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Cover of An Orange for Frankie

An Orange for Frankie

by Patricia Polacco

Book Details

Publisher:Penguin
Published:2004-09-16
Pages:49
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

Patricia Polacco's most poignant Christmas tale! The Stowell family is abuzz with holiday excitement, and Frankie, the youngest boy, is the most excited of all. But there's a cloud over the joyous season: Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and Pa hasn't returned yet from his trip to Lansing. He promised to bring back the oranges for the mantelpiece. Every year there are nine of them nestled among the evergreens, one for each of the children. But this year, heavy snows might mean no oranges . . . and, wo

Our Review

This poignant holiday story captures the anticipation and anxiety of a Depression-era family waiting for their father to return with the Christmas oranges, weaving themes of generosity and sacrifice into a deeply moving narrative. Young Frankie's excitement about the family tradition turns to worry as a snowstorm threatens to keep his father from delivering the precious citrus fruits that symbolize their holiday celebration. The story beautifully balances the warmth of family traditions with the real hardships families faced during difficult economic times, creating an emotional journey that resonates beyond the seasonal setting.

What makes this Christmas tale particularly memorable is how it transforms a simple fruit into a powerful symbol of love and community spirit. The narrative builds toward a moment of profound generosity that teaches Frankie—and readers—about the true meaning of giving during the holiday season. Families looking for stories that blend historical context with heartfelt emotion will find this book especially meaningful, as it reminds us that the smallest acts of kindness can create the most lasting Christmas memories.

Themes

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

Juvenile Fiction