First off, let me set the record straight: I love Christmas and the holidays and all that stuff as much as the next girl. I mean, with a name like Noel, how could I possibly not?

Some people even ask me if I was born on Christmas, with a name like Noel. But I have to tell them, No; I was born on August 15—the same day as my great-grandfather Noel . . . (rhymes with Cole). Apparently, my parentshad been so sure I’d be a boy, they’d promised to name me after him no matter what. Classsic, right? Oh, well . . . I’m just glad they were nice enough to pronounce my name like it’s a girl’s.

But back to Christmas . . . Here’s the thing: No matter how great the holidays usually are, I am positively certain that even if I were Mrs. Claus herself would have had a hard time ho-ho-ho-ing this year. I mean, think about it. What if each and every one of your friends was going somewhere totally awesome for winter break, and feeling possibly compelled to talk about it constantly, while all you had to look forward to was a week and a half cooped up in your house with your parents, your little sister, and—as if that weren’t enough—another one on the way!

Okay, don’t get me wrong. I love babies as much as the next girl—of course. I just prefer it when they’re other people’s babies . . . not my own mother’s. I mean, come on. She’s, like, practically forty-five. Yeah, I know. I know. You’d think a person who wanted three kids would have had them all together—like everyone else’s mother. What was I thinking? you might ask. Seriously. Who knows?!

But that was all just the tip of the iceberg, as they say. It got much worse, let me tell you. Seriously. I don’t mind.

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  Candy Apple # 4: How To Be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days Nicolette Spicer ("Nick" to her friends) is a tomboy through and through. While her friends focus on shopping and lip gloss, Nick would rather buy new basketball shoes and practice her free throw. But everything changes when she meets a cutie named Ben and decides she has to ditch the jock look if she wants him to notice her. With the biggest party of the school year just ten days away, Nick is in a crunch. But when her best friend Lindsay suggests a magazine-article-inspired makeover, it seems like the perfect solution. But can Nick change her looks and still be herself? $5.99 books;paperbacks;paperbacks | Ages 9-12

  
  Candy Apple # 4: How To Be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days
  Ages 9-12 $5.99
  
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  Candy Apple #17: Miss Popularity Goes Camping by Francesco Sedita Cassie Cyan Knight -- former Texas girl, forever fashion plate -- has finally started to adjust to life in preppy, rural Maine. But then Cassie learns that the sixth grade is going on a field trip. . . to a nature preserve! There, Cassie will have to endure hiking, camping and -- gulp! -- white-water rafting. Worse, how on earth is Cassie supposed to survive without cell reception and hair products? But with a little luck, a lot of pluck, and her supportive best friend, Etoile, Cassie may just conquer the wilderness after all -- and teach her classmates a thing or two about camping in style! $5.99 books;paperbacks | Ages 9-12

  
  Candy Apple #17: Miss Popularity Goes Camping
  Ages 9-12 $5.99