While he is recovering in the hospital on Christmas Eve, his family finally figure out that the "yidda yadda" he has been asking Santa Claus for is a little ladder like the one used to climb up to the top of a bunk bed.

When they arrive at the party, Josh accidentally steps into Dad's special fig pudding that they were bringing.

They all keep a straight face until Uncle Eddie says that the fig pudding is the best ever and asks Dad if he has added some new ingredient.

[3] Chris Sherman in his review for Booklist said that "Fletcher captures perfectly the humor, irritations, and sadness of life in a large, close-knit family and makes Cliff a sympathetic and thoughtful narrator, occasionally bewildered by his siblings' antics but always a completely believable older brother.

"[4] Elizabeth Devereaux in her review for Publishers Weekly said this novel "neatly blends the humor and frustrations of growing up in a large family.