Chasing Liberty (Movie)

Chasing Liberty. Warner Home Video, 2004.
Cast: Mandy Moore, Matthew Goode, Jeremy Piven, Annabella Sciorra, Mark Harmon, Caroline Goodall.
Director: Andy Cadiff.
Writers: David Schneiderman, Derek Guiley
Rating: PG-13.
Length: 101 minutes.
ASIN: B000P0J08S

Plot:

Anna is a normal teenage girl with a very abnormal family. She is the only daughter of the President of the United States, who also happens to be a very over-protective father. His insistence on having her followed by several Secret Service agents often ends up ruining Anna’s social life. When the family takes a diplomatic trip to Prague, Anna thinks she has convinced her father to let her attend a concert with only one agent as an escort. After discovering that he went back on his word, Anna decides to run away for the night. She seeks the help of an attractive stranger named Ben, who is actually a Secret Service agent in disguise. Her father decides to take advantage of the fact that Anna doesn’t know who Ben is to let her have some “controlled freedom,” but when she gets a little out of control he sends his agents to get her back. The agents chase her and Ben around Europe as she tries to get to the Love Parade in Berlin. All the while Ben tries to protect her without revealing his identity. In the process the two fall in love, but Ben can’t hide who he really is forever.

Critical Evaluation:

Chasing Liberty is completely unrealistic, fairly predictable, and kind of ridiculous. Despite that, it’s also totally adorable. It might have received pretty poor reviews from critics, but it suits its target audience. After all, very few critics are actually teenage girls. This is most definitely a teen girl movie. The combination of gaining freedom, finding yourself through exciting new experiences, and falling in love with a cute stranger hold massive appeal for that age group. The movie does well with all of those. There are very little consequences to anyone’s actions; everything works out fine in the end. This isn’t something to criticize, however, since it helps the movie maintain it’s light tone.

As the idealistic teen searching for freedom, Mandy Moore is cute as always. The viewer really feels for her when her optimism is crushed by the betrayal of her father and Ben. Matthew Goode is charming as her Secret Service agent love interest. The secondary characters are funny additions, in the style of the typical road trip movie. This isn’t a movie with a lot of substance or incredible talent, but it is a cute and fun watch.

Annotation:

Sick of spending all her time followed by Secret Service agents, Anna decides to experience freedom for the first time by running around Europe with a sexy stranger.

Director Information:

Andy Cadiff is a native of Newton, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University intending to be pre-med, but his grades forced him to reconsider. He instead became interested in theater. After graduation, he moved to New York where he worked with legendary theater producer Hal Prince. He has co-written and directed several plays.

He has worked in film since 1988. He has worked as a director on 49 television series, 4 tv movies, and 3 feature length films. He has also produced and worked in cinematography. Some of his more well-known series include Home Improvement, Spin City, My Wife and Kids, and The War at Home.

Genre:

Movie: Romantic Comedy

Curriculum Ties:

None

Movie Talking Ideas:

• Discuss whether or not it was right for Anna's father to put her under so much security.
• Talk about the appeal of being free and on your own.
• Talk about what it would be like to have the president as your father.

Interest Age:

13 and older

Challenge Issues:

Sexual content
Alcohol use

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This is a cute movie that appeals to the teenage sense of romance and longing for freedom.

The Looking Glass Wars (The Looking Glass Wars Trilogy #1) by Frank Beddor

Beddor, Frank. The Looking Glass Wars. Speak, 2007. 400 pages. ISBN-10: 0142409413. ISBN-13: 978-0142409411.

Plot:

Alyss Heart is the beloved princess of Wonderland. Her mother, Queen Genevieve, is a benevolent ruler, but Genevieve’s sister, Redd, is evil and has sworn revenge on Genevieve for taking what she saw as her rightful place as ruler of Wonderland. On Alyss’s seventh birthday, Redd atacks Wonderland. She kills Alyss’s parents and the father of her best friend, Dodge, but Alyss escapes with Genevieve’s bodyguard, Hatter Madigan. The two of them jump through the Pool of Tears, a portal to earth. They are separated in the process and Alyss ends up as a street child in London, while Hatter spends the next 13 years getting into trouble as he searches the world for her. Soon, Alyss is taken in by the Liddell family, who change her name to Alice and raise her as their daughter. At first Alyss insists on telling everyone who she really is, even going so far as to tell her entire life story to the Charles Dodgeson who promises to write a book about her. He creates the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but Alyss is outraged that he fictionalized her life story in such a way. Eventually, though, even Alyss begins to forget who she is as she grows up and even agrees to marry Prince Leopold. Hatter discovers her shortly before her wedding.

Meanwhile, in Wonderland, things are getting worse. The few rebels who are still loyal to Genevieve are planning to take back the queendom, but they can’t do it without Alyss. Dodge has grown up to be a good warrior, but he’s a bitter man set on revenge. When a wounded Hatter arrives back in Wonderland, Dodge decides to go after Alyss himself, kidnapping her from her wedding. Now that she is back in Wonderland, the rebels expect her to lead them, but Alyss isn’t sure that she can.

Critical Evaluation:

This is such a great premise for a book. Taking the story of Alice in Wonderland - one that already has controversy concerning the truth surrounding it - and turning it into a “true” science fiction novel is a clever move. Beddor includes all the well-known characters but gives them a twist. His use of their names and certain qualities are enough to make them recognizable to anyone familiar with the original story, but they’re still quite different from the original. The story celebrates the power of imagination and Beddor was certainly using his when he created his Wonderland.

This book contains features to satisfy all manner of readers. There are elements of fantasy, science fiction, romance, history, and plenty of action. Beddor created a fascinating world complete with its own politics, fashion, weapons, inventions, and various types of inhabitants. Though he’s created an impressive world, he didn’t fall back on his fantastical environment to support the story; the plot is also complicated and exciting. The supporting characters are entertaining and really round out the story. However, it’s the main characters, particularly Alyss, Hatter, and Dodge, who are impressively written. Beddor gives them each their own secrets, motivations, love and pain in a very convincing way. He writes both male and female characters well. Beddor is a imaginative writer who has created a captivating novel that leaves the reader hungry for more.

Reader's Annotation:

This is the true story of Alyss Heart, the rightful heir to the Wonderland throne.

Author Information:

Frank Beddor was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from the Catholic private school, Benilde-St. Margaret's School, in 1977. He was a competitive skier and was the World Freestyle Skiing Champion in 1981 and 1982. After he left competitive skiing, he turned to film work. He had a few small acting parts in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He then worked as a producer of films and video games, including the successful film There’s Something About Mary.

While in London for the U.K premiere of There’s Something About Mary, he visited The British Museum and was inspired to write his Looking Glass Wars series. The book was rejected by every major publisher in America before being published in the U.K. After becoming popular there, Penguin agreed to publish it in America. Beddor has also written graphic novels, created a card game, a video game, an apparel line, a musical CD, and a possible musical theater production all based on his Looking Glass Wars novels.

Genre:

Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties:

English: Comparison to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Booktalking Ideas:

• Introduce this as the "real" story of Alice in Wonderland.
• Discuss what it would be like to be thrust into a completely strange world.
• Talk about the power of imagination.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

14 and older

Challenge Issues:

Violence

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

Everything related to Alice in Wonderland has experienced a resurgence in popularity recently. This is a great twist on the traditional story.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Elkeles, Simone. Perfect Chemistry. Walker Books for Young Readers, 2008. 368 pages. ISBN-10: 0802798233. ISBN-13: 978-0802798237.

Plot:

On the surface, Brittany and Alex couldn’t be more different. She is a popular cheerleader, from perfect family on the rich side of town, and part of the school’s golden couple. He is a member of the Latino Blood gang, poor, and dangerous. When the two are paired up as lab partners, they are both unhappy with the situation. To prove himself, Alex makes a bet with his friends that he can get Brittany to have sex with him by Thanksgiving. As the two get to know each other, they start to see that their perceptions were very wrong. Brittany’s family is actually pretty dysfunctional and her perfect exterior is her defense to hide that. Alex is actually a smart boy who longs to go to college, but is trapped in the gang in order to help his family. As they discover more about each other, they begin to fall in love. Their friends and family aren’t ready to accept them as a couple, however. As Brittany’s family situation spins out of control and Alex is forced to go deeper into the gang life, they’re not sure if their love will survive.

Critical Evaluation:

Perfect Chemistry is a pretty predictable novel. The storyline isn’t especially original. The good girl and the bad boy who hate each other but slowly fall in love has been done many times over. The characters are stereotypical, both on the surface and underneath. She’s the “perfect” girl with the difficult home life. He’s the bad boy who wants to escape his circumstances and better himself. They’re also very frustrating at the start of the novel. The ending of the story isn’t especially shocking or original. Despite all this, Perfect Chemistry is a sweet and engaging read. Presenting it in alternating viewpoints allows the reader insight into each of the characters, especially since they hide so much from each other and the world around them. After the initial frustration, the characters become endearing as they fall in love, almost as if their love is what redeems them both. It’s impossible to not cheer them on as they take on a world that isn’t ready to accept them for who they are and certainly isn’t ready to accept them being together. They encounter what should be extremely dangerous and almost impossible challenges, but the ending is tied up neatly. Rather than being annoying in its lack of realism, the ending is satisfying. This is a touching and romantic read; realism isn’t necessary.

Reader's Annotation:

Brittany and Alex come from vastly different backgrounds, but fall in love after being paired as chemistry lab partners.

Author Information:

Simone Elkeles was born and raised near Chicago, where many of her books take place. She attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign where she received a degree in Psychology in 1992. She then went on to attend Loyola University-Chicago to study Industrial Relations. Following graduation, she worked creating diversity programs for a manufacturing company.

Her first book was published in 2006. She writes solely for young adults because she enjoys writing about the excitement of teenage love and romance. She tries her best to make sure her characters and situations are realistic, including actually spending time in a juvenile detention center to research her Leaving Paradise series.

Genre:

Romance

Curriculum Ties:

English: A modern comparison to Romeo and Juliet.

Booktalking Ideas:

• Discuss the idea of stereotypes and first impressions.
• Talk about being trapped by your situations and deciding to break free.
• Discuss the similarities between Brittany's life and Alex's life.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

15 and older

Challenge Issues:

Profanity
Sexual content
Violence
Gang activity
Drug and alcohol use

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

I was first attracted to this book because of the alternating narrator style in which is is written. It's a sweet twist on the Romeo and Juliet plot-line, but written for modern audiences.

Devilish by Maureen Johnson

Johnson, Mauree. Devilish. Penguin/Razorbill, 2006. 288 pages. ISBN-10: 1595140603. ISBN-13: 978-1595140609.

Plot:

Ally is one of the few things that makes St. Teresa's Preparatory School for Girls bearable for Jane. They have been best friends for years, even though they couldn’t be more different. Jane is sarcastic, non-conformist, and outspoken. Ally is shy, spastic and obsessed with the school’s events and traditions, especially that of getting a good “little sister” at the school’s annual ceremony. At the ceremony, Ally vomits front of the school and humiliates herself, but still ends up with a little sister after a mysterious new student, Lanalee, offers to pair up with her. When Ally starts acting weird, Jane soon figures out that there is something going on with her and Lanalee. It turns out that Lanalee is a demon and Ally has sold her soul for popularity. Jane offers to take Ally’s place, hoping that she can make a deal with Lanalee that will save both of them. Her decision puts into motion a series of events that will rock their school and possibly end up with Jane losing her soul in the process.

Critical Evaluation:

Devilish’s cover and premise are misleading. Upon seeing the book, a person might think that this would be another substanceless teen chick book. If they were to pass it over because of this, they would be missing out on a quick, thrilling, and intelligent read. Johnson presents an interesting twist on legend of Faust. The emissary of the devil is in the body of a teenage girl, the ambition is that of poise and popularity, and the setting is high school. What better set up could there be for that kind of bargain? Johnson’s writing is snappy and clever. Jane is a humorous and sarcastic narrator. Setting her up as narrator rather than Ally was a smart choice.

One of the most refreshing aspects of the story is Jane’s skepticism. Many novels, young adult and otherwise, contain an unrealistic level of acceptance in their characters when presenting fantastical elements. The characters are rarely shocked or disbelieving when encountering creatures that supposedly don’t exist. When Jane is confronted with the idea that her best friend has sold her soul to the devil, she assumes that Lanalee is simply manipulating Ally. Even after several unusual things happen directly to Jane, she still refuses to believe. It’s only after she has reached the point that she can no longer deny what’s happening that she begins to reluctantly accept it. Throughout all of this, though, her devotion to Ally is admirable. Even as their relationship becomes more strained and Ally betrays her, Jane is still determined to save her. This book is a wonderful example of the powerful friendships that can develop between teenage girls and one that readers will enjoy.

Reader's Annotation:

When Jane's best friend sells her soul to the devil in exchange for popularity, Jane must figure out how to save her before it's too late.

Author Information:

Maureen Johnson was born February 16, 1973 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though not Catholic, she attended a Catholic Prep school for girls. She enjoyed high school and made several great friends while there. She used this experience as inspiration for her book Devilish. She then attended the University of Delaware to study Writing and went on to study Theatrical Dramaturgy and Writing at Columbia University. While there she worked several jobs to pay for her schooling, including working in a Las Vegas show, as an employee of a haunted house themed restaurant, and as a fake employee of a company to increase its employee numbers. She currently lives in New York and frequently travels to the UK, including time spent in Scotland on a writing fellowship.

Her first novel was published in 2004. She has since published 6 other novels, 2 compilations, and has 2 more novels set to be published in 2011. Though most of her books are not frequently challenged, her novel The Bermudez Triangle was challenged in 2007. Johnson has been noted for her quick response to the challenge and for her criticism of the typical practices that schools use when banning books.

Genre:

Chick Lit

Curriculum Ties:

English: Modern comparison to Faust

Booktalking Ideas:

• Compare Jane and Ally.
• Talk about what made Jane believe what Lanalee really is.
• Introduce Lanalee as a character.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

13 and Older

Challenge Issues:

Selling of souls to Satan
Violence

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

I discovered this book while working on our genre project. Though I had a fairly negative view of chick lit before, this book is one that helped change my mind.

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy #1) by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies. Simon Pulse, 2005. 448 pages. ISBN-10: 0689865384. ISBN-13: 978-0689865381.

Plot:

Tally is an Ugly. She hasn’t yet reached her 16th birthday where she will undergo the surgery that will transform her to a Pretty and allow her to live in New Pretty Town where she can spend all her time partying with the rest of the new Pretties. Missing her best friend Peris, who has already become a Pretty, she sneaks over to New Pretty Town to see him. While there she is almost caught, but is helped by another Ugly named Shay. Tally and Shay become friends. Shay reveals that she doesn’t want to become a Pretty and is planning on running away instead. After Shay disappears, Tally still plans to become a Pretty, but on the day of her birthday she is taken to meet Dr. Gable, the head of Special Circumstances, the city’s security force. Dr. Gable informs Tally that she must find Shay and lead Special Circumstances to the colony of runaways where Shay is living or she’ll never be allowed to become a Pretty. Tally agrees and sets off to the colony, know as The Smoke. When she arrives, she begins to enjoy the freedom of The Smoke and decides to stay instead of revealing where they are. She also falls in love with a boy who was born there, named David. What Tally doesn’t know is that Dr. Gable expected her to betray her mission and has a way of tracking her anyway.

Critical Evaluation:

On the surface, Uglies is a dystopian post-scarcity science-fiction thriller. Looking deeper, however, the entire novel is a metaphor for the confusion inherent in adolescence when torn between desires for individuality and the need to conform, as well as the fear of growing up. Teenagers will appreciate Tally’s predicament. She desperately wants to join Peris and the other Pretties in New Pretty Town, but as she learns more about the Uglies living in the Smoke and discovers life outside of the city, she is drawn to that lifestyle. However, the Smoke simply represents another type of conformity. Tally has to learn to reconcile what she wants with the demands of those around her, which is something that every individual must go through as part of growing up.

Westerfeld creates a dazzling world with his descriptions of New Pretty Town. The technology he creates is fascinating and fun. Who wouldn’t want a hoverboard? He manages to make being a Pretty sounds incredibly appealing, which makes it all the more horrifying when it’s revealed what happens during the transformation.

The novel is an exercise in suspense. The reader is never sure what is around the next corner or who is an enemy. Just as one problem is resolved, something else is introduced. The characters’ motivations are often hard to read as it seems like even the most innocent often have some kind of agenda. We spend most of the novel watching Tally’s world fall apart around her as she learns that it’s a very different place than she thought it was. She remains a strong character throughout. When the novel ends, the reader will be anxious to find out what happens to her next.

Reader's Annotation:

Tally has always look forward to her 16th birthday when she will become a Pretty. When Tally's new friend Shay declares that she plans to run away instead, Tally must decide if she should become a Pretty or follow Shay.

Author Information:

Scott Westerfeld was born May 5, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. His father was a computer programmer, so Westerfeld and his family traveled a lot when he was a kid. He lived in Texas, California, and Connecticut. He attended a magnet school for arts in Dallas. He earned a bachelors in Philosophy from Vassar and did graduate work in Performance Studies at New York University. He is married to the Australian author Justine Larbalestier. The two divide their time between Australia and New York, specifically to avoid winter in either hemisphere.

Before becoming a novelist, he worked as a ghost writer and music writer. His first novels were adult science fiction, but he transitioned to writing for young adults with his book So Yesterday in 2004. He has also published non-fiction, short stories, poetry, and several essays.

Genre:

Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties:

Science: Care of the Environment
Health: Body Image
Sociology: Community

Booktalking Ideas:

• Talk about the anticipation of becoming a Pretty.
• Compare Tally and Shay.
• Explain some of the technology they use in the book.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

13 and older

Challenge Issues:

Allusions to alcohol use
Negative body image issues
Anti-family
Anti-government

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This book was recommended to me by a teenage friend of my sister. It's popular with her group of friends.

The Luxe (The Luxe Trilogy #1) by Anna Godbersen

Godbersen, Anna. The Luxe. HarperCollins , 2007. 448 pages. ISBN-10: 0061345679. ISBN-13: 978-0061345678.

Plot:

The year is 1899 and 18-year-old Elizabeth Holland has returned from Europe to take her place as the darling of the Manhattan elite. Her younger sister Diana has grown in her absence and is becoming more daring and less interested in fitting in with society than Elizabeth is. Her supposed best friend Penelope Hayes, a nouveau riche social climber, isn’t entirely thrilled to see Elizabeth back, but she is involved with her own relationship with Henry Schoonmaker. However, Henry’s father insists that he and Elizabeth become engaged, much to Penelope’s outrage. As Henry is courting Elizabeth, he falls for Diana, complicating things even further. As for Elizabeth, she is secretly in love with her poor coachman, Will. Elizabeth’s maid, Lina, is also in love with him. As Elizabeth’s and Henry’s wedding nears, the group of teens must figure out how to sort out their scandalous relationships without the rest of the polite society finding out.

Critical Evaluation:

The Luxe is delightfully snarky and scandalous. This is a book that will appeal to readers raised on Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Clique or any reader who enjoys stories full of secrets, backstabbing, and intrigue. It’s not just romantic fluff, though. Godberson’s research into the Gilded Age is evident in the historical aspects of the novel, even if her descriptions of the time period are primarily limited to the upper class. Unlike many historical fiction novels, the history is more a frame for the story than vice versa. Placing the events in that particular time period allows Godberson the ability to make actions that would be innocent today seem wildly scandalous. Though the characters behave in ways that might not be completely realistic and they suffer from very few consequences, that’s not really the point of the novel.

Godberson’s choice of alternating viewpoints rounds out the story as the reader is able to see the motivations behind each character’s actions. Starting her novel with the death of Elizabeth thrusts the reader into the thick of the story and adds an air of mystery. Perhaps her best stylistic choice is the inclusion of newspaper snippets and letters. This helps further the framework of the Gilded Age, as well as giving an outside perspective on the characters’ lives. Godberson has created a glamorous and entertaining start to her trilogy.

Reader's Annotation:

In Gilded Age Manhattan, four very different young women try to pursue happiness with often scandalous results.

Author Information:

Anna Godbersen was born in 1980 in Berkeley, California. She attended public school in Berkeley before going to Barnard College in Manhattan. She now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Before beginning her career as a novelist, she worked as an editorial assistant for Esquire and worked as a ghost writer of young adult novels. Despite having read very little young adults novels or historical fiction prior to writing her series, she jumped into writing both with much zeal.

Though she classifies her writing as historical fiction, it has often been compared to chick lit. With their glamorous and scandalous characters, her novels would appeal to readers of chick lit, but her writing is well-researched and gives a glimpse into the past that makes her stories much more well-rounded.

Genre:

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties:

History: Late 19th Century

Booktalking Ideas:

• Compare the choices young women had for love then to what they do now
• Discuss the personality differences between Diana, Elizabeth, and Penelope
• Describe Manhattan at the end of the 19th century

Reading Level/Interest Age:

14 or older

Challenge Issues:

Minor sexual references

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This is an historical novel that can appeal to teenage readers who love books like Gossip Girl, but it has more literary merit.

Blood Roses by Francesca Lia Block

Block, Francesca Lia . Blood Roses. HarperTeen, 2008. 144 pages. ISBN-10: 006076385X. ISBN-13: 978-0060763855.

Plot:

This collection of nine short stories centers on transformation and supernatural occurrences surrounding the female characters. In “Blood Roses” two sisters are obsessed with finding a blood rose, even though it means death for anyone who sees one. Their search leads them to the house of a man who claims to have photos of the dead rock star they love, but who spends his time talking about serial killers. In “Giant” Rachel begins to grow quickly after kissing her crush. She doesn’t feel worthy of him and wonders if she will be too much for him. In “My Haunted House” a little girl tries to convince her mother that the dollhouse her dad gave her is haunted. We learn a terrible secret about her father. In “My Boyfriend is an Alien” a schizophrenic girl begins dating a boy who says he’s an alien. In “Horses Are a Girl’s Best friend” Berry falls for a boy who is half-human half-horse. In “Skin Art” tattoos begin appearing all over Elodie’s body when she falls in love with a tattoo artist. In “My Mother the Vampire” a mother and daughter’s relationship is complicated by the mother’s quest to remain young. In “Wound and Wing” Audrey meets a fairy whose wings have been torn off. In “Changelings” a race of fairies lives underground.

Critical Evaluation:

Reading Block’s short stories is like being immersed in a dream. Her lyrical style and beautiful imagery alone would be enough to recommend this book, but the plots live up to the style, as well. Block has a way of slowly revealing what’s really going on, while still keeping some details hidden, that leaves the reader still contemplating the stories long after putting the book down. She’s also a master of subtext and metaphor. On the surface, each of her stories is simply about an unusual or supernatural occurrence. Underneath, she covers topics ranging from sexual abuse to fear of aging. Despite the range in subjects, each story touches on the idea of female transformation and the feeling so common in women - that of feeling like you’re too much, while still not being enough. This is a beautiful and empowering read. If shared with a young woman, it’s one that could be a catalyst for a great discussion.

Reader's Annotation:

Nine beautifully surreal stories about the transformation of young women.

Author Information:

Francesca Lia Block was born December 3, 1962 in Los Angeles. Her parents were a poet and a painter and their artistic lifestyle was a creative influence for Block. She has live in L.A her entire life, except for a brief period where she attended U.C Berkeley. After school, she returned to the city and still lives there with her two children. Her love for L.A. is very evident in her writing.

As a child she loved fairy tales and mythology and these have had a great influence on her writing. Her stories and novels all have a very fairy tale feeling to them, often containing magical or supernatural characters and situations. Though many do have a happy ending, they often contain gritty and dark elements. She writes about realistic and controversial subjects, which has led her books to be challenged often.

Genre:

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties:

English: Prose styling

Booktalking Ideas:

• Read the last paragraph of "Giant"
• Discuss the types of transformations the young women go through
  
• Talk about the fine line between fantasy and reality

Reading Level/Interest Age:

15 and older

Challenge Issues:

Sexual content
Graphic imagery
Nude photo on the cover

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

Adolescence is a time of great transformation. These stories touch on that in a way that is beautiful and fantastical.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

Mackler, Carolyn. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. Candlewick, 2003. 256 pages. ISBN-10: 0763619582. ISBN-13: 978-0763619589.


Plot:

Virginia has never really felt like she fits in with the rest of her perfect family. They are all dark-haired, slim, attractive, and brilliant. She is blond, plain, and terrible at French. She’s also overweight, which she and her family think is the worst difference of all. Self-conscious about her size, she hides in baggy clothes and withdraws from everyone at the school. Since her best friend moved to Washington, that means that Virginia doesn’t have any friends left in her school. She does, however, have a secret boy, Froggy. Though she and Froggy spend every Monday making out in her room, she follows her “Fat Girl Code of Conduct” and avoids him in public, thinking that he wouldn’t want to be seen with her. In order to be worthy of Froggy and her family, Virginia decides she must lose weight and begins a diet that makes her unhealthy and miserable.

When Virginia’s older brother, whom she idolizes, is suspended from school after being accused of date raping a girl, she starts to realize that maybe her family isn’t so perfect after all. She begins to branch out and start to accept her differences. Instead of trying to be perfect, she decides to try to be an individual. Though this causes some strain in her family, Virginia believes that it is worth it to become her own person.

Critical Evaluation:

Mackler manages the difficult task of writing a narrator who is insecure and unhappy with herself, but who isn’t whiny or self-pitying. Virginia is humorous, likable, and sympathetic. She’s sarcastic and self-deprecating, but she’s also vulnerable. Her journey towards accepting herself while at the same time improving herself in a healthy way is an admirable example for readers. She isn’t an unrealistic example, however. She makes many mistakes along the way, she hurts people, and she hurts herself, but she learns and she accepts her faults. By the end of the book, her life isn’t perfect, but it’s promising.

Mackler’s writing maintains a conversational style, but without stylistically delving into too many sentence fragments or grammatical errors. The result of this is a book written in the voice of a bright teenager, one that both teenagers and adults can enjoy. Mackler doesn’t shy away from sensitive material. She addresses the body image issue with honesty. Her inclusion of the date rape and her focus on how it affects Virginia’s family dynamic is a bold choice. Their reactions to the rape are defining moments for each of the characters, particularly Virginia, as it is the catalyst for changing the way she views herself and her family in relation to each other.

This is a book that offers both an entertaining storyline and good message. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who was struggling to find their place in their family, no matter the reason.

Reader's Annotation:

Virginia has never felt like she really fits in with her slim, beautiful, and talented family, so she sets out to change that. Along the way, she learns to accept herself as she is.

Author Information:

Carolyn Mackler was born July 13, 1973 in Manhattan. Her family relocated several times, but eventually settled in Brockport, New York. Many of her novels are set in the areas of New York where she lived. She was interested in writing from an early age and even started a newspaper at the age of four. She would dictate her stories to her mother, who would then write them down. She attended Vassar and earned an Art History degree. After graduating, she moved to Seattle, but soon returned to New York. She currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and son.

Much of her inspiration for her characters comes from her own experience as a teenager. In 5th grade, Mackler began to feel like a misfit and an outsider in her school. Things did eventually get better for her, but the experience stuck with her. Many of her characters are misfits looking for their place, like she was. She has published five books for young adults.

Genre:

Chick Lit

Curriculum Ties:

Psychology: Body Image and Self Acceptance

Booktalking Ideas:

• Discuss feeling different from your family
• Introduce Virginia in the style of one of her lists.
• Talk about learning to accept yourself.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

14 and older

Challenge Issues:

Date rape
Sexual content
Anti-family
Unsuited to age group

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

It has an important message of self-acceptance that hasn't been lost on teenagers, given the number of letters the author has received on the subject.

Cry-baby (Movie)

Cry-baby. Universal Studios, 1990.
Cast: Johnny Depp, Ricki Lake, Amy Locane, Susan Tyrrell, Polly Bergen.
Director: John Waters.
Rating: PG-13.
Length: 85 minutes.
ASIN: B0009IOR6Q

Plot:

In 1954 Baltimore, the town is divided between the Squares and the Drapes. The Drapes are led by Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, named for his ability to shed a single tear. One day after school, Cry-Baby is approached by Allison, a Square who is tired of being good. He comes by her house to take her to Turkey Point, the hangout for the Drapes, which is owned by Cry-Baby’s grandmother. Despite her disapproval, Allison’s grandmother allows her to go. While there, Allison gets a “bad girl” makeover by Cry-Baby’s friends. While Cry-Baby and Allison are kissing, Allison’s jealous boyfriend, Baldwin, and his friends attack Turkey Point and the police break everything up, arresting Allison and the Drapes. Allison is released, but Cry-Baby is sent to juvenile hall. Allison swears to be loyal to him, but changes her mind after Lenore, a Drape with a crush on Cry-Baby, claims to be pregnant with his child. Allison then goes back to Baldwin, while Lenore decides to claim that she is a Square, as well. Her grandmother and the Drapes convince Allison that Cry-Baby is really the boy for her and they all set out to convince the judge to release him from juvenile hall.

Critical Evaluation:

John Waters created a cult classic with Cry-baby. This hilarious tongue-in-cheek musical good-naturedly mocks more traditional films such as Grease, West Side Story, and The Outsiders. The story is a familiar one, that of the good girl falling for the bad boy and both of them being redeemed in the process, but with an irreverent take on everything from their relationship to the reaction of the town. The characters are caricatures with often ridiculous dialogue, but they never fail to entertain. The movie invites the viewer to laugh along with it as it makes fun of the genre, the time period, the storyline, and even itself. It’s evident that the cast is having fun with the performance, but they’re still taking their parts seriously. Johnny Depp and Amy Locane manage to take what could have been over-the-top characters and play them with a sincerity that balances the humor perfectly.

Though the music could have easily been overshadowed by the story, the songs stand on their own. They’re catchy, fun, and advance the plot rather than distracting from it. The combination of rockabilly, doo-wop, and 50s pop leave the viewer wanting to sing and dance along. Johnny Depp’s dancing and James Intveld’s singing are reminiscent of Elvis and offer another throwback to the 50s. This parody of typical teen musicals is something teens will definitely appreciate.

Annotation:

Allison, a Square is tired of being good when she meets and falls in love with Wade “Cry-baby” Walker, a Drape from the wrong side of town.

Director Information:

John waters was born April 22, 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland. As a child, he saw the movie Lili, which spawned his interest in puppets. Growing up, he also loved violent and gory movies and would often watch adult-only movies playing at the drive-in by using binoculars. Both of these had a large effect on his film-making as an adult. He attended NYU for film-making, but was unsatisfied with the program and quickly left.

He made his first film at the age of 18. He would go on to write 16 more films and direct 15 of those. His films are almost always set in his hometown of Baltimore and often are cast with the same core group of actors, including his childhood friend, the drag queen Divine. Another childhood friend, Mary Vivian Pearce, has appeared in every one of his movies. His core group of actors is referred to as Dreamlanders, named after his production company Dreamland Productions.

Genre:

Movie: Musical Comedy

Curriculum Ties:

Music: 1950s Music
Theater: Musicals

Movie Talking Ideas:

• Describe the Squares and the Drapes.
• Compare Cry-baby to Baldwin.
• Discuss the evolution of Allison's character.
• Focus on its satirization traditional teen musicals.

Interest Age:

13 and older

Challenge Issues:

Teen pregnancy
Tobacco use
Delinquency
Casting of Traci Lords

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This movie was first shown to me when I was 17 and I've loved it ever since. It remains one of my favorite films from my teen years.

Pretty in Pink (Movie)

Pretty in Pink. Paramount, 1986.
Cast: Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Jon Cryer, Harry Dean Stanton, Annie Potts, James Spader.
Director: Howard Deutch.
Rating: PG-13.
Length: 96 minutes.
ASIN: B00005JKOI

Plot:

At Andie’s school, the students are strictly divided between the rich and the poor; the two sides never mix. Andie is one of the poor students. Her father is depressed and only working part time after her mother left them. To help out, Andie works at a record store after school and makes her own clothes. She has very few friends, one of which is Duckie, a dorky boy who is madly in love with her and not afraid to show it. One day, Blane, one of the rich students, starts to show some interest in her. He asks her out, but the date is a disaster. His friends are rude to her and her friends are rude to him. The date ends with Andie in tears because she in embarrassed for Blane to see where she lives. Blane insists that it doesn’t matter and asks her to go to prom with him. The two continue to date, but his creepy friend, Steff, manages to convince Blane that they shouldn’t be together. After confronting Blane in the hallway and breaking up, Andie decides that she should go to the prom anyway. She creates another masterpiece, a pink prom dress, and Duckie accompanies her to the prom. Blane has come alone, however, and is there to apologize to Andie and declare his love for her.

Critical Evaluation:

Pretty in Pink is the quintessential 80s movie. It’s a perfect example of the fashion and music of the time, which is something that many teens today enjoy. It’s more than just a blast from the past, however. The central storyline - that of looking past the labels to be with the person you love - is something that modern teens can understand.

Molly Ringwald plays Andie with maturity and sweet sincerity. Her portrayal of a daughter trying to take care of herself and her heartbroken father, while maintaining her hopefulness and dignity, is an outstanding performance. Andrew McCarthy as Blane’s wooing of her is charming in its execution; even when he caves to the pressure of his jerky friend and leaves, it’s still hard to hate him. Possibly the best character in the movie is Duckie, played by Jon Cryer. He’s adorable and hilarious, especially in his love for Andie. The scene where he lip-syncs to “Try a Little Tenderness” is the funniest in the movie. He’s allowed a chance to be more than comic relief, however, when displaying both his heartache at watching Andie fall in love with someone else and his affection for her when he encourages her to open her heart and forgive Blane.

Annotation:

Andie, a poor girl, and Blane, a rich boy, fall in love while their friends try to keep them apart.

Director Information:

Howard Deutch was born September 14, 1950 in New York. He attended the University of Ohio and then joined the advertising department at United Artist Records. After leaving advertising, he went into business for himself and started his directing career by directing music videos for musicians such as Billy Idol and Billy Joel. His first feature length film was Pretty in Pink.

He met his wife, Lea Thompson, while directing her in Some Kind of Wonderful in 1987. They were married in 1989. He’s since directed her in several other movies and television appearances. They have two daughters.

Genre:

Movie: Romantic Drama

Curriculum Ties:

None

Movie Talking Ideas:

• Talk about falling in love with someone your friends don't like.
• Compare Blane and Duckie.
• Discuss Andie's relationship with her father.

Interest Age:

13 and older

Challenge Issues:

Sexual content
Profanity
Alcohol and tobacco use

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

It's a classic teen movie.

The Long Way Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Volume 1) by Joss Whedon

Whedon, Joss. The Long Way Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Volume 1). Illustrated by Georges Jeanty. Dark Horse Comics, 2007. 136 pages. ISBN-10: 1593078226. ISBN-13: 978-1593078225

Plot:

It’s been a year since Buffy and her friends destroyed the Hellmouth while taking on The First and its army of uber-vamps. There have been many changes, but one thing always remains the same: they devote their time to fight the demons that attack the human world. The army of slayers has been mobilized in different areas of the world, while Buffy and her friends are primarily stationed in the Scottish moors. There are even two more Buffies now, decoys who have taken on her identity to fool their enemies. Their troubles are just beginning, however. Dawn has become a giant after a spell was cast on her by her former lover. Willow has been gone for weeks. Worst of all, Buffy is being targeted by a new government agency that's being helped by an old enemy. The agency traps Buffy in a dream state and the Scooby Gang must once again band together to defeat this new evil.

Critical Evaluation:

For die-hard fans of the series, this is a decent follow-up. Jeanty’s illustrations complement Whedon’s storyline perfectly. With the storyline picking up a year after the series finale, many changes are able to be made, but doing that does make it rather confusing at times. The retroactive explanations of what has happened during the previous year don’t work as well in graphic novel form as they might have in a television show or book that allowed for more exposition. It does, however, allow for the story to pick up right in the middle of the action, including introducing the type of “big bad” that was the staple of the original series.

Possibly the most satisfying part of the graphic novel is how true to self the characters have remained. Part of Whedon’s talent as always lain in his ability to create likable, realistic characters who are allowed to grow and change without losing any of their original appeal. He continues this trend with the new format. The dialogue is snappy and clever. The characters are well-rounded despite the limited space to develop them. Those who were fans of the series will probably enjoy the graphic novel, but newcomers might be a little lost.

Reader's Annotation:

A year after fighting The First and destroying Sunnydale in the process, Buffy, the Scooby Gang, and the army of slayers have expanded their operations across several countries with new villains to defeat.

Author Information:

Joss Whedon was born June 23, 1964 in New York. Both his father and grandfather were television writers, which is the path Whedon would also follow. He attended Riverdale Country School where his mother taught. He then spent two years at Winchester College in England before graduating from Wesleyan University in 1987. He moved to Los Angeles and worked as a script doctor before writing his own television shows and movies.

His most well-known television series is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The show is based on the movie of the same name, though the two have little in common. After his original movie script was altered drastically, Whedon was able to use the series to fulfill his original vision. It spawned a spin-off show, as well as several comic book series. He has written and directed several television shows and movies and is the creator of 5 television series. He often casts the same actors in many of his projects.

Genre:

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties:

None

Booktalking Ideas:

• Tell where each of the main characters are at the beginning of the graphic novel
• Discuss the differences between the graphic novel and the television series
• Talk about how the world changed with the creation of the Slayer army

Reading Level/Interest Age:

15 and older

Challenge Issues:

Witchcraft/Magic/The Occult
Violence
Sexual content
Demonic characters

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This is the follow up to the popular television series. I loved the television series and have been wanting to read the comic for awhile.

Nightwood by Patricia Windsor

Windsor, Patricia. Nightwood. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2006. 256 pages. ISBN-10: 0385903316. ISBN-13: 978-0385903318.

Plot:

Rather than go on the class trip to Washington, D.C., Casey, Gena, and Maryann decide to skip and spend a week in a cabin on the lake. They think it will be a harmless week of parent-free fun; Casey hopes to meet her boyfriend who will be there fishing. After they arrive at the lake, weird things start happening. A cabin full of mutilated animals is found, prompting the local sheriff’s son to investigate a string of similar incidences across the south. A local boy goes missing and another out-of-towner is attacked.

The girls are oblivious to what is happening until the day they decide to visit Casey’s boyfriend and his friends. They arrive only to discover that one of his friends is missing. While searching for him, they stumble upon the mangled body of the missing local boy instead. The girls decide to go back to their cabin and leave the boys to deal with the police, but while on the way back a storm begins, causing Gena to fall out of the boat. The other two girls decide to go back to the cabin and wait the storm out before looking for her. Unfortunately, someone else finds her before they can. The deranged killer has a plan and he will deal with anyone who gets in his way, including the girls.

Critical Evaluation:

This book is written with alternating narrators, which allows the reader to have information the characters do not. This lends a feeling of suspense and dread, as the reader is able to connect events that are occurring in multiple places. Windsor’s descriptions of the mutilation and violence are sparse, leaving most of it up to the reader’s imagination. The setting is appropriately remote and the perfect combination of idyllic and sinister. This all comes together to create a creepy atmosphere perfect for the events.

The story actually has substance, too. The smaller plots involving the relationship between the sheriff and his son or those of the girls’ home lives flesh out what would otherwise be a stereotypical teen slasher. Including the point of view of the killer in a way that can almost make him sympathetic at times is an interesting and effective choice. Any time the reader begins to feel sorry for the killer, the feeling of horror intensifies once we are reminded of what he has done. Unfortunately, the book does suffer from the fatal flaw of many in the genre: an unsatisfying ending. Windsor attempts to add a twist, but does so in a way that is confusing rather than shocking. Aside from that mistake, however, the book is a scary and entertaining read.

Reader's Annotation:

Six teenagers head to the lake for a relaxing week only to be terrorized by a dangerous killer.

Author Information:

Patricia Windsor was born in New York on September 21, 1938 and died July 1, 2010. She began writing as a child and submitted several of her pieces to Seventeen magazine. After receiving 35 rejection notices from them by the time she graduated from high school, she decided that writing was not the career for her. Instead, she studied dance at Bennington College and Westchester Community College. After graduation, however, she began work as an editor and copywriter working for both Mademoiselle magazine and Harper and Row.

Her first novel was published in 1973. She has since written 16 more novels, the last being Nightwood published in 2006. Her books tend to have elements of mystery, the supernatural and horror. She has received several awards including the Edgar Allan Poe Award.

Genre:

Horror

Curriculum Ties:

None

Booktalking Ideas:

• Discuss the points of view of each of the characters as the story unfolds.
• Compare the three girls' personalities.
• Read the first short chapter as a teaser about the killer.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

15 and older

Challenge Issues:

Violence
Profanity
Alcohol and drug use

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

Many teens really enjoy horror as a genre. This book contains all the traditional elements of the teen slasher genre, but with a moral complication.

The Initiation (The Secret Circle #1) by L.J. Smith

Smith, L.J. The Initiation. Harper, 1992. 320 pages. ISBN-10: 0061067121. ISBN-13: 978-0061067129

Plot:

After spending the summer in Cape Cod, Cassie is ready to go back to California. On her last day there, she helps a mysterious stranger and feels a connection to him. Though she loves him, she assumes that she’ll never see him again. She prepares to go back to California never knowing, but then discovers that she and her mother will be staying in Massachusetts and moving in with her grandmother in New Salem. Cassie starts the new school year hoping to make friends, but ends up on the bad side of a group of very powerful students known as The Club, the worst of which is Faye. After they spend a few weeks bullying her, she is rescued by Diana, another member of The Club. She and Cassie become best friends and Cassie learns that there are kind members. Cassie is still an outsider when it comes to The Club until one night when she is invited to join then and discovers that they are a group of witches and that she and her family are witches, as well. Cassie finally feels accepted and even begins to hope that she will see the mysterious stranger again. She gets her wish, but not in the way she expected. Diana’s boyfriend, Adam, returns to town and Cassie discovers that he is the stranger that she loves. Heartbroken, but loyal to Diana, Cassie vows to keep her feelings to herself. Faye discovers them, however, and blackmails Cassie to help her with some dark magic. Cassie is trapped, but they soon find out that Faye isn’t the only dangerous power in town.

Critical Evaluation:

Like most of Smith’s books, this one includes a sweet female character, close teenage friendships, a snarky villain, a fight for good, and, of course, romance. Smith’s writing style isn’t very sophisticated, but she is a decent story-teller. This is a simple and satisfying read. Despite having first been published almost 20 years ago, this story doesn’t really feel too dated. In fact, the innocence of her characters, even the villains, is almost refreshing when compared to more modern fantasy novels and supernatural romances.

Despite being a fairly minor character, the most interesting of the characters is Cassie’s grandmother. Rather than being transparent or flat like many of the other secondary characters, she is given a personality and a mysterious quality that encourages the reader to continue to search for what it is that she’s hiding. Cassie herself is slightly less interesting, but no less likable. This is a nice story with an ending that will leave the reader questioning what will happen next.

Reader's Annotation:

When Cassie moves to her mother’s childhood home, she encounters a group of mysterious and powerful teenagers.

Author Information:

L.J. Smith, also know as Lisa Jane or LJane, grew up Villa Park, California. She started telling stories before she could even read or write. She decided she wanted to be a writer at the age of six after writing a poem for her teacher. She has been writing ever since with the exception of a 10 year hiatus starting in 1998. After her brother-in-law was diagnosed with stage IV cancer and her mother with terminal cancer, she was unable to write due to the emotional state she was in. She has said this was the worst period of her life. After her mother’s death, she began to write again in honor of her.

Smith only writes fantasy novels, due to her fascination with magic and the supernatural. Her main characters are generally strong young females, because she wanted to write characters that could be role models for her readers. She includes dark elements in her novels, but is careful to say that all the stories will end with a happy ending.

Genre:

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties:

None

Booktalking Ideas:

• Read the passage beginning with "That night Cassie had a dream" placed on page 50 of the reprint omnibus version.
• Present as Cassie after her first day of school.
• Focus on the relationships between the members of the circle.
• Discuss the magic and power the group has.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

14 and older

Challenge Issues:

Witchcraft/Magic/The Occult

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This was a series I enjoyed as a teen. With the popularity of L.J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries and the talks of this series also potentially becoming a television show, the books may again become popular.

Speak (Movie)

Speak. Showtime Independent Films, 2004.
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Robert John Burke, Hallee Hirsh, Eric Lively.
Director: Jessica Sharzer.
Writer: Laurie Halse Anderson (Novel), Jessica Sharzer (Screenplay)
Rating: PG-13.
Length: 93 minutes.
ASIN: B000A7Q2I2

Plot:

Melinda Sordino begins her freshman year of high school as an outcast. Over the summer, she attended a party where she was raped by Andy Evans, a senior. Scared and hurt, she called 911 and when the police came, everyone blamed her for trying to bust the party. Even her friends won’t talk to her and worse, her best friend Rachel begins dating Andy. Traumatized from the rape and unable to talk to anyone about it, Melinda slowly begins to lose the will to speak at all. She is a clever and witty girl, but her comments are only heard through her thought voice-overs. Her inability to speak isn’t helped by her weird teachers, especially the coach who bullies her. The only people who are able to get through to her are her art teacher, Mr. Freeman, and her lab partner, Dave Petrakis. Mr. Freeman encourages Melinda to express herself through art and she finds that she really enjoys doing so. She begins to decorate an unused storage closet that she finds and it becomes her escape when school is too much to handle. Melinda finally gains the courage to tell Rachel what happened. Rachel doesn’t believe her, but eventually confronts Andy about it causing Andy to come after Melinda. With the help of the people who do believe in her, Melinda must learn to speak again and stand up for herself.

Critical Evaluation:

Speak is a fairly loyal movie adaptation of the book, but it does seem as if something is lost in the translation. Though Melinda is an endearing character in both the book and the movie, it’s impossible to include all of her wit, charm, pain, and fear in the screen version. However, Kristin Stewart does an excellent job conveying it as well as is possible. The story is sad without being overly maudlin and it does include several moments of humor. The ending is uplifting and empowering; it is an aspect of the book that was able to be adapted well for the screen.

Speak has a message that goes beyond the surface story of speaking up about a rape. It shows the difficulty and importance of gaining the courage to speak up for yourself in any situation. This is a wonderful message for teenagers in general and young girls specifically. The book has proven to have a large positive impact on its readers and the move is sure to do the same.

Annotation:

After a traumatic experience at a party the summer before, Melinda begins her freshman year of high school as an outcast who has stopped speaking.

Director Information:

Jessica Sharzer was born October 26, 1972 in Iowa City, Iowa. She attended Wesleyan University for her undergraduate education. She then received an M.A. from Berkeley and an M.F.A. in film from New York University.

She began her career in 1998 and has worked in almost all aspects of the film business, other than acting. She began directing short films in 2000. Speak has been her only feature length directorial project. She also wrote the screenplay for the movie.

Genre:

Movie: Drama

Curriculum Ties:

Art: Therapeutic Value of Art
Psychology: Sexual Assault Victim Mentality, Rape Recovery
Health/Sex Ed: Healthy Relationships, Healthy Sexual Contact

Movie Talking Ideas:

• Present as Melinda talking about losing her ability to speak.
• Focus on the opening scene of the movie.
• Focus on the rape survivor aspect and speaking up.

Interest Age:

13 and older

Challenge Issues:

Rape
Inappropriate language

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

I've read the book, but I was unaware there was a movie until hearing about the challenge against it in Republic, MO. I decided I wanted to see if the movie was a fair representation of the book.

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Press, 2008. 384 pages. ISBN-10: 0439023483. ISBN-13: 978-0439023481.

Plot:

In the future, North America has become a country known as Panem, consisting of a capitol and 12 surrounding districts. Years before, the districts launched a rebellion against The Capitol, but they were defeated. As punishment, each year the districts must send one boy and one girl to fight to the death on television. These tributes, as they’re called, are drawn at random in a ceremony known as The Reaping. When sixteen-year-old Katniss’s younger sister is chosen to be a tribute, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She, the male tribute Peeta, and their alcoholic mentor Haymitch are sent to The Capitol to participate in the Hunger Games. While there, Katniss and Peeta are encouraged to play up to the crowd in hopes that it will give them an advantage. Katniss soon learns that this includes pretending to have a doomed relationship with Peeta. She and Peeta are thrown together in the arena to play out their love affair, but Katniss knows that only one of them can survive. What she doesn’t know is that Haymitch, Peeta and The Capitol all have a plan for her.

Critical Evaluation:

In The Hunger Games, Collins has written a book that can appeal not only to teenage audiences but adults, as well. The plot is complex and the characters are universally appealing. Though the writing style is often conversational, it only serves to personalize the story. It is a compelling narrative and one which the reader will be unable to put down. The fast pace and exciting description of the actual Hunger Games are juxtaposed nicely with the sweeter moments between Katniss and the other characters. Katniss is an engaging narrator and the reader is immediately on her side. The Capitol serves well as a terrifying and anger inducing villain.

Equal to the entertaining plot and characters are the ethical aspects of the story. This is most certainly a book that will make the reader think and question the situation. One of the most important questions the book raises is that of whether or not it is right to do what is necessary for survival. Collins doesn’t provide the readers with the answers, but instead allows them to decide for themselves. This book would excellent for both pleasure reading and using in a classroom. However, because there is quite a lot of violence, it would be wise for a parent or teacher to consider the age and temperament of a teen before recommending it.

Reader's Annotation:

In Panem, where teenagers are forced to fight to the death on television to pay for the rebellion, Katniss must survive after volunteering to take her younger sister's place.

Author Information:

Growing up, Suzanne Collins’s father was in the Air Force, so she moved all around the country. She has said that doing so made her aware of what it felt like to be a stranger somewhere, much like the main character in The Underland Chronicles. She attended New York University and received an M.F.A in dramatic writing. She spent 16 years living in New York, but now resides in Connecticut with her husband and children.

Before becoming an author, she worked as a writer for children’s television. She’s written for shows on Nickleodeon and Kids’ WB as well as several specials. After working in television for 12 years, she published her first novel for young adults, Gregor the Overlander, the first of The Underland Chronicles series. Since then she has published 8 more novels. Her books have won numerous awards and topped the New York Times Bestseller list. She was named one of Time magazine's most influential people of 2010.

Genre:

Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties:

Government: Totalitarian Government, Fascism
Mythology: Comparison to Theseus
English: Plot Development, Symbolism, Character Development

Booktalking Ideas:

• Compare her relationships with Gale and Peeta.
• Talk about Katniss's decision to take her sister's place.
• Discuss where the idea of The Hunger Games originated and why.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

14 and older

Challenge Issues:

Violence
Anti-government

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

This was a required reading for the class. It is a book that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It's also one of my favorites.

Easy A (Movie)

Easy A . Sony Pictures, 2010.
Cast: Emma Stone, Stanley Tucci, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley.
Director: Will Gluck
Screen Writer: Bert V. Royal
Rating: PG-13.
Length: 92minutes.
ASIN: B0036TGSIK

Plot:

After letting her best friend believe she lost her virginity, Olive becomes the subject of gossip at her high school. Believing that its better than being invisible, she decides to encourage the gossip instead of putting a stop to it. When a gay friend comes to her asking for help with his reputation, she agrees to let everyone think that they had sex. In return, he gives her a gift to thank her. Soon, she has other boys in the school coming to her with the offer of gifts to say that they had a physical relationship. As her reputation worsens, Olive gains the attention of the school’s Christian group, who even go so far as to picket her. Her best friend doesn’t like the attention Olive is receiving and the two have a fight. The only friend Olive has left is the boy on whom she has had a crush since she was 12. Olive finally reaches the point where she can’t deal with the rumors or they way they are making her feel anymore and decides to let everyone know the truth in a very creative way.

Critical Evaluation:

Emma Stone really shines in Easy A. She’s a young actress with a long comedic career ahead of her. She is able to deliver lines with both a deadpan sincerity and a sarcastic wittiness that keeps the viewer laughing throughout most of the movie. She portrays Olive as both hilariously confident and awkward, while at the same time vulnerable and sometimes defensive. Olive’s interactions with her family are priceless.

Easy A manages the difficult task of projecting a very obvious moral without losing any of its entertainment value. It is able to comment on both the danger of rumors as well as the hypocrisy of the reaction to sex in high school, but it does so in a way that the audience doesn’t feel as if it's preaching. Instead it is packaged as a comedic romance that just happens to have a good message. It’s one that can be enjoyable for teens and adults alike.

Annotation:

After helping a friend by lying about her sexual experience, Olive decides to use her new reputation to her advantage. She soon finds out rumors can get out of hand, even when you start them yourself.

Director Information:

Will Gluck has been involved with the film industry in numerous capacities since 1996. He started his career as a writer for the John Laraquette Show. He has written for several television shows since then. In 1998 he also began producing many of the shows for which he wrote. He then made his directorial debut with 2009’s Fired Up. He's next movie is coming out in 2011.

Genre:

Comedy

Curriculum Ties:

English: Modern Comparison to The Scarlet Letter

Movie Talking Ideas:

• Talk about the rumors being started and how they got out of control.
• Discuss the connection between the movie and The Scarlet Letter.
• Present a basic plot teaser as Olive using the signs like she did in her confession.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

13 and older

Challenge Issues:

Suggestive lLanguage
Sexual content
Anti-religion

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

It's a recent movie that has received favorable reviews.