Title: By The Light of a Star

Author: Anita Stansfield, Gale Sears, Joni Hilton, Kerry Blair, Lynn C.

Jaynes, Marilynne Todd Linford

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Genre: Non-fiction

Year Published: 2008

Number of Pages: 26

Binding: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1-59811-406-9

ISBN-13: 978-1-59811-406-5

Price: $4.95

Reviewed by Jaymie Reynolds

By The Light of a Star is a very short collection. It contains six very short tales from different LDS authors. At first glance, it appears to be the typical Christmas gift booklet. Inside, the differences become more readily apparent. The writings in this booklet are not as polished as an actual novel. They are however, very straightforward. Each piece is delivered as though they are standing right in the room or are sending a letter to someone they are close to.

This booklet is not emotionally gripping in the normal way of such Christmas story booklets. However, it is because of the normalcy of these writings that they are appealing. This offering is built upon the kind of Christmas experiences that readers could easily see happening in their own lives.

From one author's need to work through her mother's death and her brother's suicide to a miraculous angel making an appearance in a Christmas play, each of the authors in this book shares a memory of their own Christmases. Some are inspiring because of the events that take place in another individual's life. Others are inspiring because of the adversity the author faces and overcomes.

While this booklet doesn't necessarily have the emotional pull that some readers are looking for, it is one that will appeal to readers on a rational level. Those who choose to read this will be able to connect with many of the stories and envision themselves in such situations. For the most part, these stories will reach across religious lines and may appeal to anyone who is seeking to increase the spirit of the Christmas season.