Fiction Addict

Genre: Holiday, Chick lit

Publisher: Ballantine

Publication Date: 1996

Reviewed by Jen Roman

If someone is looking for a heartwarming, sweet story during the holiday season, A Return to Christmas is it.  Eleven-year-old Artemus Holiday lives in a comfortable, upper-middle-class neighborhood with his parents and sister.  The holidays are almost nonexistent in his household, however, because of a tragic accident on Christmas day eight years before.  His twin brother, Andrew, drowns in a river.  Because his birthday is on December 20, Artemus also loses his birthday celebration.

During a shopping trip right before Christmas, Artemus comes across a vagabond child roughly his age.  While he is trying on clothes in a department store, the vagabond tries to steal his regular clothes.  Rather than let the vagabond steal his clothes, Artemus takes chase.  The boys run out into the street and into the path of an oncoming truck.  Artemus is thrown into some nearby bushes, but the vagabond, who looks eerily similar to Artemus, is found.  He is mistaken for Artemus and is taken to the hospital, where his family meets him.  The family doesn’t realize the injured child isn’t Artemus and takes him home and treats him as though he is their child.  Meanwhile, Artemus is found by the con-artist Boone, who is thought to be the vagabond child’s uncle.  He is expected to participate in the con’s schemes, as the other child had done.  Realizing he is in the wrong place, he vows to get back home to his real family.  What unfolds is the story of hope and understanding of God’s love during a holy season of miracles.

This story is saccharine and predictable, yet it is warm and charming.  It’s a small book and only 198 pages, so it’s a quick and easy read.  Audiences should be happy with its sweet message.