A Christmas Gift by Diane Craver

This story is told by a seven-year old girl who's faith is strong enough to comfort her whole family and positively affect many other people for years to come.

The book begins in 1957 when Debra Reeves discovers her father cannot read. He is trying to teach himself, because he is embarrassed to ask for help. Being seven, Debra decides the only solution is to pray for her father. God's answer to Debra's prayer solves more than one problem. Debra learns she is loved, the teacher sent to help is released from a life of grieving and Debra's sister finds happiness.

I have to warn you I cried more than once while reading this rather short book. Of course I laughed some too. All good books affect me this way.

A prologue sets the scene and adds a depth of reality that might not be possible without it. The epilogue lets the reader know what happens to all the characters for the next fifty-three years. It was a real delight to read that part. At first I wondered how the author was able to stop where she did with all that back story available, but it worked perfectly the way it was written.

Despite the title, this is not one of those stories that only makes sense during the Christmas season. This is one you'll enjoy all year long.