
In a bustling little junction where a modest shop doubles as a makeshift home, young Will’m spends his afternoons perched in a cramped sitting‑room, listening to the clatter of the doorbell and the chatter about Christmas that drifts in from the street. His sister Libby, already in school, brings home fresh tales of Santa and Jack Frost, filling the quiet corners of their world with wonder. Their surrogate grandmother, Mrs. Neal, runs the shop with brisk efficiency, providing the children with handmade treats and a steady stream of small comforts amid the town’s constant comings and goings.
One rainy afternoon a lanky traveler in a rough overcoat wanders into the shop, his eyes catching the glimpse of Will’m peering through the doorway. The stranger’s jovial talk of reindeer taking the “Sky Road” over the rooftops sparks the boy’s imagination, hinting at a larger adventure that may carry the spirit of Santa beyond the town’s limits. As the door swings open and the promise of a Pullman journey looms, the siblings sense that the holiday season could bring more than just gifts—it could deliver a chance to become part of the magic themselves.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (145K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2012-12-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1931
Best known for creating the much-loved Little Colonel books, this American writer built a wide readership with warm, lively stories for young readers. Her work remained popular well into the early 20th century and helped make her one of Kentucky’s best-known authors of children’s fiction.
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