I absolutely LOVED this tale of Christmas. It was such a fun spin and one I hadn't seen before, which I really appreciated. I love that this focuses, at least a little bit, on grief after losing a loved one and how that can change someone. I just really, really liked this.

This book is everything. I live in Colorado, and I have always loved the story about the young kids who were trying to call Santa and instead got one of our military bases and how they handled that phone call. This story has always warmed my heart so having a book out there that highlights it so beautifully really made me beyond thrilled. I also can not tell you how moving this story is just in general Virginia’s character jumps of the pages and straight into the hearts of the reader. This is a book I may need in my own personal collection, and it is one that I can’t wait to recommend to any graphic novel reader or Christmas lover.
Thank you ever so much to First Second Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this stunning graphic novel.

This was such a fun read. I see this graphic novel becoming a top favorite in my classroom! A fun, festive read that also tackles some pretty deep topics like loss, friendship, and family.

Virginia’s father is struggling after the loss of her mother. He reaches out to his sister asking to move in with her. On the road trip to her aunts house Virginia spots something shiny on the side of the road, when her dad stops to fix a flat tire she heads out into the woods to find out what it is. What follows is a beautiful Christmas story about believing in the magic of Christmas and finding new friendship. I really enjoyed this graphic novel.

Well, turns out North for the Winter gave me something I wasn’t expecting from a graphic novel about a runaway reindeer: actual feelings. Like, the kind where your throat tightens and you suddenly have to excuse yourself because, apparently, you’re now allergic to air.

Thanks a lot, Bobby Podesta.

This book has it all—grieving middle-schooler? Check. Flying reindeer? Obviously. Department store elves who are way too good at their jobs? Disturbingly check. And a cameo by the actual radar operators of the Continental Air Defense Command Center (because of course they’d be the ones tracking Santa).

The illustrations are gorgeous, the pacing is quick, and the story has just enough holiday magic to make you believe… even if you’re the type of person who side-eyes Hallmark movies and mutters, “Yeah, sure, Santa’s coming down that chimney.”

While it melted my icy heart just enough to get misty-eyed, it also made me want to run around shouting “I BELIEVE” like a second-grader at the Macy’s parade. And frankly, my dignity can only take so much.

Would recommend if you want: holiday feels, flying deer drama, and the faint possibility of explaining your watery eyes with “allergies.”

I loved the art style, less so the story. There was just too much going on (tragic backstory! cool aunt! Santa! interludes in a military bunker?!?!), and I also felt that the use of the 1950s setting was weird and inconsistent. Felt like it could have used a few more passes at the script stage.

Snow, grief, and a dash of Christmas magic—Pixar animator Bobby Podesta’s debut graphic novel feels like slipping into a vintage holiday movie. Set in 1955 Colorado, it follows Virginia, a young girl coping with loss, who spies a reindeer flying across the sky. With the help of her new neighbor Benny, she embarks on a whimsical quest to return the creature to Santa before hunters and skeptics close in.

The art is the star here: rich, cinematic panels drenched in mid-century color and cozy nostalgia. Podesta captures both the sparkle of adventure and the hush of quiet grief with painterly ease. The story itself is tender and heartwarming.

North for the Winter delivers a gentle reminder of the season’s magic that wonder finds its way home.

Virginia and her dad are moving to Denver to live with Aunt Frances after the death of her mother. On the way there, Virginia encounters a most curious reindeer in the woods. When she gets caught in a hunter's net, she makes a quick grab and pulls a strange compass from around its neck; in the chaos, the reindeer runs off. In Denver, Virginia meets Benny, her new neighbor, and tells him about the reindeer. Benny knows right away that this is no ordinary reindeer--it's got to be one of Santa's, and they have to help reunite it with the sleigh in time for Santa to deliver all of his Christmas gifts. But with a determined hunter and the Continental Air Defense Command Center on the lookout as well, they have their work cut out for them...

Set in 1955, Podesta's debut graphic novel delivers on nostalgia, Christmas spirit, and engaging art. It's got the feel of a Christmas classic akin to Miracle on 34th Street, but with more elves, car chases, and adventurous hijinks. It also tenderly explores family dynamics and grief following the death of a loved one. Sure to satisfy graphic novel enthusiasts in search of a heartfelt holiday romp.

I really like the cover, illustrations, title and story. It starts out making you wonder where a girl and her father are going. Then there is some mystery, and conflict before everything wraps up and it is a happy ending.
I feel this book would be great to read a loud to me speech and language students. I would stop to ask questions and have them predict what will happen next and talk about reality vs fantasy.
This book will also be good to talk about what happens if a parent dies.
This book will be perfect for the month of December.

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
Set in Denver in December 1955. It's never easy to lose your mom but this timing is especially difficult. Particularly when your dad moves you miles away to live with your aunt. On the journey, an animal runs in front of their car and Virginia pursues it to make sure it is all right. She accidentally grabs a medallion it wore and this starts the whole chain of events including meeting a new friend and a flying reindeer. I love the alternating storyline with CONAD as they track the unknown flying object. Podesta mixes humor with the more serious topics and balances both well. Readers will experience plenty of adventure as the two new friends, Virginia and Benny, work to help Donner reconnect with Santa on Christmas Eve. The artwork captures the era and adds to the storyline.

One December day, Virginia stumbles across a flying reindeer, but no one believes her. That is until she shares her secret with her neighbor Ben, who is convinced that Santa must be involved. Virginia and Ben must work together to help the lost reindeer find its way back to Santa and save Christmas.

This Christmas graphic novel has all of the holiday spirit of Christmas movies like The Santa Clause and Christmas Chronicles, which makes sense given Bobby Podesta’s history with Pixar. It’s full of family, friendship, hijinks, and, of course, some suspiciously convincing elves. I’ll definitely be recommending it to kids throughout the holiday season.

It’s a sweet Christmas story. I have to admit, I feel so so sorry for the tracker, I didn’t get why he was hunting donner down at first, but it makes sense wanting things to be the way they used to be, the tracker wasn’t a bad man at all. And the story between Virginia and her father, fixing things up between them after her mother died is a nice touch. Also I like the whole concept of Santa not being in the North Pole but being around the world because the North Pole is too cold and the toy shop is where all the elves work. Overall this story is really nice.

This story is very inventive and I love the play on a typical Christmas story, especially the throw backs to previous Christmas classics scattered throughout. The characters are well thoughtout and enjoyable, except for the father. While he does redeem himself at the end to an extent, for the first half of the book he comes off more emotionally abusive and neglectful then a just a man dealing with grief. You don't see a single moment of remorse or him struggling, just straight up accusing his daughter of things without merit, even a simple frame or two showing him upset or distraught or sighing or something of that sort would have made his arc more believable and made his character more appealing and understandable. It's really unfortunate as otherwise this book is enjoyable.

4 stars

This is a great holiday read, but it'll warm your heart any time of year.

Virginia has lost her mom in an accident, and her dad has a plan to relocate to Denver so that the two of them can live with his sister - Virginia's aunt - and reestablish the sense of family that they've seemingly lost in their grief. On the way, Virginia has an unexpected encounter with Donner of reindeer fame!

As Virginia attempts to acclimate to her new home, she meets new friends, makes new nemeses, and works through some of the lost or not yet made connections. All of this happens against a snowy, festive backdrop, and because it is set in the mid '50s, there's a real sense of nostalgia here, too.

This is an extremely charming read, and the illustrations are on point. Rather than the loud colors of Christmas, the focal point is that brilliant blue on the cover. There's a lot of excitement, but there's also a sense of peace that pervades the pages and, ultimately, the characters, as they go on an incredible adventure (Virginia especially) and come out the other side with a lot of learning and a lot of hope to show for it.

I'll be recommending this one and enjoying at least one re-read at a more seasonally appropriate time (than July)!

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a nostalgic Christmas story set in the 50s, addressing friendship, grief, life changes that younger ones sometimes need to navigate through, and believing in magic. The reindeer, especially, is adorable, and the art is charming reminding of older comics.

I'd recommend this graphic novel to any parent with children in middle school as a Holiday read, and to classroom libraries.

North for the Winter so effortlessly weaves together a story of grief, big life changes, friendship, magic, modern history, and Christmas. I was immediately drawn into the story and found myself wanting to know what would happen next. Benny added some humor to the story while also helping Virginia for no other reason than that she is his friend. The reindeer hunter raises the stakes a little and I liked his backstory and opportunity for redemption. This is the perfect story to read around Christmas because it is ultimately about family and believing in the magic of the season.

I know it’s not the holiday season yet, but I always get that itch right after July 4. Once the school supplies are purchased, let’s just move on to sweaters, scarves, and nights reading by the fire. (Also, Christmas Eve is just 167 days away.)

So if you’re shopping early (I hear quite a few places are having big sales this week), consider a pre-order of North for the Winter. It would be the perfect holiday story to read with your family! It’s suggested reading age is 8-12, but I guarantee your kids 4-100 will enjoy this heartwarming graphic novel about Virginia and Donner (yes! THAT Donner! Santa’s Donner!)

Virginia and her dad have had a difficult year—the death of Virginia’s mother has rattled their spirit—so they head to Denver to stay with Virginia's aunt right before Christmas. On the way, Virginia happens to bump into Donner and accidentally takes something really important to him. When he can't find his way to Santa, all sorts of trouble ensues. But thanks to Virginia’s persistence, the help of a few brave (and magical) friends, and a lot of Christmas spirit, you can guarantee Christmas is saved (and your belief in Santa might also be renewed).

Written and illustrated by Bobby Podesta (a star Pixar animator), the story feels familiar for the whole family. I wouldn’t be surprised if it finds its way to a small screen at some point. And a few readers may pick up on the storyline of “The Santa Colonel,” Harry Shoup. If you have older kiddos who may think they know “the secret,” this is worth investigating!

I know it’s only July, but if you’re already dreaming of a White Christmas or early holiday shopping, add this one to your list!

Thank you Netgalley and FirstSecond Books for an e-galley to review!

I LOVE EVERYTHING that First Second publishes and this was not an exception!

A fun holiday story about meeting a reindeer, gaining a new friend, and what those two things bring to young Victoria! It is a great ride, great story and a perfect fit for you and your family's holiday reads!!

In 1955, Virginia Kay and her father move from Arizona to Denver, Colorado. On the trip, the father (who was a pilot during the war) narrowly misses an animal on the road, and has to change a flat tire. Virginia goes off into the woods in search of the animal, and encounters a flying reindeer. When the animal sniffs her, she accidentally grabs a medallion of its collar. Her father isn't happy that she ran off, since they have recently lost her mother. Arriving at Aunt Frances' apartment, Virginia doesn't feel at home, but soon comes to terms with her cozy bedroom in the pantry, and makes friends with neighbor Benny Alvarez. In alternating scenes, we also see the men working at the Continental Air Defence Command Center (CONAD). Benny takes Virginia on a tour of Denver, including Gisser's Department Store, where his sister Gloria works in the toy department. Virginia is obsessed with the reindeer, and talks Benny into investigating the woods with her, and he even gets Gloria to drive them. The medallion is a compass, and Virginia ends oup flying with the reindeer. They show up on the CONAD radar, and almost get hit by a plane. Arriving back at the department store, they are met by manager Mr. Albright, who along with workers Joy and Noel are actually elves. Mr. Albright knows Donner, and tells Virginia that since she has the compass, Donner doesn't know where to meet up with his team to pull Santa's sleigh. If Santa doesn't make his deliveries, children will stop believing in Santa, so it's important that Virginia fix things. Unfortunately, she has to deal with a man they call the Tracker, who is trying to capture Donner. It's a tricky situation, and Virginia and Benny drive Benny's family car to the cabin (even though they are about 12!). Things escalate with the Tracker, and get pretty dark. With CONAD on high alert because of the odd radar sightings, will Virginia be able to save Christmas?
Strengths: In my mind, the 1950s are the Golden Years of Christmas, so it makes perfect sense to set the story during this time. I loved the note at the end about the serendipity of Colonel Harry Shoup and CONAD tracking Santa! The illustrations, including the color palette, have enough details from that time period to really sell the setting; the clothing, the cars, and the decorations at the department store. This gets a little dark, which is perfect for middle school readers; the Tracker seems like a real threat, and at one point Virginia jumps of the roof of the department store, just trusting that Donner would magically arrive and safe her. (He does. Whew.) Virginia and Benny, aided by a reluctant Gloria, are a wonderful detective team. The mix of history and fantasy reminds me a bit of Walsh's Red Scare: A Graphic Novel. My favorite part has got to be the description Joy and Noel give about Santa's marketing, brand strategy, and decentralization of manufacturing and staff!
Weaknesses: This is one book where the mother REALLY didn't need to be dead. Couldn't the entire family have just moved to Denver for someone's job? I loved Aunt Frances, but can't we even have HOLIDAY books without all the middle grade parents dying?
What I really think: I'll probably buy this one because the demand for Christmas books is high, and this one had a cinematic, quirky middle grade approach to Santa and his reindeer. You could not pay me enough to have this in an elementary library. Another reviewer thought it would be great for grades 2-4, but I think the dark tone of this one better suits children who have already decided that Santa does not exist. Because I told my daughter from a young age that I didn't believe in Santa, she was crushed to find out that I was right all along. When she was in 6th grade! Not my fault, but I wouldn't want to have to explain this one to any tender youth.

This was delightful! From the stunning, warm art design to the relatable themes, this graphic novel is filled with so much magical adventure, friendship, and the rediscovery of what family truly is. I love how nuanced the story is as well as the refreshing modernization of the narrative, whilst still keeping the nostalgic feel of the 1950s setting.