The Christmas Genie arrives via a meteorite coming through the window of the classroom. He’s willing to grant the class one wish, but it has to be made within about 2 hours. The teacher has each child put his/her wish in a bowl and one, by one, the wishes are drawn out and debated. The kids have wished for everything from a big screen TV to world peace and each chapter of the book is devoted to the pros and cons of each wish. The kids learn that nothing is simple; nothing is black and white; even the most altruistic wishes have their negative sides. In the end the genie grants them…a wish. Probably late 3rd, early 4th grade reading, but it’s going to take a mature child or one who has seen a lot of variations in life (city vs. suburb, for example) to understand this book. I didn’t like it at first, but then I really did like it. With the premise of each child in a classroom getting to vote on what they should do with a magic wish, Gutman creates the opportunity to have a witty conversation about the pros and cons of typical kid wishes. However, that is almost all the book consists of, and by the time you are at wish #13, you start wishing for some brevity in the debate. It would definitely spark some good classroom discussion as a readaloud.
What do You think about The Christmas Genie (2009)?
i enjoyed it very much!!! it was an awesome book!! i strongly encourage you to read it!!! thanks
—Kritkreet
wrong one its the one mrs knoth gave me that i read
—Romerom831
funny on every single page.i liked it ALOT!=)
—David
