The Angel Doll: A Christmas Story

A touching christmas story, about the devotion of a little boy who tries to give his four year old polio cripple sister an angel doll as a christmas gift. The story is narrated by his best friend and paper-route partner. This is a simple story about devotion and love... Good read.

Book arrived quickly and in excellent condition, as stated. It was a special gift for my Granddaughter....story based in the town that I grew up in.....and in the same time frame.

One of my favorite stories. Former newspaper columnist and author Jerry Bledsoe writes of a true tale from his childhood and adulthood. Its a loving, bittersweet portrayal of a time now long gone, with ramifications that extend much further than expected. I often give it and its sequel as gifts. There is also a movie on dvd that is of good quality.

The Angel Doll is a nice story of 2 little boys who deliver newspapers. One of the boys (Whitey) is saving money to buy an angel doll for his sick sister. My favorite aspect of the book is the theme of love shown by the characters like Whitey, Mrs.Barnes, and others. It is a nice little story that can be read year round with a heartwarming end involving angel dolls.

Good story. Good reading around Christmas.

Like many Christmas novellas, this is one you can read in under an hour. You end up with a well-spent hour. The heart of the story is about two boys growing up in a moderately poor 1950s North Carolina town. The narrator and Whitey Black meet at a part-time job and end up fast friends. Whiteys sister, who is afflicted with polio, is fascinated with angels, so Whitey looks all over to find an angel doll. I wont give away much more of the plot since to do so is to encroach on the ending. The Angel Doll has quite a bit going for it. The writing rings true, capturing the mood of the narrator, both as a boy and as an adult, and the time. There is no artifice here; the writing is to the point, and the story stays focused without meandering unnecessarily. Nor does Mr. Bledsoe allow the writing to interfere with the story. In short, this is what the late

The Angel Doll, short story / novella length and set primarily in the 1950s, is the story of Jimmy Whitey Black, a ten year old boy whose four year old sister Sandy is battling polio. Every day, Sandys favorite part of the day, Jimmy sits down to read the book The Littlest Angel to his sister. Knowing his sister loves anything to do with angels, Jimmy gets the idea to give his sister her own angel doll for Christmas. He searches high and low all over town, struggling to find something that fits what he has in mind. Just when hes about to give up hope, he spots a doll in a store window that just might work. He enlists the help of the mother of one of his friends to help him craft wings and a halo for this doll. Sadly, Sandy passes away before Jimmy can give her the gift. Many years later, the doll makes a reappearance in the life of Jimmys childhood best friend (who narrates the story). Theres no huge miracle within the story, per say, but its still a sweet holiday tale (inspired by true events within the authors life) that encourages doing kindnesses for others simply for the act of charity itself, the benefits it can offer the giver as well as the receiver. Theres an enjoyable tie-back to many of the characters at the very end, as we see how one pivotal holiday season in a childs life changed so many others right into their adulthoods. I definitely was left wondering what became of Jimmy so Ill be sure to track down a copy of the sequel to find out!

Read it to my grandchildren over Christmas. They loved it.

Whitey Black has a chronically ill younger sister Sandy and all she wants is a Christmas angel doll. It is the 1950s and Whitey and his friend are working together on a paper route. The setting is the rural south and friendship is at the center of this wonderful story. This is the premise to a blessed event that will fill the lives of many sick children for years to come. It is a story of remembrance and benevolence. It is a heartrending tale of a young boys love for his sister. For those of you who enjoy THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL there is a sequel titled, A GIFT OF ANGELS. This is a superb pair of books with appeal for the whole family, a Christmas tradition. [email protected] 12/25/01

Weve known Jerry and Linda just over a year as neighbors. While our interactions with them were somehow special as Jerry walks his dog past our home each day, reading The Angel Doll opened an entirely new journey deep into the heart of the person we knew only casually. Aside from the fact that it is an easy read for anyone, the book opened the soul of what we have come to love about the people of the Blue Ridge Country. It epitomizes all that is so genuine and real about those who touch us on a daily basis. As you step each step with Jerry through the lives of those involved in his story, it also takes you through the world in which he lives. Mountain people have always been an interesting study, but somehow the people of the Blue Ridge are different and Jerry has enabled those people to absolutely come to life. It has a universal appeal to both women and men, children and adults and puts a mirror in front of all of us. There are stories scattered throughout the book to which all of us can relate in our own little worlds. I would strongly advise anyone contemplating ordering the book to go ahead and order the sequel since the two are inseparable and the sequel is a true continuum of the first. I am amazed at the diversity with which Jerry is so talented and skilled. Thanks so much, Jerry and Linda for not only the book but your friendship! Also, on a personal note, thanks Linda for the delicious chocolate pie you brought, it was yummy and we could literally taste the love! Big Huggggzzzzzzz