Deeply human and quietly magical; a triumph…
Thorson turns a blizzard, a blackout, and a botched vacation into a warm, imaginative reawakening of what family and Christmas really mean in his compelling YA fantasy. The Natale family’s long-awaited tropical escape is canceled by a snowstorm, turning their Christmas Eve into sulking, screen addiction, and quiet resentment. But when a power outage plunges the house into darkness, three disappointed siblings and their quietly determined dad are forced to improvise. What begins as an obligatory fireside gathering transforms into something unexpected: a collaborative storytelling mission to the North Pole, where Santa’s most precious artifact has vanished and only three unlikely heroes, joined by a mischievous fairy named Sprig, can solve the mystery.
Rooted in sibling rivalry, failed expectations, and real-world emotional stakes, this layered fantasy unfolds through alternating voices from each child and their dad. Lily imagines fairies and magic coats. Candace brings in logic, riddles, and eccentric shopkeepers. Parker contributes music-driven landscapes, cloaked figures, and eerie dimensions. And John, ever the patient observer, unites their threads into a cohesive whole. As their invented characters chase clues, forge alliances, and encounter both danger and wonder, the children themselves begin to change. Bitterness gives way to creativity; isolation softens into cooperation; and storytelling becomes a path to healing, reflection, and rediscovery. Along the way, readers witness a profound study in contrasts: light versus dark, belief versus cynicism, solitude versus connection—all woven together with humor, heart, and just enough magic.
Thorson avoids easy sentiment. Instead, he leans into emotional nuance: quiet tensions at the dinner table, flickers of remembered tenderness, and dialogue that feels honest and lived-in. Each sibling is sharply drawn: Candace is high-achieving and quick to judge; Parker is awkward and brooding; Lily is innocent yet surprisingly perceptive. Their dad, John, never lectures but gently nudges them closer, stepping in when needed and stepping back when it matters most. Stephanie Rocha’s vivid illustrations bring the characters and the settings to life. Stephanie Rocha’s vivid illustrations are an absolute delight.
Despite its cozy trappings; hot chocolate, flickering candles, and snowy wonder, it’s far more than a holiday story. It’s a quiet meditation on the transformative power of imagination and how stories can reach the parts of us that words often can’t. Fans of Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express and Trenton Lee Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society will find much to enjoy in this cozy, puzzle-filled holiday adventure.
Illustrations by Stephanie Rocha
ISBN 979-8-31-754619-9
Pub date October 7, 2025
Pages (Hardcover) 164
