Jimsy, The Christmas Kid

Such a sweet story that made my heart glow! "The Christmas Kid!", an orphan boy who has come to stay for the holiday with "the first-citizen" (the stodgy bank president who has so carefully set himself above everyone and certainly above Christmas festivities) and his wife ("Aunt Judith" who has such a need to give the love that is languishing and aching in her heart). As the book says, Jimsy takes it for granted that you'll like him -- but completely without arrogance, for he's the sort of dear spirit with a zest for life and unassuming kindness and generosity for others, despite his own hard lot. What I love is that he is not too goody-goody but just feels so real in his need to love and be loved and so earnest in his boyish ways to make friends. It's beautiful how easily Jimsy and Aunt Judith open their hearts to one another. Of course, the real test will be if the first-citizen can be moved and, of course, this being a happy Christmas story it's no surprise how things end. But it's such a sweet, fast read, by turns humorous and poignant, and filled with the spirit of Christmas, that I loved every minute despite the predictability