Isabella Alden

Nettie Beldon's Sunday-school class had decided to make Christmas happy for a poor community in the south by shipping them a barrel full of Christmas presents. Nettie likes the idea, but unlike her wealthier Sunday-school friends, Nettie has only ten cents to spend. How can she possibly buy a nice gift to add to the barrel with so little money? Whatever Nettie sends will have to be made by hand, and with plenty of love. Is it possible that Nettie's small gift, given in Jesus' name, can make a difference in the life of a stranger in need? This edition of the 1894 classic Christian novel includes a biography of the author.

Life is hard for Reuben Stein. Orphaned and living with a resentful family that begrudges him so much as a kind word, Reuben longs for a better life, but something always hinders his efforts. Desperate for comfort, Reuben turns to his mother's Bible and soon learns that the events in his life he thought were hindrances were actually opportunities in disguise Soon Reuben has a new outlook on life; and with the words of his mother's Bible to guide him, he hopes to bring some happiness to the same people who once did him the most harm.