SoifaToday’s guest book reviewer on Read, Write, Repeat is Sofia.

She read Penny’s Christmas Jar Miracle (Shadow Mountain, 2009) as part of a Christmas project her classroom is conducting. We’ll hear what she says about the book, and then learn a little more about the project.

Penny’s Christmas Jar Miracle is related to two adult books by Jason F. Wright – The Christmas Jars and The Christmas Jars Reunion. All have the same theme of giving to others.

Our reviewer: Sofia

Age: 7

I like: Building snow creations with my brother, reading chapter books and playing tag with my friends.

This book was about: A little girl named Penny. Every year her family would have a hot chocolate stand, and they would collect money, put it in a jar and give it to somebody who needed it. This year, they decided to give it to everyone in the neighborhood. Then the neighbors decided to help Grandpa Charlie.

The best part was when: They had a big Christmas party with everyone in the neighborhood, and they all gave money to Grandpa Charlie — a neighbor who was sick.

I laughed when: Butterflies fluttered in Penny’s stomach.

I was worried when: Grandpa Charlie became sick and Penny thought he wouldn’t be able to come to the party.

I was surprised that: The whole neighborhood came to Grandpa Charlie’s house for the Christmas Eve party.

This book taught me: To give money to the poor or the homeless or to someone who might need it.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Penny’s different idea for how to use the Christmas Jar this year.

Three words that best describe this book are: Christmas, Penny and giving.

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Penny motioned for Grandpa Charlie to lean down. ‘We’re not giving away our jar this year,’ she whispered. ‘We’re having a fancy party instead. I’m making invitations for everyone in the neighborhood. But shhh – it’s still a secret.’”

You should read this book because: It’s a good book about the real meaning of Christmas.

Sofia’s second-grade class read this book and then decided to fill a Christmas Jar of their own. Children from the class are collecting coins right now. Then, they’ll vote on which of several local nonprofit organizations will receive their gift. I’ll share the amount they collected and the recipient organization in a future post.

If you’d like to read about some people who have given and received Christmas Jars, their stories are on this Web site. Have some tissues handy.

If you want to learn more about author Jason F. Wright, visit his Web site.

If you want to learn more about illustrator Ben Sowards, visit his Web site.