The No-Good Nine

In Depression-era Pittsburgh, a “Know-It-All” kid finds a segment of Santa’s naughty list, organizes a diverse crew of his listed compatriots, and sets out to petition the end of Christmas coal—saving Christmas and unionizing elves along the way. Narrated unreliably by the group’s “Liar” (“The secret to making up stuff is to give your stories a hint of truth”), and funded by the wealthy “Brat,” the journey progresses with madcap speed as the band of nine (or so—the number changes throughout in a running gag) heads to Santa’s Workshop by rail, dogsled, and boat. En route to meeting an autocratic, holiday industry–obsessed Santa, they flee a Russian truant officer, fall in with gold-toothed rumrunner Mummy Rummy, and begin to move beyond their bad-seed monikers (“Cruel” and “Hooligan” among them). With as many laughs and double-crosses as befits a band of naughty-listers, the tale offers raucous holiday adventuring with a gentle political bent. “Nine for one, and one for nine.” Ages 9–12. (Oct.)