Back to Christmas

I enjoyed this fun Christmas book. Kept me interested all the way through. Fun characters and an interesting storyline. Would recommend.

Thank you to Dennis Canfield, NetGalley, and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

A lovely little Christmas story, perfect for reading with young children. Marmel is the head labelling elf, responsible for seeing that everyone is out on the correct list, the good list, or the bad list. He discovers that one whole family, the Krumwerth’s, have been put on the good list, in accordance with Santa’s new guidelines, but they have not been good at all, for the third year running ... which means they will be on the bad list permanently unless they can change in the next two days. Sadly, Marmel’s determination that the Krumwerth’s cannot change is making him lose his Christmas spirit, and unless he gets it back he will cease to be an elf, and will lose his magic powers. He has to persuade them to be nicer people! Will he succeed? They all have an eventful time.

I think all children under nine, and the young at heart from then onwards will love this story, it is one to bring out every year, no one will get tired of it!

Lovely children’s book to read. My two children were enthralled by it. So it definitely appealed to the targeted age group. It was a nice easy to read book that flowed well and was very well written . Great to read over the festive period

What a delightful story! I couldn't put it down! It first looked to be a children's story, so I planned to save it till my grandchildren were here... but then I just kept reading. It's a story for ALL ages! Did you ever wonder, as a child, if you were on Santa's naughty or nice list? Well, the elf in this Christmas tale is in charge of those lists. But which list does HE belong on? I would so love to see this as a Hallmark movie!

a story about an elf who could lose his christmas spirit and a family who is on the naughty list. And how they try to make everything better. Easy to read, entertaining

Back to Christmas is a quick, fun read that should appeal to readers age 10 and older. It reminds me of a modern day Scrooge type tale. It would make a great read aloud!

This book was sweet and brought new personalities to the Santa Claus canon -- RC and the penguins! The Krumwerths were the stereotypical self-centered folks in the beginning, and Marmel was quite an atypical elf. The tasks were enjoyable and I liked RC's theory. I gave the book just three stars because the storyline was predictable, but I would like to explore more within this world. What else can Marmel and RC do together? What happens when the tasks don't work? Can the Permanently Naughty be remediated? What happens when a child from a Permanently Naughty family reaches maturity and has a chance to return to the Nice list -- does nature or nuture prevail? I'm keeping my eyes open for more from this author. I think there is a Christmas-loving audience for this storyline beyond just the upper elementary and middle school grades.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions above are my own.

I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Amanda is visited by Marmel the elf, she’s more than a little concerned that her family is slated to end up on the Permanent Naughty List. It’s up to her to help her family turn it around and work together to remember what it feels like to be nice before it’s too late.

I really enjoyed this one. I think it would make a great Christmas movie, and is a nice reminder to families and young readers that Christmas needs to be about more than gifts and parties. I think this is a perfect one for mid to upper elementary students.

This family has been on Santa's naughty list for two years in a row. If it happens a third time, they stay there permanently. The head elf puts them on the naughty list again, but Santa asks him to tell them the three requirements to get off the list and asks him to help them. He warns the girl but forgets the steps.

Well-Spoken Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published and you can grab a copy now.

Santa sends the elf to the South Pole to work with his brother, Reverse Santa, to make the family get along better.

Can you imagine going along in an old pickup towed by penguins? That's Reverse Sannta's mode of transportation. The first thing he does is kill their phones, their TV, radios and any other electric equipment that lets them ignore their family. They actually put up the Christmas tree because there's nothing else to do. It takes a few more steps to get the family back on track but Reverse Santa and the elf are up to it.

This is a humorous read that is silly but fun to read. You could read it aloud to your family this Christmas season.

This was a good book about Christmas that I think would be a fun family read on snowy winter nights! An elf is in charge of the naughty and nice list. He finds a family that is on the verge of becoming permanently naughty. They must put aside all distractions and focus on family to make a change. The characters in this book are fun and entertaining, and I like the spin on Santa and Christmas.

Simply delightful! I loved the story and the message within it. The Krumworth family was in danger of being permanently on Santa’s naughty list. They have been on the naughty list for two years, and the third time will remain on the list permanently. They argue, are distracted by their electronic devices and care for no one except themselves. However, there is a small chance they can be saved if they complete three tasks. The story has elves, flying penguins, magic, and a great message. All ages will enjoy thus.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love getting away from my normal genres and this book did the trick. The book focuses on a family that has been on Santa's naughty list but what family hasn't been there at one time or another. The book reminded me a little of the Krumps but this book's ending was so heartwarming that you can't help but smiling when you read the last line. I would definitely buy the book for family and friends and make a tradition of reading over winter break.

A fun and delightful Christmas tale about a Christmas elf losing his spirit and what happens when you are put on Santa's naughty list too many times. Ages 10 to 110.

This is a wonderful Christmas story for middle grades (and older). It’s about losing and finding your Christmas spirit. I highly recommend this book.

A very forgiving Santa has shaken things up at the North Pole, virtually eradicating his "Naughty" list by believing that - regardless of their mistakes and weaknesses - people are generally good at heart. This couldn't be worse news for Marmel, Santa's Head Labeling Elf, who doesn't want to lose his job - so is overjoyed when he discovers the Krumwerth family. The Krumwerths, who used to be very loving and do things together as a family unit, have since somehow lost their way, and now rarely communicate with each other, choosing to spend their time glued to phone or game or television screens. Only problem: this will be the Krumwerths third year in a row on the Naughty list - and once you've hit that third time, you're Naughty for good and lose a lot more than presents. It's Marmel's job to warn the family that they have very little time to perform the tasks to get them off the list before sundown on Christmas Day, and he chooses to share this info with 12-year-old Amanda Krumwerth, who - even once she believes him - has no idea how to get her family back. Worse, when Marmel learns his own fate might be tied in with the Krumwerths' dire straits, he has no choice but to try and help correct his own huge mistake ... but can he, even with the help of Santa's younger brother, Reverse Claus, and a group of disheveled flying penguins, find the spirit of Christmas either in himself or a jaded, technology-addicted family? This book is fantastic; lively and funny and with enough heart to induce a tear or two in the end. Sentimental but not sticky, easily enjoyable by kids from eight to eighty-eight, and deserving of its own place alongside your favorite Christmas stories on the bookshelf. 5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Such an interesting plot . This book made me get into the Christmas spirit. The characters were fun and very likeable.

Back To Christmas is a fun story about an elf who loses his Christmas spirit. This is a delightful story that will fill your soul with Christmas spirit.

A cautionary tale...
RC is Santa’s little brother and has a crazy theory that sometimes it’s better to take things away from people than to give them things. This made him the laughing stock of the North Pole and led to a big argument with Santa. Now RC wears green and lives at the South Pole. He contends his theory still has merit. Can an elf and a human sister help prove it?

An elf named Marmel is the head of the labeling department at the North Pole. His job to make sure that all humans get sorted onto either the “Naughty” or “Nice” list. But this Christmas, it seems that this no one has been listed on the naughty list. This has never happened before during Marmel’s 107 years in the labeling department. It’s due to North Pole Santa’s new rule.

This makes Marmel suspicious, so he decides to dig into the records, and the Krumwerth family catches his eye. He deems them to be “certifiably hopeless” and definitely, undoubtedly Naughty!

Well the fact is, they’ve been on the Naughty List for two years running, so he must officially inform them that a third time will put them on the Permanent Naughty List. Muriel makes his appearance to Amanda Krumwerth to deliver the warning. Shocked to be talking to an elf, she nevertheless takes Mermel’s warning to heart. She begins the struggle to get her family members back into the Christmas spirit.

As you read, I think you’ll notice some parallels with Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Author, Canfield puts these age-old themes into a thoroughly modern setting. For example none of the family.’s devices are functioning any everyone is totatally dependent on being online. Now they are hard up to find something to do.

I found the book to be a bit wordy and preachy, but think there is a large audience who will find the book redeeming with a happy ending. Maybe even take to heart to put down the devices and focus on others.

I enjoyed this book with my grandson and it was such a fun read. It helped get us in the holiday spirit and to remember to slow down and enjoy the season.
Many thanks to Well-Spoken Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a story about a horrible family who is going to be put on Santa's permanent naughty list by an elf who is running out of his christmas spirit. There are a few parts in the story that didn't flow well but the story itself is very enjoyable.

Loved this book! It was well written, of course--who would have expected anything less from Dennis Canfield? The story was entertaining and fun, and had a positive lesson layered in with subtlety and precision.

Fast-paced and unputdownable, I finished it in one sitting. I was thinking of reading a few chapters before cooking dinner, but then I got hooked. It’s just unputdownable.

I love the writing style and I love the chapter titles.

“Back to Christmas” stresses the importance of spending quality time with family and how technology, despite its convenience, distracts us from forming meaningful connections with the people around us which I think is a pretty big issue that almost everyone can relate to.

Can’t stop myself from laughing at this: “Amanda, do you remember when we made this one? You were four years old. You thought the glitter was so pretty you dumped the whole jar in your hair.”

I like this line from the book:
“Sometimes, crazy is exactly what we need.” -Santa

The Krumwerth family is in deep trouble but they don’t even know it. Why you ask? Because they are on Santa’s naughty list for what will be the third year in a row. And everyone knows that that means they got on each other’s last nerve with bad behavior for the last time. After three years on the naughty list in a row, you are destined to be on it for all eternity. No more Christmas spirit and no way to get back on the nice list.

The head sorting elf, Marmel, gives Santa the bad news. But Santa is a compassionate man, he wants Marmel to give the Krumwerth’s one last chance for redemption, even though Marmel thinks it is futile.

The family is comprised of twelve-year-old Amanda, her younger brother Patrick and her always busy parents. All four of them are plugged in to electronics and tuned out of each other’s lives. Marmel appears to Amanda foretelling their future of hating Christmas due to landing on the forever naughty list. She is afraid, but what can a kid do to save Christmas? With the help of Santa’s younger brother RC, Marmel just might be able to help the Krumwerth Family and save himself while doing so.

Written as a children’s book, Back to Christmas brings the spirit of Christmas to all ages. Canfield reminds readers that the true gift of Christmas is the love, hope and charity surrounding the season, not the newest electronics or gift cards from the mall.

The characters are true to life and fun. Especially the elves and Santa’s younger brother. I would love to have some of his magic green cinnamon to help me wrangle penguins and get where I am going faster.

This adorable Christmas tale should be on everyone’s bookshelf or wish list. It will undoubtedly become a Christmas classic. Be sure to read the book before the movie (which will be fabulous) is optioned for the big screen.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2019 Laura Hartman

This is a fun Christmas story! A little girl meets Santa's head Labeling Elf. Can she get her family off the naughty list before its too late? An excellent story that I plan to read every Christmas.

A heartwarming middle grade Christmas book reminding readers of the importance of family and finding ways to have fun together and enjoy each other. As a bonus readers get to meet Santa's brother who lives at the South Pole which for me added an unexpected and very enjoyable twist to the usual Santa-and-his-elves-in-the-workshop-plus-trying-to-save-Christmas scenario.

I received this book from NetGalley and Well-Spoken Books in exchange as an honest review.

A sweet story of Christmas, I enjoyed this book and I even asked my 4th grade son to read it and asked his opinion about this book. What did he learned and take notes for it is almost the same like me.
- Do nice things, - Do nice things together, - Do nice things to someone else.

So not just human who lost their Christmas spirit but also the elfes, and how they want to regained it is take a look back at the picture “what is Christmas meaning to all of us”. Everybody needs this feelings again, specially during Christmas or other holiday occassion.

All children needs this kind of reading, it is important to touch their heart since early age about “doing nice things” to everyone.

Thank you for the wonderful story about Christmas

I was offered an advanced copy of this book by the publisher through Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review. This sweet children's book by Dennis Canfield, Back to Christmas, follows Marmel, one of Santa’s elves who has gotten his priorities mixed up severely. He is in charge of the Labeling Department where humans are labelled as “nice” or “naughty”. Upset that there are no naughty reports, Marmel declares that Christmas is all about separating the naughty from the nice. He seems to have it in for the Krumwerth family, who do seem to have their priorities mixed up, as well.

On the day before Christmas Eve, Marmel confronts the daughter of the Krumwerth family about their “sins”, and how they could all go onto the Permanently Naughty List. He definitely puts the fear into her as she realizes that is what has happened to her aunt and uncle who are miserable at Christmas, and make everyone else miserable, too. Marmel has lost his Christmas spirit, but with the help of an older elf, and an aging rock star, he is forced to confront his own mean-spirited ways.

Back to Christmas reminds all of us that we are not to judge others. It also makes the case for cleaning up our own attitudes and habits before even thinking about those of other people. If you are looking for a quick, easy read, this is it. I make a practice of putting a link to each author's website in my reviews, but after searching Google, GoodReads, Amazon, and even Facebook, I could not find a web address for this author.

What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?
Very little: singular vs. plural disagreement within a sentence.

A Christmas novella about an elf who seems to have lost his Christmas spirit and is about to put an entire family on the Permanent Naughty List. This would make a great Christmas movie!