A Catasauqua man has brought his childhood and hometown to life through his book. Ben Ferenchak’s “Benny: A Small-Town Christmas Story” takes readers back to Christmas 1969, telling the story of a small-town Christmas in Catasauqua and North Catasauqua through the eyes of a fifth-grade Ferenchak.

Ferenchak, who now lives in Catasauqua, grew up in North Catasauqua, went to school in the Catasauqua Area School District and considered his “Gramma’s house in Catasauqua his second neighborhood,” he said.

“I know I am not going to be around forever, and I thought this would be a good way to share my past for my family and others,” Ferenchak said. “I had a teacher who really liked the way I wrote. He told me I was gifted, and that helped inspire me to write a book.”

In the book, Ferenchak starts in 2019 and then flashes back to his 1969 holiday season. He talks about his teachers and friends in school, his parents and siblings and his experiences of that time in his life.

“The first edition I wrote, I changed the names of everything and everywhere,” Ferenchak said, noting that he received advice to rewrite it and use the real places and names where possible. “When I wrote it the second time, it made more sense and maybe felt more authentic.”

Some names were changed, but overall, people enjoyed being a part of the book, he said.

“It was fun remembering,” Ferenchak said. “Some of the characters, I called them to verify things, and we had a good time just catching up. My two sisters, who are in the book, both loved it. My younger sister — she remembers everything — she got a kick out of it. One teacher who was still around was honored to be in it.”

While some names were changed, the story is a true one, even talking about how Ferenchak wrote to both Neil Armstrong after his moon landing and that year’s Indy 500 winner, Mario Andretti.

The picture of Ferenchak reading Armstrong’s letter now rests on the cover of his book.

“That was the picture that was in the newspaper,” Ferenchak explained of the book’s cover photo.

The book also references many experiences and places around the Catasauqua and North Catasauqua communities, such as the annual Thanksgiving Day football game with Northampton.

“It’s not the same today as it was back then, of course,” Ferenchak said. “I enjoyed growing up in North Catty. It was a great place to grow up, and it still is.”

When reading the book, one might almost feel something similar to when watching the holiday movie “A Christmas Story,” he acknowledged.

“I wouldn’t mind if it would replace ‘Christmas Story,’” Ferenchak said, smiling.

Writing the book became a long-term project, working off and on for around 10 years to complete the novel, he said.

Ferenchak said he joined a writing group that helped him work through the process, while he also had help from his family.

In particular, having his son help him work on and publish the book was special, Ferenchak said.

“It was very special because he has two small kids and his time is very valuable,” he explained.

Readers can purchase “Benny: A Small-Town Christmas Story” on Amazon by searching for the title of the book, Ferenchak said.

“If you go on Amazon, every review is five stars,” Ferenchak said. “It feels great to have that support from people.”

Ferenchak added that anyone who sees him out in the community can also talk to him about purchasing a copy, and he is planning to sell it occasionally at community events.