Tess McAlister truly believes in magic, and is convinced that this is the year she will finally meet Santa Claus. Tess has many Christmas wishes, but her most fervent wish is not for herself, but for a friend. Her faith in the season results in a Christmas Eve so wondrous, so sparkling, that listeners won’t be able to help but feel transformed. Like white Christmases and crackling fires in the hearth, On Christmas Eve portrays the magic and the spirit of hope that make the holidays merry.
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"This is another wonderful holiday book I read each year. A young girl plans to stay awake and meet Santa. She has a special gift and a special question to ask him this year. My favorite part is what happens to animals each Christmas Eve at midnight. I am positive that my dog Molly understands what I say to her all year long."
— Amy (5 out of 5 stars)
" I really love to read this book around Christmas. It is defineitly an easy read but it gets you in the spirit of the holidays. "
— Leah, 2/15/2014" it was a good book that i enjoyed "
— Alexis, 2/10/2014" I was distracted by the focus on both the original Christmas and magical fantasy elements. "
— Nathan, 2/9/2014" A different Christmas story. I really liked this one. Always good reading about the real meaning of Christmas. "
— Joanne, 1/30/2014" Very sweet, feel-good story. Nice tale of friendship, Santa, and talking dogs. :0) "
— Jennifer, 1/28/2014" I love how the little girl believed in Santa and she respected her friend who did not. The friend helped her through hard times when she was sad about her Dad who had died. Sad but touching story. "
— Alyssa, 1/24/2014" One of my favorite Christmas stories! "
— Ruth, 1/20/2014" This book would be a okay 6th grade book to read. I should have waited closer to Christmas because this book gets you excited for Christmas. I would not reconmend this book to 8th graders because there is some younger kid stuff in it. Also the book was a little easier to read then I planed on. "
— 5pfeiffer_andrew, 1/20/2014" i love this author too! it was a great book! "
— Molly, 1/10/2014" Book 3 Quarter 2: This book is about believing during the Christmas season. It is definitely a more beginner book which I did not know when I started the book. I think this book was good but it didn't have as much detail a I would have liked. Overall it was a good quick read. "
— 2remias_rachel, 12/29/2013" Emotional holiday story - have tissues handy! "
— Jean, 12/13/2013" I read this book all the time before Christmas to give me my Christmas spirit. It's such a cute book that everyone is guaranteed to love. Enjoy! "
— Emily, 12/11/2013" sooo good sad too but really good you should read it!!! "
— Hannah, 8/11/2013" Nice little story ... read it in one sitting. Tess has a mission and she accomplishes it. I love the faith this little girl has. "
— Donna, 4/29/2013" Eight year old Tess believes that if she can talk to Santa, he can save her best friend's father from a death by cancer. Sweet story that takes place in 1958..a simpler time that reminded me of my own childhood Christmases. "
— B, 4/10/2013" This was a magical story. My grandma even liked it. "
— Maisy, 12/2/2012" I read this book to my 7 year old son over Christmas Break from school. He absolutly loved it! I also loved it! Ann M. Martin is one of my favorite childhood authors, and I am finding more books written by her that my son can relate too. This book helps keeps Santa alive. "
— Mistie, 10/14/2012" lovely little one day book. great to get you into the Christmas spirit as the holiday approaches "
— Jenny, 8/16/2012" Sweet book about a little girl's Christmas wish "
— Jennifer, 6/12/2012" i guess it was ok. it was kind of sad:( "
— Monika, 5/12/2012" This book was really cute and I did enjoy it! "
— ♥Rachel♥, 2/7/2012" This was such a fun book to read aloud to my kids!! A tender story, it might make you cry! I loved it. "
— Robyn, 2/4/2012" It was a classic tale that takes place in the forties. Great Christmas story. Little girly at some times. "
— Reagan, 10/30/2011" This book made me feel like a kid again, trying to stay awake til midnight on Christmas Eve to see Santa. Very cute, warm read for the holiday season, even for a 28 year old :-) "
— Emily, 10/21/2011" I read this children's Christmas book on Easter this year. It was on my shelf and I'm working my way down the line of books I have had for years for reasons I don't remember. It was an easy read with a good message, but it was a bit too simple for me. Even children's books can handle more drama. "
— Jana, 8/20/2011" I really think I believe in Santa now! "
— cedar, 4/7/2011" This was such a fun book to read aloud to my kids!! A tender story, it might make you cry! I loved it. "
— Robyn, 12/6/2010" i guess it was ok. it was kind of sad:( "
— Monika, 11/1/2010" A different Christmas story. I really liked this one. Always good reading about the real meaning of Christmas. "
— Joanne, 1/5/2010" Sweet book about a little girl's Christmas wish "
— Jennifer, 12/16/2009" This book had good message about hope. "
— Jeri, 12/13/2009" I really love to read this book around Christmas. It is defineitly an easy read but it gets you in the spirit of the holidays. "
— Leah, 12/2/2009" i love this author too! it was a great book! "
— Molly, 2/7/2009" This book was really cute and I did enjoy it! "
— ?Rachel?, 12/25/2008" I really think I believe in Santa now! "
— cedar, 12/8/2008" This was a magical story. My grandma even liked it. "
— Maisy, 11/26/2008" sooo good sad too but really good you should read it!!! "
— Hannah, 10/28/2008" it was a good book that i enjoyed "
— Alexis, 9/12/2008" I read this children's Christmas book on Easter this year. It was on my shelf and I'm working my way down the line of books I have had for years for reasons I don't remember. It was an easy read with a good message, but it was a bit too simple for me. Even children's books can handle more drama. "
— Jana, 3/24/2008" I love how the little girl believed in Santa and she respected her friend who did not. The friend helped her through hard times when she was sad about her Dad who had died. Sad but touching story. "
— Alyssa, 3/7/2008" there is this girl and her name is tess, she is waiting 4 santa on christmas EVE 2 ask him if he would help her bff's father 2 stop having cancer! well santa comes and she see's christmas magic (which is a sign that she is going to see santa!) I RECOMMEND YOU READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Kensey, 12/19/2007Ann M. Martin is the bestselling author of the series the Baby-sitters Club, as well as the Main Street series and others. Her other acclaimed novels include A Corner of the Universe, a Newbery Honor Book.