Melissa is a young girl who moves with her family to Oregon via The Oregon Trail. She has been allowed to bring one prized possession and she struggles to see that the porcelain angel that has topped the family Christmas tree makes the journey safely.
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Melissa inspected the angel carefully before handing her over to William. She straightened the small gown of white velvet. She carefully arranged the sleeves over its arms that stretched out as if to grasp the season with joy. She felt the downy fluff of its wings. Finally, she adjusted the tiny golden halo and handed the angel to William. She watched as he stretched to reach the top of the tree. William turned and looked mischievously at her. He acted as if he were about to drop the angel.
“William, do be careful!” Melissa shrieked.
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“This is a lovely book about friendship between two very different people from opposite cultures. It is also a tale about hope and the magic of Christmas. Children will delight in the colorful illustrations as they learn about the Oregon Trail and the pioneers, their hardships and dreams of a better life. At the end of the book there’s a section with activities and information about the pilgrims, as well as a game and a map. The Christmas Angel will make a lovely Christmas gift to any child as well as an excellent tool for teachers to teach this era of American history.” –Mayra Calvani, Midwest Book Review
“The Christmas Angel is a very heartwarming story that I think not only children, but people of any age will delight in. This poignant tale not only touches the heart but allows the reader to be a part of the wonderful journey. The magnificent illustrations, along with the tender tale, are truly captivating. It is one that I know I will treasure. I can tell Ms. Kelso really put her heart into this wonderful read. I fell in love with The Christmas Angel.” –Linda L. Lattimer, Author/Reviewer and Literacy in the Schools Advocate
“In The Christmas Angel Mary Jean Kelso writes about a girl traveling westward with her family in a wagon train. Her adventures are related in a lively, colorfully illustrated tale that brings the frontier to life for young readers.” –Eric N. Moody, Author/Publisher, Curator of Manuscripts, Nevada Historical Society
PURCHASE THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL AT: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/christmas-angel.htm AND http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Angel-Mary-Jean-Kelso/dp/1933090588/
After a family’s star for their Christmas tree is destroyed they search for another ornament to top the tree. They resurrect the treetop angel carried across The Oregon Trail by a young
pioneer and bring the story of The Christmas Angel full circle.
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Derrick turned the bright red glass in his hand and looked at the elf ’s big ears and mouth. The elf ’s painted lips smiled at him.
During the previous holiday season, Derrick had been two years old. This year he couldn’t remember what a real Christmas tree looked like. But he remembered that Mom had set him on some strange man’s lap. He hadn’t liked that at all. He had screamed and stiffened his body until he slid off the stranger’s red clad legs. Somebody flashed a picture and shoved a candy cane in his hand. He heard laughter when his mother whisked him away.
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“I have been anxiously awaiting the sequel to The Christmas Angel, and One Family’s Christmas is certainly worth the wait. I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first one in the series as it reminded me so much of myself. I have a love of history and could appreciate this family’s excitement over finding the angel heirloom in their attic, and the pride they felt in being able to display it on their Christmas tree. These two books together will make for some great discussions in your family. I especially appreciate the extra pages at the end, explaining genealogy and how to learn more about your own family lineage. As a homeschool mother, I’m always looking for those added “extras” that make a book more educational.” —Reviewed by Heidi Strawser
PURCHASE ONE FAMILY’S CHRISTMAS AT: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/1-familys-xmas.htm AND http://www.amazon.com/Familys-Christmas-Mary-Jean-Kelso/dp/1935137050/
Mary Jean Kelso is a multi-genre’ author. Besides Cowboy James, RV Mouse, The Christmas Angel, and its sequel, One Family’s Christmas, and the Andy & the Albino Horse series, she is the author of the young adult Lynne Garrett series: Goodbye Is Forever, Abducted!, and Sierra Summer. Also Kat’s Cradle, Blue Coat, and The Homesteader series.
Mary Jean wrote for many newspapers and magazines and was an Asst. Editor prior to concentrating on fiction for children, young adults and adults. Mary Jean recently received awards from The Nevada Press Assn. and The National Press Assn. as a correspondent for The Lahontan Valley News. She is a member of Made in Nevada– www.madeinNV.com
Visit Mary Jean on the Web at www.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso
KC Snider, a prominent award-winning Oregon artist, has branched out into a variety of styles and subjects. Her collection of oil paintings, lithographs, and pencil drawings include
the All-American Cowboy and Cowgirl and their historical lifestyles with magnificent wolves, buffalo herds, eagles and birds of prey along with horses and domestic animals. Her artwork has won numerous awards including the Snaffle Bit Award and the Pioneer Award.
Snider lives in the high desert with majestic views of the Cascade Mountains’ snow capped peaks. K.C. also illustrates children’s books: Cowboy James; A Star in the Night; Alleycat; The Christmas Angel; Preston, the Not-So-Perfect Pig; One Family’s Christmas; Cartwheel Annie; The Magic Violin; Does Heaven Get Mail?; Andy & The Albino Horse Series; Baby Jesus is Missing; Katydidn’t; A Short Tale About a Long Tail; Monster Maddie; RV Mouse; Frederico, the Mouse Violinist; Stilts the Stork; The Milk Horse & Ruthie and the Hippo’s Fat Behind. Visit KC at www.kcsniderart.com and blog.kcsniderart.com
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection 
Thanks so much for the terrific review. The book sounds great and so inventive. I hope it does very well and deservingly so!