The story is told through the eyes of seven-year-old Luke Chandler, who lives with his parents and grandparents on a cotton farm in Black Oak, Arkansas. Life is grueling, defined by the seasonal rhythm of picking cotton, the stifling summer heat, and the constant struggle for a successful harvest. The title refers to the family's house—one of the few in the area that is painted—which ser…
The story follows Luther and Nora Krank, a couple who decide that since their daughter is away in the Peace Corps, they have no reason to celebrate Christmas. They resolve to "skip" the holiday entirely, refusing to put up decorations, host parties, or buy gifts. Instead, they plan to spend the money they would have spent on the holidays on a luxury Caribbean cruise. However, their plan face…