Type: picture book- intermediate, Genre: Realistic Fiction, Illustrations: Painted
This is a wonderful book about a boy who looks forwards to recieving his Chirsmas Orange. As his father makes the journey to get the fresh Oranges a horrible winter storms comes in. The family feeds a group of hobo's who are traveling near by and Frankie notices that one of the men does not have a shirt under his cloak, so Frankie gives him a sweater that his sister has knitted for him. Frankie fathers arrives home in time for Christmas by the help of someone who is very grateful for his family. Who could that be? Does Frankie get his Organge?

This book is a story about a boy named Frankie, the youngest of a family of nine, and his father has not returned home for Christmas! His father brings also oranges to place on their mantle, one for each member of the family. His father eventually comes home and tells the children not to touch the oranges until Christmas Eve dinner. Frankie holds his orange because he simply wanted to look at it and ends up accidentally losing it. Frankie also earlier that day gave away his Christmas jersey to a hobo that was passing through the area. He felt terrible about both, thinking he let his family down. His family ended up cutting a slice of each of their oranges and tied them together with a ribbon for Frankie. Frankie is the heart of the family and brings them all together. It's great to discuss family traditions, sentimental values, Christmas, and giving to others.

www.patriciapolacco.com - lesson ideas for some of the books (not this one), fun activities to download, and 'Kids Talk' which quotes children and their thoughts on certain issues or discussions like overcoming fears, kindness, growing up, brothers and sisters, etc. ( )