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A Christmas Horror Story Parents Guide: Navigating the Festive Frights
Author: Dr. Emily Carter, PhD in Child Psychology and author of "Screen Time Sanity: A Parent's Guide to Media Consumption." Dr. Carter has over 15 years of experience advising parents on age-appropriate media and its impact on child development.
Publisher: Family Screen Time, a leading publisher of media guides for families, specializing in age-appropriate content ratings and parental advisory information. Family Screen Time employs a team of child psychologists, educators, and media experts to provide accurate and helpful resources for parents.
Editor: Sarah Miller, MA in Media Studies and experienced editor of family-oriented publications. Sarah has a proven track record of creating clear, concise, and informative guides for parents navigating complex media landscapes.
Summary: This comprehensive "A Christmas Horror Story parents guide" offers detailed insights into the film's content, helping parents make informed decisions about whether it's suitable for their children. It explores themes of violence, gore, language, and potentially disturbing imagery, providing specific examples and age recommendations. The guide also discusses strategies for pre-viewing discussions, post-viewing conversations, and managing children's reactions to potentially frightening content.
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Understanding the Festive Frights: A Detailed "A Christmas Horror Story" Parents Guide
"A Christmas Horror Story" is not your typical holiday movie. While it incorporates festive elements, it delves into darker territory, blending horror, dark humor, and unsettling imagery. This guide will help parents assess whether this film is appropriate for their children.
#### Content Breakdown for Parents:
Violence: The film features various forms of violence, including graphic depictions of gore in some segments. This isn't constant throughout the film, but certain scenes are undeniably intense and may be disturbing for younger viewers. The violence ranges from stylized creature attacks to more human-driven conflict. Specific examples will be avoided to prevent spoilers, but parents should be aware of the potential for disturbing visual content.
Gore: The level of gore varies. While some scenes utilize practical effects and creative monster designs, some sequences might be considered excessively graphic for sensitive viewers, particularly younger children.
Language: The film uses profanity, although it’s not excessive. The language is generally in line with the film's overall tone and characterizations, but parents should be aware that strong language is present.
Frightening Imagery: Beyond the violence and gore, the film employs unsettling imagery and suspenseful sequences designed to create a frightening atmosphere. This is integral to the film's horror elements and might be particularly impactful on younger or more sensitive children.
Themes: The film explores themes of death, loss, redemption, and the darker aspects of human nature, presented within the unusual context of a Christmas setting. These themes, while not necessarily inappropriate, may require discussion with older children.
#### Age Appropriateness:
Based on the content analysis, we recommend the following age guidelines:
Under 13: Not recommended. The violence, gore, and frightening imagery are likely too intense for most children under this age.
13-15: Parental guidance strongly advised. Parents should pre-screen the film and engage in discussions with their teenagers about the content. Certain scenes may still be too disturbing for some teens.
16+: Generally suitable with parental discretion. Teenagers in this age range are more likely to handle the film's content, but individual sensitivities should still be considered.
#### Strategies for Parents:
Pre-Viewing Discussion: Discuss the film's themes and potential intensity with your children before watching. Set expectations and reassure them that it's okay to pause or stop the film if it becomes too frightening.
Co-Viewing: Watching the film together allows you to monitor your child's reactions and provide comfort or explanations as needed.
Post-Viewing Conversation: After watching, talk about the film with your children. Discuss the themes, characters, and their emotional responses. This can be a valuable opportunity for open communication and emotional processing.
Alternative Options: If you feel the film is inappropriate for your child, explore other family-friendly Christmas movies.
#### Conclusion:
This "A Christmas Horror Story parents guide" aims to provide parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about viewing this film. Remember that individual sensitivities vary, and what might be acceptable for one child may not be for another. Utilize the suggested strategies to ensure a positive and constructive viewing experience for your family.
FAQs:
1. Is "A Christmas Horror Story" suitable for young children? No, it is not recommended for young children due to its graphic violence, gore, and frightening imagery.
2. What is the age rating for "A Christmas Horror Story"? While it doesn't have a universally standardized rating that applies everywhere, it's generally considered suitable for mature teenagers (16+) with parental guidance for younger teens.
3. Does the film contain jump scares? Yes, the film employs jump scares and suspenseful sequences to create a frightening atmosphere.
4. What are the main themes of "A Christmas Horror Story"? The film explores themes of death, loss, redemption, and the darker aspects of human nature.
5. Is the violence realistic or stylized? The violence is a mix of both, with some scenes being more stylized and others more graphic.
6. How much profanity is in the movie? There is some profanity, but it's not excessive.
7. Can I watch it with my 10-year-old? Probably not. The content is likely too intense and frightening for a 10-year-old.
8. What's the overall tone of the movie? It's a dark horror comedy with a blend of frightening and humorous elements.
9. Are there any positive messages in the film? While primarily a horror film, themes of redemption and facing one's fears could be discussed positively with older viewers.
Related Articles:
1. Understanding Movie Ratings: A Parent's Guide: Explains different movie rating systems and helps parents understand what they mean.
2. Talking to Kids About Scary Movies: Provides tips and strategies for pre- and post-viewing conversations with children about scary movies.
3. Age-Appropriate Media for Tweens and Teens: Offers recommendations for movies and shows suitable for different age groups.
4. The Impact of Violence in Media on Children: Discusses the potential effects of violent media on children's development.
5. Helping Children Cope with Frightening Media: Offers practical advice for parents whose children have been disturbed by media content.
6. Christmas Movie Guide for the Whole Family: Reviews various Christmas movies suitable for families with children of different ages.
7. Horror Movie Genre Guide for Parents: Explores various subgenres of horror and their suitability for different age groups.
8. Creating a Positive Media Consumption Habit: Advises parents on creating healthy media habits for their children.
9. Managing Screen Time for Children and Teens: Provides practical tips for managing screen time and balancing digital media with other activities.
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Barbara Robinson, 1983 The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Zombie in Love (enhanced eBook edition) Kelly DiPucchio, 2012-02-07 Everyone’s favorite zombie romance picture book is now available as an enhanced eBook with animation and audio narration! Mortimer is looking for love. And he’s looking everywhere! He’s worked out at the gym (if only his arm wouldn't keep falling off). He’s tried ballroom dancing lessons (but the ladies found him to be a bit stiff). He’s even been on stalemate.com. How’s a guy supposed to find a ghoul? When it seems all hope has died, could the girl of Mortimer's dreams be just one horrifying shriek away? |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The 12 Screams of Christmas (Goosebumps Most Wanted: Special Edition #2) R. L. Stine, 2014-09-30 The infamous, Most Wanted Goosebumps characters are out on the loose and after you. For the first time ever, it's a Goosebumps Christmas! Kate Welles just wants the lead role in her school's Christmas play. Her annoying friend Courtney is constantly getting in the way of that. But Kate has to get along with her or else neither of them will be allowed to take part in the production of The 12 Screams of Christmas. Even worse, Kate and Courtney's teacher decides they need to find a special place to rehearse. A certain house with a lot of history. The kind of place that Kate would normally be pretty frightened to go into. The kind of place that gives new meaning to the term Christmas Spirit. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Poe Estate Polly Shulman, 2015-09-15 Sukie braves the twists and turns of the spooky Poe Annex at the New-York Circulating Material Repository to untangle ancient family secrets, find hidden treasure, and help the ghosts who are haunting her house. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas Michael Dougherty, 2015-11-24 YOU BETTER WATCH OUT… KRAMPUS IS COMING TO TOWN. Ancient folklore warns of a mythical counterpart to Santa Claus, who punishes naughty children every Christmas… his name is KRAMPUS. Michael Dougherty presents the official graphic novel based on his festive horror comedy, which expands the mythology of this iconic terror with an anthology of three deliciously twisted morality tales that will leave you praying you are not on the naughty list. At the most wonderful time of the year, a drunken mall Santa comes under siege from some very mischievous Christmas spirits, a dysfunctional cop becomes trapped with the man who ruined his life and the wealthy town “scrooge” must face the shadows from his past as his home comes under invasion from the homeless. This Christmas, Krampus will make sure they all get what they deserve. Michael Dougherty, the writer/director behind cult horror hit Trick ‘r Treat, is joined by a fantastic team of creators, uniting Krampus co-screenwriters Zach Shields and Todd Casey and artists Fiona Staples (Saga), Christian Dibari (Hoax Hunters), Maan House (Witchblade), and Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker’s Death Ship) to deliver a twisted gift for the holiday season. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Afraid of Everything Adam Tierney, 2020-06-03 What kind of scared are you? Find out in these fun horror stories for young readers based on a range of phobias from Arachnophobia to Zoophobia! These tales of fear, dread, risk, and doom contain all the classic elements of horror that young fans crave, without the gore. Features 26 terrifying short stories, each based on a different A-to-Z phobia and accompanied by a unique illustration. Also includes 11 bonus stories featuring art by Temmie Chang, Mariel Cartwright, and Ko Takeuchi, plus a section detailing the origins and developments of the stories and art. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Orphan of Cemetery Hill Hester Fox, 2020-09-15 The dead won’t bother you if you don’t give them permission. Boston, 1844. Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can communicate with the recently departed. It makes her special, but it also makes her dangerous. As an orphaned child, she fled with her sister, Alice, from their charlatan aunt Bellefonte, who wanted only to exploit Tabby’s gift so she could profit from the recent craze for seances. Now a young woman and tragically separated from Alice, Tabby works with her adopted father, Eli, the kind caretaker of a large Boston cemetery. When a series of macabre grave robberies begins to plague the city, Tabby is ensnared in a deadly plot by the perpetrators, known only as the “Resurrection Men.” In the end, Tabby’s gift will either save both her and the cemetery—or bring about her own destruction. Don't miss Hester Fox's next novel, THE BOOK OF THORNS, where two sisters who never knew the other existed meet on opposite sides during the Napoleonic Wars and must use the magic of flowers to solve the mystery of their mother’s death—while surviving the war raging around them... Look for these other gothic mysteries from Hester Fox: The Last Heir to Blackwood Library The Witch of Willow Hall The Widow of Pale Harbor A Lullaby for Witches |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Highly Sensitive Child Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., 2002-10-08 A groundbreaking parenting guidebook addressing the trait of “high sensitivity” in children, from the psychologist and bestselling author of The Highly Sensitive Person whose books have sold more than 1 million copies With the publication of The Highly Sensitive Person, pioneering psychotherapist Dr. Elaine Aron became the first person to identify the inborn trait of “high sensitivity” and to show how it affects the lives of those who possess it. In The Highly Sensitive Child, Dr. Aron shifts her focus to the 15 to 20 percent of children who are born highly sensitive—deeply reflective, sensitive to the subtle, and easily overwhelmed. These qualities can make for smart, conscientious, creative children, but also may result in shyness, fussiness, or acting out. As Dr. Aron shows in The Highly Sensitive Child, if your child seems overly inhibited, particular, or you worry that they may have a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as ADHD or autism, they may simply be highly sensitive. And raised with proper understanding and care, highly sensitive children can grow up to be happy, healthy, well-adjusted adults. Rooted in Dr. Aron’s years of experience working with highly sensitive children and their families, as well as in her original research on child temperament, The Highly Sensitive Child explores the challenges of raising an HSC; the four keys to successfully parenting an HSC; how to help HSCs thrive in a not-so-sensitive world; and how to make school and friendships enjoyable. With chapters addressing the needs of specific age groups, from newborns to teens, The Highly Sensitive Child is the ultimate resource for parents, teachers, and the sensitive children in their lives. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Unhoneymooners Christina Lauren, 2019-05-14 THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews * Publishers Weekly * Library Journal Named a “Must-Read” by TODAY, Us Weekly, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Goodreads, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, Southern Living, Book Riot, Woman’s Day, The Toronto Star, and more! For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during the Hawaiian trip of a lifetime—maybe even love—in this romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling authors of Roomies. Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion...she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas. Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo. Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is...Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be. With Christina Lauren’s “uniquely hilarious and touching voice” (Entertainment Weekly), The Unhoneymooners is a romance for anyone who has ever felt unlucky in love. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Deep Nick Cutter, 2015-07-28 A strange plague called the 'Gets is decimating humanity on a global scale. It causes people to forget--small things at first, like where they left their keys, then the not-so-small things like how to drive or the letters of the alphabet. Then their bodies forget how to function involuntarily. There is no cure. But far below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, a universal healer hailed as 'ambrosia' has been discovered. In order to study this phenomenon, a special research lab has been built eight miles under the sea's surface. When the station goes incommunicado, a brave few descend through the lightless fathoms in hopes of unraveling the mysteries lurking at those crushing depths...and perhaps to encounter an evil blacker than anything one could possibly imagine--Page [4] of cover. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Girl's Guide to Homelessness Brianna Karp, 2011-04-26 Brianna Karp entered the workforce at age ten, supporting her mother and sister throughout her teen years in Southern California. Although her young life was scarred by violence and abuse, Karp stayed focused on her dream of a steady job and a home of her own. By age twenty-two her dream became reality. Karp loved her job as an executive assistant and signed the lease on a tiny cottage near the beach. And then the Great Recession hit. Karp, like millions of others, lost her job. In the six months between the day she was laid off and the day she was forced out onto the street, Karp scrambled for temp work and filed hundreds of job applications, only to find all doors closed. When she inherited a thirty-foot travel trailer after her father's suicide, Karp parked it in a Walmart parking lot and began to blog about her search for work and a way back. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Canterville Ghost Oscar Wilde, 2024-05-30 »The Canterville Ghost« is a short story by Oscar Wilde, originally published in 1891. OSCAR WILDE, born in 1854 in Dublin, died in 1900 in Paris, was an Irish prose writer, playwright, essayist, and poet. Wilde's significance as a symbol for persecuted homosexuals around the world is immeasurable. Wilde himself was sentenced to prison and hard labour, his works were boycotted, theatrical productions were shut down, and he was publicly vilified. The Picture of Dorian Gray [1890] is his most famous work. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Skipping Christmas John Grisham, 2010-03-16 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A classic tale for modern times from a beloved storyteller, John Grisham offers a hilarious look at the chaos and frenzy that have become part of our holiday tradition. Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That’s just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they’ll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty, they won’t be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash, they aren’t even going to have a tree. They won’t need one, because come December 25 they’re setting sail on a Caribbean cruise. But as this weary couple is about to discover, skipping Christmas brings enormous consequences—and isn’t half as easy as they’d imagined. Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM! |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Horror Show Guide Mike Mayo, 2013-04-01 This cinefile’s guidebook covers the horror genre monstrously well! Find reviews of over 1,000 of the best, weirdest, wickedest, wackiest, and most entertaining scary movies from every age of horror! Atomic bombs, mad serial killers, zealous zombies, maniacal monsters lurking around every corner, and the unleashing of technology, rapidly changing and dominating our lives. Slasher and splatter films. Italian giallo and Japanese city-stomping monster flicks. Psychological horrors, spoofs, and nature running amuck. You will find these terrors and many more in The Horror Show Guide: The Ultimate Frightfest of Movies. No gravestone is left unturned to bring you entertaining critiques, fascinating top-ten lists, numerous photos, and extensive credit information to satisfy even the most die-hard fans. Written by a fan for fans, The Horror Show Guide helps lead even the uninitiated to unexpected treasures of unease and mayhem with lists of similar motifs, including ... Urban Horrors Nasty Bugs, Mad Scientists and Maniacal Medicos Evil Dolls Bad Hair Days Big Bad Werewolves Most Appetizing Cannibals Classic Ghost Stories Fiendish Families Guilty Pleasures Literary Adaptations Horrible Highways and Byways Post-Apocalyptic Horrors Most Regrettable Remakes Towns with a Secret and many more. With reviews on many overlooked, underappreciated gems, new devotees and discriminating dark-cinema enthusiasts alike will love this big, beautiful, end-all, be-all guide to an always popular film genre. With many photos, illustrations, and other graphics, The Horror Show Guide is richly illustrated. Its helpful appendix of movie credits, bibliography, and extensive index add to its usefulness. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Born Scared Kevin Brooks, 2018-09-11 Elliot has lived his first thirteen years confined to his home, incapacitated by fear. Now he’s out of pills, snow is falling, and his only safe person is missing. A terrifying thriller from Carnegie Medalist Kevin Brooks. From the moment of his birth, Elliot’s life has been governed by fear of almost everything, even of his own fear — a beast that holds him prisoner in his room. The beast is kept at bay, though not eliminated, with a daily regimen of pills. But on Christmas Eve, a mix-up at the pharmacy threatens to unleash the beast full force, and his mother must venture out in a raging snowstorm to a store that should be only minutes away. Hours later, when she still hasn’t returned, Elliot sees no choice but to push through his terror, leave the house, and hunt for her. What happens if the last of his medication wears off and the beast starts scratching at the doors of his mind? Everyone has a breaking point — will Elliot come to his? With plot twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats, multi-award-winning author Kevin Brooks offers a high-suspense exploration of fear and what it means to truly be afraid. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Silver Chris Wooding, 2013-05-01 Who will turn silver next? When a boy is bitten by a strange silver beetle, he becomes the first victim of a terrifying virus. It turns flesh into metal and humans into machines. The whole world to sparkling, bloodthirsty silver... |
a christmas horror story parents guide: OFF SEASON:35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Jack Ketchum, 2016-10-18 26 Deluxe Lettered Hardcover |
a christmas horror story parents guide: You're Welcome, Universe Whitney Gardner, 2017-03-07 A vibrant, edgy, fresh new YA voice for fans of More Happy Than Not and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, packed with interior graffiti. Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award! When Julia finds a slur about her best friend scrawled across the back of the Kingston School for the Deaf, she covers it up with a beautiful (albeit illegal) graffiti mural. Her supposed best friend snitches, the principal expels her, and her two mothers set Julia up with a one-way ticket to a “mainstream” school in the suburbs, where she’s treated like an outcast as the only deaf student. The last thing she has left is her art, and not even Banksy himself could convince her to give that up. Out in the ’burbs, Julia paints anywhere she can, eager to claim some turf of her own. But Julia soon learns that she might not be the only vandal in town. Someone is adding to her tags, making them better, showing off—and showing Julia up in the process. She expected her art might get painted over by cops. But she never imagined getting dragged into a full-blown graffiti war. Told with wit and grit by debut author Whitney Gardner, who also provides gorgeous interior illustrations of Julia’s graffiti tags, You’re Welcome, Universe introduces audiences to a one-of-a-kind protagonist who is unabashedly herself no matter what life throws in her way. [A] spectacular debut...a moving, beautifully written contemporary novel full of quirky art and complicated friendships...this book is a gift to be thankful for.—BookRiot |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Enemy Charlie Higson, 2013-01-02 In the wake of a devastating disease, everyone sixteen and older is either dead or a decomposing, brainless creature with a ravenous appetite for flesh. Teens have barricaded themselves in buildings throughout London and venture outside only when they need to scavenge for food. The group of kids living a Waitrose supermarket is beginning to run out of options. When a mysterious traveler arrives and offers them safe haven at Buckingham Palace, they begin a harrowing journey across London. But their fight is far from over???the threat from within the palace is as real as the one outside it. Full of unexpected twists and quick-thinking heroes, The Enemy is a fast-paced, white-knuckle tale of survival in the face of unimaginable horror. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: How the Grinch Stole Christmas Dr. Seuss, 2013-10-22 Get in on the Christmas cheer with Dr. Seuss’s iconic holiday classic starring the Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who—guaranteed to grow your heart three sizes! Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot...but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT! Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. From the Grinch and his dog, Max, to Cindy-Lou and all the residents of Who-ville, this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will warm even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is perfect for readers young and old. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Monsters Among Us Monica Rodden, 2021-01-05 Fans of Sadie and You will be riveted by this compulsively readable new thriller about a survivor of dating violence who uses her newfound awareness of everyday evil to hunt for a killer. When Catherine Ellers returns home after her first semester at college, she is seeking refuge from a night she can barely piece together, dreads remembering, and refuses to talk about. She tries to get back to normal, but just days later the murder of someone close to her tears away any illusion of safety. Catherine feels driven to face both violent events head on in hopes of finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice with the help of her childhood friend, Henry. Then a stranger from college arrives with her lost coat, missing driver's license--and details to help fill in the gaps in her memory that could be the key to solving both mysteries. But who is Andrew Worthington and why is he offering to help her? And what other dangerous obsessions is her sleepy town hiding? Surrounded by secrets and lies, Catherine must unravel the truth--before this wolf in sheep's clothing strikes again. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Patient Jasper DeWitt, 2020 The Silent Patient by way of Stephen King: Parker, a young, overconfident psychiatrist new to his job at a mental asylum, miscalculates catastrophically when he undertakes curing a mysterious and profoundly dangerous patient. In a series of online posts, Parker H., a young psychiatrist, chronicles the harrowing account of his time working at a dreary mental hospital in New England. Through this internet message board, Parker hopes to communicate with the world his effort to cure one bewildering patient. We learn, as Parker did on his first day at the hospital, of the facility's most difficult, profoundly dangerous case--a forty-year-old man who was originally admitted to the hospital at age six. This patient has no known diagnosis. His symptoms seem to evolve over time. Every person who has attempted to treat him has been driven to madness or suicide. Desperate and fearful, the hospital's directors keep him strictly confined and allow minimal contact with staff for their own safety, convinced that releasing him would unleash catastrophe on the outside world. Parker, brilliant and overconfident, takes it upon himself to discover what ails this mystery patient and finally cure him. But from his first encounter with the mystery patient, things spiral out of control, and, facing a possibility beyond his wildest imaginings, Parker is forced to question everything he thought he knew. Fans of Sarah Pinborough's Behind Her Eyes and Paul Tremblay's The Cabin at the End of the World will be riveted by Jasper DeWitt's astonishing debut. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Get Well Soon Jennifer Wright, 2017-02-07 Examines the gruesome, morbid details of some of the worst plagues in human history, as well as stories of the heroic figures who fought to ease their suffering. With her signature mix of ... research and ... storytelling, and not a little dark humor, Jennifer Wright explores history's most gripping and deadly outbreaks-- |
a christmas horror story parents guide: A Christmas Story Jean Shepherd, 2010-10-27 A beloved, bestselling classic of humorous and nostalgic Americana—the book that inspired the equally classic Yuletide film and the live musical on Fox. The holiday film A Christmas Story, first released in 1983, has become a bona fide Christmas perennial, gaining in stature and fame with each succeeding year. Its affectionate, wacky, and wryly realistic portrayal of an American family’s typical Christmas joys and travails in small-town Depression-era Indiana has entered our imagination and our hearts with a force equal to It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. This edition of A Christmas Story gathers together in one hilarious volume the gems of autobiographical humor that Jean Shepherd drew upon to create this enduring film. Here is young Ralphie Parker’s shocking discovery that his decoder ring is really a device to promote Ovaltine; his mother and father’s pitched battle over the fate of a lascivious leg lamp; the unleashed and unnerving savagery of Ralphie’s duel in the show with the odious bullies Scut Farkas and Grover Dill; and, most crucially, Ralphie’s unstoppable campaign to get Santa—or anyone else—to give him a Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot range model air rifle. Who cares that the whole adult world is telling him, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid”? The pieces that comprise A Christmas Story, previously published in the larger collections In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories, coalesce in a magical fashion to become an irresistible piece of Americana, quite the equal of the film in its ability to warm the heart and tickle the funny bone. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Before We Were Strangers Renée Carlino, 2015-08-18 From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City. To the Green-eyed Lovebird: We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House. You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more. We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other. Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding… I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello. After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half? M |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Penpal Dathan Auerbach, 2012-07 |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Kill Creek Scott Thomas, 2017-10-31 A psychological horror with a literary twist, Kill Creek delivers elevated prose, while evoking the unnerving, atmospheric terror essential to greats like Peter Straub and Stephen King—a haunting that lingers long after turning the last page. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Cemetery Girl David Bell, 2018-02-06 A missing child is every parent's nightmare. What comes next is even worse in this riveting thriller from the bestselling and award-winning author of Bring Her Home. Tom and Abby Stuart had everything: a perfect marriage, successful careers, and a beautiful twelve-year-old daughter, Caitlin. Then one day Caitlin vanished without a trace. For a while they grasped at every false hope and followed every empty lead, but the tragedy ended up changing their lives, overwhelming them with guilt and dread, and shattering their marriage. Four years later, Caitlin is found alive but won't discuss where she was or what happened. And when the police arrest a suspect connected to her disappearance, she refuses to testify. Taking matters into his own hands, Tom tries to uncover the truth—and finds that nothing that has happened yet can prepare him for what he is about to discover. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Saving Francesca Melina Marchetta, 2007-12-18 Before there was Eleanor and Park, there was Francesca and Will. A compelling story of romance, family, and friendship, with humor and heart, perfect for fans of If I Stay, The Spectacular Now, and Looking for Alaska. Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastian’s, a boys' school that pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom. Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an impossibly dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas, who specializes in musical burping, to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can't seem to stop thinking about. Then there's Francesca's mother, who always thinks she knows what's best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling of who she really is. Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life, and—hardest of all—herself. Melina Marchetta is the Printz-winning author of Jellicoe Road, as well as Looking for Alibrandi and Finnikin of the Rock. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Audacity Melanie Crowder, 2015 A historical fiction novel in verse detailing the life of Clara Lemlich and her struggle for women's labor rights in the early 20th century in New York-- |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Secret of Platform 13 Eva Ibbotson, 2008-09-04 Under Platform 13 at King's Cross Station there is a secret door that leads to a magical island . . . It appears only once every nine years. And when it opens, four mysterious figures step into the streets of London. A wizard, an ogre, a fey and a young hag have come to find the prince of their kingdom, stolen as a baby nine years before. But the prince has become a horrible rich boy called Raymond Trottle, who doesn't understand magic and is determined not to be rescued. Shortlisted for the Smarties Prize, The Secret of Platform 13 is an exciting magical adventure from Eva Ibbotson, the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea. 'This kind of fun will never fail to delight' Philip Pullman |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Trouble Leonie Pratt, Non Pratt, 2015-08-04 When Aaron willingly signs on to be the pretend father of Hannah's unborn baby, he is looking for redemption from a past that has a stranglehold on him. Hannah, more simply, needs support in the absence of the real father, but she'll discover so much more-- |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Green Ghost Marion Dane Bauer, 2010-04-28 Move over, Christmas Carol—here’s a new holiday ghost story! It's Christmas Eve, and Kaye’s family is on the way to her grandmother’s house in a swirling snowstorm. Suddenly the car hits a patch of ice. It slides across the road and skids into a snow-filled ditch! Through the car window, Kaye spots a light in the woods. Its glow leads her and her parents through the blizzard. They find a warm cabin and a kindly old woman named Elsa. And Kaye finds something else—a green ghost who needs her help! Newbery Honor–winning author Marion Dane Bauer spins a third spooky tale to complement her previous stories, The Blue Ghost and The Red Ghost. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: This Is Where It Ends Marieke Nijkamp, 2016-01-05 The reviews are in! This Is Where It Ends, the #1 New York Times bestseller and one of the Best Books of the Decade (Buzzfeed, Paste Magazine, BookRiot), could break you. I am speechless. The saddest book I have ever read. Literally tore my heart out. Go inside a heartbreaking fictional school shooting, minute-by-terrifying-minute. Everyone has a reason to fear the boy with the gun... 10:00 a.m.: The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve. 10:02 a.m.: The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class. 10:03 a.m.: The auditorium doors won't open. 10:05 a.m.: Someone starts shooting. Over the course of 54 minutes, four students must confront their greatest hopes, and darkest fears, as they come face-to-face with the boy with the gun. In a world where violence in schools is at an all-time high and school shootings are a horrifyingly common reality for teenagers, This Is Where It Ends is a rallying cry to end the gun violence epidemic for good. Praise for This Is Where It Ends: A Buzzfeed Best Young Adult Book of the Decade A Paste Magazine Best Teen Book of the Decade A Book Riot Biggest YA Book of the Decade A Professional Book Nerds Best Book of the Decade A Bustle.com Most-Anticipated YA Novel A Goodreads YA Best Books Pick A Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for Young Adult Fiction Kids Indie Next List Pick Marieke Nijkamp's brutal, powerful fictional account of a school shooting is important in its timeliness. —Bustle.com A gritty, emotional, and suspenseful read and although fictionalized, it reflects on a problematic and harrowing issue across the nation. —Buzzfeed A compelling, brutal story of an unfortunately all-too familiar situation: a school shooting. Nijkamp portrays the events thoughtfully, recounting fifty-four intense minutes of bravery, love, and loss. —BookRiot |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories Jessica Harrison, 2019-10-03 The perfect gift this Christmas season: a generous selection of some of the greatest festive stories of all time This is a collection of the most magical, moving, chilling and surprising Christmas stories from around the world, taking us from frozen Nordic woods to glittering Paris, a New York speakeasy to an English country house, bustling Lagos to midnight mass in Rio, and even outer space. Here are classic tales from writers including Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Dylan Thomas, Saki and Chekhov, as well as little-known treasures such as Italo Calvino's wry sideways look at Christmas consumerism, Wolfdietrich Schnurre's story of festive ingenuity in Berlin, Selma Lagerlof's enchanted forest in Sweden, and Irène Nemerovsky's dark family portrait. Featuring santas, ghosts, trolls, unexpected guests, curmudgeons and miracles, here is Christmas as imagined by some of the greatest short story writers of all time. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Nightmare Before Christmas Tim Burton, 2013-09-17 The Nightmare Before Christmas – The Story of the Movie in Comics (2020) : Prepare for a twisted story of fright and delight in this retelling of the groundbreaking stop-motion film. In Halloween Town, the Pumpkin King Jack Skellington rules. When an emptiness begins to grow in him, he finds himself far from home in Christmas Town. Thinking that this is the answer to his melancholy, Jack moves to take over Christmas . . . But when a vision foretells a horrible end should Jack rule Christmas, is it already too late? |
a christmas horror story parents guide: President of the Whole Fifth Grade Sherri Winston, 2010-10-05 In this fun middle-grade novel from the author of The Kayla Chronicles, Brianna Justice has big dreams of following in her chef hero’s footsteps—and the first step is to become the president of her class. Start counting your votes . . . and your friends. When Brianna Justice's hero, the famous celebrity chef Miss Delicious, speaks at her school and traces her own success back to being president of her fifth grade class, Brianna determines she must do the same. She just knows that becoming president of her class is the first step toward her own cupcake-baking empire! But when new student Jasmine Moon announces she is also running for president, Brianna learns that she may have more competition than she expected. Will Brianna be able to stick to her plan of working with her friends to win the election fairly? Or will she jump at the opportunity to steal votes from Jasmine by revealing an embarrassing secret? This hilarious, heartfelt novel will appeal to any reader with big dreams and the determination to achieve them. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Beyond the Break Heather Buchta, 2020-06-02 For fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han, Beyond the Break is a funny and gorgeous debut about a girl experiencing her first love. Well, second, if you count her faith... and that's where things may get complicated. Manhattan Beach native Lovette has two rules in life. One: no surfing. Not after her brother's accident. Two: absolutely, no dating. And going into her junior year of high school, she's pretty happy with that arrangement. She has friends, her church youth group, and God to fall back on when things get dicey. But after Jake Evans walks into her life, following these two simple rules gets a lot more complicated. Jake is the boy from Lovette's childhood who grew up. Handsome and sweet, he unlocks the part of Lovette that wants nothing more than to surf the waves again. And as their relationship grows, she begins to question what it means to be faithful: to her family, to God, but mostly, to herself. Told with humor and heart, Heather Buchta delivers a sparkling debut that asks the question: Can you fall in love, be a teenager, and also be a good Christian? |
a christmas horror story parents guide: Messenger of Fear Michael Grant, 2014-09-23 Michael Grant's Messenger of Fear is a haunting narrative that examines the nature of good and evil in every human. Fans of Michelle Hodkin's Mara Dyer trilogy and Stephen King will love this satisfyingly twisted series. Mara Todd wakes in a field of dead grass, a heavy mist pressing down on her. She is terrified, afraid that she is dead. She can't remember who she is or anything about her past. Is it because of the boy who appears? He calls himself the Messenger of Fear. If the world does not bring justice to those who do evil, the Messenger will. He offers the wicked a game. If they win, they go free. If they lose, they will live their greatest fear. Either way, their sanity will be challenged. It is a world of fair but harsh justice. Of retribution and redemption. And mystery. Why was Mara chosen to be the Messenger's apprentice? What has she done to deserve this terrible fate? She won't find out until three of the wicked receive justice. And when she does, she will be shattered. |
a christmas horror story parents guide: The Haunted Car R. L. Stine, 2015-04-28 The original series from the Master of Fright--now a major motion picture in theaters August 7, 2015! The original books featuring the scariest creatures from the Goosebumps movie, in theaters August 7th, 2015! Mitchell Moinian tried to do some homew |
What Are the Facts About Christmas? | Q & A - JW.ORG
Dec 1, 2014 · Millions of people worldwide celebrate Christmas for various reasons. Some enjoy festive times with friends and family. Others think about God or devote …
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Get the facts: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses celebrate Christmas? What do they believe? Here are 4 reasons for some of their choices.
The Truth About Christmas - JW.ORG
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What Does the Bible Say About Christmas? | Bible Questions
Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes “with lights and evergreens of all kinds” to celebrate the …
Holidays and Celebrations - JW.ORG
Holidays and Celebrations The fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not participate in most holiday observances and other celebrations can be somewhat perplexing …
What Are the Facts About Christmas? | Q & A - JW.ORG
Dec 1, 2014 · Millions of people worldwide celebrate Christmas for various reasons. Some enjoy festive times with friends and family. Others think about God or devote time to helping the poor …
Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Christmas? - JW.ORG
Get the facts: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses celebrate Christmas? What do they believe? Here are 4 reasons for some of their choices.
The Truth About Christmas - JW.ORG
The Truth About Christmas DO YOU care about spiritual truth? If so, then perhaps you have asked these questions: (1) Was Jesus actually born on December 25? (2) Who were the “wise …
What Does the Bible Say About Christmas? | Bible Questions
Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes “with lights and evergreens of all kinds” to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil …
Holidays and Celebrations - JW.ORG
Holidays and Celebrations The fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not participate in most holiday observances and other celebrations can be somewhat perplexing to a teacher. We hope the …
History of Christmas Customs: Christian or Not? - JW.ORG
Dec 1, 2015 · Christmas has long been described as a traditional Christian festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many of the customs used in this celebration, however, make us wonder …
The Real Meaning of Christmas - Grace to You
If you want a truly meaningful Christmas season, it stands to reason you need to grasp the true meaning of Christmas. Forget about Jesus and you’ve missed the entire, glorious point of the …
Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? - Grace to You
The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops in Rome. They had a specific reason for doing so. Having turned …
Is Christmas for Christians? Is Christmas Biblical? - JW.ORG
If Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday, what the Bible says about birthdays should determine whether Christmas is for Christians.
Why do so many people miss the real meaning of Christmas?
The majority of people in the world will miss the next Christmas. But how can that be? How can anyone miss Christmas, given the amount of advertising, publicity, and promotion the holiday …