Thomas Cochran

Thomas Cochran creates a suspenseful, teachable moment. The rich culture of Louisiana backwoods shows in this family's celebration of Christmas, but that is not what draws the reader into the story. Ten-year old Tal finds that what he wanted more than anything, to run his dogs alone at night, may not be what it seems. He finds fear.

In sharing with his grandfather, he learns that even with age fear doesn't leave, but he is given wisdom that may conquer it.

A story of facing fear, finding what is important, and growing to be a man.

My boys were held spell-bound and wanting to finish it.

(Just a writer's comment: Because we read it out loud and was thus more noticeable, some of the family discussions became 'he said...she said...he said...they said...' Which became annoying. I found if I just omitted some of the beats, the flow of the story was better, even though the speaker may not have been known directly.)

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