THE CHRISTMAS BARN

Like The Christmas Promise and The Shine Man (reviewed above), this novel is also set during the Depression. In Appalachia, "poor before the depression was just the same as poor durin' the depression"—however, if there's one thing the Dockery family has plenty of, it's love. A falling tree destroys their log cabin during a snowstorm, but 12-year-old Roxie and her family find a way to make the holidays special. Davis's heartwarming tale feels like a lost episode straight out of Laura Ingalls Wilder, full of gentle adventure and memorable characters. Ages 10-up. (Sept.)