The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig

She's working as a chimney sweep, just like her mother used to.  Her mother is ill.  Last Christmas she wanted gifts and she got them.  This year she just asks for help for her mother.  The problem is that Santa never shows up and her mother dies.  Then she's stuck in a workhouse and that's all she gets to do.   It's hard to keep hope alive under continual work and punishment.

Knopf Books for Young Readers and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published October 31st.

Santa is having his own problems.  The toys were ready, he was ready to head out for Christmas and the whole village came under a troll attack!  They'd signed a peace agreement three years ago but it didn't seem to make much difference.  They even destroyed the sleigh!

Now no one believes in Christmas and he's still trying to recover from the troll attack.  His magic isn't working.  And there's a traitor in the village...

You find yourself worrying about Amelia and Santa both.  It's a good thing Santa has Blitzen to help him.  I found this an enjoyable read with lots of excitement for young readers.  Why not read about how Christmas started before the big day?