so many will merrily read along with every installment to find out what happens to them.

[Katie Merkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the "Main Street" series is like stepping into Camden Falls and covertly observing several people's lives. The row house neighbors feel like an extended family, and that warmth and sense of caring for one another seems to be as much a part of Main Street as it is a part of the row houses. As with the first two books, Martin does not sugar coat the characters' struggles, but she also shows how strong friendships can give bad situations a positive spin. If I had to summarize the book's theme in one word, it would be "bittersweet."

[Alessandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was my favorite of the series so far. I love the way that it makes you feel like you are in the story, and feeling the characters feelings. I could hardly put it down. I loved it!