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Reviews

Samantha's Surprise: A Christmas Story by Robert Grace, Maxine Rose Schur

covaamont's review

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inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved these books as a girl, and they are still good rereading them as an adult. The story is simple and sweet, with vivid characters. I especially love Samantha’s character and how curious and brave she is.
The main reason I’m enjoying rereading them as an adult is the strong nostalgia and memories. I’m not sure that an adult reader would enjoy these books if they had not already read them as a child.

I remember being fascinated as a child by the beautiful Christmas traditions, and the gorgeous doll that Samantha wishes to get for Christmas. This is such a special little book to me. All my childhood Christmas dreams are in this book.

tea_rex_love's review against another edition

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2.0

Fun, festive, but overall it was a holiday-sized serving of meh.

shanhaddock's review against another edition

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3.0

This one didn't seem as well-written, or maybe not as well-edited, as the other American Girl books I've read. I felt like bits of the plot got completely cut out so it would fit in the allotted page count. It was still a good story, and I probably wouldn't have noticed if I was the target age range. It's just that the others still work for me as an adult, and this one didn't.

summermsmith's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved the Samantha books!

maxandrambo's review

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4.0

Quick Christmasy read.

It's hard to know how to rate books that evoke the nostalgia of childhood. Pretty sure 8-year-old me would've given this bad boy 5-stars, while adult me would give it a solid 3 for enjoyment, so I'm giving it 4—after all I am no longer its target audience but I still really enjoyed the experience.

threeara's review

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

My favorite Samantha book as a kid and my least favorite so far in this (adult) re-read. Very slim plot and very focused on the power of purchasing presents to show love. 

groceries's review

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

legxleg's review

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

geriatricgretch's review

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4.0

I remember the conflict in this book being WAY more serious. Regardless it was nice to revisit all of Samantha’s homemade decorations.