The Broken Christmas Tree #BOOKREVIEW

   

The Broken Christmas Tree

D.W. Rigsby 

                       Danny is three years old, it's Christmas time and he is fascinated over the lights on the Christmas tree. He sees the cord and follows it to the outlet on the wall. He plays with it, turning the lights on and off by plugging it in and out of the wall outlet.   He bites into the cord and gets electrocuted! After this, he sees, what he calls " Shadowlings" which are dark circles on some people. Danny's family struggles, the father is absent, the mother has no job, and Danny's older brother Kent is skipping school a lot. He got Danny to skip school one time and they both ended up getting in trouble.  Danny, sees his mom, day after day just sit on the couch, smoking and watching TV.  They don't have enough food. Their clothes are worn and it's Christmas time.  Normally at this time of the year they would have their tree up, the house decorated, and Christmas cookies to eat. But not this year, this year is different. The "Shadowlings" continue to appear, more often now.  Danny has a friend Cluster, and an enemy Sam. Danny is afraid of Sam. Sam punched him in the face for no reason, so Danny tries to stay out of his path,  but for some reason he always shows up. Seems out of nowhere. Danny saw  a lot of "Shadowlings" on Sam.  Danny has a paper route, while on his route he's continually watching for Sam. Sam is a bully! Saying mean about Danny and his family. Danny uses his money from the papers to help his family.   Seeing that Danny's mother has lost her desire to do anything Danny decides to surprise her with a Christmas tree, in hopes that it will cheer her up.  Danny and his friend Cluster go in the woods in search of a tree.  They have played in these woods plenty of times, they knew the woods well, but they could not find a Christmas tree.  Danny never told anyone about the "Shadowlings" and he's starting to see them a lot more.  He wants to tell his friend Cluster, but doesn't know if he should. Seeing they can't find a tree in the area they are familiar  with they decide to go further into the woods where they've never been before. Danny tells Cluster his secret about the "Shadowlings".  It's Cold, snow is on the ground, and it's starting to get dark!  Danny wants to go home and come back tomorrow, but Cluster insists that they get the tree, not wait because he wouldn't be able to come back.  They find the tree.  Sam shows up out of nowhere! He starts his bullyingm telling Danny to leave the tree and he won't bully him anymore.  Danny is ready to give in, it would be worth it for him not to have to deal with Sam. But  Danny decides to stands up for himself - but not without a fight.  

This book is captivating right from the beginning!  It's hard to put it down. I enjoyed it, and the author has an incredible way of making it come to life. Teenagers and adult alike  will absolutely love it !!! It's scary, and mysterious. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift but it would be good for anytime of the year.  click here