What a delightful, poignant read this book turned out to be. It was impossible not to love both ten-year-old Anna and Miss Eva, strangers until they take a train ride together just before Christmas. Anna is incredibly mature, big-hearted and caring for such a young girl while Miss Eva is wonderful. She loves her family, traditions and Christmas. However, because she suffers from dementia and often thinks she is reliving he childhood in Nazi Germany, she is desperate to reconnect with her family and panics when she sees anyone in uniform. In her confusion she often becomes childlike and it is up to Anna to calm her and take care of her. Her story is heartbreaking!

The secondary characters (except for Anna's neglectful mother) are all endearing and believable, especially Nana Rose. I also had a soft spot for Tom, who unexpectedly finds himself the sole caretaker of his daughter, Anna.

"The Christmas Train" is a story about love, family and responsibility and is an inspiring read for this season fo love, peace and goodwill. ( )

A sweet sentimental read. I think it was a wonderful story premise but could have really made an impact if the characters were 'fleshed out' a bit. As it was, you didn't get to know anyone except the main two characters very well.

**thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review. ( )

In this story, true to the spirit of the season, love and reconciliation conquer. Anna Spano’s mother does not want her, so she sends her to her unknown father in a small town. However Anna is too young to travel alone on the train, so her mother hands her off to Eva Stephens, and older woman who is living between memories of her earlier life in Germany and today. During the train ride to her father, the two become friends. Anna senses something is wrong with Eva, who is often mixed up between her memories and today, but is not old enough to understand the mysteries of aging dementia or an old woman’s need to grasp whatever she can whether current or time long past. When the pair finally arrives and Anna meets her father, she convinces him to help out Eva. This story is one of the new found love and friendship between two very unlikely individuals, Anna and Eva. It presents the reader with the true spirit of this season and will easily become an enduring seasonal classic. The season will pass, but I will not easily forget this poignant tale of two individuals. Anna is scared, lost and a bit confused, though wise beyond her youth. Eva is also scared and lost—in her own way. How they come together is extremely well done by the author. I loved the character development. The setting was realistic and gave the reader a good sense of life and how these two searching souls came together and found a newness in their lives. The story underlies the very essence of the holiday season. As I said, I will not forget this one, because, for me, it is a real keeper. I think everyone and anyone would enjoy this simple tale. If I could, I would give it more than five stars. I received this from NetGalley in exchange for and honest review. ( )