On Tour With My Mother's Wish by Jerry Camery-Hoggatt!

I want so strongly to say if you only read one book this Christmas season, read this one. But I can't, and ONLY because I've barely dented my pile of holiday reading...but it is THAT GOOD.

With wit, charm, and an authentic voice, Jerry Camery-Hoggatt has written a keeper destined to be a classic in the caliber of "It's A Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story"--but no worries about leg lamps, people:-)

Eleanor Crumb McKutcheon has spent her life going against the grain. She can't help it; that is how God wired her. If someone says 'left', she'll go north. Not out of spite or rebellion--just out of herself.

In junior high, the pit of insecurity and hormone rage, Eleanor stands up to the teacher everyone knows trained with the Green Berets--although she doesn't believe it herself, and she'll tell you why (prepare to laugh your heart out!). Her name isn't Eleanor--it's Ellee.

I mean, shouldn't a person know her own name? And yes, that is Ellee throughout this story. With ridiculous and high imaginations, this delightful young woman shows how to weather being different in a manner that will inspire the most mis-fitting misfit.

I had to keep checking the cover for the author's name, for rarely does a gentleman write in a teen aged girl's voice with such richness and capacity to "get her". Jerry is an author to watch, my dear reading buddies! I devoured this little book, then savored it in my mind like a very satisfying memory.

The back cover copy informs us that "something strange is brewing at the Comeback Cafe. Think "The Wonder Years" meets "A Christmas Story" but they both know Jesus...that should give you a clear vision of Jerry's delightful masterpiece.

I'm giving "My Mother's Wish" the Golden bookmark for writing and creative excellence, with a piece of golden lined paper as a charm--and write on it any way you wish. I'm also voting it "Best Christmas Fiction of 2008".

Oh, one more thing--about the issue of names: just remember, Jesus has a name written in Heaven for you that only He knows...think of that when you read Ellee McKutchen's story, please?

Happy Reading!