Silent Days, Holy Night

Julia is a precocious ten year old whose father is an attorney for the town's recluse.  The recluse lives in a mansion on the edge of town and has been the object of the town's gossip for years.

One time, Julia has to accompany her father to a business meeting with the recluse, Henry Lafferty the Second.  There is one thing about Mr Lafferty that Julia finds out the first time that Mr Lafferty is deaf.  Julia also finds a piano with true ivory keys and that is one thing she just cannot resist.  When she starts playing, Mr Lafferty wheels himself to the piano to feel the vibrations Julia is producing.  This is where Julia's and Mr Lafferty's friendship begins. 

Julia is a hungry learner, she goes home immediately to learn sign language so that the next time she goes to see Mr Lafferty, she can communicate with him.  From there, she begins to plan a Christmas show for Mr Lafferty with her choir at church.  In fact, she writes the play the children mime for Mr Lafferty. 

Phyllis Clark Nichols has written a beautiful story of cross-generational friendship that transcends time and circumstance. She has built into Julia a compassion rarely seen in today's society.  When Mr Lafferty gives Julia a name sign, it is truly one of the most exquisite moments in the book.

This is a five-star book, two thumbs up, and a name sign given to you by someone special.

My thanks to Gilead Publishing for providing the galley I read through NetGalley.com.  This review is my opinion alone.