I picked this up at the Pulaski Barracks (GERMANY) Thrift Shop that is operated by the Landstuhl-Kaiserslautern Spouses' Association. On the first Saturday of each month they hold a half price sale and I got some great deals on some books that I hope to READ and RELEASE!

This book has been mailed to Oklahoma!

I have not yet gotten the chance to read this book and yet it is one that I definitely want to read someday. I am moving back to the states and will live with my parents in Oklahoma for several months before moving on to the Washington D.C. area. In that time, I am sure that I will want to read some books and so I used media mail to get books from here to there rather economically. It might take this book a while to get there but when it does get there I will journal it again and hope that I get the chance to read it soon.

(This book is in Box #2)

From the back cover:

The star that led the three wise men could be the same star wished upon this Christmastime by three young women.

In the opening story, "Christmas Child," fifteen-year-old Melanie feels cheated when her baby sister, born during the holidays, lives only a few days. But the baby's brief life shows Melanie the lasting value of love.

Brenda struggles between noble intentions and earthier desires when she becomes a dying boy's final chance for happiness in "Last Dance."

The closing story, "Kathy's Life," presents the life of one sixteen-year-old as seen through the eyes of a second. To Ellie, Kathy seems to have it all. Kathy is beautiful and intelligent and has the perfect job as a live-in caregiver for a couple's baby boy. But not everything is as perfect as it seems. Ellie doesn't know that Kathy may have to give up the one person that she loves most in the world.

I just read a different copy of this book and here were my thoughts on it.

The first story "Christmas Child" was very sad indeed when tragedy strikes the baby that they had been anticipating. It becomes even sadder as the family realizes that there is nothing that they will be able to do that will give thechild a meaningful life.

In "Last Dance", I found the story line to be a little bit far-fetched and maybe just a little bit rushed. I found myself trying to get to the end of this story quickly so that I could find out if Brenda would make the right decision and not necessarily the easy one.

The last story, "Kathy's Life" was interesting but I found it just a little too predictable. I thought that is was too easy to figure out the secret that Kathy had been hiding. I think that by meeting and befriending Kathy that Ellie gets a more realistic look into life that I hope helps other teens in the long run.

This book has arrived in Oklahoma!

OK so it got here quite some time ago but getting all these books journaled again takes time. I hope that I will get the chance to send this book on its way soon.

This book is a ...

“Ray it Forward”!

Let me try and explain what a “Ray It Forward” is. More or less it is the lazy way for me to set up a common BookRay. Ordinarily a BookRay has a list of participants and it gets mailed down the line to the last person who does whatever they wish with the book. Well, I have no desire to maintain a list so this is what I figure. I’ll find the first person that wants this book and send it to them. I just ask that they pass the book along “BookRay” fashion when they are done with it.

If you are in possession of this book then please look for another BookCrosser to pass it to. Check the wish lists, the forums, a yahoo group, the BookRelay, or offer it at a meeting …whatever way you choose to pass it on is up to you. If it seems that no other BookCrossers want it then send it along its way as a wild release but this should be a last resort.

What are the advantages of Ray it Forward?

Time frame – I ask that you pass the book along in a couple months or so but because there is not a “waiting list” the time is a little more relaxed than a standard BookRay.

Shipping Preferences – Choose your own. If you need to post within your own country then do so. If you choose to send international that is great too. If postal costs are a problem right now then hand it to another BookCrosser at a meeting, release to an OBCZ, ask for postage from the receiver or find some other way to get the book in the hands of another BookCrosser.

***Please note that it would be polite to let the next person know that this is a Ray It Forward book before you pass it along to them so that they will know that they will be expected to pass it on in a couple months.

Less Stress – Please do your best to keep this book moving but I am going to try my hardest not to worry about it anymore as I send it into the world to be enjoyed by as many as is its fate.

Have a great BookCrossing Day!

Twynnie will be starting this Ray It Forward.

Mailed 10 Oct 2006.

This arrived yesterday I think and it looks like a good read, especially as the holiday wishlisting is making me feel all christmassy! I'll try and read it fairly soon and find someone else to pass it on to...

I finally got around to reading this one - alittle later than I'd hoped but better late than never. It made a nice change reading these sweet stories after I'd read a couple of gory mysteries, although of course it is the wrong season for them as I have taken so long!

I have posted a message on the forums to start my hunt in finding the next reader for this ray it forward. I will make another journal entry once I have found someone.

The book has arrived, thanks for sending Twynnie! And thanks crrcookie for this Ray it Forward. I really like the concept! :-)

It might take a little while before I'll pass the book on, somewhere in June possibly. My mom, who's learning English, will be reading the book first. It looks like an 'easy' book, so perfect for her. :-) I'll read it afterwards and pass it on to someone else.

Two readers further down the line, this book is ready to go. My mom has read it and liked it and didn't find it too difficult to read. I've just finished reading it today. It didn't really bother me that all 3 stories were situated around Christmas time, I've hardly noticed it. :-) The tales are uplifting and sad at the same time. Thanks for sharing crrcookie and Twynnie!

The book will start its journey to silvia-pco in Portugal tomorrow.

And here it is! Thanks for the postcard, whitehorsy, I just loved it :)
My TBR pile is huge at the moment, but I'll do my best and I'll read this fellow and ray it forward as soon as possible :) Thanks for sharing!

I finally managed to read this one! And what better time than Christmas time :)
I really liked, it's a simple book and easy to read. The stories are very touching...

Christmas Child was the saddest for me, it's really hard to picture a family going through such horrible moments during days that should be joyful.
Katy's Life became predictable at some point; it was obvious what Kathy's secret was. Nevertheless, it was an interesting tale.

This book will be on its way to Austria as part of a sweepstake.

thank you, silvia-pco :)

to Feodora for her holiday in Wales

Arrive and placed in the bag

Left it in ofe of the cafeterieas on board on our way from Calais to Dover.

Good look little book