The Three Gifts

by Daris Howard

Three young men are convicted of mugging little children for their Halloween candy. Instead of sentencing them to jail as is expected the judge sentences them to 100 hours babysitting at the Women's Crisis center. They were prepared for jail but they were not prepared for what lies in store for them as the children become part of their lives.

Genres: Contemporary

132 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2004

About the author

Daris Howard, an award winning author and playwright, grew up on an Idaho farm. He was a state champion athlete, competed in college athletics, and lived for a time in New York.
He has worked as a cowboy, a mechanic, in farming, and in the timber industry. He is now a college professor. He has also been a scoutmaster, having up to 18 boys in his scout troop at a time. In his wide range of experience, he has associated with many colorful characters who form a basis for his writing.
Daris has had plays translated into German and French, and his plays have been performed in many countries around the world.
For many years Daris has written a popular column called Life’s Outtakes that consists of weekly short stories, and is published in various newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and Canada.
You can see more about him at http://www.darishoward.com

Reviews

[Julie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book. It's a Christmas themed book, written by Daris Howard, who is currently a teacher in the Math department at BYUI. It's based on a true story and is so well written. Three boys go around stealing kids' halloween candy and are sentenced to 100 hours each, babysitting at the women's crisis center. They are stuck babyistting two little kids: Emily who is 6 and her little brother Timmy who is 18 months. The boys fall in love with this little girl and her little brother and do everything in their power to protect her, Timmy, and their mother from everything bad in the world. *Tear-jerker*

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm Christmas story. Typical Hallmark movie. I like the story of the three boys finally noticing its less about them and more about other people's feelings and living. A very good lesson indeed. The part that I thought was a bit far fetched was when Emily collapsed and Sam was a match. How convenient was that. A story all wrapped up with everything more that you would want to read for Christmastime.

[Patricia C Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

Delightful

The premise was intriguing. Three juvenile delinquents ready to pay their dues, but the judge has a better plan. Emily is such a strong character, the glue holding the whole story together. This book demonstrates what is good about mankind. God on earth, to spread His love among us. I'm looking forward to reading more of Howard's stories and plays. This should be a Christmas classic.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a warm, classic Christmas story. I really loved the first two-thirds of the book. The last third was a bit sappy and predictable. I would however recommend this novel. You don't have to read it just at Christmas time. I. hear it is based on a true story. That makes it even more enjoyable.

[Cindy Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.!!!!!!!!!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

young people discovering that the world doesn't revolve around them. great read!

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story