ALA Booklist (Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

In this charming trio of interconnected novellas, a massive snowstorm on Christmas Eve acts as a catalyst for romance in the lives of three teens. In Maureen Johnson's tale, Jubilee Express, after Jubilee's train becomes snowbound, she seeks shelter at a nearby Waffle House, along with a squad of hyper cheerleaders. In John Green's story, A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle, a guy summons three friends to the Waffle House, where the combination of cheerleaders and cheesy waffles prompts big realizations. Finally, in Lauren Myracle's entry, Patron Saint of Pigs, self-absorbed Addie atones for cheating on her boyfriend (who was stuck on Jubilee's train) by proving she can be an angel for someone else, even if that someone is only a pet pig. Johnson's playfulness, Green's banter, and Myracle's sincerity mesh well here, resulting in a collection that is imbued with optimism and warmth. The plotting is tight, and each end loosed by one author is tied up by another like a bright Christmas bow. A delightful read any time of the year.

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2000)

When the folks in Cheshire, Massachusetts, home of Cheshire cheese, "the best you can serve at your table," learned that a Connecticut town was the favored cheddar supplier to President Thomas Jefferson, they decided to make him a 1,235-pound cheddar as a gift. This actual historical event--proof that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction--is documented in a reportorial, tongue-in-cheek style, extended in droll, elegantly limned illustrations.

Kirkus Reviews

Three top authors of teen fiction join forces for a collection of linked novellas set in the same small town in North Carolina on Christmas Eve. During the worst blizzard in 50 years, a packed train gets stuck in the snow, and teens from the train interact with teens from the town in ways both hilarious and romantic. In Johnson's "The Jubilee Express," a 16-year-old passenger named Jubilee meets Stuart, who takes her home to his family and convinces her that she needs a better boyfriend than the one she left at home. Green's offering is "A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle," narrated by Tobin, who struggles with his buddies through the snow so they can meet 14 stranded cheerleaders. Myracle contributes "The Patron Saint of Pigs," about a local girl named Addie who has just broken up with her boyfriend. The conclusion ties up the plot strands from all three stories, with all the main characters enjoying coffee at Starbucks on Christmas night. Contemporary culture, humorous romantic developments and strong characters enhance this collaborative effort. (Fiction. 11-16)

School Library Journal (Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

Gr 9 Up-What do a Christmas Eve snowstorm, 14 perky cheerleaders, a Waffle House, and a guy covered in tin foil have in common? Answer: these romantic holiday stories. Through an interconnected cast of characters set in one small Southern town, each author reveals a serendipitous night in the life of a particular teen. In Johnsons Jubilee Express, level-headed Jubilee experiences a traumatic day during which her parents get arrested, her train gets stuck in the snow, and she breaks up with her boyfriend, but in the end finds a new love. Green deftly portrays the teen male perspective with humor and wit in his Cheertastic Christmas Miracle, which starts with an urgent quest for cheerleaders and ends with an eye-opening experience of finding true love right before ones eyes. In Myracles Patron Saint of Pigs, while agonizing over the pain of a recent breakup, Addie learns about herself and gains respect for relationships at the same time. Tender without being mushy, these carefully crafted stories of believable teen love will leave readers warm inside for the holidays. Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

Voice of Youth Advocates

A Christmas snowstorm in a small southern town creates the perfect setting for three romances by favorite young adult authors John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. Three teens tell their stories, and although each narrative stands on its own, they occasionally bump into each other, overlapping in the way life in a small town often does. In Johnson's Jubilee Express, a snowy hike through an unfamiliar town with an amiable stranger leads one teen to reconsider her relationship with her very popular and too-busy-to-call boyfriend. Green's A Cheertastic Christmas recounts the hilarious journey from best friend to something more, all the while battling ice, snow, and fiendish twins. Finally a Starbucks worker takes a hard look at herself, paving the way to a triumphant reunion with her old boyfriend in Myracle's The Patron Saint of Pigs. This collection is a light but satisfying read, with well-developed primary characters and entertaining secondary characters. Happy endings abound, although characters in each story examine their various relationships and make necessary adjustments-everything from breaking up to shaping up. There is plenty of physical humor for laugh-out-loud fun and enough dreamy romance to warm up those cold winter nights. Fans of chick lit and chick flicks will enjoy this collection with a steamy cup of hot chocolate and a cozy quilt.-Heather Christensen.