The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

This is a delightful historical novel to read at the Christmas season.

It's a few days before Christmas, 1945. Jimmy Reed and his mom are going to have to celebrate Christmas alone. Jimmy's dad had been killed in the early days of World War II. Jimmy struggles with the loss, pain and anger. His work in high school is falling. He's beginning to run with the wrong crowd.

By God's grace there are people in Jimmy's life who try to help him get on the right path. Like the school bus driver who has hardly anything to his name yet so freely gives what he does have. And then a fellow soldier stops by to tell Jimmy of his father's heroic actions.

Jimmy begins to realize the true meaning of Christmas and the real sacrifice his father made. But Jimmy has made some bad decisions. Is there any way he can get his life back before it is too late?

This is a great Christmas story, complete with a miracle at the end. Collins is at the top of his form with this novel. The characters are so real you feel like you know them. The small town of Ash Flat, Arkansas is brought to life through the wonderful people living there. Reading this novel was like taking a journey back in time to a simpler place, a place where people cared for each other and helped each other out. A truly heartwarming story.

Discussion questions at the back make this a great choice for a teen reading group.

Ace Collins has written more than fifty books including fiction and nonfiction. His books have become movies and network television specials. You can find out more at www.acecollins.com.

Abingdon Press, 217 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.