Just as Santa is making his list and checking it twice. Your Christmas challenge is to select books from the list below or any other with a Christmas theme and attempt to read and report on as many as you can during the twelve days before Christmas.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Classic Christmas story of nineteenth century England in which the miser Scrooge finds the true spirit of Christmas.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

On a dark Christmas Eve, a boy who believes in Santa Claus boards a mysterious train, the Polar Express. He and the other children, still in their nightclothes, drink hot chocolate and sing carols as the train races through snowy landscapes carrying them to a huge city at the North Pole to visit Santa Claus.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Everyone agrees that the Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. When they hear about the free refreshments at Sunday School, the Herdmans not only show up, but also muscle their way into the lead roles of the annual Christmas pageant.

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia McKissack and Frederick McKissack

It's 1859. The Virginia plantation is getting ready for Christmas. The Big House is clean, the tree decorated, the fireplace lit, and food prepared. Visitors will be welcomed, carols sung, stories told, singing, dancing, eating, and family reunions. The slaves talk about freedom.

Segment #3

November 22 to December 10, 2006

Winter Challenge

Moderator, Doug Cameron