The Christmas List

by Pete Nelson

The uplifting conclusion of The Christmas List , a heart-warming account of the power of encouragement and appreciation, is based on a true story that circulated on the Internet. A nun told her fourth-grade students to write their names on a piece of paper and then pass the paper to the next person, who was to write a sentence of appreciation about the person named at the top. When the exercise was done, each student had twenty-four comments of admiration and appreciation - one from each classmate. The Christmas List follows James Engler, who returns home to Iowa one Christmas, after his fiancee calls off their marriage, and discovers that his best childhood friend, Mike, has just been killed in the Gulf War. When Mike's parents reveal at a memorial service that Mike had carried his fourth-grade list with him, most of James's former classmates confess that they, too, kept their lists as a reminder, even in the worst of times, of their admirable traits and that they were appreciated. James also renews his acquaintance with his former classmate Sarah, who wrote on his list, "You are a great guy and some day I'm going to marry." And she does.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction

229 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2004

About the author

Pete Nelson lives with his wife and son in Westchester, New York. He got his MFA from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop in 1979 and has written both fiction and non-fiction for magazines, including Harpers, Playboy, Esquire, MS, Outside, The Iowa Review, National Wildlife, Glamour, Redbook. He was a columnist for Mademoiselle and a staff writer for LIVE Magazine, covering various live events including horse pulls, music festivals, dog shows, accordion camps and arm wrestling championships. Recently he was a contributing editor and feature writer for Wondertime, a Disney parenting magazine.

He's published twelve young adult novels, including a six-book series about a girl named Sylvia Smith-Smith which earned him an Edgar Award nomination from the Mystery Writers of America. His young adult non-fiction WWII history, Left For Dead (Randomhouse, 2002) about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis won the 2003 Christopher award as was named to the American Library Association's 2003 top ten list.

His other non-fiction titles include Real Man Tells All (Viking, 1988), Marry Like a Man (NAL, l992), That Others May Live (Crown, 2000) and Kidshape (Rutledge Hill, 2004). His novel The Christmas List was published by Rutledge Hill Press in 2004. He wrote, with former army counterintelligence agent Dave DeBatto, a four book series of military thrillers, including CI: Team Red (2005), CI: Dark Target (2006), CI: Mission Liberty (2006) and CI: Homeland Threat (2007) published by Time-Warner. A More Unbending Battle; The Harlem Hellfighters' Struggle for Democracy in WWI and Equality at Home, was published in 2009 by Basic Civitas books. His novel, I Thought You Were Dead, will be published by Algonquin in 2010. He also has two CDs out on the Signature Sounds label, the first entitled The Restless Boys Club (1996), the second called Days Like Horses (2000).

Reviews

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this one as a birthday present from my wonderful sister too. Put this one on your list to read. I loved it Amber.

[Kianaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly inspiring! This book is one that shakes my soul, and reminds me that EVERYBODY wants to be loved.

[Anne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably familiar to many people because there was a pass-along email that went viral about a teacher who gave an assignment to her 4th grade class. The students had to each pass around a paper with their name on it, and each student would write one nice thing about the person whose name was written on the top.
This book was written by one of those students many years later. James is telling the story of the Christmas letter to one of his students who is having a rough time, breaking up with his girlfriend, wanting to drop out of school, and having a difficult relationship with his father.
James heads home to his small town for Christmas after breaking up with his girlfriend. All of his siblings will be there, and he will get to visit his childhood friends. Unfortunately he gets the bad news of a childhood friend dying in the Persian Gulf. So right after Christmas there is a memorial service for Mike. Mike‘s sister, speaking about her brother, mentions that Mike still carried in his wallet the list of nice things his classmates wrote about him. Other classmates there also either carried their list with them or knew where it was! James is able to find his list and more memories come to mind. James does a lot of reminiscing on this trip, as well as spend time with his good friend Sarah. As the trip comes to an end, James will realize that Sarah is more than just a friend. She has always loved him, even writing on his Christmas list that she would one day marry him.

[Marzee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about how love can transcend the heart into levels one thinks they cannot reach. It shows us how 1 person can touch many hearts by 1 good deed. That deed that reminded grade school children how much they are loved throughout their adulthoods. The love that was right in front of your nose and never realized it. The love that parents have for the children that had gone before them and for the children they still have. The love for passion in ones heart and how it dictates how they life their life until the end. The reminder that it is okay to let go what you think is love and open your soul to the love you need. Enjoyed this book even though I read this in May!!

[Lucinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A warm Christmas story filled with finding the meaning of true love. Only as we reflect on God's Love and compare ours to it do we come close. An unusual list makes things clear that love and kindness are often remembered over the years.
Reminds us to give love and that it in return will flow back to us.

May the love and peace of Christmas be with all of you.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Very well written, a book easy to read and very enjoyable! Teaches us a lesson but in a subtle way. Commands self reflection and goal achievement.

I am passing my copy to my Mom to read, I feel this book is for any age group 12+.

A wonderful in site to the human nature.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the time I got to the end of the book I had totally forgotten the beginning so felt very lost. I also felt as though I missed a chapter or two because all of a sudden everything was resolved. I did like it though.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in a couple of hours.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast and simple Christmas story. Ok read.

[Elaine]

(book, fiction)
It’s been awhile since I read this book. I’m guessing it was okay.
about a list of a positive characteristic written by each student TO each student SO THAT each student had a list of positive characteristics about themselves.

What a list that would be to look at when you are feeling less than!

[Jenn O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent way to begin my holiday reading season. I could easily see this being made into a Hallmark or Lifetime holiday movie.

Simple story of a guy who has lost his way and goes to see his teacher. The teacher then recounts how he lost his own way and found it again at Christmastime. The story takes place in the early 90s in northern Iown - 2 hours south of the twin cities.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I had my doubts at first, this really turned into a great holiday read. I liked how it focused on the importance of being kind to others and how a little act can become a life-changing experience for someone else.

[Jessica Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallmark movie material

This book could be, should be, and probably will end up being a christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Love this book, really puts you in the christmas spirit.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice read.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old story, a story about love, a small town; about a teacher.

[Loretta Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading..love it.

[J Wilkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Encouraging.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good thing it was short or I would never have finished it. Storyline had great potential that was wasted, in my opinion.

[SunflowerGrrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed!

[Nicole Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good holiday read. Quick and easy.

[Libby Scheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the one Christmas book that you need to read! It was written in 2004 but is the epitome of what Christmas is truly all about. An excellent read!

[Kelly Pelissier · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice christmas message, quick read!