Throwback Thursday: The House Without a Christmas Tree

I remember watching the television movie based on this book when I was a young girl. I had no idea there was a book. The House Without a Christmas Tree, by Gail Rock, was published in 1974. Charles C. Gehm is the illustrator, and his beautiful illustrations convey so much emotion.

This little 88 page book has a Lexile measure of 940L. My copy has a lot of white space on the pages, which is great for kids with brain injuries.

This little book contains two very strong female characters, Addie and her Grandmother. Set in 1946 when women didn't have much of a voice, ten-year-old Addie Mills is not afraid to ask for what she wants. She will fight anyone who says anything mean about her grandma. She also has a very kind heart.

Addie's grandma is called a character by one of Addie's classmates, which makes Addie fighting mad, but her teacher explains that it is a good thing to be a character. It got me thinking that in about fifteen years or so, I can be a character and no one will dare say a word to me about it. There is power in being older.

Addie's dad will not let her have a Christmas tree. She begs each year, and he forbids it. Grandma tries to get him to change his mind, but he is firm in his decision and threatens to take Addie and live somewhere else if Grandma interferes.

When Addie wins a Christmas tree, her father is angry, so much so that Addie is heartbroken. Will she get her Christmas tree? You'll have to read the book to find out.

Read to a child today even if that child is you!