The Paper Bag Christmas

In this affable yuletide yarn, brothers Aaron and Molar are understandably preoccupied with the material side of Christmas, until they meet Dr. Ringle, a shopping mall Santa who is also a doctor at a local children's cancer ward. Dr. Ringle encourages them to volunteer at the ward from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and especially encourages their friendship with two children: recalcitrant and angry Katrina, whose postsurgical scarring leaves her afraid to be seen without a paper bag on her head, and effusively optimistic Madhu, who does not understand the story of Christmas. The story is unexpectedly heartwarming, and Milne mostly avoids sap while delivering his warm fuzzies and dashes of Christmas hope and magic. (Oct.)
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"_The Paper Bag Christmas is one of the most inspiring and emotionally endearing books I've ever read." (Shirley Howard, President, The Children's Cancer Foundation_ 2008)

"_The Paper Bag Christmas_ reads like a Christmas classic -- warm, funny, sweet, inspiring, humbling, and nostalgic." (Gift Basket Review _Debra Paulk_ )

"_The Paper Bag Christmas is the rare kind of story that makes your eyes teary while your heart smiles. I was truly moved." (Jason Wright, 'New York Times' bestselling author of 'Christmas Jars' and 'The Wednesday Letters'_ )

"Milne's debut novel is the epitome of the true meaning of Christmas. It's an inspiring tale filled with heartfelt characters that will move readers to view Christmas in a whole new light." (Romantic Times _Leslie L. McKee_ )

"The story is unexpectedly heartwarming...delivering his warm fuzzies and dashes of Christmas hope and magic." (Publishers Weekly )

"[T]he book is just right for a family reading-aloud project . . .Milne also provides an . . .unforgettable story, forcing us to believe in all of his characters . . .and in something more." (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal )

"This is a small book in size but the message it sends is so big-this book points out the true meaning of Christmas." (American Chronicle )

"[I]t's sweetly honest, ushering in the holiday season with joyful ease." (Deseret News )