On Christmas Eve

by Ann M. Martin, Jon J. Muth (Illustrator)

Determined to see Santa this year and experience Christmas magic, Tess McAlister eagerly awaits his arrival while hoping for the quick recovery of her best friend's father, in a magical tale filled with hope, dreams, and holiday spirit. Reprint.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Holiday, Audiobook, Friendship

149 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Jessica Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute, uplifting little story

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who is determined to see santa clause. While her best friends dad is sick.Will her friends dad die and will she see Santa Clause? Read this book to find out.

This is an amazing novel that I have enjoyed reading many time. This is one I will read again and again. I also read this book to my little brother. And he loved it.

I recommend this book to everyone who believes.

[Abby Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nostalgic choice - I used to read this every Christmas Eve when I was younger 🎄🎅🏼

[Madoka Sakuta · Rating 4 out of 5]

SCHOLASTIC level?
I bought this book in Kentucky!
Jan 23 30 min
Jan 25 30 min
Jan 27 10 min
7words
Chiristmas night present friend magic Santa Claus hope
Question
1 What do you want to get as a Chiristmas present?

Well...There are many things which I want to get.
Especially, I want to get flight tickets to go to Kentucky.
Recently, I want to go back to Kentucky because I miss my friends.
Also I want to study English but I do not have time.
To pass exams for becoming teachers, I have to study another subjects.

2 Do you have any plans on this Chiristmas eve?

Of course, I hope I can pass exams..
so I will date with someone who has strong muscles.
or
I will hang out with DELT gilrs as a usual.

note
When I read this book, I can not wait Chiristmas.
I could not spend on Chiristmas in America, so I want to spend on Chirsitmas in America.
When I heard "Chiristmas magic" from this book, I got warm.

[Carson hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard for me to think who is book was written for. Definitely not for hard core religious people who think Santa is an evil being taking Christ out of Christmas. I don't know if it is good for kids who have recently lost a parent or friend. I have a hard time recommending it, but I will say that it did make me cry.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little Christmas story.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great novelists hesitate to write a Christmas book. Perhaps they fear it being perceived as a cash grab, or they consider the idea pedestrian because so many authors do holiday stories. But when the right author meets the right idea for a Christmas novel, the results are special, and that's what we get with On Christmas Eve. Leading up to Christmas 1958, eight-year-old Tess McAlister wants to meet the real Santa Claus. Her eleven-year-old sister Evvie isn’t a believer, and neither is Tess's best friend Sarah Benjamin, but Tess has a crucial reason for needing to see Santa.

Thanking him for years of gift-giving feels right, but more important, Sarah's family is in trouble. Her father has cancer, a disease the grownups whisper about in solemn tones. Mr. Benjamin is too immunocompromised to live at home, and as a child, Sarah isn't allowed to pay hospital visits. She spends much of her days with the McAlisters, Tess trying to distract her from Mr. Benjamin’s prognosis. Tess wonders if a solution is right under her nose: she could find a way to see Santa on Christmas Eve, and ask him to spare the life of Sarah's dad. Who is better equipped to deliver a miracle?

Feeling the magic of Christmas stronger than ever this December, Tess is confident she can get an audience with Santa while he delivers presents at her house. In the aftermath of that Christmas Eve encounter, she keeps an eye on Sarah's situation, sure that Santa will deliver Mr. Benjamin from death…but as 1959 wears on and his health declines, Tess fears a storybook ending won’t happen. What will this Christmas be like if tragedy takes its toll?

Many say that ceasing to believe in Santa Claus is essential to growing up. I'm not sure I agree, but life experience changes perceptions of truth. We slowly evolve to accept that the special people in our lives—those with the magic of eloquence, athletic talent, deep wisdom, or tender compassion for you as an individual—are only human, however high the pedestal we set them on. Their magic is real but they aren't larger than life, as our childlike heart assured us they were. Some miracles are beyond their power, but it would be a mistake to discard faith in them entirely. The magic they share with us is a gift to cherish.

On Christmas Eve dabbles in fantasy well beyond the author's usual limits, yet comes across as grounded and realistic, a carol of the heart to soothe those wounded by profound loss. I rate it three and a half stars and I’ll round that to four; this is among the best juvenile Christmas novels I've read. We are blessed to have Ann M. Martin.

[cedar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really think I believe in Santa now!

[Trent Mikesell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so great.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fantastic story!!!!!!!!:)

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

This audiobook was two hours long and I could barely finish it. Ann M. Martin was presenting one of two arguments: Growing Up In The 1950s Was Not Perfect Because My Friend's Dad Had Cancer or Growing Up In The 1950s Was Perfect Despite My Friend's Dad's Cancer. Tess and her parents and big sister live outside of town somewhere in New England. They're suburban pioneers; twenty years on they're going to bitch and moan endlessly because everyone else wants to live outside of town too and the view out the window is a new house, and not the neighbor's barn. Tess, her best friend, her parents, and her best friend's parents have no discernible personality. Tess' sister has a kind of proto-personality but she's not in a good place to develop characteristics that set her apart from the other white, middle class Protestants around her. These are the days when all the children still made their parents' Christmas presents at school and the toy store on Main Street had non-branded dolls in the window. So, Tess' best friend's dad has cancer and Tess decides to meet Santa and ask him to save her friend's dad. Tess does meet Santa and he says he'll do his best but makes no promises and has no personality either, besides being polite enough to eat a cookie and drink a sip of the tepid cocoa that Tess left out for him. Tess' dog gains the gift of speech on Christmas Eve but all she says is that she was born in the woods and is sanguine about dog food. It is sad when Tess' best friend's dad dies, but even generic parent death is sad. Saying a nine-year-old's father died is sad, but that doesn't create an interesting narrative structure. This book contained an issue novel, a fight with a best friend, a Christmas pageant, a Christmas angel, an enchanted Christmas night, Santa Claus, a perfect Christmas morning, a vacation to Florida, all the other holidays, and a second Christmas Eve, so it really took a year to read, and, heavens!, that was a long year.

[Iris (All Glory to God!!!)♥︎✝ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute story that really gets you in the christmas spirit ✨️🎄 This was a reread for me and I loved it just as much as last year. Except this year I read it with my little sister which was so much fun! I definitely recommend this for a cute, little story to read during the holiday season. 😊

[Lilly Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t even know dude. I’m just trying to get to my book goal.

[Anna Wood-Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread of a very old favorite ❤️

[Liliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tears were shed.

[Zach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story. Would especially be good for young children. Speaks about Santa but also a lot of real life topics.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great novelists hesitate to write a Christmas book. Perhaps they fear it being perceived as a cash grab, or they consider the idea pedestrian because so many authors do holiday stories. But when the right author meets the right idea for a Christmas novel, the results are special, and that's what we get with On Christmas Eve. Leading up to Christmas 1958, eight-year-old Tess McAlister wants to meet the real Santa Claus. Her eleven-year-old sister Evvie isn’t a believer, and neither is Tess's best friend Sarah Benjamin, but Tess has a crucial reason for needing to see Santa.

Thanking him for years of gift-giving feels right, but more important, Sarah's family is in trouble. Her father has cancer, a disease the grownups whisper about in solemn tones. Mr. Benjamin is too immunocompromised to live at home, and as a child, Sarah isn't allowed to pay hospital visits. She spends much of her days with the McAlisters, Tess trying to distract her from Mr. Benjamin’s prognosis. Tess wonders if a solution is right under her nose: she could find a way to see Santa on Christmas Eve, and ask him to spare the life of Sarah's dad. Who is better equipped to deliver a miracle?

Feeling the magic of Christmas stronger than ever this December, Tess is confident she can get an audience with Santa while he delivers presents at her house. In the aftermath of that Christmas Eve encounter, she keeps an eye on Sarah's situation, sure that Santa will deliver Mr. Benjamin from death…but as 1959 wears on and his health declines, Tess fears a storybook ending won’t happen. What will this Christmas be like if tragedy takes its toll?

Many say that ceasing to believe in Santa Claus is essential to growing up. I'm not sure I agree, but life experience changes perceptions of truth. We slowly evolve to accept that the special people in our lives—those with the magic of eloquence, athletic talent, deep wisdom, or tender compassion for you as an individual—are only human, however high the pedestal we set them on. Their magic is real but they aren't larger than life, as our childlike heart assured us they were. Some miracles are beyond their power, but it would be a mistake to discard faith in them entirely. The magic they share with us is a gift to cherish.

On Christmas Eve dabbles in fantasy well beyond the author's usual limits, yet comes across as grounded and realistic, a carol of the heart to soothe those wounded by profound loss. I rate it three and a half stars and I’ll round that to four; this is among the best juvenile Christmas novels I've read. We are blessed to have Ann M. Martin.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect sweet story for a parent and child to read together. I recommend ages 8 or older. It is perfect for the child questioning “Santa” with emphasis on the magic of the Christmas season and all the excitement that goes along with it. My daughter and I really enjoyed the story.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was reading this book, I thought how great it would be to read aloud. The descriptive writing is wonderful. But, into the feel good Christmas story, there is also a "dad dying of cancer" story. So I'm not sure I would read it to kids the main character's age (3rd grade) without time to discuss it as you go.

[Christine Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has quite a bit of sweet, nostalgia to it. It takes place in 1950's Hopewell (I'm assuming Hopewell, NJ, which is where I live, since Ann M Martin grew up in Princeton). I had a hard time with the Santa visit though, which felt like a drug trip (I mean, random voices, flickering angels, the dog starts to talk). It's weird. It's probably a decent story to read to kids who are starting not to believe and want to believe a little longer. It also has a nice message about hope.

I'm kind of striking out with Christmas stories. Where are the good ones??

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might not be the best audience for this book, but there is a lot of old fashioned sweetness here. It would probably be a great book to read to kids who still believe in Santa, as it answers a lot of questions. The talking dog bit was sweet but weird, especially how the dog seemed to know so much information. There's a lot of sadness mixed with the sweetness, but the carols the girls sing outside of Sarah's dad's hospital room was a wonderful scene.

[Tammy (tales.of.tammy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a super cute story!!! It feels old as it takes place in the 50s or 60s, and it’s one of those ones that can stand the test of time! It has that classic and nostalgic feel to it, and it is full of Christmas spirit! A story of loss, hope, Christmas cheer, and time with those you care about. The audio narrator was great, and has the perfect voice for a story such as this!
If you’re looking for something Christmasy that is short and sweet, give it a shot!

[Kat Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touching tale about the magic of Christmas, perfect for reading aloud before bed. Good for kids who are just on the verge of becoming (or have already become) "non-believers". Definitely not for little ones who haven't started questioning Santa's existence.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Christmas Eve 1958, Tess met Santa Claus. She had a very special question to ask him...if he could heal her best friend's dad of cancer. This is a very sweet story for middle grade about the power of hope.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun! I fell in love with Ann M. Martin as a kid, and it was fun to read a new book (new to me, anyway) from her as an adult. I always love stories that center around Christmas viewed through children's eyes, and this one was no different. Full of magic and joy, it was a good read!

[Andrea Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

So in love with the spirit of magic this gave me! I want to be a believer soooooo bad! It gets a bit sad towards the end and then tries to lift my spirits back up although its hard to hit that same excitement. Highly recommend this quick chapter book for all ages to read before Christmas Eve!

[PelicanFreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up from a pile of books I had my pick of ... it's a very cute, very festive read for little ones. I'd think ages 6-9 or so depending on their maturity or lack thereof. Great book to get that holiday feel; give it to them around the holidays or just for a pick-me-up anytime.

[Roxanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet enough little story. Very simple.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story about a girl, Tess who believes in Santa Claus and makes plans to meet him this Christmas to ask a favor for her friend whose father is ill with cancer.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book.