Santa and Pete: A Novel of Christmas Present and Past

Santa and Pete is a wonderful story that reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas. Bags of coal to the reviewer who felt St. Nick was diminished. And two bags of coal to the reviewer who would keep such a great story from black children. I will repeat what others have said, this book is a Christmas gift in the best sense of the word. It is almost unforgiveable what our culture has done to the incredible story of the real St. Nicholas. Sinterklaas and Piet the Moor is the story we should be telling all of our children each and every year. I would recommend this delightful book to everyone. And my deepest thanks to the dear friends who gave their 30 year old friend this precious little book for Christmas.

This book has touched me. Not since "Tuesdays with Morrie" have I been so moved. "Santa & Pete" is the perfect book for anyone raising children and also anyone wanting to get the Christmas spirit back. It teaches and inspires us to transcend race, cultural issues, religion, age and any other prejudice we may knowingly or unknowingly harbor. It teaches us to value our family and friends. It teaches giving and charity. And it does it all in the very very entertaining story format involving a grandfather and grandson. This book could be the start of a better world! It should be required reading. Thank you Christopher Moore and Pamela Johnson!

What a treasure! Finally, there is a book that tells the "true" story of Saint Nicholas. I had long known that St. Nick was a real person, born in Turkey and who lived at the time of the 4th century Nicene Council, which decreed the Divinity of Christ through the Holy Trinity. St. Nick also lived at the time the Christian church first established December 25th as the annual celebration of the Festival of the Nativity. Reportedly seen even after his death, St. Nick became the universal symbol of the Advent of the Christmas season. That he was joined a few hundred years later by Pete the Moor to spread the message of Christ's birth and coming resurrection, is a wonderful story that circulated throughout Holland, Belgium and many other European countries. Though even in Europe the meaningful story of the St. Nick, Pete, and the Nativity have been commercialized beyond recognition. It is truly marvelous that in 1999 we have rediscovered this dynamic duo. Congratulations to Moore and Johnson! The television movie, based on the book, which aired December 5th on CBS was also delightful, but I look forward to reading the book every Christmas season. Telling the Christmas story with a brilliant and historic American spin that includes Dutch, Africans and Native Americans makes this book a Christmas treasure for all Americans. How proud can all of our children be to know we are all part of a great celebration.

This book by Pamela Johnson and Christopher Moore is beautifully done. It retells the Christmas story of St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, reinstating his Black sidekick, Pete. The age-old story is told in a fresh, contemporary way, through a modern-day African-American clan, particularly the grandfather, a bus driver, and his grandson, who learns a powerful lesson about family and the importance of traditions. I highly recommend it.

My sons(ages 10 and 13) and I love this book. It combines a complex interweaving of fantasy and history with characters we quickly came to love. There is hope, after reading it, that diverse peoples might just come to love and value each other in our lifetime!We plan to read this one every Christmas!