This was a fantastic Christmas story. I wish I could give it more than 5 STARS!!

It grabbed me from the start, and I couldn't put it down. The style is quite readable, the characters believable, the story riveting.

When I finished, I passed it along to my Mom, who also couldn't put it down ...

For those of you who've watched Glenn Beck on CNN or listened on the radio, his humor comes through, but without any political overtones. Don't let his politics keep you from reading this fabulous story!!

Irregardless of who wrote this book, it is a book anyone can relate to.
It's mostly autobiographical about a boy who has to cope with losing most of what means most in his life as a child. His last hope is a bicycle, but receiving a special home made gift from his mother sparks the same bad attitude that many of us have shown and many have had to deal with.
Some parts of this book were based on events that happened later in his life, but the boy and his reactions to how life takes us on a ride we can't always control, how we take the people who love us most for granted, and how there's always hope.
It's an easy-to-read story, not so long as to get tiresome, and I really enjoyed it. My local waiting list grows as friends discuss it.
It's kinda like watching the Hallmark channel!

p.s. reads almost identical to the live production, which I also saw.

First of all, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy reading this book. But when I saw how many people had it on their wish list, I thought I'd do the right thing and read it before I posted it. Also, it was a Christmas gift from my best friend.

Having said all that, I started reading this before I went to work yesterday (1/19/09). The chapters are fairly short and it's an easy read. I have to say I was pulled right in by the characters and the plot. And since it is autobiographical in nature, I knew that some if not most of the experiences were real. When I got home from work, I continued reading when I went to bed. I finally finished it around 4 a.m. this morning.

While I might agree with some that the writing is not as experienced as other authors (such as Dickens, Shakespeare, Austen, Clancy, Tolstoy or others), it nevertheless did strike a few chords in my own experiences. I seriously doubt that Mr. Beck wrote this book entirely for the profit, therefore I couldn't actually agree with one member stating not to buy this book.

Mr. Beck truly makes a statement in the book that most of us should heed. We should be grateful for what we have and cherish those that we're close to. Too many people are self absorbed, greedy, selfish and discontented. This should be a wake up call for all of us.

I'd planned to post this book when I finished with it. However, this has become one of my most cherished possessions - mainly due to the person who gave it to me (thanks, Marcia!). Yes, I am a conservative. Yes, I am a Christian. But I wouldn't say that Mr. Beck bashes people over the head with his beliefs. This is truly a remarkable book, especially in its simplicity.

I would give this more than 5 stars if I could. And people should be more open minded when reading books. I've read alot of "trash" in my lifetime, but this one is definitely NOT on that list.

At first I wanted to read this book because I was a long time Glenn Beck fan. I thought laughter would be in store while I read. To my surprise, I didnt laugh at all while reading this book. That is not to say that this was not an excellent read, but if you are looking for the critical, in your face, "Beck", then be cautioned. Having stated that, this is a wonderful tapestry of teenage suffering and trials, which lead to an outcome, that is somewhat pedictable. I am not sure that I would read this book again, but I would recomend it to fellow readers. This book is somewhat spiritual, but not in the bible thumping way. This book reminds you of childhood feelings, brings up sad feelings, feelings of remorse, and then feelings of triumph, and warmth.

It's difficult to improve upon Mike's review, but I feel that I'm duty-bound to try.

This easily makes the top 5 worst books I've read. It's preachy in a hit-you-over-the-head-obvious parable sort of way. Imagine being held captive in a room full of Precious Moments figurines. You're tied to a chair and forced to watch sappy country music videos that involve someone visiting a gravestone at the end (surprise! not.) Wait...you have to listen to the Christmas Shoes over and over and over until you are driven to a Clockwork Orange-type madness. Then throw in Jesus, except he's not Jesus; he's an imaginary horse whisperer named Russell. And of course a surprise ending that you can see coming a mile away. Oh...wait...don't forget the evil cornfield (Stephen King, anyone?). Don't worry. I'm not giving away any spoilers. It is not possible to spoil this book. That was already done by the "author" who has clearly never had an original thought.

Do yourself a favor. If you need a Christmas feel-good fix, watch "It's A Wonderful Life". If you need something with religious foundations that make you feel warm and fuzzy about being a Christian, read Jan Karon's Mitford series. It's religion done right. And if you need to unload some guilt about blaming everyone else for your problems, go to an AA meeting.

But skip this book. Seriously. Do not encourage this author financially or otherwise. He might try to write again. If you want to support the cause he is supporting with the profits, just donate directly. A tree will thank you.

PS...I am neither a liberal, nor an atheist, so my review does not come from there. It's just a truly bad book.

My husband got this book for me for Christmas. I LOVED it and it will have a place on my keeper shelf. The story can be almost anyone's life and I think that is the beauty of the book. Great read!!

I can't wait to read it. I am anxiously awaiting my turn. If the left wingers don't like it, it must be FANTASTIC.
I think I will just go out and buy it so the money goes directly to Glenn! Yeah!!

It was a very quick read about a teenager's actions and the consequences of those actions. Sweet read at Christmas.

Absolutely wonderful! A must read for all generations!

In the wholly original spirit of THE CHRISTMAS BOX and THE CHRISTMAS JARS, here's another book in the classic subgenre of Christmas Noun books. Here's...ugh. Man.

Hey, here's an idea for you, why don't you read some real books? Maudlin, formulaic, seasonal Christmas-miracle tales shat out by far-right conservative talk show hosts: that's really the sort of stuff you want to read? That's the sort of "author" you want to support?

You can request this book from me, but it will not be sent to you with even a dusting of respect for you or your so-called "literary" tastes. Seriously, if this is the sort of crapped-out lameness you seek out to read, you might as well not even read books. Just watch TV and read PEOPLE Magazine. Books aren't for you. Learning's not your thing, evidently.

Just keep in mind, if you do request it, that Glenn Beck used to praise THE CHRISTMAS JARS, one of the shoddiest, most-thrown-together books I've ever encountered, as if THAT was some sort of literary miracle, an ideal worth trying to reach. Oh, and he regularly urges his listeners--the ranks of which no doubt include YOU, since you're looking to get a free used copy of his latest book--to vote against giving homosexual couples the same civil rights as everyone else, and to ignore the consensus of scientists who insist that global warming is real and they can have evidence to prove it. Among other things.

I got this book as a Christmas gift, and I'm eager to get rid of it, but it saddens me that someone out there will be happy to receive it, read it, and probably incorporate it into some incredibly lame family tradition involving special sweaters. Your poor kids.

To you who requests this from me, I would have only contempt for you, if I didn't also have some involuntary pity for you as well. Perhaps you can barely read, and you need especially simple books. Perhaps you just buy whatever the voices on the radio tell you to buy, and you just need something to read while kicking back on your Craftmatic adjustable bed, sucking on an Airborne herbal throat lozenge, and watching your dogs scarf down a huge bowl of Purina One in the corner of your bedroom.

Oh, someone's at the door! Hey, it's a Lobstergram! And what's this? Sean Hannity has even personally Hannitized your order!

Go ahead. Request this book. Make yourself even lamer than I suspect you already are. Or: don't. Get a nonfiction book that will actually teach you something. Or a classic work of literature that will deepen you. Or something from a cutting-edge new writer that will shape the way you view the world.

Do that, and there might be hope for you yet. Otherwise...

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