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89th out of 391 books
—
556 voters
An Orange for Frankie
The Stowell family is abuzz with holiday excitement, and Frankie, the youngest boy, is the most excited of all. But there's a cloud over the joyous season: Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and Pa hasn't returned yet from his trip to Lansing. He promised to bring back the oranges for the mantelpiece. Every year there are nine of them nestled among the evergreens, one for each of...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
September 16th 2004
by Philomel
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Another lovely, touching, powerful true story from Polacco. Patricia Polacco's grandmother is one of nine siblings. Frankie is the youngest of the Stowell family. The Stowells have a family tradition of placing greens and oranges on the mantel for Christmas, and Pa must travel for days in order to obtain the precious oranges. One year, the winter was especially cold and snowy. The Stowells lived close to a train, so homeless men would visit them for warm drinks and bathing and Frankie even offer...more
This is a true (or mostly true) story about the author/illustrator’s great uncle when he was a boy. It takes place near Christmas and makes for a different, but terrific, Christmas story.
The lush winter themed illustrations are lovely.
Until the postscript, I was thinking this book would be fine for children 5 and up. If the postscript is read I’d say 8 and up, but the story is whole without the postscript.
Frankie is one of the middle children and the youngest boy in the family. Polacco’s grandmo...more
The lush winter themed illustrations are lovely.
Until the postscript, I was thinking this book would be fine for children 5 and up. If the postscript is read I’d say 8 and up, but the story is whole without the postscript.
Frankie is one of the middle children and the youngest boy in the family. Polacco’s grandmo...more
Frankie is the youngest in a big family. Each year, as part of their Christmas tradition, the clan would place 1 orange on the mantel for each of the nine kids. Papa is the one in charge of bringing them from faraway Florida, but this year, he is late. The family readies the house in preparation for his return, even though worried about his whereabouts. When Frankie discovers that he not only doesn't have his precious orange but the hand knit sweater hister made for him, the family learn an impo...more
A true Christmas book that I'll read to my class each year, besides The Little Match Girl. Patricia Polacco did a fabulous job on the illustrations.
Since the setting is the Depression Era, you know times will be tough. The true meaning of Christmas is conveyed. The giving of the red sweater sticks out in my mind. Another scene that is wonderful is: Frankie just wanting to touch the orange is a believable act--and then losing it! The families solution is what Christmas is about. The families kind...more
Since the setting is the Depression Era, you know times will be tough. The true meaning of Christmas is conveyed. The giving of the red sweater sticks out in my mind. Another scene that is wonderful is: Frankie just wanting to touch the orange is a believable act--and then losing it! The families solution is what Christmas is about. The families kind...more
This is a children's book that elevates kindness, forgiveness and family love highlighted by the Christmas season. Drawn from real life, the narration does not have the frills of most fictional stories and I am thankful that inspite of this my young girls enjoyed and understood the story.
For sentimental purposes, the Stowell's Christmas oranges reminded me of my childhood's Christmas apples. They were only sold at the market around Christmas time and were expensive. We only got one each and we l...more
For sentimental purposes, the Stowell's Christmas oranges reminded me of my childhood's Christmas apples. They were only sold at the market around Christmas time and were expensive. We only got one each and we l...more
This is a sweet tale about life in Michigan long ago, during hard times. Themes of kindness, generosity, and family traditions are woven throughout the story, offering a heartwarming tale for Christmastime reading with children. I love the willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of others and the kindness received in return. The footnote is sad, but it adds a note of warmth to the remembrance. I was tempted to mark this one as non-ficiton, but it may be more family lore and based on historical...more
This is my favorite story by Patricia Polacco. I would definitely read this to my students around Christmas time mainly because everyone is so focused on getting presents and money. I want them to see how simple it was for some families long ago and what was important to this family. The afterword in the book is very sad and after reading that part it makes the story all the more special.
Another heart-wrenching story from Patricia Polacco. Ten-year old Frankie gives his new Xmas sweater, a hand-knit gift from his sister, to a ragged hobo passing through, and then tries to cover up about it. A touching story about the power of charity, forgiveness, and value of family. Shared with 4/5th grade special ed. class. We made orange/clove pomanders as a follow-up activity.
I won't spoil the ending, but I thought this was a fabulous book. I had mostly read books from Polacco about her mother's side of the family, but this one is from her father's side.
The family interactions in this book are realistic and loving. They treat each other with such kindness and warmth.
I highly recommend this one, especially for this time of the year.
The family interactions in this book are realistic and loving. They treat each other with such kindness and warmth.
I highly recommend this one, especially for this time of the year.
This was a sweet book about a family with strong ties during Christmas-time in an era when getting an orange for Christmas was a big deal!
The fact that its a true story makes it special. I understand that there are more stories from this family - I'd like to read more of them!
We'd definitely read this one again during future Christmas-times.
The fact that its a true story makes it special. I understand that there are more stories from this family - I'd like to read more of them!
We'd definitely read this one again during future Christmas-times.
This is a version of the Christmas Orange story, told a bit differently, but a great message nontheless. It's part of our Christmas library. I read it to my 4th graders last Christmas and then gave them each an orange to eat. They loved it! I don't think I've ever seen so many kids get so excited over a piece of fruit.
I've always been a sucker for Patricia Polacco books with their combination of beautiful illustrations and touching stories. This is based on a true family story, as many of her books are, and set during the holiday season. A wonderful story to share about the love of a family and the caring of one small child.
I will be reading this heart warming, touching Christmas story based on the author/illustrator's family. One could feel the authentic elements of this story and as I read I was unaware that it was based on the author's family. The illustrations were great with snow flakes painting a viel over the outdoor scenes
An old family story of the author’s. Frankie shares the sweater his sister gave him with a hobo. His father is delayed by snow and the train engineers, grateful for the meals Frankie’s family always provides, gives Frankie’s father a ride home in time for Christmas. Best part: Sharing the orange. Ages 8-12.
This may be my favorite Christmas picture book of all time. Patricia Polacco combines family history, traditions, service, honesty, forgiveness into a lovely story for the whole family. You may want to buy a chocolate orange to share after reading this book together.
Oct 16, 2009
Jessica
added it
This is a good book when learning about the frontier time. It is a good descriptive fun story about a family at the time. It gives a great description about how they appreciated the things we take for granted like oranges and cars.
This is one I would love to read to my kids every year at Christmas time. I love living stories that are written from someone's life history. I found myself with tears in my eyes at the end of this book.
Patricia Polacco scores another hit with this retelling of a family story complete with lots of historical significance & period references. A poignant holiday read aloud.
A wonderful story that shows the importance of family and giving. It would be great to use around CHristmas and do a reading lesson of characterization.
An Orange for Frankie is a wonderful story set during the Great Depression. It is a story of family love and generosity that is a pleasing read for all ages.
Frankie and his eight brothers and sisters learn about giving, family, and tradition during a snowy Michigan Christmas long ago.
This is a story about Christmas traditions and the importance of family at Christmas, not material things. The same theme as in The Memory Cupboard. This is an important theme to stress around the holidays when children seem to be more focused on the gifts they are getting. Many children today may not realize how special it was to have fresh fruit during the winter mont...more
This is a story about Christmas traditions and the importance of family at Christmas, not material things. The same theme as in The Memory Cupboard. This is an important theme to stress around the holidays when children seem to be more focused on the gifts they are getting. Many children today may not realize how special it was to have fresh fruit during the winter mont...more
A Christmas tradition in our home. Written as only Patricia Polacco can write. Can't recommend it highly enough.
What really got to me about this story was that it was true. I also loved that it mentioned Lansing, MI!
This is the first book by Polacco I've read but I'd be interested in reading more--
Okay... Why didn't you tell me that I would need kleenex when I read this one? Very very good.
Great story that helps to teach good character traits.
Helps teach values.
Helps teach values.
A sweet telling of a Christmas past where family, generosity, and spirit meant more than gifts. Based on a true story. Very heartwarming.
Mommy says: Good book but parents beware, it's loooong for a picture book!
Re-read for blog post. A great story about simplicity and family.
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i read two new polaccos this year: for the love of autumn and someone for mr sussman. i liked the form...more
Dec 12, 2008 08:58am