Skipping Christmas facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | John Grisham |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Andrew Davidson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
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Publication date
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November 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 198 pages |
| ISBN | 0-385-50583-3 |
| OCLC | 54083800 |
| 813/.54 21 | |
| LC Class | PS3557.R5355 S58 2001 |
Skipping Christmas is a funny novel written by John Grisham. It was released by Doubleday on November 6, 2001. The book quickly became very popular. It reached the top spot on The New York Times Best-Seller List on December 9 of the same year.
The story was also made into an audiobook. This version was read by actor Dennis Boutsikaris. Later, the book was turned into a movie. The film, called Christmas with the Kranks, came out in 2004. It was directed by Joe Roth and written by Chris Columbus.
Contents
What is Skipping Christmas about?
The story is about a couple named Luther and Nora Krank. They decide to try something different for Christmas. They want to avoid all the usual busy activities that happen during the holiday season.
The Kranks' Big Decision
The story begins after Thanksgiving. Luther and Nora take their daughter, Blair, to the airport. She is leaving for a year-long trip with the Peace Corps in Peru. Luther sees how busy the airport is. He starts to dislike the usual Christmas traditions. He knows Blair won't be home for Christmas this year.
One day, Nora asks Luther to go to a crowded grocery store. It is raining heavily. Luther gets soaked and forgets to buy white chocolate. Nora has to go back inside to get it herself. This makes Luther even more annoyed with holiday stress.
Nora is sad because it will be their first Christmas without Blair. Luther then figures out how much they spent on Christmas last year. It was about $6,100 for decorations, gifts, and parties. He realizes they didn't have much to show for it. So, he comes up with an idea. He decides they should skip all the Christmas fuss at home. Instead, they could go on a 10-day Caribbean cruise. They would travel on a ship called the Island Princess.
Nora is not sure at first. But she agrees on one condition. They must still donate $600 to their church and the Children's Hospital. Luther doesn't want to at first. But Nora insists, so he agrees. They start planning their trip.
Neighbors and Holiday Spirit
Nora soon gets used to the idea of no Christmas shopping. She also likes not having a Christmas tree. They won't host their usual Christmas Eve party either. But their neighbors on Hemlock Street are very unhappy. The Kranks' decision not to decorate their house could stop the street from winning a prize. This prize is for the best-decorated block in the neighborhood.
Vic Frohmeyer is like the unofficial leader of the neighborhood. He leads the neighbors in trying to make Luther and Nora celebrate Christmas. They stand around the Kranks' lawn. They ask Christmas carolers to sing there. People call them often, demanding they decorate their house. They even protest with signs.
Luther tries to stop the protests. He freezes his sidewalk so carolers can't sing there. Charities also get upset with the Kranks. The local Boy Scout troop is sad when the Kranks won't buy a tree. The police are angry when they refuse to buy a calendar. Firefighters are shocked when the Kranks don't buy a fruitcake. A newspaper even asks Luther's rival, Walt Scheel, to film the Kranks' house for a story. Luther and Nora feel like everyone is against them. They can't wait to leave on Christmas Day.
A Surprise Change of Plans
Suddenly, Blair calls from Miami on Christmas Eve. She announces she is coming home! She is bringing her new Peruvian fiancé with her. Blair wants to surprise her parents. She is excited to show Enrique her family's Christmas traditions. She asks if they are having their usual party that night. A panicking Nora says, "Yes!" Luther is not happy about this.
Now, funny chaos begins. The Kranks have only a few hours to decorate their house. They also need to organize a party. Their daughter and future son-in-law will arrive soon. The Boy Scouts have sold all their Christmas trees. So, Luther arranges to borrow a tree from a neighbor. This neighbor is leaving for the holidays. Luther and Vic Frohmeyer's son, Spike, try to move the tree. But other neighbors see them. They mistakenly think Luther is stealing it. They call the police, and Luther almost gets arrested.
Luther tries to put Frosty the Snowman on his roof. But he falls and ends up hanging by his legs from an electric cord. Scheel calls 9-1-1, and Luther is rescued. Then, everyone who was upset with the Kranks comes to help. The neighbors all work together. They create a noisy, festive Christmas celebration. It's exactly what Blair is expecting. Blair calls to say she is at the airport. Luther is injured, so Vic sends the police to pick her up. The police give her a hero's welcome. They escort her and her fiancé home.
Luther slowly realizes how much his neighbors' Christmas spirit has helped him. He starts to celebrate Christmas willingly. He even gives his cruise tickets to the Scheels. The Scheels are having a very sad Christmas. Walt Scheel's wife has just found out her breast cancer has returned for the third time.
