The Old Peabody Pew: A Christmas Romance of a Country Church


Kate Douglas Wiggin - 1907
    Another heartwarming tale from the American educator and writer, famous for her children's works including Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. The story begins: Edgewood, like all the other villages along the banks of the Saco, is full of sunny slopes and leafy hollows. There are little, rounded, green-clad hillocks that might, like their scriptural sisters, skip with joy; and there are grand, rocky hills tufted with gaunt pine trees-these leading the eye to the splendid heights of a neighbor State, where snow-crowned peaks tower in the blue distance, sweeping the horizon in a long line of majesty. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

The Christmas Angel


Abbie Farwell Brown - 1910
    But her heart is moved when she sees the Christmas Angel kicked aside. Remembering all the years it graced her family mantel, she rushes to rescue it. Back inside, the Christmas Angel comes to life, and reveals the actual destiny for each toy, and for Miss Terry, that she could have never imagined. "The Christmas Angel, " part of the Focus on the Family Great Stories collection, includes an in-depth introduction and discussion questions by Joe Wheeler. It is a stirring reminder of what really matters at Christmas and throughout the year.

The Little City of Hope: A Christmas Story


F. Marion Crawford - 1907
    But he does have the companionship of his son, who supports him in his dreams of success as an inventor.As Christmas draws near, their spirits are low--until the two begin working together on a model of a city, built with simple scraps, that leads them to a new place of hope . . .This tale, first published in 1907, has become a cherished classic--and makes for a wonderful holiday read about life's truest gifts.

On Christmas Day in the Morning


Grace S. Richmond - 1908
    Adult siblings surprise their parents on Christmas morning.

The Cricket on the Hearth


Charles Dickens - 1845
    When things go well, the cricket on the hearth chirps; it is silent when there is sorrow. Tackleton, a jealous old man, poisons John's mind about Dot, but the cricket through its supernatural powers restores John's confidence and all ends happily.

A Little Book of Christmas


John Kendrick Bangs - 1912
    Also includes a few Christmas poems by the author.

The Metropolis


Upton Sinclair - 1908
    But as he continues his lawsuit, he begins to realize that the very people he's fighting with are the very people who rule New York. He must be wily and careful if he is to survive this pursuit of justice.

Flappers and Philosophers


F. Scott Fitzgerald - 1920
    He was the self-styled spokesman of the "Lost Generation" and author of The Great Gatsby (1925). His debut novel, This Side of Paradise (1920) examines the lives and morality of post-World War I youth. Flappers and Philosophers (1920) was his first collection of short stories. His second novel, The Beautiful and Damned (1922), demonstrates an evolution and maturity in his writing, and provides an excellent portrait of America during the Jazz Age, as does Tales of the Jazz Age (1922).

The Gift of the Magi


O. Henry - 1905
    She has nothing to sell except her only treasure--her long, beautiful brown hair. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, this classic piece of American literature tells the story of a young couple and the sacrifices each must make to buy the other a gift. Beautiful, delicate watercolors by award-winning illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger add new poignancy and charm to this simple tale about the rewards of unselfish love.

The Abbot's Ghost: A Christmas Story


A.M. Barnard - 1867
    Traherne is temporarily crippled saving the life of his well-born friend, Jaspar. Thus, Jaspar is assured of inheriting his father's estate, but it is expected that Traherne will inherit great wealth as gratitude for saving the heir. But--surprise!--on the death of Jaspar's father all are shocked to learn that Traherne has been disinherited: the will has been changed at the last minute and only the suffering Traherne knows why but won't tell and then he falls in love with Jaspar's sister, the fair Octavia. However, Octavia is forbidden to marry, as Traherne is penniless.

The Christmas Child


Hesba Stretton - 1909
    You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

The Children's Book of Christmas Stories


Asa Don Dickinson - 1913
    CHRISTMAS AT FEZZIWIG'S WAREHOUSECHARLES DICKENSII. THE FIR-TREE*HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSENIII. THE CHRISTMAS MASQUERADE*MARY E. WILKINS FREEMANIV. THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELSV. THE TELLTALE TILE*OLIVE THORNE MILLERVI. LITTLE GIRL'S CHRISTMASWINNIFRED E. LINCOLNVII. "A CHRISTMAS MATINEE"*MRS. M.A.L. LANEVIII. TOINETTE AND THE ELVES*SUSAN COOLIDGEIX. THE VOYAGE OF THE WEE RED CAPRUTH SAWYER DURANDX. A STORY OF THE CHRIST-CHILD*ELIZABETH HARKISONXI. JIMMY SCARECROW'S CHRISTMASMARY E. WILKINS FREEMANXII. WHY THE CHIMES RANG*RAYMOND MC ALDENXIII. THE BIRDS' CHRISTMASF. E. MANNXIV. THE LITTLE SISTER'S VACATION*WINIFRED M. KIRKLANDXV. LITTLE WOLFF'S WOODEN SHOESXVI. CHRISTMAS IN THE ALLEY*OLIVE THORNE MILLERXVII. A CHRISTMAS STAR*KATHERINE PYLEXVIII. THE QUEEREST CHRISTMAS*GRACE MARGARET GALLAHERXIX. OLD FATHER CHRISTMASJ.H. EWINGXX. A CHRISTMAS CAROLCHARLES DICKENSXXI. HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO THE SANTA MARIA FLATS*ELIA W. PEATTIEXXII. THE LEGEND OF BABOUSCKAXXIII. CHRISTMAS IN THE BARN*F. ARNSTEINXXIV. THE PHILANTHROPIST'S CHRISTMAS*JAMES WEBER LINNXXV. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS-TREEBY LUCY WHEELOCKXXVI. THE FIRST NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS*G. L. STONE AND M. G. FICKETTXXVII. THE CRATCHITS' CHRISTMAS DINNERCHARLES DICKENSXXVIII. CHRISTMAS IN SEVENTEEN SEVENTY-SIX*ANNE HOLLINGSWORTH WHARTONXXIX. CHRISTMAS UNDER THE SNOW*OLIVE, THORNE MILLERXXX. MR. BLUFF'S EXPERIENCES OF HOLIDAYS*OLIVER BELL BUNCEXXXI. MASTER SANDY'S SNAPDRAGON*ELDRIDGE S. BROOKSXXXII. A CHRISTMAS FAIRY*JOHN STRANGE WINTERXXXIII. THE GREATEST OF THESE*JOSEPH MILLS HANSONXXXIV. LITTLE GRETCHEN AND THE WOODEN SHOE*ELIZABETH HARRISONXXXV. CHRISTMAS ON BIG RATTLE*THEODORE GOODRIDGE ROBERTS

Eve's Diary


Mark Twain - 1905
    

The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale


Philip Van Doren Stern - 1943
    But few of those fans know that Capra’s film was based on a short story by author Philip Van Doren Stern, which came to Stern in a dream one night. Unable at first to find a publisher for his evocative tale about a man named George Pratt who ponders suicide until he receives an opportunity to see what the world would be like without him, Stern ultimately published the story in a small pamphlet and sent it out as his 1943 Christmas card. One of those 200 cards found its way into the hands of Frank Capra, who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, and the film that resulted became the holiday tradition we cherish today.Now fans of It’s a Wonderful Life, or anyone who loves the spirit of Christmas, can own the story that started it all in an elegant, illustrated edition that’s perfect for holiday giving. It includes an Afterword by Stern’s daughter, Marguerite Stern Robinson, that tells the story of how her father’s Christmas card became the movie beloved by generations of people around the world.

Christmas at Red Butte (Illustrated)


L.M. Montgomery - 1909
    A delightful tale of a Christmas sacrifice by renowned storyteller Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables.Beautifully Illustrated short story.