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Christmas in Canaan
With no solution to their ongoing feud, a tough, white farm boy and a high-spirited black aspiring writer are forced together by their parents to work out their issues, but it is their mutual interest in helping a wounded puppy that soon leads to the end of their battles and a start to their unlikely friendship.
325 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2002
1 person is currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Donald Davenport
2 booksBorn in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Southern California, Donald Davenport has built an acclaimed reputation for himself not only as an author, but also as a screenwriter and a filmmaker.
His first book, Christmas in Canaan (HarperCollins 2002), co-authored with country music legend Kenny Rogers, became a Hallmark movie in 2009 starring Billy Ray Cyrus and lofted the network to its highest historical weekly rating at the time. It was followed by a well-received sequel, Christmas Comes Home to Canaan, in 2011. Other Hallmark projects written by Davenport include Expecting A Miracle, starring Jason Priestly, Teri Polo and Cheech Marin, and Love Finds A Home, the final installment of Janette Oke’s hugely successful “Love Comes Softly” series, starring Oscar-winning actress, Patty Duke.
Other films include Christmas at Cadillac Jacks, starring Oscar-nominated actress, Talia Shire, along with Joseph Campanella and Ruta Lee, while his independent feature film, Hell and Mr. Fudge, was awarded platinum at the 2012 Houston/WorldFest Film Festival.
A Picture of Her, his most recent Hallmark movie, is currently in production for release early in 2023
Davenport has also produced, written and directed numerous commercials and industrial films and show elements for such clients as Hughes Aircraft and the Cousteau Society as well as multi-camera live-to-tape specials, including The New Noel for the ABC television network. He also traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia as a documentary filmmaker for an international relief agency, producing films in such locations as Hong Kong, the Walled City of Kowloon, Thailand, Borneo and Singapore.
His newest book, Calliope’s Spell (Next Chapter 2022) is a YA coming-of-age novel set in Baja California and draws heavily on his personal experiences working with The Cousteau Society. It is not only a tender love story but carries with it a subtle but important message about protecting those people and things that we love.
Davenport is a private pilot and an accomplished yachtsman and currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
His first book, Christmas in Canaan (HarperCollins 2002), co-authored with country music legend Kenny Rogers, became a Hallmark movie in 2009 starring Billy Ray Cyrus and lofted the network to its highest historical weekly rating at the time. It was followed by a well-received sequel, Christmas Comes Home to Canaan, in 2011. Other Hallmark projects written by Davenport include Expecting A Miracle, starring Jason Priestly, Teri Polo and Cheech Marin, and Love Finds A Home, the final installment of Janette Oke’s hugely successful “Love Comes Softly” series, starring Oscar-winning actress, Patty Duke.
Other films include Christmas at Cadillac Jacks, starring Oscar-nominated actress, Talia Shire, along with Joseph Campanella and Ruta Lee, while his independent feature film, Hell and Mr. Fudge, was awarded platinum at the 2012 Houston/WorldFest Film Festival.
A Picture of Her, his most recent Hallmark movie, is currently in production for release early in 2023
Davenport has also produced, written and directed numerous commercials and industrial films and show elements for such clients as Hughes Aircraft and the Cousteau Society as well as multi-camera live-to-tape specials, including The New Noel for the ABC television network. He also traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia as a documentary filmmaker for an international relief agency, producing films in such locations as Hong Kong, the Walled City of Kowloon, Thailand, Borneo and Singapore.
His newest book, Calliope’s Spell (Next Chapter 2022) is a YA coming-of-age novel set in Baja California and draws heavily on his personal experiences working with The Cousteau Society. It is not only a tender love story but carries with it a subtle but important message about protecting those people and things that we love.
Davenport is a private pilot and an accomplished yachtsman and currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 2, 2023
It all started because of a State Capitol "Albany" where Miss Eunice was born and when Rodney and DJ became at odds. The solution was Daniel's idea. Have them spend 3 days in each others home to see how their time together may change their minds.
Until they found a puppy injured by a gunshot did they meld together and become the best of friends. The loss of Rodney's Grandmother Eunice made another huge change in DJ and Rodney's bonding.
Daniel wanted Rodney to have the best first Christmas with them ever by providing him with gifts that he could not afford and was willing to take a loan out for. With Wylie's stern advice "Some Christmas" came.
Daniel's philosophy during the hard times was with resolute strength in his voice "We'll get by somehow. We always have." and "He is the rest of the family." are statements that changed the life of this family and brought them closer together through all the trials that others set before them.
Rodney had left for a long while and when he came back to Canaan and his family he brought with him "Some Christmas"
I watched the Hallmark movie years ago and bought the book because the movie was so touching.
The novel is well written and flows as each character instills the picture in your mind of the story. Be more tolerant of all people and learn the meaning of hope, family and love despite what goes on around them. Be the one to make the change.
Until they found a puppy injured by a gunshot did they meld together and become the best of friends. The loss of Rodney's Grandmother Eunice made another huge change in DJ and Rodney's bonding.
Daniel wanted Rodney to have the best first Christmas with them ever by providing him with gifts that he could not afford and was willing to take a loan out for. With Wylie's stern advice "Some Christmas" came.
Daniel's philosophy during the hard times was with resolute strength in his voice "We'll get by somehow. We always have." and "He is the rest of the family." are statements that changed the life of this family and brought them closer together through all the trials that others set before them.
Rodney had left for a long while and when he came back to Canaan and his family he brought with him "Some Christmas"
I watched the Hallmark movie years ago and bought the book because the movie was so touching.
The novel is well written and flows as each character instills the picture in your mind of the story. Be more tolerant of all people and learn the meaning of hope, family and love despite what goes on around them. Be the one to make the change.
December 21, 2012
Racial tension and a fight between school boys seems an unlikely start for a Christmas story, yet that is exactly how Christmas in Canaan begins. Rodney, a smart black boy, lives with his grandmother. DJ, a white boy, is the son of a farmer and struggles with school. After getting into a fight, both boys resent each other. They are horrified when DJ’s father and Rodney’s grandmother force them to live together for four days. They might have remained enemies if not for an injured dog. As they tend to the dog their grudging partnership grows into the bonds of a friendship that will last a lifetime. Their friendship carries them through the death of Rodney’s grandmother, hard times on the Burton farm, and a Christmas where they can’t afford gifts. It’s on that Christmas that Mr. Burton teaches them that, wherever friendship is, there will always be “some Christmas”. And, years later, when Christmas comes to Canaan, Rodney is ready to bring “some Christmas” to the friends that have become his family.
This is a heartwarming tale of friendship. The story rambles along like a stream but is not without a few rapids. A great read for anytime of year, but especially good for the holiday season.
This is a heartwarming tale of friendship. The story rambles along like a stream but is not without a few rapids. A great read for anytime of year, but especially good for the holiday season.
May 26, 2017
Set in East Texas a half-century ago, two boys strike up an unexpected and unlikely friendship when the father of one of the boys decides it's time for his son to walk in the other boy's shoes (and vice versa with the other boy who lives with his grandmother) for a week. Their friendship survives from age ten thru their teen years at which time the stakes are raised and they become even closer friends as they weather hardships.
Through the bulk of the book it seems to be a novel for Tweens or Teens, but near the end there is a time jump, following one boy into his early adult success as a playwright. The story still works for the younger reader, but it is a bit confusing. I listened to the audio edition which is performed and orchestrated very well. The book would serve as a great holiday season read-aloud if the audio version is not at hand.
They boys straddle the racial tension of the locale and time in which it is set. I would like to see the story re-imagined, reversing the race of each boy which would result with the African-American family taking in the Caucasian boy.
Through the bulk of the book it seems to be a novel for Tweens or Teens, but near the end there is a time jump, following one boy into his early adult success as a playwright. The story still works for the younger reader, but it is a bit confusing. I listened to the audio edition which is performed and orchestrated very well. The book would serve as a great holiday season read-aloud if the audio version is not at hand.
They boys straddle the racial tension of the locale and time in which it is set. I would like to see the story re-imagined, reversing the race of each boy which would result with the African-American family taking in the Caucasian boy.
December 26, 2025
I expected this book to be bad, but after a few chapters, I started to care about the story. The pacing felt odd at times, but I still ended up enjoying the plot. The characters were believable, the 1800s setting was interesting, and the ending was very satisfying. By the end, it left me with a strong sense of Christmas.
October 19, 2022
A clash between a farm boy and a black boy at school leads to each having to share the others life style. That did not make them friends but many events afterwards did. Christmas that year and those to follow taught them lessons they never forgot.
November 13, 2022
Beyond amazing book. Definitely keeps u wanting to read more. Has you emotionally bound to the story with laughter, anger, sadness and tears. If I could rate it more than 5 stars I would! Absolutely a must read
December 27, 2022
I love stories of unlikely friendships, families who love and stay together, and good people who take a stand for the right thing. This story had all of that. It’s a good Christmas Story.
January 6, 2024
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. It was a well written warm hearted story. Thank you Kenny Rogers for your talent as a gifted writer, producer and most of song writer/singer/magician. RIP.
April 1, 2016
This was one heartwarming book (and also a good movie to watch at Christmas on the Hallmark Channel).
DJ is a white boy who has trouble in school--he never gets his homework done since he has to help at home. Rodney is black and a good student, reads and writes all the time. One day on the bus, DJ asks what the capital of New York is and most of his friends tell him it's New York City. But a voice at the back of the bus tells him it's Albany. DJ finds out it's Rodney that answers and a fight ensues.
Between Dj's father and Rodney's grandmother, the two boys learn to work together and become fast friends. And the rest of the story is about them.
This book shows what life was like under the shadow of racism. How some people couldn't tolerate the different color of someone's skin. But it also shows what it is to love one another no matter who you are or what you look like.
DJ is a white boy who has trouble in school--he never gets his homework done since he has to help at home. Rodney is black and a good student, reads and writes all the time. One day on the bus, DJ asks what the capital of New York is and most of his friends tell him it's New York City. But a voice at the back of the bus tells him it's Albany. DJ finds out it's Rodney that answers and a fight ensues.
Between Dj's father and Rodney's grandmother, the two boys learn to work together and become fast friends. And the rest of the story is about them.
This book shows what life was like under the shadow of racism. How some people couldn't tolerate the different color of someone's skin. But it also shows what it is to love one another no matter who you are or what you look like.
May 3, 2011
"Guess if I'd done my homework that day, none of this would be happenin'."
I've always liked that quote and the whole conversation surrounding it, had DJ done his homework he never would have fought with Rodney and they never would have been forced to spend time getting to know each other. Causing them both to overcome their differences and feelings about each other and making them lifelong friends.
I'd actually never read the book before this, it's just incredibly similar to the Hallmark movie, all book to movie adaptions should be this good, there was maybe only one or two things taken or added, but both are still perfect.
I've always liked that quote and the whole conversation surrounding it, had DJ done his homework he never would have fought with Rodney and they never would have been forced to spend time getting to know each other. Causing them both to overcome their differences and feelings about each other and making them lifelong friends.
I'd actually never read the book before this, it's just incredibly similar to the Hallmark movie, all book to movie adaptions should be this good, there was maybe only one or two things taken or added, but both are still perfect.
January 10, 2010
I loved this book, I saw the movie on the either the Hallmark channel or Lifetime channel. It was so good I bought the book for my dad and myself. It is a feel good book and movie. It is set in small town east texas in the early 60's. Easy read I highly recommend. Not just for Christmas reading!
December 26, 2010
Better than some Christmas books. Had the predictable good ending but a racial twist is thrown in. I liked the ending which made up for some slow parts at the beginning. Put me in the Christmas spirit. Very easy to read and goes quick.
December 27, 2013
Beautifully written story by the singer Kenny Rogers and co-author about race in the olden days. I really enjoyed this book. The movie is almost spot on as well. Read the book before the movie is my suggestion, enjoyed both.
December 14, 2010
I found this to be a sweet book about looking beyond race, friendship, family, and gratitude.
December 15, 2010
I felt pretty enthusiastic about the first half of this book but the believability waned in the second half. Overall, it cheered me which is what I want from a Christmas book.
Want to read
December 27, 2010I Saw the movie last year. Now I need to read the book.
December 21, 2011
Loved it also enjoyed both Hallmark channel movies based on the book.
December 27, 2011
Highly recommend for those in middle school range. Haven't picked it up in so long, but still have lingering feelings towards it.
August 18, 2015
Notes from my review at age 12:
-I liked this book but there was cussing
-Christmas was not as key as family
-I liked this book but there was cussing
-Christmas was not as key as family
December 28, 2016
Excellent Christmas Read.
March 30, 2009
A great book to read in December!!!!!!!!
February 3, 2014
This is a good quick read, it will also make your eyes water as good as onions.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews