Clementine for Christmas

by Daphne Benedis-Grab

An irresistible and timeless Christmas story by the author of The Angel Tree.

Josie usually keeps to herself, but she comes out of her shell when she and her dog, Clementine, volunteer at the local hospital during the holiday season. Josie loves dressing up in silly costumes, singing carols, and helping to prepare for the big Christmas Festival. That is, until she learns that this year's Festival has been canceled.

Meanwhile, Oscar's parents are fighting more and more--and so is he. He gets into trouble at school, and his punishment? Volunteer hours at the local hospital.

Gabby's life seems perfect. She's stylish, smart, and everyone looks up to her. But Gabby has a secret, one that could ruin everything.

Then, Clementine disappears, Oscar's parents separate, and Gabby's secret is uncovered. Together, can Josie, Oscar, and Gabby find a way to save the holiday, or will this be the worst Christmas ever?

Daphne Benedis-Grab, author of The Angel Tree, has created a heartwarming story that sparkles with humor, light, and Christmas spirit.

Genres: Christmas, Middle Grade, Fiction, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Holiday, Childrens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Daphne Benedis-Grab is the author of four middle grade books and two books for teens. She lives and writes in New York City.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect Christmas-time read! Great underlying moral about how giving of oneself is often just as beneficial to the giver as it is to the recipient.

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the best book in the world! I loved that it took place in a hospital. You should totally read it.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an adorable Christmas story. Before I started reading it, I was under the impression the book would focus on the dog, Clementine. However, that wasn't the case. It focused on the characters Oscar, Josie, and Gabby, and, while there were glimpses of their individual lives, it was their budding friendship while participating in a volunteer program in the pediatric ward at a hospital that moved the plot along.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Christmas read with a cute puppy! I loved the positive message of volunteering, giving back, and thinking of others.

[Kaleigh L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book mostly takes place at the hospital. One of the main events is when Josie and Clementine volunteer at there local hospital. Another main event is when Josie dresses up in costumes and sings carols. One of the biggest main events is when the festival gets canceled.

One of the themes for this book is try to always be kind when every you can be. An example of this is when Josie volunteers at the hospital. Another example is when Josie sings to the people and the hospital. Anther example is when Josie was reading stories to the people at the hospital.

I loved this book. It has a great moral to it. I love the charters in the book. I mostly love this book because Josie and Clementine are really nice to everyone.

[Yamile Méndez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute Christmas story of three very different but fully fledged characters. I'd give it five stars if it weren't for the Spanish being your typical google translate, only used at the beginning as a tool, Gaby's brothers names that sound like what a white person thinks Latino boys are named, and for the fact that the MC's Vietnamese culture is vaguely mentioned at the beginning and dropped before the first half of the book. A sensitivity reader was needed, and it showed. But other than that, yes, I'd recommend this book.

[Staciel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 12 year old told me going into this book that it was very 'bittersweet', and I see why she described the book that way.

I also agree with the blurb by School Library Journal on the back of the book saying, ' A satisfying read on many levels- misunderstandings are resolved, lessons are learned, friendships evolve, and positive behavior is rewarded. Be sure to have a box of tissues handy.'

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite part was when everything worked mostly out for everyone. My least favorite part was when Oscar didn't tell Josie about Clementine. My favorite character was Clementine because she is always trying to make everyone happy. My least favorite character was Oscar, because he didn't even try to be positive and nice

[Jaymie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was by the same author as The Angel Tree but it reminded me of it right away. Similar set up with disconnected students discovering friendship in each other. I really enjoyed it - sweet holiday story.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way that it was three different stories was confusing. I felt really bad for Josie everybody makes fun of her. I'm surprised Oscar dressed up for Josie even though he hates Christmas. In the end Josie, Oscar, and Gabby learned an important lesson.

[Erin Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author does it again with this stunningly beautiful Christmas story. Follow three middle school students reach out and give to others while trying desperately to weather different storms in their life. This heartwarming story will have you in the Christmas spirit in no time!

[xo Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet Christmas story. My darling 10yr old daughter recommended I read it as it was one of her most favorite reads ever.

This was a story of friendship, overcoming stereotypes and fears, the spirit of giving, love, & trust.

A great read to share with your 4th/5th graders.

[Willa Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and heartwarming, the perfect Christmas read!

[Bookish Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one- touching, true and brimming with the spirit of Christmas!

[Wendy Dopkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

an adorable dog-oriented story of friendships...and Christmas!

[Kayla Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Clementine was a big symbol in this book, and the end is at the same time both heartbreaking and heartwarming

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

is a good book i should read it

[Dedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Christmas story for grades 4-6 or anybody who is a dog lover.

[Tessa Biehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it definitely gave me the feeling like it was Christmas time. I would definitely recommend Clementine For Christmas to those who love happy endings.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you do when you are in charge of the Christmas Festival at the hospital and you don't really care for talking to people? Josie is not crazy about the idea of finding acts for the festival but she is crazy about her dog Clementine and working with him to cheer up the kids in the ped. ward of the local hospital. However now she finds herself with Oscar, a rough around the edges co student and he isn't being all to helpful while he just stands around 'learning' what to do while she dances and sings.

Gabby has been a popular girl in school with lots of hard work, in part because she has a secret she doesn't want anyone to know. Then her secret lands her in the hospital and to her shock and worry co students come to her room to cheer her up. Now she is sure everyone will know her secret and she will be made fun of again, it has happened before. However she has a plan and it involves the Christmas Festival.

This was a nice little read. At one point I was sure I knew what was going to happen, and while I was pretty much right there was a plot twist that made finishing the book more adventures. Written with Middle School age readers in mind, there is nothing wrong with a little lite reading for older readers as well. Just read it in the mind set of easy going younger reading.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to the back cover, this is recommended for 4th-6th graders. I'm much older than that. I still found it a cute story.

Josie is shy and quiet at school. She and her dog, Clementine, volunteer at the pediatric ward of the local hospital where wearing costumes and the small audiences bring Josie out of her shell.

Oscar's struggling with family problems and gets in trouble for showing his temper at school. His principal sends him to the hospital to do a form of community service, where he is assigned to work with Josie.

Gabby has epilepsy and due to a bad experience at her former school, is trying to keep it a secret. Unfortunately, when she goes in to the hospital, Josie and Oscar witness a seizure.

Over the course of the novel, we get to see three people become unlikely friends. Josie is pushed to confront her shyness. Oscar becomes less selfish--and eventually gains a dog.

[marissa di vita · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was really cute and i honestly ate it up but i just didn't like the whole thing with oscar like who would forgive someone for stealing their dog??? like no i would drop that friend immediately. and then the fact that josie GIVES this kid her dog? to move into an apartment? no. just no. no no no no no. 1) if you need or want to move, you find a place that can accommodate your pet. end of story. you don't give it away. 2) if someone steals your dog? DROP THEM. DON'T GGGIIIVVVEEE THEM YOUR DOG. oscar pissed me off like no i would not be friends with him although i like how he changed by the end BUT STILL. maybe this is like a 3.5 because i did enjoy it but it was kinda boring at the same time until the end lol. but it was still good??? idk how to describe it lol

[Alexa Lepe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clementine for Christmas by Daphne Benedis Grab is a really good book. This book is about two girls and a boy named Josie, Gabby, and Oscar. They all have a rough holiday start at school. All three of them have to find a way to solve their problems. They all team up to help each other with a little bit of fighting here and there, but they all end up having a happy holiday. I like this book because it has drama in between when you don't expect anything to go wrong. I recommend this book to anyone who likes drama.

[AMY · Rating 1 out of 5]

245 pages. I read two chapters but did not like this one. This is a middle school story about a 6th grader, Josie, who lives with her grandparents from Vietnam. She has a dog named Clementine. Her father died earlier of cancer. Josie brings her dog to the children's ward at the hospital for therapy. Another kid named Oscar gets into trouble at school and has to do community service at the hospital. There is a lot of middle school drama going on. It has a cute cover but is not for elementary kids. Skip this one.

[Breath of Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this will be my first review of this new year let me just say that this book brought together a few of my favorite things. Reading, Christmas, and a cute dog.

Author Daphne Benedis-Grab has an absolute heartwarming way of bringing together all the elements above and put them into a Christmas read that will leave you wanting more.

Just looking at the cover of this book made me want to read it. Then turning it over:

To read more of my review: https://breathoflifebookreviews.blogs...

[Carlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I love the concept, and I loved that there were multiple perspectives. I thought that all of the characters were well fleshed out and good characters. I also thought that all of the problems were well fleshed out. It was very Christmassy and got me into the mood. It was also a quick and lighter read. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. There is one side of me that really likes it, but the other wishes that one thing would have been different. This is a book that was written for younger readers, but I think that it would appeal to all age groups. I highly highly recommend this book.

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clementine may be on the cover of this book, but it's the humans who are the stars of the story. Josie, Oscar, and Gabby each have a challenge they need to overcome, and Clementine is there throughout the book to provide cuddles and comfort to anyone who needs it. This is a great Christmas story with very relatable characters! 100% recommended!

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book before I gave it to my granddaughter and I must say it was absolutely wonderful the way the characters are developed and drawn together into true friendship around the Christmas season in a pediatric ward of a hospital. Well worth the time to read at any age.

[Arlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable juvenile. My daughter loved it and wanted me to read it. My son read it as well - largely because he didn't have anything else to read. He enjoyed it as well. I'll keep an eye out on getting a copy for my class.

[Sarah Marchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I talked about chronic illness of epilepsy and Clementine is a sweet little service dog that goes with the kids volunteering at the hospital on the PEDS unit. It was an awesome book.