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Hi.

Welcome to This Awful/Awesome Life! My name is Frances Joyce. I am the publisher and editor of this magazine. We'll be exploring different topics each month to inform, entertain and inspire you. Meet new authors, sharpen your brain and pick up a few tips on life, love, entertaining and business. Enjoy and please share!

December 2022 Reading Recommendations for Kids by Fran Joyce

What will your kids be reading this holiday season? We have a few suggestions to keep them entertained and reading this December. It’s a mix of traditional stories and fun new adventures. Kids will enjoy learning about the Winter Solstice, cookies from around the world, and other December holidays. Enjoy!

The Gingerbread Man by Catherine McCafferty – A hilarious and beautifully illustrated retailing of the classic tale of the Gingerbread man who escapes the oven and goes on wild adventures. For ages 2-5

Little Red Sleigh  by Erin Gundlesberger – The little red sleigh dreams of growing up and becoming Santa’s red sleigh, but everyone keeps telling her she’s too small. Can her friends come to her rescue and make her dream come true? For ages 2-7

The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer – Kids learn the scientific and cultural significance of the shortest day of the year. For ages 3-7

December Holidays from Around the World by Baby Professor – kids learn about the many different holidays celebrated around the world. For ages 4-8

A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman – Children travel around the world to see what treats wait for Santa on his big night. For ages 4-8

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – Milo thinks everything is boring until a magic tollbooth appears in his room transporting him to a world of adventure where he learns that life is an adventure. For ages 8-12

The River by Gary Paulsen –  After Brain survives 54 days in the Canadian wilderness, and the government sends him back to discover how he managed to survive. This time Derek, a government psychologist comes along to study his methods, but when Derek falls and is unconscious, Brian must save them both with only a hatchet to help him.  For ages 10-12

Rule #1 You Can’t Date the Coach’s Daughter by Anne-Marie Meyer – When your dad is the head coach at the high school, the last thing you should do is date the captain of the football team, or is it? For ages 12 and up

Other People’s Butterflies by Cora Ruskin – Gwen has never been kissed until she’s kissed by the guy who turns out to be her best friend’s crush leading her to be ostracized. She tries to fill her time as an observer who learns everyone’s deepest secrets. Unfortunately, a mysterious social media account starts airing everyone’s dirty laundry. Can Gwen find out who’s behind the account and learn what’s really important?  For ages 13-17

Conceal, Don’t Feel: A Twisted Tale by Jen Calonita – The seventh installment of the Twisted Tale series. What would happen if Anna and Elsa never knew each other? Princess Elsa must break an ancient curse to rule her kingdom. Who is the mysterious girl in her memories? For ages 13 and up

 

December 2022 in Pictures by Fran Joyce

December 2022 Reading Recommendations for Adults by Fran Joyce