excellent story of childhood in Liverpool w gentle illustration of Chapel and Catholic neighbors becoming friends ( )

The Christmas Eve Ghost is a story about two children, Bronwen and Dylan, and events that happen to them on one Christmas Eve. The setting of this story is actually pretty irrelevant to the way the story progresses, and I was a little upset by how uneventful the story was. The setting of this story takes place in Liverpool in the 1930s. The first 20 pages of the story describes Liverpool in the 1930s, and how people lived through the eyes of young Bronwen and Dylan. This section of the book is very informative, and gives the reader a glimpse into what life was like during that era. Unfortunately, I felt as if all of that background knowledge was unnecessary for the remainder of the story. After page 20, the story cuts to Christmas time, where Bronwen and Dylan hear a noise in their closet while their mother is out shopping. The children believe it to be the Christmas Ghost, but instead, it is the neighbors playing darts next door. The story ends with the children in bed, kissing their mother goodnight, and giving thanks.

I believe that the setting has no effect on the plot whatsoever in this story. The beginning of the story is great background information about what Liverpool was like in the 1930s. Even though this story is considered Historical Fiction, I believe that the setting has no real effect on how the story progresses. ( )

The Christmas Ghost Eve is about a family who move to Liverpool after their Da dies in an accident. This is all taking place in the 1930's. This family is living in poverty and now the Ma must wash other peoples clothes for a living. The mother leaves the children alone to go Christmas shopping. While the children were playing they heard a noise come from the washhouse. They ran out the house and into Mrs. O' Riley's arms (who Ma doesn't like). They explained what the worry was about and Mrs. O' Riley knew exactly where the noise was coming from. The kids left a note for Ma and walked next door with Mrs. O' Riley who showed them it's just her family playing darts. Ma shows up and is grateful for Mrs. O' Riley. They have a cup of tea and chat. While Ma is putting the kids to bed saying their prayers and thanks, they ask if they can give thanks to the O' Riley family. Ma thinks about it with a serious face but then grants them their wish. This story is very cute and definitely shows how some single parents are living today. It's so hard for some families and you need neighbors like O' Riley's in your life for help. Although Ma didn't approve of them at first, it shows to never judge someone by the cover. They turned out to be nice people and very helpful and now Ma is forever grateful for her. This book can teach children that lesson. This illustrations in the book are very pretty and I really enjoyed the book. ( )

The "Christmas Eve Ghost" setting was placed in the 1930's with a Mother and her two children. The family is living in poverty while their mother must wash other peoples laundry to make a living since her husband died in an accident. Ma leaves the children at the house alone so she can finish up Christmas shopping. The children hear a funny sound coming from their wash house and run frantically outside and bump into their neighbor who mother told them not to talk to. The children bring Mrs. O'Riley into the house and to the disturbing noise. Mrs. O'Riley knows exactly what the noise is and where it is coming from. She brings the children to her house where the children find that her family was throwing darts which was creating the noise. Mother finally arrives and thanks Mrs. O'Riley for all her help and the women have a lovely talk. I believe the the Theme of this book is don't judge a book by its cover. Ma did not agree on the O'Riley's religious beliefs so she did not want to associate with them but once she find out of what an amazing person she forgets about all of that a has a true friendship with her. ( )

This book was considered to be historical fiction, but it isn’t something that is talked about in your average history class. This book shows how hard it was living in the 1930s, especially for a single mother with two children. It demonstrates how finding trust in others can be very hard sometimes. ( )