The Tin Whistle by Kathleen Shoop {Book Review}

The Tin Whistle is the perfect holiday reminder in giving. The Tin Whistle was a truly inspiring story that should be read every year, all year round!

Disclosure: I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

Inspired by a true story…

1854

Jacob Gusky wakes up hoping Santa has arrived. And he has… but not for Jacob, one of two Jewish boys living at the Boys’ Home of Manhattan. When a friend gifts him a tin whistle, Jacob learns the power of giving, the joy in receiving, and hears what he considers to be the sound of happiness.

1881

Recently widowed and completely out of options, Frannie takes her daughter Molly to the Home for the Friendless. “You’ll be back before Christmas?” Molly asks. Frannie gives Molly half a quilt square and keeps the other, choking on her reply.

Now a happily married father of three, Jacob Gusky owns Gusky’s Grand Emporium, Pittsburgh’s first premier department store. After unearthing the tin whistle from the orphanage, he is reminded of what it felt like to have nothing, and decides to make a difference in the lives of others no matter their faith. But with so little time before Christmas morning, can he even begin to give the orphaned children of Pittsburgh what he knows they need?

When giving is more important than receiving…

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“This short novel is the MOST inspirational novel I have ever had the pleasure of reading.”

“Beautiful, heartwarming story.”

“A heartwarming and inspiring story. I highly recommend it.”

“This is such a fantastic Christmas story with great characters and a very unique plot. There are also several wonderful messages on the importance of giving at this time of year. I am so glad I found this book.”

“Terrific holiday story with well-defined characters and a setting that could have been any big city in the 19th century. Ms. Shoop’s novella reflects the good in human nature.”

Above reviews from Amazon readers

What an inspiring read!

This story was heart warming, inspirational… perfect, not only for the upcoming holiday season, but really a lesson to live by year round.

The Tin Whistle is based on a true story. Jacob Gusky is a real life person and his 1881 Christmas was true. All of which makes this story all the more emotional.

I am a big believer in paying it forward when I can and I always wish I could do more. I may not be a Jacob Gusky and may not be able to do what he did on the scale that he did it; but I certainly can give when I can (which I do, but always want to do more).

The Tin Whistle is an amazing lesson (or reminder) that love and family are enough; when you have that, then you have enough to give to those who have nothing.

Just thinking of the story from beginning to end, gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye. It really is such an amazing story. Definitely one to keep out in the open as an conversation starter and a book everyone should read – big and small. I can only hope that I have taught my children to be givers like Jacob and Molly. (And rest assured, this will definitely be a story I share with my kiddos each year from here forward as a reminder to give to those who are not as fortunate.)

“Writing this book was wonderful. Bringing aspects of the Guskys’ good works to life was more fun than I could have imagined!” ~ Kathleen Shoop

Also available…

Two days before Christmas, ornery Elliot Ebberts is tasked with school drop-off even though distracted by an important real estate transaction. In the holiday carpool chaos his extravagant, lucky coat goes missing. In a panic, he searches for his coat, tracing its path as it passes through the hands of good people in dire situations. Meanwhile, his plan to WOW his wife Libby with an ostentatious gift reveals Elliot’s shallowness to the world and mortifies his entire family. Is it too late for him to rediscover the meaning of Christmas, to remember who he is without all the trappings of the job that defines him? Can Libby and their children ever forgive him?

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Paperback, Audible

About Kathleen Shoop

Bestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. Kathleen coordinates Mindful Writing Retreats and is a regular presenter at conferences for writers.

I adore writing historical fiction (The Letter series, After the Fog and Donora Stories) but am having a blast writing romance like Home Again, Return to Love and Tending Her Heart (Endless Love series). Thank you so much for the time you take to read.

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