Monday, December 6, 2010

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED 
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT
BY R. WILLIAM BENNETT

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ben and Scott are sixth-grade boys who meet under stressful circumstances – Scott is the new kid in town, and Ben, by all accounts, is the school bully who terrorizes everyone in his path.  After one-too-many confrontations, Scott lashes out, yelling at Ben, telling him that everybody hates him.

But Scott was not raised to be mean, and the glimmer of hurt that he saw in Ben’s eyes haunts him for days.  After a long talk with his father, Scott realizes that he owes Ben an apology, and he sets out to bravely confront his tormentor – ultimately forging a close friendship with a young man who is not a bully, but someone with a life-threatening heart ailment.  Ben ultimately succumbs to his illness, but not without leaving a wonderful Christmas gift to his one true friend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
R. William Bennett, who resides with his family in Utah, has lived on both the East and West Coasts. A former executive at IBM and FranklinCovey, Bennett is an accomplished leader, speaker, teacher, and writer. THE CHRISTMAS GIFT is his first book.  He is working on several other books, both fiction and non-fiction.

MY REVIEW:
R. William Bennett’s THE CHRISTMAS GIFT is a story perfect for the season, but one that could be enjoyed and cherished all year long. With a story that could act as a guide for all of us, it will be one you and your family will not only enjoy, but benefit from. I read it quickly as it is a small book and thought that if I were still back teaching middle school Reading as I had been just before retiring, I would have read this to my classes and discussed it. The book would be interesting to that age group as well as adults with a lesson we can all learn from. Bennett writes in an easy to enjoy manner that holds your interest and brings out your emotions. You care about the characters and the realism of the story makes it easily relatable. The lesson I took away from the story, as I think many people will, is that of trying to understand other people’s lives before we judge them. Perhaps if our feelings were involved in more of what we do, many of us would be better off. If you want a poignant story to share with your family around this holiday time, THE CHRISTMAS GIFT would be perfect…as well as make a great gift for loved ones.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO FELICIA WITH 
JANE WESMAN PR, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF THIS LOVELY
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY TO A
LUCKY WINNER
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK THE MOST

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE YOU HAVE ENTERED

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GIFT WOULD BE IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE THING TO ANYBODY


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 18!
GOOD LUCK!




75 comments:

LeAnn said...

Every Christmas I buy a new Christmas book to share with my family. This book is a good choice this year because my grown children are so busy; it is a quick read with a powerful message.
sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcom

LeAnn said...

If I could give a special gift this Christmas it would be:
finding a mentor with financial resources and contacts to "adopt" a young couple with children and help them obtain a brighter, stable future. Idealistic, yes. Possible, yes, if the right person reads this or has a friend who has a friend that. . . . I can be a mentor but I don't have the financial resources to make this happen.

sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcom

LeAnn said...

I entered Cross Fire giveaway.
sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcom

Commchick said...

I always like to read books that have a good message to them and this one sounds like it has one.

belchers@jccal.org

Commchick said...

If I could give any present, I would give my Mom a NookColor, but unfortunately I cannot afford it. Maybe I will be able to get her one next year.

belchers@jccal.org

debbie said...

I love a good christmas story, and this one sounds like a true friendship story. I would love to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I would give my son a laptop for christmas, if I could.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the purrfect murder giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Steve Capell said...

I found reading this review a bundle of emotion so I am sure that “The Christmas Gift” would also be an emotional book to read. I also related to this review in my own life as my grandson started kindergarten this year and he came face to face with a much older child on the bus that was the equivalent of a “BULLY.” I also can relate as throughout my school years I too had my share of people that wanted to act out the character of the class “BULLY.” We hear in the news how sometimes the people that act out this aggression actually goes to far and ends up hurting someone physically, but in any case their actions do emotionally drain those that are being preyed upon. You stated in your review that many people could find it easy to relate to this book … I am sure I could relate with many things in this book by your honest review.

Secondly, I would add that to find an endorsement by Stephen Covey on the front of this book speaks well for this book. I realize that the author was a former executive of FranklinCovey, but also believe that Stephen Covey would not have endorsed this book if it violated his core principles. Stephen Covey stated, “The Christmas Give is a wonderful book that will teach you, change you, and inspire you.” I would very much like to read this book so thanks for first of all reviewing this book and secondly for the opportunity to win a copy.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

A couple of themes make me want to read this, such as new kid, and bullying.

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

I enjoy books that teach a lesson. Bullying and its tragic consequences has been in the news. Most of the sympathy is directed to the victim(s) and their family/friends and the bully(ies) are looked upon with contempt. This book is different. Although counter-intuitive, it asks the reader to get to know the tormentor and his reality.

monagargATyahooDOTcom

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I have also entered the Fourth Bingle Bundles contest

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

If I could give one gift to anybody - does it have to be realistic - I would give perfect health!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

I entered WIMPY KID Bingle Bells Book Bundle Giveaway.

monagargATyahooDOTcom

Anonymous said...

If I could give one thing to anybody, I would give my father back enough vision in his eyes to be able to drive a car again. He would have autonomy back and would no longer have to depend on others.

monagargATyahooDOTcom

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. It sounds really good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Pamela Keener said...

I absolutely love Christmas stories and ones with a message.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered Call Me Mrs Miracle giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

If I could give any gift I would give financial freedom to my brother and SIL who have 4 boys with their Dad on a long term layoff.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Janelle said...

A powerful read with a lasting message. Heart warming & instructive!
Thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom

Janelle said...

I would give all lonely children tenderness & unconditional love!
Thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom

samantha35 said...

great giveaway
follow via gfc
drakebdog@gmail.com

Love xmas stories!

holdenj said...

This looks like a very ultimately heartwarming story. Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Olivia giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

It sounds like a timely story as there is so much bullying these days and usually the bully is not the tough person you think they are.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered The Purrfect Murder giveaway.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I would buy my son a picture he has been wanting.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Julie said...

I think that doing this book as a read-along with my Bebe Boy James would be good, as it would help him understand that sometimes even "bullies" have big problems that are coming out in the wrong way. Thanks for the chance to win!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

Julie said...

I entered your "Promise Me" giveaway!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

Julie said...

If I could give one gift, it would be the gift of creatively dealing with frustration and it would go to my Bebe Boy James, who was diagnosed with PDD/NOS, ODD, and ADHD when he was 4 - the psychiatrist told me he would never be mainstreamed, but he's 10 now and in the 4th grade and tops in his class. It took a lot of work, but I can see that there's a lot still to go, as he gets overly frustrated and angry at situations that don't merit it and still doesn't cope very well with that.

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

justpeachy36 said...

I love Christmas themed books and I think this one looks really good and it's one I can share with my family.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I entered the ARC giveaway that is part of the Bingle Bells Bundles.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

If I could give anything to someone. It would probably be enough money to make them comfortable.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/12726481805381632

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I ENTERED THE CHRISTMAS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING 2010 GIVEAWAY
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I give my husband the gift of being cancer free.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

bison61 said...

this sounds like a great book about the relationship between 2 boys

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jolee said...

A touching timely Christmas tale sounds very appeal at the moment. :-) joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

If I could give a present this year, it would be good health for my father-in-law.... joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

also entered the Nachomamatees. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Anonymous said...

that's what i try to teach my children. sounds like a lovely story for any time of year.
charlcr(at)aol(dot)com

Ruthie said...

Sounds like a wonderful gift to give my grandson.

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Ruthie said...

Entered Bountiful Bakers giveaway

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Ruthie said...

I would give financial help to my children, both who are struggling with job cutbacks & job loss.

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Tina said...

I'd love to read this book and it would be great reading ti to my son too. christina101092@yahoo.com

Tina said...

http://twitter.com/Christina101092/status/15061389143965697
christina101092@yahoo.com

Tina said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=111299835608835&id=100001144971475

christina101092@yahoo.com

Tina said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/christina101092/review/48612247/

christina101092@yahoo.com

Tina said...

Entered THREE CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY BOOKS SET GIVEAWAY

christina101092@yahoo.com

Tina said...

I'd like to be able to give BF the house of her dreams.

christina101092@yahoo.com

Tina said...

+5 swag christina101092@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/15064818968961024

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I love to read this book I bet it has a great message.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=183464421669186&id=100001087052807

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/48612599/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I entered WIMPY KIDS BINGLE BELLS BOOK BUNDLE GIVEAWAY

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'd want to give My daughter and 2 sons enough Money to live on easy street. shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+5 swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/15066316826222592

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=171251049580397&id=100000609680005

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/48612826/

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

Entered: THREE LARGE PRINT MYSTERY BOOK BUNDLE GIVEAWAY

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'd love to give my wife her Dream home and car. jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

Well I'd be interested in this book because it revolves around two kids live. Sounds sad but probably has a great message in it

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Romantic73/status/15067868672565248

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=184308351584493&id=100000641625482

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/48612980/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Is like a fantasy gif? If so I'd like to give my Mom And best friend and My two brothers a Billion dollars a piece.

Unknown said...

I entered THREE CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY BOOKS SET GIVEAWAY

chirth7@yahoo.com

dag888888 said...

I like novels with memorable characters and lessons - like this book!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered large print mystery books giveaway.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

I would give my DH a Canon S95!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

CherylS22 said...

I want to read this book because things aren't always as they seem & it takes a lot of courage to find out what's behind a person's exterior.
Thanks for the giveaway....
Happy Holidays!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

Entered the "Promise Me" giveaway
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

My favorite Christmas gift to give is a shopping bag full of all the fixings for a holiday meal given to someone at our local food bank.

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

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SEE MY POLICY