Humbug Holiday

For two sixth graders who feel about school the way Scrooge feels about Christmas, a magical trip into Dickenss tale is just what their spirits need. Its Christmastime at Palmdale Middle School, and the sixth grade class has organized a holiday banquet for local families in need. Best friends Devin and Frankieshort for Francineare excited to eat, but they forgot to bring in food donations. They also didnt read A Christmas Carol for Mr. Wexlers English class. While the two fight over the schools last copy, the librarys magic security gates suddenly transport them straight into Charles Dickenss timeless tale, where they come face to face with grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge, whos about to get a wake-up call from some ghosts on Christmas Eve. As the ghosts show the stingy Scrooge the consequences of all the selfish choices hes made in life, Devin and Frankie come to realize that they too have a few things to learn about kindness and generosity. Reluctant readers Devin and Frankie are wisecracking underachievers and their characterizations and dialogue ring true in Tony Abbotts Cracked Classics series (School Library Journal).