What do you think?
Rate this book
Molly and Anna
Originally part of the A Very Bookish Christmas novella collection
With the death of her sister near Christmas time, Lacie becomes the guardian of two girls of mixed heritage. Caring for them is harder than she ever imagined. She’s confronted daily with memories she would rather forget and her own prejudice. No matter what, she is determined to give her two nieces the best Christmas she can.
Molly hasn’t seen her aunt Lacie in a long time, but she is determined to be glad, like in the book Pollyanna. It isn’t as easy. She misses her parents, her home, the mission her parents worked in, and her friends. She cannot understand why Aunt Lacie doesn’t like to talk about her father, but she will do whatever she needs to make a new start for her and her sister.
With the death of her sister near Christmas time, Lacie becomes the guardian of two girls of mixed heritage. Caring for them is harder than she ever imagined. She’s confronted daily with memories she would rather forget and her own prejudice. No matter what, she is determined to give her two nieces the best Christmas she can.
Molly hasn’t seen her aunt Lacie in a long time, but she is determined to be glad, like in the book Pollyanna. It isn’t as easy. She misses her parents, her home, the mission her parents worked in, and her friends. She cannot understand why Aunt Lacie doesn’t like to talk about her father, but she will do whatever she needs to make a new start for her and her sister.
- GenresChristmasShort Stories
61 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2020
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Holman
46 books460 followersSarah Holman lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Scott. When not working on her next novel, she can usually be found hanging out with her family, reading, or hiking at state parks with her husband. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it’s because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined. You can find out more about her at her website, www.thedestinyofone.com.
To keep up to date on releases, join her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bitBIf
To keep up to date on releases, join her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bitBIf
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 10, 2021
I had the privilege of beta-reading this amazingly important and sweet Christmas novella. Full review and final rating to come when I read a finished copy. ;)
Read
December 8, 2022Looking for a Christmas story that isn't to long? Try this book out on Kindle Unlimited.
2020
It's finally out! I'm so excited to share this story with all of you!
2019
This story is based loosely on Pollyanna, but it is also a story that is close to my heart. Growing up in an area that is racially mixed has given me an opportunity to witness moments of racism, but also moments of incredible forgiveness, grace, and reaching across barriers.
I hope this story gives people not only a feel-good Christmas story, but also a story that inspires them with how God can bring unity.
2020
It's finally out! I'm so excited to share this story with all of you!
2019
This story is based loosely on Pollyanna, but it is also a story that is close to my heart. Growing up in an area that is racially mixed has given me an opportunity to witness moments of racism, but also moments of incredible forgiveness, grace, and reaching across barriers.
I hope this story gives people not only a feel-good Christmas story, but also a story that inspires them with how God can bring unity.
December 23, 2024
2024 Reread
I enjoyed this story again and wanted to hug Lacie, Molly, and Anna. And I really liked Jared!
This story is one I know I’ll reread in Christmases to come.
I love the characters! Molly and Anna are so sweet and real. I was so glad Aunt Lacie was like she was! I was half afraid she wouldn’t be as nice. But oh, I wanted to tell her a few things! I’m glad Jared was there to do that for me.
The setting was perfect. Plenty of Christmasy things, decorations and cookie making set the feeling of Christmas. And that copy of “Pollyanna” sounded just like the copy of “Pollyanna Grows Up” that I have on my shelf, so it was very easy to imagine it.
I really appreciate the message of this story. It wasn’t just an “everyone feel good” story like most Christmas tales. Not everyone became perfect by the end, but there was hope. The importance of focusing not on the color of someone’s skin, or where they were born, but on who they are, was very well done.
I would highly recommend this story and plan to read it again.
I enjoyed this story again and wanted to hug Lacie, Molly, and Anna. And I really liked Jared!
This story is one I know I’ll reread in Christmases to come.
I love the characters! Molly and Anna are so sweet and real. I was so glad Aunt Lacie was like she was! I was half afraid she wouldn’t be as nice. But oh, I wanted to tell her a few things! I’m glad Jared was there to do that for me.
The setting was perfect. Plenty of Christmasy things, decorations and cookie making set the feeling of Christmas. And that copy of “Pollyanna” sounded just like the copy of “Pollyanna Grows Up” that I have on my shelf, so it was very easy to imagine it.
I really appreciate the message of this story. It wasn’t just an “everyone feel good” story like most Christmas tales. Not everyone became perfect by the end, but there was hope. The importance of focusing not on the color of someone’s skin, or where they were born, but on who they are, was very well done.
I would highly recommend this story and plan to read it again.
July 22, 2020
This novella seamlessly combines sweetness with heavy themes like grief, family division, and racism. Eight-year-old Molly Garcia and her three-year-old sister, Anna, are orphaned and go to live with their aunt Lacie, inadvertently changing her life and teaching her how to overcome the struggles that have weighed her down for years. Another favorite character of mine was Jared, Lacie's old friend. I enjoyed everything about these people, their heart-warming story, and the role that the classic book Pollyanna played.
(I copyedited this novella but was under no obligation to write a positive review. This is my genuine opinion!)
(I copyedited this novella but was under no obligation to write a positive review. This is my genuine opinion!)
January 1, 2023
I have never read all of Pollyanna, but I really enjoyed this story!! I think Molly was a lot like me wen I was young - always trying to take care of her younger siblings (sometimes maybe too much....!) and trying to be as grown up as possible.😍
Jared was a great character, and I loved the ending!!!!❤️
Jared was a great character, and I loved the ending!!!!❤️
July 2, 2020
A Christmas tale, filled with hope and love, inspired by the classic book, Pollyanna.
It's pretty cute. It deals with some darker issues too, like grieving, family loss, regrets, and overcoming social prejudices/racism. But it still keeps an upbeat tone. Has the makings of a Hallmark holiday movie.
Good, clean, inspirational.
Suitable for: 10 and up - Adults
Random favorite line:
"You were saying something about the aunt getting married.”
Lacie’s cheeks burned. “She what?”
It's pretty cute. It deals with some darker issues too, like grieving, family loss, regrets, and overcoming social prejudices/racism. But it still keeps an upbeat tone. Has the makings of a Hallmark holiday movie.
Good, clean, inspirational.
Suitable for: 10 and up - Adults
Random favorite line:
"You were saying something about the aunt getting married.”
Lacie’s cheeks burned. “She what?”
April 9, 2025
5 stars. What a perfect retelling! This is all a retelling should be, in my opinion—similar enough for one to quickly know which book it’s retelling, but different enough to be its own unique story. I think all of the main elements of
Pollyanna
were in this story, and as someone who’s known, loved, and reread
Pollyanna
all my life, I was so happy with this story. I totally loved how Sarah tackles a difficult subject and how she handles it. It’s really very well done!! Lacie’s journey was lovely & the ending was prefect. Jared was amazing too. And I loved the two little girls. Also, the father sounds like a simply wonderful man and I quite admired him, even if he was never in an actual scene. I’m looking forwards to the next retelling!
A Favourite Quote: “You know that even though her husband is real mean, she never says anything bad about him? She doesn’t lie about him either, she just talks about how good God is to her.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Since I was there, Miss Hines tried to recruit me into helping with the play.”
Aunt Lacie shook her head. “That woman would have the whole church involved if she could. Did she persuade you?”
“...She sure did[.]”
“I’m glad you’re going to help.” Molly liked Jared.
“You are? ... Well, that settles it. I don’t want you to be unglad.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
A Favourite Quote: “You know that even though her husband is real mean, she never says anything bad about him? She doesn’t lie about him either, she just talks about how good God is to her.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Since I was there, Miss Hines tried to recruit me into helping with the play.”
Aunt Lacie shook her head. “That woman would have the whole church involved if she could. Did she persuade you?”
“...She sure did[.]”
“I’m glad you’re going to help.” Molly liked Jared.
“You are? ... Well, that settles it. I don’t want you to be unglad.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
December 9, 2025
An incredibly impactful story that stresses the importance of finding joy even in the most difficult of times, not allowing prejudices to form opinions of others, and the impact of love, faith, and family. One of the most powerful Christmas stories I have read
February 14, 2020
I loved, loved, loved this book!! Molly is such a sweet little girl and her grandparents really made me angry! So glad that their aunt saw that some things she had formerly believed were wrong. And Jared was the best. Such a lovely story!
5 from 5 stars
Quote:
But making things right means moving forward, not backward. Things are never the same. Tomorrow won’t look like today and the decisions you make tomorrow will affect the next day.
5 from 5 stars
Quote:
But making things right means moving forward, not backward. Things are never the same. Tomorrow won’t look like today and the decisions you make tomorrow will affect the next day.
December 4, 2020
This is such a sweet story<3 I know some people who need to read this, and pay attention to the lesson it teaches!
July 19, 2020
A sweet story, well-written and intriguing. There was a bit more physical touch than I would liked to have seen between Jared and Lacie, but overall this book was clean and fun.
And I absolutely LOVE the cover!! :)
And I absolutely LOVE the cover!! :)
December 27, 2020
LOVED this one when I read it in A Very Bookish Christmas, would recommend it to everyone.
December 28, 2023
I have enjoyed every story I have read by Sarah Holman, and this one didn’t disappoint 😊 I love her writing style and appreciate that her stories are always edifying!
This “Pollyanna” retelling was so sweet! Molly was the adorable! She was such a great big sister in spite of all the grief she’d been through. I also loved how Lacie was willing to change and listen to wise counsel. This is a sweet Christmas story but it also deals with some heavier topics like loss, prejudice, and forgiveness without the reader getting bogged down.
Though a short story, it didn’t feel too rushed! I would definitely recommend and reread this one 😊
Ages 15+ will probably enjoy it best though It’s a great story that younger readers could also read.
This “Pollyanna” retelling was so sweet! Molly was the adorable! She was such a great big sister in spite of all the grief she’d been through. I also loved how Lacie was willing to change and listen to wise counsel. This is a sweet Christmas story but it also deals with some heavier topics like loss, prejudice, and forgiveness without the reader getting bogged down.
Though a short story, it didn’t feel too rushed! I would definitely recommend and reread this one 😊
Ages 15+ will probably enjoy it best though It’s a great story that younger readers could also read.
January 13, 2023
Family and misunderstandings!
Though her estranged sister died, she was raising her nieces! They all had to learn to accept others as they are and leave predjustS
and hurt behind! Move forward and accept Gods plan and try to help her patents thru their grief also! Great book!
Though her estranged sister died, she was raising her nieces! They all had to learn to accept others as they are and leave predjustS
and hurt behind! Move forward and accept Gods plan and try to help her patents thru their grief also! Great book!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews