Reading: BACK TO CHRISTMAS - Dennis Canfield

A very forgiving Santa has shaken things up at the North Pole, virtually eradicating his "Naughty" list by believing that - regardless of their mistakes and weaknesses - people are generally good at heart. This couldn't be worse news for Marmel, Santa's Head Labeling Elf, who doesn't want to lose his job - so is overjoyed when he discovers the Krumwerth family. The Krumwerths, who used to be very loving and do things together as a family unit, have since somehow lost their way, and now rarely communicate with each other, choosing to spend their time glued to phone or game or television screens. Only problem: this will be the Krumwerths third year in a row on the Naughty list - and once you've hit that third time, you're Naughty for good and lose a lot more than presents. It's Marmel's job to warn the family that they have very little time to perform the tasks to get them off the list before sundown on Christmas Day, and he chooses to share this info with 12-year-old Amanda Krumwerth, who - even once she believes him - has no idea how to get her family back. Worse, when Marmel learns his own fate might be tied in with the Krumwerths' dire straits, he has no choice but to try and help correct his own huge mistake ... but can he, even with the help of Santa's younger brother, Reverse Claus, and a group of disheveled flying penguins, find the spirit of Christmas either in himself or a jaded, technology-addicted family? This book is fantastic; lively and funny and with enough heart to induce a tear or two in the end. Sentimental but not sticky, easily enjoyable by kids from eight to eighty-eight, and deserving of its own place alongside your favorite Christmas stories on the bookshelf.  5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.