The Tree Nobody Wanted: A Christmas Story

by Tom McCann

The year is 1946, a year after the end of World War II. The place is Brooklyn -- the poor side, the tough Brownsville. The time is Christmas Eve. The Christmas tree sellers have turned off their lights and gone home. The lots are empty, except for a few forlorn trees that nobody wanted. An eleven-year-old boy is sent out to pick through those trees and bring one back to the apartment where his Nanny raised him since infancy. What follows is part fable, part remembrance, part miracle. It's a story of family values -- even if "family" means a boy and his grandmother; a story of hope in hard times and great happiness growing from small things; a story of youth and age, rejuvenation and rebirth. It is a story of things that are not supposed to happen, but do. That's part of the miracle. Above all, it's a love story -- of a special kind that is the other part of the miracle.

Genres: Christmas, Short Stories

45 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Vaishali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very, very important book that's found a home in my soul. Somewhere around page 26, I cried and cried and cried... Until yesterday, I thought only Jane Goodall and I shared such a reverence for trees :) I am so, so glad Mr. McCann put this memory into words.

I wrote to Mr. McCann, personally thanking him for sharing this, and promised to visit his precious balsam fir in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden whenever I'm in the city. How rare an individual this author is -- how special all plant life is -- and how much this book taught me.

A small side-note : I came across this book quite serendipitously ... it was in a free community book bin - one of many popping up all over the country. No one wanted it... just like the tree in this story. I'm ashamed to say that not even I did; I brought it home, but didn't touch it for months. Then something compelled me to open it last night... and I've never been the same since.

Please read this book!
And let's all please visit that special, special tree <3


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[Skye Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tree Nobody Wanted is a tender, nostalgic tale, set in post World War II Brooklyn, and told by 11 year old Thomas, who lives with his grandmother in a cold-water flat overlooking the El train. Thomas and Nanny have so little in the way of worldly possessions, but have all that really matters – love and each other.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this book sometime in the past. It was a nice read, once more. A poor boy goes to a Christmas tree lot, after the last day of selling is over. He gets a small tree, that nobody wanted for a Christmas tree. It was very precious to the boy, and he didn't want it dumped into a garbage dump. He took i t to a botanical garden, and planted it, only to learn, that it had taken root, and grown. He visits the tree over the years, and sees how tall and beautiful it becomes. He finally reads an article explain how it was left, by an unknown person, and because of the type of tree, it was able to grow new roots. This is a sweet story.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why I felt inclined to listen to this today. Just one of those tough days missing people that are no longer with me at Christmas time. This is a beautiful little story and says so much, makes me feel so grateful.

[Dru · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute, touching and meaningful story for Christmas. It was short enough that I could read in one sitting. I'll definitely share this with others!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been better if I had read it instead of listening to it. Most authors should avoid reading their own stories. Hire a professional!

[Miriam Simut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a cheesy story about a Christmas tree but this was actually really sweet and nostalgic! A great short story.