Cody and Grandpa's Christmas Tradition - Hardcover

“Those who survived Vietnam came home with a wisdom that only war can teach but a wisdom whose truth must be shared and passed on to our children and their children. Unfortunately, many of us returned from war unable to find the way or the words to share what we had learned. Gary Metivier has found a way...has found the words to share some of those lessons about life.”
—Gary Beikirch, Medal of Honor Recipient
Sergeant, Ret. 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces

“Christmas in a combat zone is a time to reflect and look back. It was a pause in the chaos...a time of peace. After reading Cody and Grandpa’s Christmas Tradition, I was filled with the memories of my brothers.“
—Capt. William “Hawk” Albracht (Ret.)
US Army Special Forces, Recipient of 3 Silver Stars, 5 Bronze Stars, and 3 Purple Hearts

Christmas Eve at Cody’s house is filled with traditions, and everyone has gathered to celebrate the love of family—everyone except Grandpa. Determined to get the family together before midnight, Cody goes upstairs expecting to fetch his grandfather, but instead he finds an inspiring tale of honor, unity, and brotherhood.

Grandpa tells Cody about his time in Vietnam, where the only family he had on Christmas Eve were his fellow soldiers, and where their only source of hope was the brightest star in the sky. Grandpa made a promise with those men to find their star every Christmas and to remember that not all family is connected by blood. Cody decides to make a new tradition. Everyone will help Grandpa find the star, and they will all remember the brave men who fought to keep so many families together.

Gary Metivier is a news anchor and reporter with more than thirty years of experience. His reporting has earned him several honors, including Emmy nominations and dozens of state awards in both Iowa and Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s in writing for children at Hamline University. Metivier is also the author of Until Daddy Comes Home and Saluting Grandpa: Celebrating Veterans and Honor Flight, both published by Pelican. He lives in Iowa with his family.

Traci Van Wagoner earned BFAs in illustration from Utah State University and in toy design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. In addition to her illustrating career, Van Wagoner is a successful children’s book writer and product developer with work appearing in magazines and newsletters and on games, toys, and giftware products. She is the illustrator of The Mermaid’s Gift, also published by Pelican. Van Wagoner lives with her husband and their dog in New York City, where she lives by the motto Live, Laugh, and Learn.