"Christmas Sonata" by Gary Paulsen was an easily relatable book. I found it interesting because the main character was the narrator and the main character was a small boy. It was normal for young children to question many things, but after he saw his neighbor dressed in a Santa suit, he just lost his willingness to believe in him. It was interesting to see how a little boy perceived the different ideas that people talk about. For example, the book took place during World War II, so every time he heard that somebody died, he just thought that they went the Europe aren't going to come back. The little boy lived in an apartment with his mom. His dad was away in Europe fighting in the war. His mom worked long days to pay for the apartment and food. She sometimes relied on the neighbors to keep track of her son. They were all really nice and never had a problem watching him for a little while after school. There was an older man that was kind of grumpy toward the little boy. One day the boy came running down the hallway and the old man's apartment door was open. The man was leaning up against the kitchen counter, in a Santa suit, drinking a glass of wine. The boy looked at him and ran the other way. The boy told his mom when she came home that he saw Mr. Henderson, the old man, dressed up like Santa. A few days later his mom came home and said that they were invited to their relatives for Christmas. She said that it was and eight hour train ride to their town. At first they weren't going to go, but then they decided to. On the train ride there, he got in a little trouble but nothing major. Being that the ride was so long, they had to eat on the train. Money was tight so they both ordered, liver and onions, the cheapest thing on the menu. When they got off the train, the temperature had dropped to below zero. His aunt and uncle had been waiting for them. They got in the car and went back to their store that they lived in and ran. There they met his cousin, Matthew, who was battling a terminal illness. They said that it was going to be a very special Christmas. The next day they got up, ate, and the little boy went to explore the store. He found all sorts of interesting things. When Matthew woke, up he joined him to play and found that he was bed ridden. He could not walk anymore and had turned a yellowish color. It went on like that for a couple of days until Christmas. Both of the boys said that they didn't believe in Santa. The adults finally convinced them otherwise. On Christmas Eve, they underwent their family tradition and then they heard something. Sleigh bells from out side. They all rushed out there and met Santa.I found it quite interesting to read a book that the main character was telling the story and that it was told through the eyes of a little boy during World War II. I think that it would have changed a little if it was told through a girl or an adult because it would change the relationship that was between him and Matthew his older cousin. The representation of a World War II family also helped to understand what went on at home during the war. The little boy's dad was away fight in Europe and wasn't home for Christmas. At the time the boy didn't understand death yet because he was just starting to understand and comprehend what adults talked about. Multiple times in the book he states that death was when you go to Europe and don't come back. His mom was a hard working person that was just making enough money to get by in the sense that there wasn't a whole lot of extra money to go around. Through the book I could understand the hardships and difficult choices that had to be made on wether or not to visit relatives for the holidays. Matthew plays another key part in the book because he was the sick cousin that was going to die. That was why the boy couldn't figure out that he was still at home and wasn't in Europe. If the book didn't take place during World War II it think that it would change a lot of the meaning behind the book. The little boy would probably have a better understanding of what dying was because he would think it just meant not coming home from Europe. There was also the fact that his dad was in Europe fighting so it made times harder for his mom to make choices about money because they didn't have a lot. It also definitely added to the story, that it was in the northern part of the U.S.A. If it would have taken place in a southern state with a warmer climate I don't think that it would have meant the same when his uncle said that he had to leave the car running so that it doesn't freeze up. He also said that their was fuel rationing that was going on. Another example of the troubles that happen at home during a war. Everything becomes more scarce. The setting of the book really shows the atmosphere of a typical American family during the time period.I think that it is important to understand the hardships that go on in this time and the ideas that are shared among the blue collar Americans at the time. It is a great book that can be understood easily for a younger child to read and get a good idea of what it was like during war time. I feel that it is important for the younger generations to understand what their older relatives have been through. It can be a learning lesson for them, too.I feel that it would really benefit a young boy mostly because of the view the book is told through. I think that it would really be relatable for a child because it is told through a little boys eyes. Overall it was a great, easy read book that I would recommend to anybody over the age of six.
Plot: “Christmas Sonata" by Gary Paulsen was about a young boy and his mother who were celebrating Christmas with their family in Minnesota. His father at the time was off fighting a war in Europe. In the city where they lived the snow was always nasty, but up in the mountains it was clear and so pretty. John was walking in an apartment when he saw his neighbor Mr. Henderson walking around on Christmas pretending to be Santa, and he told him Santa wasn't real. On a train John got into trouble for running around after his mother fell asleep.Characterization: The main character's name is John in the story. Another character is John’s mom did not have a name. The author just called her Mother. Mr. Henderson was the old man drinking wine when John found him pretending to be Santa Clause. Setting: The story takes place in 1943 on a train from Michigan to Minnesota. John is always with his mom on the train. Until at night when she falls asleep he ran around the train. The workers on the train always have to bring him back to his mom and he would always get into trouble.Theme: The theme of the story is about John believing in Santa Clause. You should not believe what everyone tells you. Like when Mr. Henderson tells John that Santa is not real. Trust in what you believe in and don’t let people tell you different. Recommend: I wouldn’t recommend this book to many people, because it did not have my interest like his other books did. It did not have much action or adventure. I thought it was confusing and dumb. It is a good book to read when Christmas is going on, but when it’s 80 degrees outside it is not. Anyone from grade 3 and up is eligible to read this. I give it 2 out of 5 stars.
What do You think about Christmas Sonata (1999)?
"Something Worth Living For--even if you are Dying!"Set in Minnesota (well, we know how Paulsen loves cold climatse for his tales)during WW2, this short story is narrated in the first person by a young boy only called Punkin by his mother. His father is a soldier fighting in distant Europe--which is where the kid has somehow confused as the place you go if you are dying. Then his mother takes him on an all-day train trip to spend Christmas with her Canadian relatives. But something happened at home to make the boy stop believing inSanta Claus. When he visits his dying cousin, who has also been disillusioned on the same subject, they compare grim childhood notes. How can the caring adults restore their faith in Santa (and in Life itslef)? Will the lesson prove long-lasting? Or last long enough to get them through the end of the year? This is a great read-aloud story by the fire or read-in-one session for yourself. Recapture the basic, warm honesty of homesytle comfort around the holiday hearth--another name for the Heart.(Decembeer 23, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
—Gale
I thought that this book was a good story to read. With the point of the book, it gives you a message. Plot: In “A Christmas Sonata”, the main character is come to face reality. One day running through the halls of his apartment, he discovers that his angry old neighbor Mr. Henderson is dressed like Santa Claus. Throughout the rest of the story, his mother tries to get him to see the true meaning of Christmas. Setting: The setting takes place in northern minnesota during 1943. The significance of the setting is that it snows in Minnesota. In this book, it tells of how it is snowy and cold. The other reason is in the 1940’s, the main way of transporting was with train, and thats how they transported in the book.Characters: Main character is a young boy. The book doesn’t give his name, but he is a young eager boy who is excited about Christmas. Mr. Henderson is a grumpy old man who lives in the same apartment as the main character. Thematic connection: The thematic connection of this book is to always stay positive and know the true meaning of Christmas. I would recommend this book to any highschooler, due to the important message being told.
—John Jorgensen
First Paulsen book I've ever read. It was okay. I liked that the author seemed to know how to write to convey the age of his main character. I did enjoy how Uncle Ben helped the boys to believe in Santa Claus, especially when it was Matthew's last Christmas.
—Kellie
