A Christmas Sonata

by Gary Paulsen Narrated by Johnny Heller

Overview

When a small boy spends Christmas in the snowy Minnesota countryside, he becomes the official scout for his young bedridden cousin, Matthew, who is running out of secrets to explore. Matthew already knows there is no Santa Claus, and he knows his life is ending. As Christmas Eve approaches, the boy worries that he will be unable to find something magical for Matthew. But when that hopeful night arrives, the two are joined in a miraculous surprise that changes their lives forever. The poignant story of A Christmas Sonata will touch listeners' hearts with the timeless mystery of the holiday season and a gentle reminder that wonderful things often come when least expected. Newbery Award-winning author Gary Paulsen continues to captivate young listeners and their parents with favorites like Mr. Tucket and Nightjohn. In language that is always lyrical and moving, his perceptive tales offer new ways to look at the sometimes difficult choices of childhood.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170935604
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	11/15/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

"Don't worry about it—there is a Santa Claus if you want there to be a Santa Claus."

"There is?"

She nodded.  "That's how it works.  If you think hard about it and want it enough there will be a Santa."

I went back into Matthew's room and sat by his bed.  For a minute I thought he had gone to sleep and I looked at my coloring book and the picture of the pig and then Matthew moved.

"You're back."

"Mother says it's up to us if there's a Santa Claus or not."

"What do you mean?"

"She says if we want him, if we want him hard enough, there will be a Santa; and if we don't want him there won't be one."

He didn't say anything for a long time, and I thought he was thinking of something smart to say and that maybe he was going to swear.  I thought if he swore about Mother I would leave the room again and not come back, and I didn't care if he was sick and dying or not, but he didn't.

He didn't say anything about Mother, and he didn't swear.

He looked at me, right into my eyes, and he said, "I want him to be."

And I said, "I want him to be too."

And he said, "No.  I mean I want him to be, more than anything else in the whole world, more than all the things I've ever wanted, more than I want to live, I want him to be."

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