Back to the books! Today’s pick is a collection of very short stories for older elementary school kids to adults:
Angels and Other Strangers: Family Christmas Stories by Katherine Paterson
These stories all center around Christmas, and they all seem like they’re going to cross the line and get maudlin . . . but they don’t. This is one of Paterson’s earlier works, and she’s clearly still gathering her powers; but even when she’s not so subtle, she’s great. These are all stories about love and about finding Christ in, as Mother Teresa would say, His more “distressing disguises.” Paterson is a true American treasure — and, happily, she is very prolific – and I’ve found only a few books of hers that I don’t like.
This book appears to be out of print, so you’ll probably want to buy one of the used copies to avoid the crazy prices (please note, the cover I show is just one possible edition! I’ve been careless before, and ended up ordering something I wasn’t expecting on Amazon) — but you won’t regret adding this one to your library. Paterson is a great teacher of love in action, something kids (and everyone) desperately need to learn about.
