Benjy and the Belsnickel by Bonnie Swinehart

The Belsnickel is coming… Dressed in black from head to toe. Porcupine quills in his hat. A whip in hand. And bells that jingle with every step.
Benjy, a lovable eleven-year-old in the 1930s, just can't seem to keep himself from pulling pranks and letting people down. His target is most often Miss Nettie, the schoolmarm at the one-room schoolhouse where he gets into more trouble than she's willing to tolerate. Maybe he's pulled one too many practical jokes…because everyone keeps telling him he's going to get a visit from the Belsnickel.

Although Benjy believes the Belsnickel is just an old Pennsylvanian Dutch folktale told to scare kids into better behavior, deep down he fears the grim legend is real.

When the Belsnickel comes knocking, Benjy quickly learns he is no fable

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 My Review

What a great middle school read, one that will bring the reader back to a simpler time, and a look at a sweet Christmas time.

Back to the one room school house, all six grades together, an unknown concept to today’s students.

My 11-year-old is now looking forward to reading this as I have been sharing what is going on with him. He was surprised at the antics of Benjy, and I could sense the wheels turning as I told him what this boy his was doing and the ramifications.

Great ending to this story, and good lessons learned here!

I received this book through WhiteSpark Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.