Each month we feature the works of very special authors or novels that have a connection to the FACS classroom. In this section, you will find Q & A interviews with the authors, plot summaries and project ideas new each month.

Sylvia Hysen, an Associate Producer, screenplay writer and first-time novelist wrote A Very Dairy Christmas, the novel, as an adaptation of her award-winning screenplay of the same title. Born in Frankfurt, Germany and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, she graduated with a film degree from California State University, Northridge and has worked in the entertainment industry since the late 1980's.

Sylvia resides in Southern California with her husband and two teenaged children, and her menagerie of pets.

Sylvia was kind enough to answer some questions for us about the characters, setting and plot of her novel A Very Dairy Christmas.  You'll find her responses to our questions both entertaining and enlightening.  Click here to read the full Q & A.

Click on the image of the book to read a plot summary.

Food plays an important role in the story of Callie's experience on her grandparents' farm in A Very Dairy Christmas.  Try these quick and easy versions of two of the foods mentioned in the novel:  Apple Strudel and Cinnamon Rolls.  You'll find them delicious and very classroom-friendly.

Archived Spotlights

Marie Bostwick