Catching Santa: The Kringle Chronicles

My son and daughter could not put it down.

By teacher recommendation, my ten year old son was given an advanced version of the book. He has to be one of the worlds pickiest readers. Not only that but it takes him FOREVER to finish a book. Raise your hand if you're tired of hearing, "It's boring. I don't like it. Do I really have to read this?". We've all been there with our kids. Well, the books publisher came to my sons school claiming that their new Christmas story would "suck in" even the most picky of readers. I knew I had a challenge for them...mt son.

I was certain the publisher had made a mistake in uttering such an audacious claim. Wow, was I wrong! My son read the book in 24 hours. Yep. I kid you not and I was left scratching my head. Did he really read it? That was my first thought. So I did what any thorough mom would do, I read it and quizzed him, of course. He had read it. The final test was to have my critical 12 year old daughter read it. Ugh, she complained, a Santa story. I told her, just read it. Santa doesn't even come into the story until the very end. It's about the friends and well read it. She blazed through it in a day and said she absolutely loved the Logan (girl) character.

About the story...it reads like a bullet a train. I'm mean things happen fast but no so as to interfere with the overall pace. The plot...clear and absorbing. The characters, one word -- real! The emotions, genuine. It's a fantastic story about true friendship and belief. I can see this on the big screen now.

The author writing style reminded me a kid version Robert Parker (Jesse Stone) and James Patterson. Like I said, Franco doesn't waist time by being overly descriptive. In short you son or daughter will love it. Enjoy!

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Great read for kids!

I just bought this book for my boys (ages 9 and 11). I just finished reading it (before I let them read it) and was really captivated by the storyline and the way in which the author incorporated a totally new spin on Santa and the material part of the Christmas season. Not a traditional Christmas tale by any measure, Catching Santa does a really good job of joining the "kid next door" and "fantasy" characters into a well written story for kids.

Another aspect that I appreciated is the very subtle faith based aspects, not unlike other titles such as The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis. Franco incorporates faith, choice of believing as well as consequences for ones actions. The book challenges middle aged kids to think about the consequences for the choices they make, something that I appreciate as a dad.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Fun story. Lots of action.

It was a fun story, very well written and the author doesn't get bogged down with too many details. I do not want to say to much about the story because there is a bit of a mystery at the beginning. I can say that there are a lot of times when I laughed and you will probably do the same. Enjoy.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Mr. Franco. I liked your story a lot.

I live in central florida so I thought it was really cool reading about a group of kids who live where i live. What really made me like it was the story and how it builds up to this huge things in the end. I cant tell you of course. You have to read it! I can say that it is is well written and the characters are believable. I totally recommend it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Didn't really catch on at my house

Plot was weird. Story line was boring. Character developement was absent.
I didn't like it and neither did the kids. I don't know what the reviewers here are reviewing, but it wasn't the book I got.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A Very Good Book with a lot of action!

I've read a lot of good books and B&N is awesome at supplying good books.If the title isn't cool or there is no action or mystery,then it is what I think a boring book.The cover caught my eye so a I picked it up and read the inside flap.It had a reasonable price so I bought it.It was a fun and good read.Lots of action!I had so many questions!If you have a kid who likes war games,then they will love this book.There are commandos and Marc made Santa Beast! I am 12 and loved it.Perfect for middle school kids.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Eh. It's ok... but just.

It is ok, but not professionally written.

Do a little investigating and you'll find it's self published.
I think it's self published for a reason.

The reviews are plants- have to be. And who spells Jacob - Jakob? It's annoying.

My kids were disappointed and it went straight to the garage sale box.

2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Good Gift Idea

My son was thrilled when Marc Franco went his school,and he kept beginning me to by him the book. I was going to give him it for christmas, but he kept asking me so I gave it to him. He said it was a great book so far and wanted to keep reading more. It is a great gift idea for a young adult who likes Call Of Duty or Halo.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read for the Christmas break. Fun, action and pure entertainment!

The last of my three children finished Catching Santa yesterday and they will not stop raving about it. I'm glad because I enjoyed it too. It's a unique and entertaining story that introduces us to German folklore. I reads like a Hollywood action adventure with some mystery peppered in. I like that the author takes time developing the main characters -- Jakob, Logan, Shig and Fleep but doesn't spend an eternity doing so. For the first 5 or so chapters there seems to be the mystery of the curse then action begins. Fasten your seat belts. The humor adds wonderful balance to the story too. In short Catching Santa has something for everyone if you like a fast fun read. It's a well developed story that uses the main characters to introduce us to a twist on Santa lore. Boys will like that the main character is an 11 year old boy who enlists the help of his three friends to solve this mystery six days before Christmas. We love it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I really liked it.

I really liked it. At first I wasn't sure where the story was going because of the wierd thing that happens to the main character in but I stuck with it and read the first two chapters. I'm glad I did. It turns out to have a lot of action. In two words I'd say it's unpredicatble and fun. By the way, I'm a real kid and not a plant. Adults are wierd.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended

Are you tired of the old tale of Santa in his jolly red suit? Do you think he would be more fun if he was more like a commando? Well then this book is for you. When a rogue assistant of Santa named SR starts turning naughty children into wood and locking them up instead of just giving them a lump of coal, it is up to Jakob and his friends to set a trap to catch Santa and lure SR out into the open. Do they succeed? You are going to have to read this book to find out. This is a children's book but I would recommend it to readers of any age who are still kids at heart or if they were once teased about still believing in Santa.

Great short modern Christmas Story

I enjoy the originality and read this book every year. Well written short story.

SOOOOO GOOD

I really enjoyed this book and I couldn't wait to share it with the rest of my family!

highly recommend

This book was fun and fast paced. Would recommend this book to anyone to read. Would recommend this book to any youngsters to read.

fantasy, actiom and chrismas all in one

I enjoyed the different Santa story. Jakob was having a bad day at recess everyone laughed at him even his three best friends, because he said he still believed in Santa. Rick is the kid who started all the trouble at school. Rick's sister Tiffany was in middle school and she was trying to convince Jakob his three friends were cursed because they denied santa and so if they don't lift the curse by Christmas than no more presents from Santa forever. Then things get really weird fast and they find out thats more than Santa out their.
Jakob can fight smoke thats attacking his friends. Jakob is made aware that he has to trap Santa on Christmas to set free Rick and his family.
Its about standing with your friends and trying to help each other and thier is consequences if you choose wrong. I look forward to reading the next Kringle Chronicle book 2.

Live To Read

This author really knows how to appeal to the child in readers. The story was short, but sweet and entertaining. Jakob, the main character, is precocious and down-to-earth. He isn't gullible in the slightest. The secondary characters are no less fun to read about-even the antagonist. The plot is perfect for Christmas lovers: bad occurrences continue to happen until Santa is caught and handed over to the antagonist. The book is a fast-read, the events happen quickly. There is an air of excitement to this book. The ending is satisfying. This book is recommended for both young readers and old...anyone who enjoys a great Christmas read.

awesome book

Great book ffor kids mr.franco u rock

Love

Love thix book

Highly Recommended to everyone! A must read book!!

I highly recommend this book to everyone!This book has everything! From adventure to mystery, you get it all!! After reading this you should go get this book. Marc Franco did an excellent job!!

Fun Read

I really enjoyed this book. I was looking for a fun read over the holidays and this fit the bill. Even though it is geared towards kids, adults will enjoy it too. A unique twist on the traditional idea of Santa and his reindeer!