I realized that I don’t have many children’s chapter books that still have good illustrations in my Christmas collection. Time to remedy that situation.

The Bells of Christmas by Virginia Hamilton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a children’s chapter book about a family in Ohio celebrating Christmas of 1890 along the National Road. Jason’s family has lived there for generations and he enjoys the traffic along the road.
The story is told in first person which could be why the writing felt choppy at times and the conversations stilted. There were a few times when Jason would grow upset with his younger sister and didn’t talk very kindly, but he did love her. The little sister felt younger than seven to me, but maybe she’d just turned seven.
Overall I did enjoy the story and the glimpse of history not normally seen in children’s books.

Have you ever heard of the National Road? I hadn’t until I read this book. Do you like stories set in real places? What is a setting you’ve enjoyed in a Christmas book?

Check out other Christmas books on the Christmas Stories to Read page.

I’m a part of the 12 Days of Christmas blog party again this year, so check out the other post for today by clicking on the image.