White as Snow: A Christmas Story

Donna Westover Gallup
Cladach Publishing (2006)
ISBN 0975961942
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/06)

This is the first book in a series titled, “Mysterious Ways.” Charlie is a ten year old boy who is forced to fend for himself and his grandpa who has fallen ill.  Charlie and his grandpa live on a ranch in the Colorado Territory around 1864.  Learning to fend for himself and his unconscious grandfather, tests Charlie’s faith in God.  He barely escapes death during an attack by a grizzly bear who he believes is defending her cubs from him. 

Charlie loses “Old Blue,” his grandfather’s shotgun.  Just as his supplies are running low and he is ready to give up all hope, a giant mountain man, named Jess, shows up and is able to help him.  Jess teaches Charlie that God has not abandoned him and that things could actually have been worse if he wasn’t praying.  Jess helps restore Charlie’s faith and helps him to get the ranch back in order.

Charlie and Jess share the same birthday, December 25.  As this special day approaches, Charlie’s grandfather appears to be coming out of his deep sleep.
 
This is a really special book.  I love the underlying theme of hope.  It is one that is written for all ages.  As an adult, I totally enjoyed it.  I know that children would enjoy it as well.  I think that it would even be a great book to read to a child before bedtime.  As the Christmas season approaches, it would also make a great stocking stuffer.   I look forward to reading the future books in this series.

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