Christmas is fast approaching, but George’s dad has cancelled Christmas for the last three years since his mum died in a traffic accident. When Nana Flo and George secretly go to the Christmas Fair in Hyde Park, he discovers Marley’s Christmas Curiosities, a quirky shop in a little cabin – “Strictly No Grown Ups Allowed” – and he buys a little snow globe from the eccentric Mr Marley. He also bumps into his cousins, sparking memories of happier Christmases spent together. His dad is waiting when they arrive home, and quickly puts an end to any hope of celebrating.
However, strange things start to happen when George shakes his snow globe and makes a wish, and he and his dad find themselves experiencing some very strange events, involving their ancestors, an elf and a purple reindeer…
This is a delightful reworking of the story of a Christmas Carol, full of magic and humour, whilst at the same time presenting a sensitive study of grief and the different ways the family deals with loss.
This will be a lovely book to read aloud with your own children, or to a Key Stage 2 class. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wow. I could not put this book down!

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street is a wonderful story filled with magic and the wonders of Christmas.

I enjoyed the usage of names made famous by Dickens' 1843 classic A Christmas Carol. We come across such places as Crachit close etcetera on our journey with George and his Scrooge of a father, Hugo thanks to a miracle made possible by unusual shop keeper, Marley.

Doyle's gentle way of handling the way Hugo handles the loss of his wife on Christmas Eve is a reminder that we are all human and react in different ways. Hugo cancels Christmas completely believing that it will help protect his son from further pain because that's how he himself can cope as an adult. Whereas George desperately needs colour and the seasonal magic Christmas brings with it to remember his Mum. I found myself as an adult understanding both sides and it is very well written so that a child too can understand the realities of life aren't always what we expect or hope them to be.

The time spent seeing Christmas pasts on the back of a purple reindeer with an elf as the leader were the only place I found myself wanting more. I was hoping for a bit more of the way Scrooge is forced to remember the joys of holidays past in Hugo's journey to seeing the world through George's eyes.

You cannot help but laugh at the chaos brought about by Randolph and Trixie as they show George and Hugo what life could be and I for one would love to meet a magical reindeer or two - wouldn't you?

This is a must for anyone who loves magic, who loves Christmas and is eager to snuggle down with a hot chocolate and a good adventure.

Add it to your list for Santa now.

A modern and magical Christmas story that's destined to capture the hearts of young & old alike! I can't wait to read this to my little ones this December.

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street is a little bit of Christmas magic from Catherine Doyle. It’s an enchanting and beautifully written tale which won’t fail to fill you with Christmas spirit (even if you do read it in October)!

George has lost his mother and, with her passing, his world has lost its colour. His dad has thrown himself into work and Christmas is banned in their home. When George stumbles upon Marley’s Curiosity Shop, himself and his dad embark on a trilogy of Christmas adventures to their past, present and future. Will it be enough to bring some colour into their lives or will George’s dad remain a Scrooge forever?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this festive tale. Catherine Doyle has created the most brilliantly eclectic bunch of characters, who leap off the page and fill the story with charm and wit. While obviously drawing on A Christmas Carol, the book feels fresh and utterly unique. It is a perfect Christmas read and I will definitely be adding it to my class bookshelf during the festive season. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Fans of Catherine Doyle will be blown away by her latest book The Miracle on Ebenezer Street, a modern reworking of A Christmas Carol. From magical adventures to hope and belief, this Christmas masterpiece has it all. A definite page turner that will mostly leave you laughing out loud at the madcap antics of Tricksie the Elf on the Shelf and her sidekick Randoph, a vibrant purple reindeer but will also give the occasional bittersweet moment as George and his Dad struggle to reconnect with the spirit of Christmas again.
Miracle on Ebenezer Street is beautifuly written and made my heart sing with happiness. Children and Christmas lovers everywhere will adore this book. From confident readers to those lucky enough still to have a bedtime story, I couldn't recommend this book more.

This was such a wonderful story about hope and family and I was mesmerized by it!
I've been a long-time fan of Catherine Doyle and thus was more than excited to read her newest release.
The Miracle on Ebenezer Street took a classic story and gave it a wonderful twist full of magic and wondering and the power that love has - both in good and bad ways.
I loved George's story and his fight to get his father to fall back in love with Christmas. The adventures he goes on with his gran and father and a purple!! reindeer was fantastic and so tension-filled.
I might have even shed a tear or two at the end when everything looked bleak and gray and like it wasn't going to end well (when of course, in the end, it did).
A beautiful tale that will get you right in the Christmas mood!

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street is the perfect antidote to the current climate. If you are looking for an uplifting traditional Christmas story this is the perfect book. Catherine Doyle has perfectly captured the magical feeling of being a child at Christmas.
It has been three years since George’s mum died around Christmas and during that time his dad, Hugo, has banned all mention of the festive period and life has been dreary and grey.
Then one day George stumbles across Marley’s curiosity shop jammed full of festive eccentricities. Among all the magical things George finds a snow globe depicting a Christmas in which he and his family were together and happy.
A sign outside the door says “Strictly No Grown-Ups Allowed
Enter At Your Own Whimsy”
That night George and Hugo experience Christmas past, present and future. Can George get his dad to live life in full colour again?
“You’ve been a ghost for three years. You wear my dad’s face but you don’t act like him. You don’t smile or laugh any more. And you never talk about Mum.”
The Miracle on Ebenezer Street is crammed full of Dicken’s references and I have to say this is the best retelling of A Christmas Carol I have read. In her author’s note Catherine Doyle mentions how much she loves Scrooged and A Muppets Christmas Carol, and this book will now be as much a part of my Christmas routine as they are.
The illustrations throughout are perfect and in keeping with the rest of the book, it is perfect inside and out.
Nana Flo is a wonderful, warm character and is the essence of the ideal grandparent. She is as much a part of the story as George and Hugo and she lends a whole lot of magic to the story.
I loved the relationship between George and Hugo. Hugo is clearly engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his son from further heartbreak. In doing so he has made him miserable, but he is so engaged in his own misery that he can’t see it. Hugo is not a villain; he is a man in the depths of grief.
Christmas this year may well be different from previous years but with this book you will still feel its magic.

A middle grade retelling of A Christmas Carol that is perfect for the season - fun and magical in the best way. Cat writes the best characters, full of wit and personality and dimension.

The miracle on Ebenezer street by Catherine Doyle
Release date 1/10/2020
Stars: ****
Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinbooks for the earc

Synopsis

George is about to spend his third Christmas without his mum. Since she died, George's life has felt dull and grey; his dad has thrown himself into his work and has no time for family, and definitely no time for Christmas.
Then, George stumbles across Marley's Curiosity Shop. There he finds a mysterious snow globe, which - though George can't quite understand how - appears to show a scene from George's past. A Christmas in which he and his family were together, and happy...
That night, George and his dad are swept on an adventure to three Christmases - past, present, and future. With help from new friends, and just a touch of magic, can they begin living life in full colour again?

Review:

This book had such a magical book with a retelling of Christmas carol it teaches about people trying to come to terms with the fact that they do not have a family member and how do you cope with not having you then how you can find happiness at Christmas I know how that is felt. I also loved the whimsy with the reindeer and the elf was a scream and the idea of changing and the disbelief the adult {George’s dad} is. I loved how it was whismy and how it was turned on it head you could see parts of Christmas carol without it being away to find out new things. It had such a Christmasy vibe and it was something that the atmosphere was great. Fantastic journey of trying to find happiness in the face of upset especially for adult through a children’s eyes and how they deal with grief and the child not fully understanding.

Catherine Doyle has retold Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol in an wonderful way setting it in the modern world. George lives with his dad and his gran.

When George's mum died on Christmas Eve 3 years before something broke in George's dad - he will not celebrate Christmas and will not let George celebrate it either. George would love to bring Christmas back and with the help of Marley and his miracles George and his dad are taken on a magical journey to rediscover the meaning of Christmas.

Catherine weaves the story really well and takes the reader on the magical journey to help restore Christmas to George and his family. I like that Catherine has included humour in the book throughout and it shows what George's dad is missing out on.

This is the book that everyone should find in their stocking this Christmas! Catherine Doyle’s reworking of A Christmas Carol sparkles with Yuletide magic and is served with a dusting of her trademark lyricism and charm.

This story overflows with magical and mysterious characters as it recounts the tale of George Bishop, a ten year old whose world was drained of colour three years previously when his mother died in a car accident on Christmas Eve. Since then, his father Hugo has immersed himself in his work running the family property empire and has banned all references to Christmas. As they approach their third monochrome Christmas without beautiful, kind, artistic Greta, the prospects look grim. Or so it would appear, until George’s grandmother takes him on a clandestine trip to the Winter Wonderland and leaves him to explore Marley’s Christmas Curiosities at the end of a row of wooden huts. In this enchanted space, with its myriad attractions, George is drawn to the shelf labelled “last minute miracles” and discovers a snow globe which inexplicably contains a heart-breakingly familiar snowman.

As anyone familiar with A Christmas Carol would expect, visits to Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future follow, as the snow globe grants George his three miracles. Without wishing to give away any plot spoilers I will just note that these wondrous journeys in the company of fellow travellers such as oil portraits and purple reindeers will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Moments of great hilarity such as Elf-on-the-shelf Tricksie halting mid-miracle to perform an audit segues seamlessly into Aunt Alice whispering to her late sister in a moment that will cause eyes to leak.

The characters are all beautifully realised, from six year-old cousin Clementine with her joyful ability to see magic around her, to Hugo whose grief has caused him to shut all colour from his and his son’s lives, to George whose longing for family and home drive the narrative. My favourite of all was Nana Flo, the perfect grandmother; warm and wise with an Irish twinkle in her eye, she wears “mystery like a cloak” and is always “happy to conspire at short notice”.

In summary, I absolutely love The Miracle on Ebeneezer Street and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, independent readers from 9+, and parents, carers, grandparents, teachers and librarians to read aloud to younger children. Teenagers studying A Christmas Carol for GCSE are also likely to enjoy this thoroughly modern reworking of the story and can amuse themselves finding the clever references sprinkled throughout. Catherine Doyle has written a remarkable story which celebrates the colour, beauty, hope and love of Christmas.

I read somewhere that this book had been commissioned to mark the publisher Puffin’s 80th anniversary and Charles Dickens’ 150th anniversary and feel that it’s timing this year is perfect. With many families facing this Christmas grieving for a loved one, this tender, poignant story might just help children to feel that they are not alone in processing the memories of Christmas past whilst trying to rekindle their festive spirit.

“Let your heart be your compass, it will show you the way”.

I am most grateful to #NetGalley and Penguin Children’s Books for allowing me access to an electronic copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I have already placed a pre-order for the hardback version of this book which will be published on 1st October 2020.

It’s a bit early in the year for me to read a Christmas book, but this one swept me up completely.

It’s a wonderful twist on The Christmas Carol featuring a grandmother, son, and father who has cancelled Christmas since his wife (and mother of the son) died on Christmas Eve.

With the help of a lot of magic, can going George bring Christmas cheer back to his father?

Absolutely loved this, wonderful, and a must for any young child this Christmas.

My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Children’s UK for the advance copy

You should all know by now that I adore Christmas, and I literally get myself in a tizz in December. You probably remember that one of my favourite books is A Christmas Carol. So when I spotted this book The Miracle on Ebenezer Street I knew I needed to get my hands on it and quick. The Christmas Elves must have heard me because no sooner than I'd wished for it, the book appeared before me like magic. A little like this book, it truly is a piece of magic.

It's December, a couple of days before Christmas and George is about to spend his third Christmas without his mum. Since his Mum died George's life has become a little sad and grey; Hugo, George's dad has thrown himself into his work and has no time for his Son and absolutely no time for Christmas. In fact its banned in their house and he's even stopped George from seeing his Cousins and his Mums Sister his Aunt. All because three years ago he Mum died on Christmas Eve.

One day George and his Nan are out in the town marvelling at the Christmas Festivities and he comes across Marley's Curiosity Shop. On the door it reads, 'Strictly No Grown - ups Allowed, Enter At Your Own Whimsy'
George goes in and meets an old man named Marley who's reading a paper dated 1843. Marley invites George to select a gift and he chooses a snow globe, which - though George can't quite understand how - appears to show a scene from George's past. A Christmas several years ago where all his family are together and merry.

Once he takes the snow globe home his adventures start. George is ensconced in a magical world where his ancestors from an oil painting come alive and an Elf on the shelf called Trixie takes charge and a purple reindeer who's no longer friends with Rudolph transports them on adventures.

This story is fun, sweet, exciting and has everything a good christmas book needs. Lots of nods to the book that Dickens wrote but in a humorous way.

Highly recommended for children ages 8 -12 ish I would say, and all adults that still believe! For those who loved Tom Fletchers The Christmasaurus like me, this is the book for you. If Christmas is still in your heart and you read a chapter a night leading up to christmas eve who knows what miracles might happen to you.

5 Scroogey Stars for this joyful book.

Thanks to Netgalley, Catherine Doyle and Puffin Books for this advanced copy. Publishes 01 October 2020

I thought this book was really cute! There were so many characters that you just had to love, like Tricksie, the Elf on the Shelf, and Randolph, Rudolph's (better, and purple!) brother. The story was heartwarming, even heartbreaking at times.

I wished there was a bit more of a 'teaching moment' in this. Even though they did visit different Christmases, we never really got a deep look into the memories and what happened, so it didn't entirely feel like there was a huge learning curve for Hugo Bishop.

Still, lots of Dickensian references for the adults to take note of, and lots of funny moments for kids of around 7+ to enjoy!

Thank you to Netgalley, Catherine Doyle and Puffin Books for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Even though this is a children’s story, It was still thoroughly enjoyable.

I was completely immersed in the Christmas spirit.

A lovely story retelling a Christmas Carol.

Since George’s mother died on Christmas Eve, his dad has banished Christmas in the house and in general. This was a time they once all enjoyed.

It’s a really feel good, heartwarming story which will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit.

So, will Christmas once again come alive again at 7 Ebenezer Street, read this lovely book to find out is to read it for yourself.

A magical snow globe, a purple reindeer, a grow-your-own Christmas pudding – The Miracle on Ebenezer Street is bursting with festive treats! This modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol will take the reader on an emotion-fuelled adventure. Hilarious, laugh-out-loud antics join heart-felt moments of dealing with loss and grief.
It’s George’s third Christmas without his mum. Since her death, his dad has banned all mention of Christmas in their house. Keeping busy with work, George’s dad is rarely home, leaving George with his wonderfully lovely (and slightly mischievous) Nana Flo. Sneaking off to a Christmas fair, George and Nana Flo make the most of the sights, sounds, smells and tastes before they have to return home to their sad, colourless life. As they are about to leave, George comes across Marley’s Christmas Curiosities – the most amazing Christmas shop ever! Full of every Christmas item you could ever imagine and more, this shop is a Christmas lover’s dream! When George discovers a mysterious snow globe containing a scene from his past, he realises his life may never be the same again. Will George’s wishes come true? Will the colour return to their lives? Will George and his dad ever be happy again?
It’s going to take some pretty powerful miracles and plenty of hints of Dickens to change three years of heartache. Watch out for Marley, Scrooge, Cratchit, Tiny Tim and even the year of publication in this magical tale.
The Miracle on Ebenezer Street is a powerful story of family, love and dealing with loss. It is so clear that everyone needs support in grief and that those who love us are always there – we can always reach out for help. It is wonderful to find such a fun festive story with so much substance. The Miracle on Ebenezer Street will definitely find a home in my children’s special box of Christmas books.
Thank you to NetGalley & Puffin Books for this magical, meaningful story!

Although this is a children’s story, I thoroughly enjoyed, I became completely immersed in the Christmas spirit.
It’s a lovely retelling of a Christmas Carol.
George’s mother dies on Christmas Eve and since then his dad has banished Christmas in the house and in general, a time they once all enjoyed.
A feel good, heartwarming story which will get you in the Christmas spirit.
Will Christmas come alive again at 7 Ebenezer Street, the only way to find out is to read it for yourself.
Thank you Netgalley for this arc in return for my honest opinion.

Christmas books are my all time favourite things to read. Over the past few years, many authors have taken on the challenge of twisting, re-writing and re-imagining the classic stories. From stories on the origin of Father Christmas, the elves and even Mrs Claus. Films have tried to adapt to the ever changing world of the Christmas story too, and none so much as Scrooge.
Catherine Doyle has expertly chosen the magical elements of the classic Scrooge story and interwoven them into a modern day version.
Magic, love and family become characters themselves in this heartwarming and festive treat for the soul. Miracles and Marley also play important roles, more than in the original.
George lives with Dad Hugo and Nana Flo, ever since his Mum died three years ago on Christmas Eve. Christmas is banned in the Bishop household and Dad works all hours to forget life before the accident, Nana Flo is a bit of a rebel and sneaks treats and decorations in where she can, but George knows it will take a miracle to change his Dad.
Visiting Winter Wonderland in secret, George stumbles into Marley’s Christmas Curiosities, where only children are allowed in to browse and pop crackers, choose magical items and live in the world of Christmas. George is astonished to find a snow globe containing a snowman built by his family on the night his mum died. Reliving those happy moments ignites a Christmas fire in George and he becomes determined to find happiness and the return of Christmas in his home on Ebenezer Street.
Shaking the Snow globe causes magic and mayhem in the Bishop home and his Dad is struggling to find the words to describe what is happening. Miracles are like cake layers....Marley tells George when they meet again...some cakes need more layers, just as some people need more miracles.
Determined to prove just how much love he needs and how much the world needs Christmas, George tries again and again to work magic on his Dad. How many shakes of the Snow globe will it take? Can they ever find happiness again?

This story is full of Christmas cheer, warmth and love. It will make you laugh and cry and believe in the power of magic!
From enchanted elves to Rudolph’s brother, shrinking devices and a grow your own Christmas cake, there is so much heart and fun this book!

Set to become a classic in my opinion!

I know this book is aimed more at the younger generation, but if like myself you're a fan of David Walliams & Tom Fletchers books, you'll love this!

Young George lost his Mother at Christmas & from then on his father decided that Christmas was cancelled. George visits Marleys curiosity shop & find a snow globe that takes them on a journey through past, present & future...Yes this is a fabulous take on the classic Dickens' story, A Christmas Carol & a highly enjoyable, fun version 🎅🏻

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.