The Perfect Present

By Morgan Billingsley, Jackie Lee and Gabrielle Simone

Three amazing stories about the magic of Christmas and discovering what really matters when it comes to celebrating the season! Operation: Santa is RealMax and Mickey are twins who share everything! A love of sno cones, video games, and Christmas…especially Santa Claus. But Max no longer believes in Santa and Mickey is on a mission to convince her brother that Santa is real. But when her plan backfires, Mickey may find herself on Santa’s naughty list. And when all is said and done, the M and M twins will learn what really matters when it comes to celebrating the season. Friending the GrinchJasmine can’t seem to find her Christmas spirit. A new girl named Jayla has stolen her joy, and some of her friends. Between her conniving and lying, Jayla is ruining Jasmine’s life. But Jasmine is the only one that can see Jayla for the Grinch that she is. Everyone else is fooled by her sob story of a tough life. Can Jasmine get her family and friends to see the truth? Or will Jayla help her discover a few things about herself?Kylie: The Smallest ElfKylie is small. The tiniest elf in Santa’s workshop and she can’t seem to do anything right. After nearly ruining Christmas, she finds herself wondering if she will ever be good enough to work for Santa. Following a worldwind adventure, she finds that she was closer to the answer than she thought. Join Kylie as she discovers the real meaning of Christmas! P3

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brown Girls Publishing
• Release date: Dec 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781625177391

Morgan Billingsley

Ten-year-old, Gabrielle Simone attends Pulaski Academy College Preparatory School, where her teachers describe her as hardworking and passionate about learning. She is the student council representative for fifth grade, plays both basketball and soccer and has a personality bigger than life. The confident young writer is also the daughter of young adult author Celia Anderson. Having grown up tagging alongside her mom at book signings and lectures, it’s no surprise that she has become interested in the art. Gabrielle says that one day she would like to attend Stanford University in California, but that may change as she grows older. Currently she resides with her mother in Little Rock, Arkansas, enjoys playing dress up, singing and playing with her American Girl Dolls. She lists both her mother and maternal grandmother, whom she affectionately calls FeFe, as the people who have influenced her the most.Eleven-year-old, Jackie Lee is a lover of the letters and the arts. She has starred in three theatrical productions produced by Cherie Garland. She portrayed Crystal in “The Christmas Present,” Glenda, The Good Witch in “The Wiz” and the Ballerina in “One Night with a King.” Jackie’s love of arts also extends to church. She participates in the praise dance ministry at East New Hope Baptist Church. She also utilizes her musical talents in band. Often, Jackie can be found assisting her mother at various literary events. She also enjoys journaling and making sketches in her notebooks. She resides in Virginia with her parents and siblings. You can follow her at http://thecreativelifewithjackielee.blogspot.com.Morgan Billingsley is a twelve-year-old, who loves writing, acting, swimming and volleyball. She enjoys helping out and making people laugh. Everyone who knows her, applauds her nurturing heart. Morgan can often be found assisting her mother, ReShonda Tate Billingsley at book signings. She is active in her school organizations and serves as secretary for her Teen group in Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Follow her on Instagram @c_momo_b.

Book preview

Operation: Santa is Real

By Morgan Billingsley

I don’t know what my twin brother wanted for Christmas, but I was about to give him a gift all right, a hard punch in the right eye. Okay, I’m not really a violent person, but after what he just said, Max deserved that and then some.

Say it again, I threatened.

I’m not scared to say it! he yelled.

Then say it! I triple dog dare you. My nostrils flared as I breathed in and out. I felt like I did after gym glass when our drill sergeant gym teacher used to make us run all those laps and I’d be out of breath.

Max took a step in my face and with a gigantic grin said, Santa. Isn’t. Real.

I couldn’t believe this! My little brother (because he was three minutes younger than me) really had the nerve to say Santa isn’t real!

I balled up my fist, but then I thought about Santa and figured he was probably watching right now. That’s what saved Max. I really wanted that new Wii and Santa might put me on the naughty list if I gave my brother a black eye.

So I just said, Everyone knows Santa is real and he comes once a year on Christmas Eve!

He rolled his eyes, laughing like I was the president of dumb.com. Mickey, you really are too old to still believe in Santa, he told me.

Oh! By the way, I’m Mickey, which is short for Michelle but everyone just calls me Mickey. Max is my nerdy twin. In other words, he’s a loser, especially since he doesn’t believe in Santa.

How I could have a loser for a twin, I have no idea. Max always tries to make fun of me, saying I was named after a mouse. But then, I have to remind him that Mickey is an international personality and the universal symbol of the twenty-first century (I don’t exactly know what that means, but I saw it on Google and it sounded really good).

People call us the M and M Twins and even though we fight, nothing can break our bond. Well, I used to think nothing could break our bond. This craziness he just said, well that just may do it.

This all started earlier today when me and Max were eating lunch, and my friend Avery brought up what we wanted for Christmas. That got everyone at the lunch table talking.

I think we should scam Santa into getting us a whole lot of presents. Like, give him a list, then give our parents another list, said Justin, Max’s friend.

Yeah, that way we get double gifts, Avery said.

Uh, really? said Max’s friend, Peter. We’re second graders. Everybody in second grade knows that Santa isn’t real.

Me, Avery and Justin stared at Peter like he had two heads.

Of course Santa is real, I finally said. How else do you think we get our gifts?

Yeah, and nobody but Santa is brave enough to go down the chimney, Avery chimed in. Right, Max?

I just knew my brother was going to agree with me. But he just sat there looking stuck on stupid.

Finally, he said, I think Peter is right. We’re too old to believe in all that fake Santa stuff.

My granny used to say ‘bury me now’ when something was shocking to her. I had no idea what that meant when she first said it, but now I got it. My twin brother was giving up on Santa. Yep, just shoot me now.

I couldn’t even pay attention in class