The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
I’m very late to the party on this one, but a coworker’s enthusiasm pushed the book to the front of my To Be Read pile. If you want a hint of the plot, watch the trailer.
or read the New York Times review by Michiko Kakutani. I happen to agree with much of what it says. Ruth never sat well with me. I attributed her obsession with Susie to a crush that never ended due to Susie’s death. When Susie enters Ruth’s body, I was jolted. Now we were entering fantasy land, though her actions, once human again, were understandable.
The allure for me was the nature in which Sebold tackled Susie’s killer (though his demise was a little hard to believe, especially after all the build up via Hal, the police and Harvey’s brazen return to the Salmon residence). Some of it was tedious reading (some of the Salmon family past was excessive), but overall, a decent read.
I’m sure to make my way to the theater to see Jackson’s vision, though I have mixed feelings about the absence of a rape/murder scene. Early reviews applaud this absence (Good. Too many filmmakers revel in horror. The Sun) and others balk (The screen version, by contrast, is so infuriatingly coy, and so desperate to preserve the modesty of its soulful victim that it amounts to an ongoing clean-up operation. The Guardian).
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie, the eldest of three girls, believes herself destined to fail in the fairy tale world she lives in, for isn’t that always the way in fairy tale stories. When Sophie insults the Witch of the Waste, she is turned into an old woman and cursed. So she sets out from home (a Hat Shop) to make her fortune and lands in Howl’s moving castle. The Wizard Howl has the reputation as the eater of young woman’s souls, thanks to Howl’s apprentice Michael. Sophie is soon at home with Michael, Calcifer the fire demon whom powers the magical castle, and Howl whom has created many different names and reputations in order to avoid the Witch of the Waste.
So goes this intricate, humorous and puzzling tale of fantasy and adventure which should both challenge and involve readers. Jones has created an engaging set of characters and found a new use for many of the appurtenances of fairy tales: seven league boots and invisible cloaks, among others. Sara Miller, “School Library Journal”
I was afraid I wouldn’t enjoy Diana Wynne Jones but I was wrong. I adore this book. It poked fun, had an intricate plot line with a most satisfying ending, and great writing. I fell in love with Howl right along with Sophie.
I am going to pop Miyazaki’s anime adaptation into my DVD player and make sense of the film! This is a great fantasy read for 7th graders and up.
Where the Wild Things Are Opens Today (updated)
“You can’t get uglier than the kids you have now.”
~Maurice Sendack
I decided I couldn’t wait and saw Where the Wild Things Are today. I’m so glad I didn’t wait. Now I can go see it again.
I could pick apart the movie (read a glowing review from the New York Times for a more complete depiction) but I don’t need to. The intro was fantastic, Max Records (as Max) was amazing, and the pacing (while it lulls in some middle sections) was excellent. Huge praise for the voice actors.
I went with two other Librarians and they both liked it, one absolutely loved it. I was so afraid it was going to be corny but I should have known better. It’s Spike Jonze.
A note to parents, take your kids (ages 6 and up I’d say). It might scare them, but so what. I was scared!
Listen to an interview with Sendeck from NPR’s “All Things Considered“.
If you read this Newsweek interview with Sendack, you’ll discover he is what most would consider, rough around the edges… blunt. I love it. I wish I could bottle his in-your-face realism and prescribe it to some parents I know.
The Blind Side: Evolution of the Game by Michael Lewis
I picked this up after seeing the trailer for Sandra Bullock’s upcoming movie of the same title and based on the biography by Lewis.
What the trailer didn’t prepare me for was the history of the left offensive tackle in pro and college football included in the book and integral to understanding what made Michael Oher (pronounced Oar) so special and so coveted by recruiters. As a long time fan of both college and professional football, this history was fascinating and succinctly conveyed.
It also shed some light on the NCAA’s practices, many of which I was ignorant of, including the rules governing recruitment – all arranged to exploit a money-making machine without having to compensate the players. Considering the number of players who don’t graduate, the system becomes even more disgusting. I can’t wait to see if the film lives up to the book, though it seems to sugar coat Michael’s destitute childhood (in the clip, his biological mother looks pretty glamorous for a crack addict).
If you are a football fan and the trailer looks good, I recommend this biography. I feel like a more educated spectator and I want to know even more!
Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief – Cast Update (part 2)
To see the existing cast members, see my earlier post.
Silena Beauregard (Daughter of Aphrodite)
Chelan Simmons
Luke (Son of Hermes)
Jake Abel
Hades
Steve Coogen
Persephone (Wife of Hades)
Rosario Dawson
Aphrodite
Serinda Swan
Sally Jackson (Percy’s Mom)
Catherine Keener
Cirque Du Freak Movie
If you haven’t already heard, Darren Shan’s Cirque Du Freak series will be a coming to a theatre near you … possibly January 2010 (though I hope it’s sooner as filming has wrapped up, I believe). The first film will cover the content of the first three books: A Living Nightmare, Vampire’s Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood. Here are the main cast members (with more at IMDB):
Chris Massoglia (Darren Shan)
Josh Hutcherson (Steve)
Journey to the Center of the Earth, Bridge to Terabithia
John C. Reilly (Larten Crepsley)
Chicago, The Aviator, Step Brothers
Ray Stevenson (Murlough)
Rome, Punisher:War Zone
The Lightning Thief Movie: Casting Update
Logan Lerman will play Percy Jackson
Logan Lerman will play the part of Percy Jackson. Lerman’s previous movie roles include 3:10 to Yuma, in which he played Christian Bale’s son and Hoot (as Roy Eberhardt) . Brandon T. Jackson will co-star as satyr Grover Underwood. Jackson is best known for his role in Tropic Thunder.
Filming to begin in April. Read more at Rick Riordan’s blog!
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
This was simply a delight! First published in the early 1940’s, this book went out of print until Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling said it was one of her childhood favorites.
The story opens with 13-year-old Maria Merryweather traveling from London with her duenna and little dog to Moonacre Manor after the death of her father. Now an orphan, Maria must stay with closest relative, Sir Benjamin Merryweather. Moonacre is an enchanted place where friendships are forged on first sight and animals display human-like intelligence and fierce allegiance (reminiscent of The Secret Garden). The lines between good and evil, proper and improper are distinct and clear.
This is a story with some little drama. It is, however, beautifully written with a dream-like quality and all the stereotypical characters of a classic fairy tale. I grew up reading the L.M. Montgomery (the Emily of New Moon series being a favorite), and this story will appeal to those young readers who share my love of beautiful story telling. Not everyone will enjoy it (just see the Kirkus Review to see that not all appreciate crafty and elegant manipulation of language) but then again, not everyone will pass sixth grade English.
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
I read about this J book becoming a movie (to be called The Secret of Moonacre) over at Book Moot. I enjoyed The Golden Compass and actress Dakota Blue Richards and look forward to seeing her in another starring role. Antoher book to add to the list!
