The Bells of Christmas

by Virginia Hamilton, Lambert Davis (Illustrator)

1990 Coretta Scott King Honor Book

Twelve-year-old Jason Bell waits impatiently for Christmas 1890. Set against the carefully researched background life of a middle-class black family in Ohio a century ago, “Hamilton’s story moves along at an elegant pace, giving readers time to savor the holiday preparations.”-- School Library Journal

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Historical Fiction, African American, Middle Grade, Childrens, Juvenile

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Virginia Esther Hamilton was the author of forty-one works of fiction and nonfiction. She was the first Black writer awarded the Newbery Medal and the first children's writer to be named a MacArthur Fellow (the "Genius" grant). She also received the National Book Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.

Reviews

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet Christmas story. I was drawn to it because of the pun in the title. It brought back so many memories of Christmas when I was very young with my great grandparents. It was a seriously nostalgic experience for me. I am really shocked at the number of rather negative reviews of this one, I thought it was sweet and precious. If a family is intending to read this one as a read aloud it should be noted that it is a chapter book and not one that you can sit down and read in one sitting. But, just like the anticipation of Christmas, reading it a bit at a time makes it even better!

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children’s chapter book about a family in Ohio celebrating Christmas of 1890 along the National Road. Jason’s family has lived there for generations and he enjoys the traffic along the road.
The story is told in first person which could be why the writing felt choppy at times and the conversations stilted. There were a few times when Jason would grow upset with his younger sister and didn’t talk very kindly, but he did love her. The little sister felt younger than seven to me, but maybe she’d just turned seven.
Overall I did enjoy the story and the glimpse of history not normally seen in children’s books.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't dislike Virginia Hamilton's The Bells of Christmas. But I didn't love, love, love it either. I think it depends on what exactly you're expecting from a Christmas book. The Bells of Christmas is very much a celebration of a Christmas long ago. Christmas 1890. Readers meet a young boy, Jason Bell, and experience the holiday through his perspective. We learn about his mom and dad, his brothers and sisters, his cousins, his aunt and uncle, his friend, Matthew. The book is set over a period of several days. Among the things readers learn that Jason's dad is a carpenter, that he wants his sons to join him in his business one day, his dad has only one leg, that his dad wears a peg leg part of the time and is in his wheel chair the rest of the time. Readers also learn that Jason is just a wee bit obsessed with wheels--mainly trains, but, also wagons, etc. The book has plenty of detail and characterization which is a good thing. Jason is waiting for quite a few things: 1) he can't wait for Christmas morning and presents! 2) he can't wait for the Bells to arrive--his uncle and aunt and cousins, 3) he is excited about church, most everyone is performing and participating in some way. (Jason is singing a solo.) The book perhaps seeks to capture one Christmas for one extended family. It is a pleasant, enjoyable book. It isn't quite a chapter book or novel. It isn't quite a picture book.

[Diana Gagliardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Christmas story about an African-American family who had been in Ohio for 100 years when this story takes place in 1890.

The characters and feeling of the story remind me of Laura Ingalls Wilder _Little House in the Big Woods_ or _Farmer Boy_ and I like having the Bells telling a similar American story from a third perspective.

Enjoy!

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Bells of Christmas by Virginia Hamilton is a story of Christmas in Ohio in 1890. The Bell family are preparing for Christmas day. A day that never seems to come to young Jason. But come it does with a covering of snow. The family celebrations can begin...

[GPPL Youth]

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[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the Bell family as told by Jason Bell age 12 growing up in Ohio near the turn of the century at Christmas 1890. This hard working family is preparing for Christmas as they look forward to relatives visiting, and the first snowfall. Dad owns a carpentry shop with his two oldest sons married and on their own. Two younger sons and a daughter still live at home. Dad is missing a leg, most likely due to an accident when he was younger although this is not detailed. He now uses a wheelchair and a peg leg, neither of which slow him down. But this Christmas proves to be very memorable for the whole family. The life of a middle class African American family and community is very well told, albeit very slow paced. Primitive folk style illustrations suit the story perfectly.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Bells of Christmas is one of those books that needed to be either more or less to really work. The length is awkward--it's more than a picture book, but less than a full chapter book (even though it does have chapter divisions). It starts to tell the story of a family, of their culture, and of their Christmas, but doesn't give enough to draw a full picture for the readers. With some editing, it could have become a sweet (if somewhat generic) Christmas picture book. With some expanding, it could have become a really lovely Christmas story that gives readers a great look into a family and community. The in-between didn't work well for me.

[Karen Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet, historically based story about a Black family celebrating Christmas in Ohio in 1890. I wish the author had provided footnotes to explain some terms and names and a brief introduction about the Black community at that time. The syntax often seems awkward but read aloud it might sound more natural. Nicely illustrated although detailed line drawings would have been good and more in keeping with the historical setting.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a special Christmas this was for the Bell family back in Ohio in 1890. I loved the gift giving exchange when they all gave very special meaningful gifts to one another that were fun yet practical. They made all of their gifts homemade and I sat wondering how long it took them to complete all of that in the midst of having a large family and business. Needless to say, this story contained bits of American history that were interesting and I enjoyed reading about the Bell family.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

So so, kind of bland.

[Ms. Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful historical fiction that is very festive.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reads to use over a couple days! Good for a history class maybe! (Keep)