Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
During his family's Christmas Eve celebration, Cody finds his grandfather sitting alone upstairs, gazing at a photograph of the men he served with in Vietnam. Grandpa explains how he and his fellow soldiers sang "Silent Night" under a bright star one Christmas Eve. That night, the soldiers vowed to gaze up at a star every Christmas Eve to "think about each other and those who didn't come home." Although Cody can sometimes take on a stiff, doll-like appearance, Van Wagoner (The Mermaid's Gift) elegantly transitions from scenes of the festive household to shadowy ones of Cody's grandfather in his youth at war. It's hard to believe that Grandpa has sequestered himself away from the family on Christmas Eve for decades without it having been addressed ("No one has ever asked me about this picture," Grandpa tells Cody), but Metivier (Until Daddy Comes Home) nevertheless delivers a poignant story about remembrance and togetherness. Ages 5-8. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Cody's grandfather usually celebrates Christmas Eve alone, mourning his fallen comrades. This year, Cody leaves the big family celebration, determined to include Grandpa in the fun. In the comfort of his grandfather's lap, Cody learns about the almost miraculous appearance of a bright star during a stormy night in Vietnam and the tradition that this started for Grandpa and his unit. Charlie helps him create a new tradition with family and togetherness, highlighted by yet another seeming miracle. While a little too pat, this story presents a veteran's perspective on the holiday. The text is studded with onomatopoeia, and while it skims over Grandpa's loss, it's never graphic or detailed. Largely dark illustrations serve to emphasize the candlelit, almost hyperexpressive faces of the characters. VERDICT This intergenerational story is a sentimental read-aloud about the importance of memory and how traditions are made.-Brooke Sheets, Los Angeles Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A white boy named Cody helps his military-veteran grandfather cope with memories of a long-ago Christmas in Vietnam as they start a new holiday tradition.Codys parents are hosting a big Christmas Eve party, but Codys grandpa stays upstairs in his room alone. As midnight approaches, Cody seeks Grandpa out and urges him to join the party. The older man is sitting with a framed photograph on his lap, and he explains its meaning and his sadness to his grandson. The grandfather served in Vietnam, and one Christmas Eve, he and his fellows sang Silent Night together under an unusually bright star, vowing to continue the tradition each year to remember. Cody gets the whole party outside to sing Silent Night with Grandpa, starting a new, happy tradition for their family. The long-for-the-format story is sentimental but not saccharine, and the wartime flashback is handled sensitively. The illustrations have a dark, moody aura commensurate with Grandpas melancholy mood and the theme. The adult characters are all white except for one party guest with dark skin and hair. The depictions of protagonist Charlie are a serious drawback, as his apparent age and height are inconsistent. Sometimes he looks like a child of 6 or so, as on the cover, where he is depicted sitting on Grandpas knee; at other times, he looks 10 or 12 or even like a teenager. A thoughtful story marred by inconsistent illustrations. (authors note) (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
