Real Xmas This Year CL

This was an excellent book to use in my 4th grade class for read aloud. It had developed, believable characters and a great plot. We used it for predicting and the story left us many opportunities to make inferences. We can all identify with the character of Meg and her struggles to make her life seem normal with a stressful home and a special needs brother. There were many opportunities to make personal connections with the story. The book also has a tremendous ending that left some students, and myself, with tears in our eyes because we were so touched. The theme defintely helps us look at ourselves to figure out what is really important about Christmas which was very good for all my students since they come from very difficult backgrounds. All could relate to and see what was really important. Each student loved this book and so did I.

The book A Real Christmas This Year is probably the best book I have ever read. It's about a girl who's brother is mentaly challenged. She thinks he's going to ruin christmas. This is a really good book.

This was a very enjoyable book, particularly good to read during the Christmas holidays. It puts things into perspective. It gives kids insight into the difficulties families experience when a family member is disabled.