The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily

Cohn, Rachel & David Levithan. The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily. 2016. 215p. ISBN 978-0-399-55381-3. Available as an eBook from Overdrive.

New York City teenagers Dash and Lily have been dating for nearly a year, ever since last Christmas. Lily loves Christmas, and every year she drives the celebrations at her house. This year, however, Lily’s not in the mood at all. Her grandfather had a stroke, and now he needs help even with mundane tasks. Lily is happy to assist him, for she wants to delay his move into an assisted living facility. She loves Dash, but Dash has never told her he loves her. Really close to her parents, Lily is also worried that once grandfather is out of the house they will be moving to Connecticut where her father is now the head of a private school.

For his part, Dash loves Lily too, but her focus on her grandfather has tarnished their relationship. With divorced parents, Dash has never really liked Christmas (too much drama!), but he’s put up a good front for Lily last year. When Langston, Lily’s brother, approaches Dash, Dash knows that there is trouble afoot, for the two of them do not get along. Langston tells him that something must be done to bring the old Lily’s happy Christmastime spirit back. Dash agrees to take on the challenge. But with only twelve days left before Christmas, can he figure a way to bring back Christmas’ magic and help Lily realize that this is as much a part of her as helping her grandfather?

A light hearted tale following the famous Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Dash and Lily will work hard to rekindle the spirit of Christmas and find each other again.