The Christmas Mystery

Every year, the 1st of December we find The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder in our box of Christmas books, and start to read the first chapter. The book has 24 chapters, so we keep on reading, one chapter every day, untill Christmas Eve. And when we read we follow the little girl Elisabet from Norway around 1940, down through Europe and down through history, untill she, in the last chapter meets Joseph, Maria and the little newborn king. At the same time we meet the boy Joakim who finds a very special advent calendar in an old bookshop, the advent calendar has doors to open, and inside the doors Joakim finds small sheets of paper telling the fantastic story about Elisabet and her travel.Is the story just a fantasy story, or is Elisabet a real girl, doing a real travel?The Christmas Story tells us about all this, and alot more. For our family it is a must every Christmas. Not all kids want to listen to it every year, but mother will keep on reading it as long as her eyes allows her :-)Britt Arnhild Lindland

I bought a copy of this book several years ago for my son. We read it aloud each evening leading up to Christmas. Since then, it has become a tradtion in our family to read a chapter a night every evening, usually starting after Thanksgiving. This will be our 4th reading, and already the children are asking if it's time for our "advent book" reading to begin. Each year we enjoy it more, as it reminds us of the deeper meaning of the holiday we celebrate. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and am ordering copies for my sister's family this year.

Our family read this book aloud last Christmas and everyone (including 2 adolescent boys!)loved it. They have already asked if we can read it again in a year or two. Friends who have borrowed it have gone on to order their own copy. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new Christmas tradition.

This is a lovely book that I've given to children and adults the past 2 Christmases.While not as intellectually rigorous as Sophie's World and not quite as captivating as The Solitaire Mystery (which you must, must read), The Christmas Mystery is more addictive than a bag of peanuts. Rarely have I found a book that appeals to children and adults alike -- but this one does.Even if you have no background or real interest in Advent and Christmas, this book's fresh perspective will still delight.

this book was my favourite i have ever read. every year it is a tradition that i start reading this book on the first of december and every night read a chapter leading to the last night december 24.everone should read this book, and make it apart of their collection today