Reviews:

“A poignant reminder of the past and a warm, pleasant acknowledgment regarding the real meaning of Christmas.”
The City Paper (Nashville), December 2007

“A loving portrait of small-town life during World War II.”
The Tennessean, November 2007

“An upbeat portrayal of a simpler nation united around common goals.”
Nashville Scene (Our Critics Pick), November 2007

“This account of growing up on the World War II home front will certainly encourage nostalgia in readers of the greatest generation.”
Barnes and Noble Books, November 2007

“An entertaining, richly-detailed reminiscence of home-front America during the winter of 1944-45.”
David-Kidd Bookellers, November 2007

“Interweaves December 1944 events on the Allied front lines in Europe with mysteries on the home front.”
Women’s National Book Association, Nashville Edition, November 2007

“Main characters, young boys Jase and Danny, have been called the Huck and Tom of the generation.”
The Perry Independent, October 2007

“An interesting combination along the lines of mystery writer Clive Cussler; the Hardy Boys adventure series (in the 1930’s) by Franklin W. Dixon, and the readability in writing by Civil War historian Bruce Catton.”
The Argus Press, October 2007

“Readers of all ages will be entertained by Slaughter’s richly detailed, good-humored, reminiscences of home front America during the last year of World War II.”
The Laingsburg Independent, October 2007

“Cottonwood novels appeal to all ages, but especially to parents as they relate their experiences on the World War II home front to their children and grandchildren.”
The Owosso Independent, September 2007

“Set during the last year of World War II in the small town of Riverton, Michigan (a fictionalized version of the author’s hometown -- Owosso, Michigan), Cottonwood Winter: A Christmas Story is a charming interweaving of history, mystery, comedy, and good, wholesome storytelling. It’s rare to find a novel that will appeal to readers from ages 9 to 90, but in Cottonwood Winter Gary Slaughter has truly created a story that educates as it entertains.

“Youngsters will keep reading the book out of interest in the antics of the young heroes Jase Addison and Danny Tucker (perhaps not realizing that they’re 'accidentally' learning a lot about 1944 United States in the process). Older folks will read through the feelings and nostalgia, as they recall their own wheres and whens during the war that Dwight Eisenhower called a 'great and noble undertaking.' Everyone in between will keep turning the pages because it’s just an interesting and well-written story.

“The entire Cottonwood series (as Winter does follow Summer and Fall) is perfectly suited for gift-giving, reading in your easy chair, and recommending to friends; but Winter can stand alone, as the reader doesn’t feel thrown into an already-begun story. The novel holds its own as an enjoyable (and deceptively educational) reading experience.”
Emily Booth Masters
Director of Young Writers Programs for Humanities Tennessee

“After reading Cottonwood Summer, Cottonwood Fall, and now Cottonwood Winter, I can hardly wait for the next in the series to arrive. It is easy to understand why Gary Slaughter’s second novel of the series, Cottonwood Fall was selected as the runner up earlier this year for the Benjamin Franklin Award, a very prestigious accomplishment for any author.

“Not only are Gary’s books entertaining, they are very educational (by presenting the) history of life in the mid 1940s, especially for the many interesting facts of WWII and its ties to Jase and Danny’s small Midwest town.”
Roger Rieman, Ocala, FL

“This book is being released at a perfect time. It will satisfy those who want more on World War II after watching Ken Burn’s The War on PBS this fall and those who get a kick out of Ralphie in the movie, A Christmas Story. Award-winning author Gary Slaughter’s account of life as a young boy growing up in Michigan in the 1940s on the WWII home front will certainly encourage nostalgia in readers of the Greatest Generation and will provide an easy way for Middle Schoolers to learn about history while enjoying a good story. Folks of all ages can appreciate the wide-eyed wonder, patriotism, and good clean fun that defines the Cottonwood series. If you want a break from angst-ridden characters and want a plot-driven novel, this book is for you.”
Julie Schoerke, Nashville, TN