The Christmas That Almost Wasn't takes place on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, in December of 1941, as Izzie Publicover, her brother and their friends prepare for a very special Christmas. Despite wartime rationing and the infrequency of winter visits, the Publicover children's grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins are coming for Christmas. But plans go awry two days before Christmas, when a huge storm hits the village. Can Izzie figure out a way to save Christmas for everyone?

It's 1942, and Izzie Publicover's life is changing. Her father has finally been accepted by the Canadian navy, and the rest of the family is moving to Dartmouth so that Izzie's mother can work. Although Izzie is proud that her father will be fighting the Nazis, she loves her home in Granite Cove and will miss her best friend, Jasper. Making the most of her new circumstances, she soon befriends another recent arrival at her school. Patricia has been evacuated from London, England, where the war is more immediate and dangerous. But even as Izzie works on breaking Patricia's standoffish exterior, the terror of war is moving closer to Nova Scotia. Welcome back to OUR CANADIAN GIRL, and the continuing adventures of Izzie and many other smart, spirited, and courageous girls. They come from different places and times in Canadian history, and each of them meets some ordinary—and extraordinary—challenges in her day-to-day life.

Nova Scotia, 1942: Izzie and her family have been living a new kind of life in the town of Woodside. Her mother has a job on the assembly line at the sugar refinery, and Izzie and her brother, Joey, have found new friends. Still, with Izzie's father in the navy, it's impossible for the family not to worry about him when they see explosions in the night just beyond Halifax Harbour or when they hear news of the sinking of another ship. When Izzie's family learn they can return to Granite Cove for the summer, Izzie is delighted and invites her friend Patricia to stay with them. But there is no escaping the reality of war, and one fateful day the family receive a telegram that will change their lives.

Nova Scotia, 1945: With reports that the war is coming to an end, the Publicovers eagerly await the return of Izzie and Joey's father. But peace will also mean other, less welcome changes for Izzie's best friends, Roberta and Patricia. Patricia fears having to return to her uncaring mother in England, never to see her dear friends—or Jasper—again, and insecure Roberta will be left all alone if Izzie's family decides to go back to Granite Cove. How will they manage without each other?