tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88290433819639310702024-02-07T18:20:30.463-08:00Young Adult Materials Research/Blog ProjectHylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-27909888153292106142010-12-08T21:52:00.000-08:002010-12-08T21:52:24.900-08:00List of Titles<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Below are the titles of all the various materials I've reviewed in my blog this semester. Enjoy!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Fate Totally Worse Than Death (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1995. Author: Paul Fleischman. Publisher: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763621896.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1943. Author: Betty Smith. Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. ASIN: B00365QTQK.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Boyfriend (Novel)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 1990. Author: R.L. Stine. Publisher: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 0590432796.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Can't Hardly Wait (DVD)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 1998. Performers: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ethan Embry, Charlie Korsmo, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Facinelli, Seth Green. Studio: Columbia Pictures Corporation. Director: Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan. Screenplay: Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan. ISBN: 9780671026455.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Catching Fire (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2009. Author: Suzanne Collins. Publisher: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9780439023498.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Clan of the Cave Bear (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1980. Author: Jean M. Auel. Publisher: Crown Publishers. ISBN: 9780553381672.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crush du Jour (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2007. Author: Micol Ostow. Publisher: Simon Pulse. ISBN: 9781416950271.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cut (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2000. Author: Patricia McCormick. Publisher: PUSH. ISBN: 0439324599.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Date Book: A Teen Girl’s Complete Guide to Going Out With Someone New (Book) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Release date: 2007. Author: Erika Stalder. Publisher: Zest Books. ISBN: 9780977266081.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emily the Strange: Lost, Dark and Bored, Volume 1. (Graphic Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2006. Author: Rob Reger and Buzz Parker. Publisher: Dark Horse Books. ISBN: 9781593075736.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Fame (Album) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2008. Artist: Lady Gaga. Record Label: Interscope. ASIN: B001GM28HO.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fearless (Album) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2008. Artist: Taylor Swift. Record Label: Big Machine Records. ASIN: B001EYGOEM.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (DVD)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Release date: 1986. Performers: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, Jennifer Grey. Studio: <place w:st="on">Paramount</place> Pictures. Director: John Hughes. Screenplay: John Hughes. ISBN: <span class="skypepnhprintcontainer">0097360313345</span><span class="skypepnhmark"> begin_of_the_skype_highlighting</span><span class="skypepnhcontainer"> <span title="Call this phone number in Bahrain with Skype: +97360313345"></span><span class="skypepnhleftspan"><span skypeaction="skype_dropdown"> </span></span></span><span class="skypepnhtextspan"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First Time (Novel)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 2008. Author: Meg Tilly. Publisher: Orca Books. ISBN: 9781551439464.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GamePro (Magazine) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 1989. Creators: Patrick Ferrell, Leeanne McDermott, Michael Kavish, Lynne Kavish. Publisher: IDG Communications. ISSN: 10428658.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2010. Author: Eileen Cook. Publisher: Simon Pulse. ISBN: 9781416974338.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Golden Compass (Novel)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 1995. Author: Philip Pullman. Publisher: Ballantine Books. ISBN: 0345413350.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Heathers (DVD)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 1989. Performers: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Kim Walker, Lisanne Falk. Studio: New World Pictures. Director: Michael Lehmann. Screenplay: Daniel Waters. ASIN: B001KZNH4.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The House of Lost Souls (Novel)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 2007. Author: F.G. Cottam. Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN: 9780340953860.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Hunger Games (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2008. Author: Suzanne Collins. Publisher: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9780439023528.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am Number Four (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2010. Author: Pittacus Lore. Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780061969553.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Interview with the Vampire (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1976. Author: Anne Rice. Publisher: Ballantine Books. ISBN: 0345409647.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">J-14 (Magazine) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 2000. Publisher: Bauer Media Group. ASIN: B00005OM4W.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lessons from a Dead Girl (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2007. Author: Jo Knowles. Publisher: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763644857.</span><span class="skypepnhleftspan"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Life in the Fat Lane (Novel)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 1998. Author: Cherie Bennett. Publisher: Dell Laurel-Leaf. ISBN: 0440220297.</span><span class="skypepnhleftspan"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Skype actions"></span><span class="skypepnhdropartflagspan"><span skypeaction="skype_dropdown" style="background-position: -479px 1px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="skypepnhdropartspan"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Life Lists for Teens (Book) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2003. Author: Pamela Espeland. Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing. ISBN: 1575421259.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Little Brother (Novel)</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Release date: 2008. Author: Cory Doctorow. Publisher: Tor Teen. ISBN: 978-0765323118.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mean Girls (DVD)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Release date: 2004. Performers: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Tim Meadows, Lizzy Caplan. Studio: Paramount Pictures. Director: Mark Waters. Screenplay: Tina Fey. ISBN: 097363416043.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My Soul To Take (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2009. Author: Rachel Vincent. Publisher: Harlequin Teen. ISBN: 9780373210039.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School (Book) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2007. Author: Steven Jenkins and Erika Stalder. Publisher: Zest Books. ISBN: 9780979017308.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Northanger Abbey (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1818. Author: Jane Austen. Publisher: CreateSpace (2010). ISBN: 9781453767535.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Parrotfish (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2007. Author: Ellen Wittlinger. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781416916222.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1999. Author: Stephen Chbosky. Publisher: Pocket Books. ISBN: 9780671027346.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Plain Janes (Graphic Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2007. Author: Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg. Publisher: DC Comics. ISBN: 9781401211158.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Points of View Reference Center (Database)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Publisher: EBSCOhost. URL: www.ebscohost.com/public/points-of-view-reference-center. Accessed through: Santa Clara County Library.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pretty. Odd. (Album) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2008. Group: Panic! At the Disco. Record Label: Fueled by Ramen. ASIN: B00132D808.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pride and Prejudice (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1813. Author: Jane Austen. Publisher: Tribeca Books (2010). ISBN: 9781936594290.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Science Online (Database)</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Publisher: Facts on File. URL: <a href="http://www.fofweb.com/Science/"><span style="color: purple; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.fofweb.com/Science/</span></a>. Accessed through: Santa Clara County Library.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sense and Sensibility (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1811. Author: Jane Austen. Publisher: CreateSpace (2010). ISBN: 9781451539400.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seventeen (Magazine) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 1944. Creator: Walter Annenberg. Publisher: Hearst Corporation. ISSN: 0037301X.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seventeen Presents 500 Style Tips: What to Wear for School, Weekend, Parties & More! (Book) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Release date: 2008. Author: Emmy Favilla. Publisher: Hearst Communications, Inc. ISBN: 9781588166418.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shonen Jump (Magazine) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 2002. Creator: Based on magazine <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Weekly Shōnen Jump</i> in Japan. Publisher: VIZ Media, LLC. ISSN: 15457818.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Sims 3 (Game) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2009. Creator: Electronic Arts. Platform: PC. ASIN: B000166N6SA.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Split (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2010. Author: Stefan Petrucha. Publisher: Walker Publishing Company. ISBN: 9780802793720.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (Game) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2010. Creator: LucasArts. Platform: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC. ASIN: B0030F1D00 (PS3), B0030EU3TG (XBOX 360), B0030F1DQC (Wii), B0030EU400 (DS), B00302182A (PC).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Subtle Knife (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 1997. Author: Philip Pullman. Publisher: Scholastic Poitn. ISBN: 0590112899.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Super Mario Galaxy (Game) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2007. Creator: Nintendo. Platform: Nintendo Wii. ASIN: B000FG9QVI.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Teen Book of Shadows: Star Signs, Spells, Potions, and Powers (Book) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2004. Author: Patricia Telesco. Publisher: Citadel Press. ISBN: 9780806524108.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Thirteen (DVD) </span></strong><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Release date: 2003. Performers: Evan Rachel Wood, Holly Hunter, Nikki Reed, Brady Corbet, Jeremy Sisto. Studio: Working Title Films. Director: Catherine Hardwicke. Screenplay: Catherine Hardwicke, Nikki Reed. ASIN: B00013RC2K.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Willoughby’s Return: A Tale of Almost Irresistible Temptation (Novel) </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2009. Author: Jane Odiwe. Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark. ISBN: 9781402222672.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-47082326808674508162010-12-04T14:59:00.000-08:002010-12-04T14:59:10.557-08:00The Teen Book of Shadows: Star Signs, Spells, Potions and Powers (Book)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Teen Book of Shadows: Star Signs, Spells, Potions, and Powers (Book)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2004. Author: Patricia Telesco. Publisher: Citadel Press. ISBN: 9780806524108.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/uk/products/original/132/85/the-teen-book-of-shadows-star-signs-spells-potions-and-powers-13285540.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/uk/products/original/132/85/the-teen-book-of-shadows-star-signs-spells-potions-and-powers-13285540.jpeg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="212" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: The purpose of this book is to act as a guide for teens who are interested in learning more about Wicca, magick, or becoming a witch. The book is divided into chapters, beginning with the history and overview of wicca, magick and witches. The second chapter instructs readers on making their own “Book of Shadows” which is essentially a magical diary where witches keep a record of their spells and charms as well as their journey with magic. The guide lists quite a few things that can be recorded in your own Book of Shadows including prayers, visualizations, divination methods, herbal recipes, favorite quotes, dream work, potions, festivals and gatherings, and magical self-defense. The next two chapters cover getting started and list spells, meditations and visualizations for witches to try. The chapter on getting started does include some typical witch tools like a cauldron, candles and a broom but also some more unusual items like a horn and knots of string or rope. The spells are all positive in nature (there are no curses or hexes) and typically involve the saying or chanting of words while holding an object. This will empower the object to be used at a later time. For example in the “Friendship Key” spell, witches are to gather an old key and rub it with lemon juice. The juice acts as a way to attract the right people, and the key opens doors for friendship. To empower the key the following incantation is recited twice: “Open the way, open the way, friends to find by night or day, those who will listen, the ones who’re sincere, those who are fun, from out of my peers, when I touch this Magick key, by my will this spell will be freed!” (103). The witch then takes the key with her and mentally recites the incantation to release the magick. The final chapters deal with star signs, divination, feng shui and magical rituals. Star signs are the typical astrological symbols and the chapter on divination offers many methods for looking into the future. Magical rituals are special ceremonies different from those spells that are conducted on a daily basis. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation: </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Even for those readers who are not interested in practicing Wicca or becoming a witch themselves, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Teen Book of Shadows</i> is a very interesting and often informative read about a form of religion that has been practiced for centuries. The book is very much geared towards teens. The author frequently refers to “people your age” in describing the potential applications of Wicca, talking about typical teen problems like making friends, getting bullied, or entering into romantic relationships. The majority of the advice provided is not particularly fantastical in nature. All of the spells involve common household objects and chanting incantations. Whether these things, or anything in the book for that matter, actually works is another story. Belief in Wicca aside, the power of suggestion alone could potentially cause teens to feel more confident, for example, when believing they have released magick that will help them do so. There is also a lot of history in the book that is quite interesting to read. Telesco discusses the various denominations of Wicca, how some, but not all, Wiccans have polytheistic beliefs, the history of the pentagram and more. While it will certainly receive a lot of criticism from religious individuals, there is no mention of “the devil” or “Satan” in the book. There are also no hexes or curses that people often associate with witches or Wicca. Overall, the book is very interesting and entertaining for teens who want to learn more about the subject matter. </span><br />
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<b>Reader's annotation</b>: This book acts as a guide for teens who are interested in learning more about Wicca, becoming a witch and common practices and rituals for those who practice magick. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author:</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Born in 1960, Patricia “Trish” Telesco is an author and Wiccan priestess. In her career as an author, she has written over sixty books about Wicca, magic, self-help and religion. She was initially self-educated about Wiccan beliefs and practices but in later years was initiated into the Strega tradition of Italy. She is now a trustee for the Universal Federation of Pagans and continues to write works about her beliefs. Some of her books include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Cyber Spellbook: Magick in the Virtual World </i>(2000), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Futuretelling: A Complete Guide to Divination </i>(1998), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Brew and Potions </i>(2005), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Language of Dreams </i>(1997), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mirror, Mirror: Reflections of the Sacred Self </i>(1999), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Teen Book of Shadows: Star Signs, Spells, Potions and Powers </i>(2004) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Witch’s Book of Wisdom </i>(2003). She lives in New York with her husband and two children and regularly gives lectures and workshops around the country. (http://www.loresinger.com/)</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Non-fiction<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Wicca<br />
History of witchcraft/magick/wicca<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Wicca <br />
Impact of Wicca on society<br />
Truth behind the teachings of Wicca<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 8 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Conflicts with several religious dogmas that view Wicca as demonic or Satanic<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Challenge counterpoints:</i>Recommended for grades 8 and up.<br />
Recommend parent look through book and decide if suitable for child. </span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recommend parent and child discuss book with religious leader. <br />
Remind parent that there are many different religions practice regularly in the United States that don’t necessarily agree with one another. <br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b></span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From prolific and award-winning author. <br />
Fills hole in collection (not many books available about this subject for this age group.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-75256077973434888272010-12-04T12:33:00.000-08:002010-12-04T12:33:23.681-08:00Willoughby's Return: A Tale of Almost Irresistible Temptation (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Willoughby’s Return: A Tale of Almost Irresistible Temptation (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2009. Author: Jane Odiwe. Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark. ISBN: 9781402222672.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL5YhLneJG-tEDCudbUkPCxGAa5pAfh7HlGnT5m7mboASkwqUbYt7GDnT4-8_WwObcDrRh38xRhzcxi3FxMAFR-IrFxYCqxx-_SW2RO72_zjS1Kze6weBrs49-JEc1jG19hyphenhyphenEZ_0wJSzu/s1600/WILLR9781402222672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL5YhLneJG-tEDCudbUkPCxGAa5pAfh7HlGnT5m7mboASkwqUbYt7GDnT4-8_WwObcDrRh38xRhzcxi3FxMAFR-IrFxYCqxx-_SW2RO72_zjS1Kze6weBrs49-JEc1jG19hyphenhyphenEZ_0wJSzu/s320/WILLR9781402222672.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="234" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: This sequel to Jane Austen’s classic novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i> (1811) picks up three years after the events of the original story. Marianne Dashwood, now Mrs. Brandon, is happily married to the devoted Colonel Brandon, and has a child of her own. Her sister, Elinor Dashwood, now Mrs. Ferrars, lives nearby with her husband Edward and their children. This novel focuses more, however, on the younger Dashwood sister, Margaret, who is now sixteen and quite beautiful. When Colonel Brandon’s handsome nephew, Henry, comes to Delaford to visit his uncle, Marianne is determined to play matchmaker between her nephew and sister. Marianne’s plans seem to be going well, Margaret and Henry become increasingly attached to one another. But nothing prepares Marianne for the shock she experiences next: John Willoughby, her first love who spurned her for a rich heiress, has returned to Dorsetshire with his wife. It appears that Willoughby and Mrs. Brandon will be forced to spend time in eachother’s company at social events in the neighborhood, and Marianne is conflicted by a resurgence of feelings for the dashing man. She becomes even more unsure as her husband spends more and more time with his ward, Eliza, and her daughter, who happens to be Willoughby’s daughter as well, in Lyme. Convinced that Colonel Brandon may have fallen in love with Eliza, Marianne begins to wonder if Willoughby’s affections might be worth returning. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Although the story doesn’t have the same literary magic of Jane Austen’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i>, this sequel provides an entertaining and interesting read for those who loved the original story. Marianne Brandon, neé Dashwood, is now nineteen-years-old and has been happily married to her husband, Colonel Brandon, for three years. The couple have a child, and everything seems to be going well for Marianne, although she does appear to be slightly bored in her new life. She sees an opportunity for excitement when Brandon’s nephew, Henry, comes to visit and seeks to play matchmaker between him and her sister Margaret, now sixteen-years-old. The storyline of Henry and Margaret is not as interesting as the return of John Willoughby, however. Fans of the original, both teen and adult, will clamber to see what happens when Marianne encounters her first love. In Willoughby, Austen truly created a dashing lothario, and left the novel open enough to leave the reader wondering what would happen if Marianne and Willoughby were ever reunited. Odiwe does a good job of entertaining these notions, with a lot of sexual tension, temptation and lust. The rest of the storyline, such as Colonel Brandon’s supposed love for his ward, Eliza, and the inclusion of the irritating Lucy Ferrars and her sister, Anne Steele, are not quite as satisfactory. Still, the novel will appeal to both teen and adult fans of the original and continues in the spirit of the iconic Jane Austen. <br />
<br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Three years after her marriage to the Colonel, Marianne Brandon is happy in her life at Delaford Park. But when her first love, John Willoughby, returns to the neighborhood, will that happiness be enough to keep her from falling to the temptation of seeing her former flame? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author:</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Jane Austen fanatic Jane Odiwe first began to author novels based on Austen’s famous works in 2003 when she wrote and illustrated <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Effusions of Fancy</i>, a celebration of Jane Austen’s early life through the eyes of her sister. Her next novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lydia Bennet’s Story </i>was published in 2008 and is about the life of Lydia Bennet from Austen’s novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i>. In 2009, Odiwe published her third novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mr. Willoughby’s Return</i> based on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility.</i> In 2011, Odiwe’s next novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mr. Darcy’s Secret</i> will be published, and an anthology of short stories inspired from works by Austen will feature a story Odiwe composed based on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Persuasion</i>. Odiwe currently lives in High Barnet and Bath, England with her husband and family. (http://www.austeneffusions.com/#/about/4533127194)</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction/Historical<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Romantic era<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Roles of women throughout history<br />
Creating a sequel to a classic work of literature<br />
Temptation<br />
The character of Willoughby and any modern comparisons<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 8 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Some sexuality<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Challenge counterpoints:</i>Recommended for grades 8 and up.<br />
Sexuality is very minor, suggest parent look through novel before child. </span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b></span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly, Booklist</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Jane Austen Centre</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-69430081958523817702010-12-04T11:33:00.000-08:002010-12-04T11:33:33.555-08:00Northanger Abbey (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Northanger Abbey (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1818. Author: Jane Austen. Publisher: CreateSpace (2010). ISBN: 9781453767535.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xAOVcT5-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xAOVcT5-L.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland loves reading gothic novels. Although she lives a relatively calm and humdrum life in the country, even though she has nine brothers and sisters, she likes to think of herself as a heroine in one of the novels she reads. Catherine’s life takes an exciting turn when her neighbors, the wealthy Allen family, invite her to accompany them to Bath for the winter season. While in Bath, Catherine meets the handsome Henry Tilney with whom she is immediately taken. She hopes she has made a good impression on Henry, but, much to her dismay, she doesn’t see him for several weeks. During this time, Catherine is introduced to Isabella and John Thorpe, the daughter and son of an acquaintance of Mrs. Allen. When Catherine’s oldest brother, James, arrives in Bath, the four becomes closer, and Isabella and Catherine become good friends. Soon, Henry Tilney returns to Bath with his younger sister, Eleanor and his father, the intimidating General Tilney. Catherine soon becomes friends with the charming but shy Eleanor, much to the dismay of John Thorpe who fears Henry will steal Catherine’s affections away from himself. Isabella and James soon become engaged, but it appears the couple will be forced to wait to get married until James can claim the country parson’s living his father offers him. Catherine is surprised when Isabella begins to flirt with Henry’s older brother, Captain Tilney, even in front of James. Unsure of her friend Isabella’s motives, Catherine is delighted when Eleanor invites her to stay with her and her family in their home, Northanger Abbey. Sure that the Abbey will be like those she’s read about, Catherine looks forward to dark and mysterious adventures in the Tilney’s house, and a chance to spend time with Henry. But soon Catherine will learn that not everything in life is like what’s she read in her novels. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Often overlooked in favor of Jane Austen’s other classic tales like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Northanger Abbey</i> is a fun, light tale about a fanciful teenaged bookworm who comes to learn that not everything in life is like the stories she’s read. Catherine Morland is a typical teenage girl, although her life takes place two centuries ago. She spends most of her time caring for her large family in their country home, but likes to imagine herself as one of the characters in the gothic novels she reads. Catherine can almost be compared to a seventeen-year-old girl of today, imagining herself as Bella Swan in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twilight </i>novels. She is a very endearing main character, and the reader will enjoy watching her experience the “adventures” that she so hoped to have after accompanying the Allens to spend the winter season in Bath. The character of Henry Tilney and his sister Eleanor are also very endearing. It’s clear that Henry is amused by Catherine’s fanciful but good-natured personality, and she is almost like a puppy in her enthusiasm for the gentleman. Isabella and John Thorpe prove to be interesting villains. Isabella is vivacious and almost brazen in her flirtations. Catherine is embarrassed by her friend, but also finds her interesting. John Thorpe is a typical egotistical young man, always trying to regale Catherine with tales of himself. Indeed, all the characters in the novel could easily be transposed into the modern day, which is why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Northanger Abbey </i>will be particularly appealing to teen readers. As with her other novels, Austen’s witting writing, interesting characters, and entertaining plots are why her stories have stood the test of time over the last two hundred years. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland lives a pleasant but humdrum life in the country with her nine brothers and sisters. An avid reader of gothic novels, however, Catherine sees a chance for adventures like those of the heroines in her favorite stories when her neighbors, the Allens, invite her to spend the winter season with them in Bath. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author:</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, England to Reverend George Austen and his wife Cassandra. Austen was the seventh child, but only the second daughter in her family. Her and her older sister, Cassandra (named after their mother), were very close as a result of being the only two girls in the family. Austen was also very close with older brother, Henry, who later served as her literary agent. In 1783, Austen and her sister were sent to boarding school where they were educated in foreign language, music and art. Upon returning from school, Jane furthered her own education through reading works from her father’s large book collection. In 1787, Austen began writing stories and poems in small notebooks. Jane would often read aloud her compositions to the rest of her family for their amusement. Although it was expected that young women would marry, Austen never did. She did, however, fall in love with family friend, Tom Lefroy, whom she was unable to marry because the match was thought impractical. Over the following years, Austen continued to work on her stories, even after her family relocated to Bath, England. In 1811, Austen’s first novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i>, was published with much success. Her second work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i> was published in 1813. After publishing several more successful titles, Jane died in 1817 of illness. Through her novels, Austen stands out as an intelligent, head-strong woman from an era when women were expected to be meek. (<a href="http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp">http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp</a>)</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction/Historical<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Romantic era<br />
Famous authors<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Roles of women throughout history<br />
Using fiction as a reference for real life events<br />
Friends with ulterior motives<br />
Extrapolating the characters to the modern day<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Age 13 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
None</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b></span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Considered a classic work of literature. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-62479821584680202262010-12-04T10:36:00.000-08:002010-12-04T10:36:34.080-08:00A Fate Totally Worse Than Death (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">A Fate Totally Worse Than Death (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1995. Author: Paul Fleischman. Publisher: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763621896.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41199QXV53L._bL160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41199QXV53L._bL160_.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="193" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Danielle and her friends Tiffany and Brooke rule their high school in the ritzy town of Cliffside in southern California. Not only are they beautiful, but they live in the exclusive Hundred Palms Estates. They and the other “Huns” dominate the other non-Hundred Palms Estates residents at Cliffside High, meaning they have exclusive rights to date the handsome and rich Hun boys like Drew and Jonathan. Danielle is determined that Drew will be her’s this year, now that she and her friends have officially (and literally) taken out last year’s competition, the non-Hun Charity Chase. Who knew that chasing someone off a 300 foot cliff and faking a suicide note could be so easy? Nothing will keep the girls from enjoying their senior year, not even the dreary forced community service they must endure at the local convalescent hospital. Nothing, except for the new beautiful Norwegian exchange student, Helga. Helga is tall, blonde, intelligent and has all the Hun guys following her every move. Drew is entranced by her knowledge of famous authors, threatening Danielle’s claim to his heart. The girls decide that Helga must go, and begin to plot her demise. Just as their plans get into full-swing, however, something strange begins to happen. Danielle finds herself getting increasingly out of breath and that her hair is beginning to turn gray. Tiffany’s joints begin to swell painfully and she has trouble holding her bladder. Brooke’s hearing begins to fail and swarms of liver spots dot her hand. Are the most beautiful girls at Cliffside High being cursed to a fate worse than death: aging? Convinced that Helga is the ghost of Charity Chase sent to enact revenge in the form of entering old lady-hood, the girls must figure out a plan to send the ghost to her grave once and for all. <br />
<br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Funny and cruel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Fate Totally Worse Than Death</i> is a horror satire that teens are sure to love. The set-up for the story fits every cliché. Three beautiful “mean girls” living perfect lives in their ritzy southern California town. The girls are truly mean, stomping on anyone who gets in their way. The scenes when they’re performing “community service” at the local convalescent hospital are truly funny in a sad and cruel way. Danielle is supposed to be a companion to stroke-patient Mrs. Witt, but instead makes fun of her elderly body, steals all of her chocolates, and makes her watch music videos. She and her friends also discuss how they murdered their “competition”, Charity Chase, right in front of the old woman. These scenes in the nursing home foreshadow what is going to happen to the girls later in the novel. The “fate totally worse than death” is when Danielle and her friends begin to age quiet rapidly. They lose teeth, their hair falls out and turns gray, one develops arthritis, another becomes incontinent, and their perfect bodies begin to sag. The reader will find themselves cheering as each ailment is wracked upon the cruel girls. The side character of Helga, the Norwegian exchange student, also adds to the plot. She is the antithesis of the main characters: beautiful but smart and kind. She and Danielle’s love interest, Drew, discuss Thoreau and she recommends Ibsen to Tiffany’s ex-boyfriend. When the girls become convinced that she’s the ghost of Charity Chase, they use horror novels to try to determine a way to defeat their foe. Overall, the novel is short but packed with humor and entertainment that teens will enjoy. <br />
<br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Danielle, Brooke and Tiffany rule their high school in the ritzy town of Cliffside in southern California. But will their reign come to an end when a beautiful Norwegian exchange student comes to town, and they begin to experience some strange physical changes? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author:</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Son of children’s author Sid Fleischman, Paul Fleischman was born in 1952 in Santa Monica, California. Fleischman grew up listening to his father read aloud from the stories he’d written. After attending college for two years at UC Berkeley, Fleischman travelled cross country on his bicycle and ended up living in a 200-year-old house in New Hampshire. It was there that he developed an interest in writing historical fiction that later influenced his novels. After finishing college at the University of New Mexico, Fleischman began his literary career. He began writing plays for the small stage, and published his first novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Birthday Tree</i> in 1979. His novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices </i>(1988) won the Newbery Medal in 1989, the same award his father won in 1987 for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Whipping Boy</i>. Since then, Fleischman was written many successful novels for children and young adults including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Borning Room </i>(1991), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bull Run</i> (1993), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Fate Totally Worse Than Death </i>(1995), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dateline: Troy </i>(1996), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whirligig </i>(1998), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seek </i>(2001), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zap </i>(2005), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella </i>(2007), and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dunderheads </i>(2009). Fleischman lives in Aromas, California with his wife. (<a href="http://www.paulfleischman.net/events.htm"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">http://www.paulfleischman.net/events.htm</span></a>) </span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction/Horror/Satire<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Social aspects of high school<br />
Judging people based on where they live or how much money they have<br />
“Mean girls” vs. nice girls<br />
Aging<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 7 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Language<br />
Violence<br />
Bad attitudes</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Challenge counterpoints:</span></i><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Recommended for grade 7 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read book before child or discuss book with child.<br />
Recommend parent discuss attitudes of main characters with child. <br />
Recommend parent discuss aging with child. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b></span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, New York Times Book Review</i>.<br />
Winner of International Reading Association Children’s Choices Award. <br />
Award winning author. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-8965243281719945732010-12-03T21:06:00.001-08:002010-12-03T21:06:50.242-08:00The Subtle Knife (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Subtle Knife (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1997. Author: Philip Pullman. Publisher: Scholastic Poitn. ISBN: 0590112899.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://capitolchoices.communitypoint.org/images/resources/Book/subtle_knife_lg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://capitolchoices.communitypoint.org/images/resources/Book/subtle_knife_lg.gif" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="220" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: The second novel in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dark Materials Trilogy</i> begins with twelve-year-old Will Parry running to escape authorities after accidentally killing a man. As he is fleeing, Will stumbles through a window between dimensions that he happens to discover and into the city of Cittâgazze. There Will encounters Lyra, the hero from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Golden Compass</i>, who has also travelled to Cittâgazze through the dimensional window her father, Lord Asriel, created at the end of the previous novel. Will and Lyra quickly become friends, and begin to explore the deserted city. They soon decide to travel back to the Oxford of Will’s dimension to find more information about the disappearance of Will’s father. Lyra also discovers through the alethiometer that a scholar in Will’s world, Dr. Mary Malone, will aid her in learning more about Dust. In Will’s Oxford, Lyra and Will stumble into a trap set by Sir Charles Latrom who steals Lyra’s alethiometer and forces Will and Lyra to agree to return to Cittâgazze and retrieve a special knife. The pair do retrieve the knife and in the process Will loses two fingers on his left hand, a symbol that he is now the bearer of the Subtle Knife. This knife has special powers: it can create windows between dimensions and can cut through any physical substance. Although they now wield a powerful tool, Lyra and Will are still in danger. Mrs. Coulter, who is revealed to be Lyra’s mother, is still on the hunt for the girl, and is able to travel between dimensions as well. After torturing several witches, Mrs. Coulter has learned of a prophecy involving Lyra, one that she means to prevent from coming true. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: After the action and adventure filled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Golden Compass</i>, Pullman’s next novel in the series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Subtle Knife</i>, is a much different story. The first novel was full of fantastical creatures like armored bears, daemons, witches, Gyptians and soul-cutters. Although this story also contains some of those creatures, it is much more cerebral than its predecessor. The character of Lyra is less the focus and instead becomes part of a duo with the young boy, Will. Instead of travelling to far off places to achieve daring rescues, the two travel between dimensions. Lyra seeks more and more to discover the true nature of Dust, and the discussion between her and other characters in the novel often gets quite philosophical. The religious aspects of the story are also more pronounced than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Golden Compass</i>. Lord Asriel, who is revealed to be Lyra’s father, not her uncle as she though, is waging a war against the Authority. This Authority is seemingly religious in nature, bringing up images of the Catholic Church. Discerning teens will be able to detect these undertones, while many won’t venture beyond the surface of an intelligent and interesting fantasy story. The idea of the Subtle Knife will appeal to readers of all ages. This tool is so “sharp” it can actually create windows into other dimensions. The city of Cittâgazze is an interesting staging ground for much of the action in the novel: a deserted metropolis that is plagued by “spectres,” soul-sucking boogeymen who seem to only attack adults. Although it will require more thought than the first novel, Pullman’s second addition to his trilogy is an appealing and satisfying read for both teens and adults. The final novel in the series is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Amber Spyglass</i>. <br />
<br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Lyra Belacqua and her daemon have travelled through the window created by Lord Asriel to Cittâgazze, a deserted city in another dimension. There she meets Will, a boy who has also stumbled upon Cittâgazze, and the two embark on a quest for the Subtle Knife, a tool that can create windows between dimensions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author:</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Born in England in 1946, Philip Pullman spent much of his youth travelling, and was educated in Zimbabwe and Austalia before his family moved to North Wales. Pullman taught at Westminster College for eight years, before focusing on his writing career. Pullman's first novel <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Count Karlstein</span></em> was published in 1982 followed by the first book in the Sally Lockhart series <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Ruby in the Smoke</span></em> in 1986. Pullman's novels are written for children and young adults, but are often enjoyed by a wider audience. His most famous works, the <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His Dark Materials</span></em> trilogy became very popular after <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Golden Compass</span></em> was published in 1995. The trilogy has received many accolades and awards over the years. In 2001, the third book of the series <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Amber Spyglass</span></em> was the first children's book ever to win the Whitbread Award, putting Pullman in a very special category of authors. Pullman continues to write, and, according to his website, is working on a new book in the <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His Dark Materials</span></em> series called <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Book of Dust</span></em>. Due to his many accomplishments, Pullman is one of the foremost authors of young adult literature. (from <a href="http://www.philip-pullman.com/about.asp"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">www.philip-pullman.com/about.asp</span></a>)</span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Science-Fiction/Fantasy<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Alternate dimensions<br />
The concept of “Dust” (any ties to real life theories)<br />
Establishing a relationship with a parent<br />
Rebelling against religious authority<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Age 13 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Violence<br />
Religious themes<br />
Torture<br />
Book is routinely challenged by religious groups</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Challenge counterpoints:</span></i><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Recommended for ages 13 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read book before child.<br />
Recommend parent discuss book with child.<br />
Recommend parent and child discuss book with religious leader prior to reading.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b></span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Washington Post, Detroit Free Press</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Horn Book.</i><br />
Spent time on bestseller lists of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Book Sense</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly</i>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-11754219622964424752010-12-03T16:22:00.000-08:002010-12-03T16:22:46.398-08:00Pride and Prejudice (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Pride and Prejudice (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1813. Author: Jane Austen. Publisher: Tribeca Books (2010). ISBN: 9781936594290.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1936594293/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books" onclick="return amz_js_PopWin(this.href,'AmazonHelp','width=700,height=600,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,toolbar=0,status=1');" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="AmazonHelp"><img alt="Pride And Prejudice" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" onload="if (typeof uet == 'function') { uet('af'); }" onmouseover="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513TFJg2NfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: The Bennet family lives at their estate, Longbourn, in Hertfordshire, England. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters: twenty-two year old Jane Bennet, twenty-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet, seventeen-year-old Catherine “Kitty” Bennet, sixteen-year-old Mary Bennet, and fifteen-year-old Lydia Bennet. The family is not poor, but is not considered to be of very high societal standing as Mr. Bennet has no son, meaning the entirety of his estate will pass to his nephew after his death. The Bennet girls are all very different. Jane and Lizzy, the eldest, are close but have different demeanors. Jane is considered the most beautiful of the Bennet sisters and is very quiet and sweet. Lizzy is also considered beautiful, but is far more lively and opinionated than her older sister. The three younger Bennets, Kitty, Mary and Lydia, are all equally “silly” in their own ways. Mary is plain and ackward, drawing little attention to herself, while Kitty and Lydia are shallow, loud, and extremely flirtatious. Mrs. Bennet, who is as silly as her youngest daughters, fears that none of her girls will marry well enough for the family to not be cast into poverty when Mr. Bennet dies. After a rich and single gentleman, Mr. Bingley, moves to the neighborhood, however, the Bennets wonder if their luck is changing. Bingley brings with him his snobbish sister Caroline as well as his best friend, the rich and handsome Mr. Darcy. The Bennets are introduced to Bingley and his companions and Jane and Bingley are immediately attracted to one another. Darcy, however, is rude and aloof, making every effort to show that he feels the Bennets are beneath him. Despite his better judgment, however, Darcy soon finds himself falling for the charming Elizabeth. The remainder of the plot involves twists and turns as the Bennet sisters experience love, loss and deception in this class tale. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Considered Jane Austen’s most popular and well-known work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i> has been delighting readers of all ages for centuries. The novel has been made into countless screen adaptations that have been equally popular as well. Perhaps the reason behind its ages long success is the fact that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i> has an entertaining storyline, likable and interesting characters, and still reflects on romantic dynamics even in today’s society. The Bennets are one of the most humorous families ever created. The constant bantering between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, the shenanigans of Kitty and Lizzy, Mary’s unending ackwardness and Jane and Lizzy’s struggle to deal with it all make for many great scenes. Austen develops each character within the family superbly, making the reader almost feel like they are in the room with them. Another literary great is the character of Mr. Darcy. Darcy embodies the quiet confidence often described as “tall, dark and handsome” but still displays his vulnerability as well in his passionate love for Lizzy. Teen and adult readers alike will (and have been for centuries) swoon when Darcy finally confesses his love, only to be brutally rejected. What makes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i> so popular with the teen audience is that many can identify with the Bennet sisters, even though their lives took place in the 19<sup>th</sup> century. Sibling rivalry, jealousy, and the bonds of sisterhood are topics many teens deal with on a daily basis. The romantic aspects of the story will also appeal to teen readers as well. It is no wonder that this classic tale has spawned recent teen spin-off’s like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</i> (2009). This delightful tale will undoubtedly continue to be read and enjoyed by all ages as it has been for centuries before. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: The five Bennet sisters may be different but they all have one large problem: their father’s estate is entailed to his nephew meaning that unless they marry well, their family will be cast into poverty once their father dies. After the handsome and rich Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood with his equally handsome and rich friend, Mr. Darcy, can the Bennet girls make a match that will secure their futures?<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, England to Reverend George Austen and his wife Cassandra. Austen was the seventh child, but only the second daughter in her family. Her and her older sister, Cassandra (named after their mother), were very close as a result of being the only two girls in the family. Austen was also very close with older brother, Henry, who later served as her literary agent. In 1783, Austen and her sister were sent to boarding school where they were educated in foreign language, music and art. Upon returning from school, Jane furthered her own education through reading works from her father’s large book collection. In 1787, Austen began writing stories and poems in small notebooks. Jane would often read aloud her compositions to the rest of her family for their amusement. Although it was expected that young women would marry, Austen never did. She did, however, fall in love with family friend, Tom Lefroy, whom she was unable to marry because the match was thought impractical. Over the following years, Austen continued to work on her stories, even after her family relocated to Bath, England. In 1811, Austen’s first novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i>, was published with much success. Her second work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i> was published in 1813. After publishing several more successful titles, Jane died in 1817 of illness. Through her novels, Austen stands out as an intelligent, head-strong woman from an era when women were expected to be meek. (<a href="http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp">http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp</a>)</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction/Historical <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Romantic era<br />
Famous authors<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Sibling relationships<br />
Different personalities in one family<br />
Pride and prejudice as exhibited by characters in novel<br />
Impact of novel on society and pop-culture<br />
Roles of women throughout history<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Age 13 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b></span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Considered a classic work of literature.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-23030038997890481222010-12-03T15:51:00.000-08:002010-12-03T15:51:14.421-08:00J-14 (Magazine)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">J-14 (Magazine)</span> </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 2000. Publisher: Bauer Media Group. ASIN: B00005OM4W.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://www.j-14.com/2010/09/J14OctNov2010Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" id="il_fi" src="http://www.j-14.com/2010/09/J14OctNov2010Cover.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Plot summary</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: This monthly publication is aimed at teen girls and includes information about celebrities popular with teens, articles about fashion, makeup, friendship and romance, as well as tear-out posters of celebs. Also featured regularly in the magazine are quizzes for readers to take with their friends. The bulk of the magazine is photographs of celebrities, and most of the information about these celebs is similar to that found in a tabloid magazine (gossip, he-said-she-said, etc.) The celebrities featured in the magazine usually do not change from issue to issue, but do shift as new celebs enter the pop-culture field of vision. Typical celebrities to be featured in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">J-14</i> currently are Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson, Kristin Stewart, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and the Jonas Brothers. <br />
<br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Although the magazine is wildly popular with teen girls, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">J-14</i> (which stands for “just for teens”) has little to offer in terms of education or realism beyond a typical supermarket tabloid. The bulk of the magazine is images and posters of celebrities. These celebrities typically do not change from issue to issue, so if a teen is interested in celebs other than the “typical” teen heartthrobs, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">J-14 </i>will not appeal to them. The majority of the “information” about these celebrities that is included in the magazine is essentially un-substantiated gossip. Typical cover stories include things like “Why Miley called the cops,” “Zac’s dirty secret” and “The real story behind Justin’s backseat kiss.” Most of the information in these articles is clearly concocted for even the mildly discerning reader, and acts more as an excuse for a large photo of the celeb rather than for a truthful telling of the facts. The articles about fashion, friendship and romance are little better. They lack the heart of other teen magazines like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen </i>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teen Vogue</i>, and seem to be more filler than informative. Despite these shortcomings, however, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">J-14</i> will still be incredibly appealing for teens. The photos and articles make for entertaining and light fun, and can also be used as decorations (all issues include at least one tear-out poster.) The magazine is the literary equivalent of a tall glass of soda, but teens are certainly going to continue to drink it up, issue after issue. <br />
<br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: This magazine features tons of celeb photos, interviews and gossip as well as articles about fashion, makeup, friendships and romance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Founded in 1875 in Hamburg, Germany by Johann Bauer, the Bauer Media Group now operates in fourteen countries and publishes 308 magazines. Bauer Publishing began doing business in the United States market in 1981 with the magazine <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Woman’s World</i>. Bauer US now publishes nine magazines in the United States: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">InTouch Weekly, Life & Style Weekly, J-14, Twist, M, ASTROgirl/QuizFest, Life Story, First, Woman’s World </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Soaps in Depth</i>. In addition to magazines, the Bauer Media Group also owns TV and radio stations throughout Europe. Apart from Germany, the Bauer Media Group has the most market activity in the United Kingdom. (http://www.bauerpublishing.com/about/about_home.html#)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: Magazine <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Importance of celebrities in daily life<br />
Impact of magazines on lives of teenagers<br />
Influence of pop culture icons on society<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 6 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
None<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Widely selling magazine for teens, published for ten years. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-62012224867945049612010-12-03T14:53:00.000-08:002010-12-03T14:53:04.674-08:00Shonen Jump (Magazine)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Shonen Jump (Magazine)</span> </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 2002. Creator: Based on magazine <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Weekly Shōnen Jump</i> in Japan. Publisher: VIZ Media, LLC. ISSN: 15457818.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://www.animecorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/shonen_jump-january_2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.animecorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/shonen_jump-january_2008.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="225" /></a><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Plot summary</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: Based on the Japanese magazine </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Weekly Shōnen Jump, </span></i><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">this monthly publication features chapters from the most popular comics in the Japanese magazine, as well as artist interviews, information on card and video games, toys and anime. Current manga series to be featured in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shonen Jump</i> include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bleach, Karakuridôji Ultimo, Naruto, One Piece, Psyren, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yu-Gi-Oh!. </i>The magazine has also featured other popular manga series that have now ended, such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hikaru no Go, Slam Dunk, Tegami Beach </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">YuYu Hakusho</i>. All of these series have their own creators, illustrators and plots, making <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shonen Jump</i> an almost anthology of manga titles. In addition to these professional manga series, the magazine also includes fan art submitted by readers. A recent issue included the results of a fan-made cover art contest. Throughout the year, several issues of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shonen Jump</i> are considered “special editions” and include posters, details and specific information about certain series, and color illustrations (regular issues are printed in black and white.) Most issues of the magazine are over 300 pages in length, with special editions being even longer. In addition to the print magazine, VIZ Media also maintains an in-depth website for readers (shonenjump.viz.com) that offers downloads, games, wallpapers and more. </span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Although it has been published in the United States for less than ten years, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shonen Jump</i> has become one of the most popular magazines for teens in the country. This can most likely be attributed to the fact that it is a very lengthy publication that appeals to teens who are manga enthusiasts, which quite a few are. Not only does the magazine contain actual chapters of manga stories, it also includes fun and interesting articles about Japanese culture, manga authors and illustrators, video and card games, and toys. It’s a virtual treasure trove of stories and information for manga-lovers. The main appeal of the magazine are the manga series included each month. The current series</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Bleach, Karakuridôji Ultimo, Naruto, One Piece, Psyren, </span></i><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yu-Gi-Oh!, </i>all have interesting storylines and graphics. Many of the stories have very whimsical settings and characters, like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One Piece</i> which is about fictional land covered by oceans separated into regions by a large mountain range. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psyren</i>, the main character is a high school student who is chosen to play in an unsettling game called “Psyren” and discovers that while playing the game, he is actually travelling ten years into the future. Stories like these will appeal to readers who like adventure and fantasy, and they are also wonderfully illustrated. With each chapter published monthly, the stories build upon themselves, drawing readers back to go through each issue. By leaving readers in suspense, the publishers of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shonen Jump</i> have created an entertaining magazine for teens that will appeal to manga lovers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: This monthly publication includes chapters from popular manga series as well as author and illustrator interviews, information about Japanese culture, reviews of video and card games and toys. Also featuring previews of upcoming manga series. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Founded in San Francisco in 1986 by Japan-native Seiji Horibuchi, Viz Media (formerly Viz Communication) has been publishing manga in various forms ever since. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, business and sales were somewhat slow for the company. Some of the earliest titles released included <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Legend of Kamui</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ranma ½</i>. In order for their titles to be sold in mainstream bookstores, Viz Communication referred to them as “graphic novels” instead of manga. In recent years, the company merged with Japanese publishers Shueisha Inc. and Shogakukan Inc., expanding business further. Now, Viz Media is the leading publisher and distributor of Japanese manga for the English speaking audience in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. The company publishes several manga magazines including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shonen Jump Advanced</i>. They have also licensed and distributed many popular anime on DVD including series like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bleach, Death Note, InuYasha, Naruto, Ranma ½, Vampire Knight</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sonic X. </i>One unique feature of manga published by Viz Media is that they have created “manga ratings” (similar to MPAA ratings for movies) that act as a guide for parents when selecting manga for their children to read. Viz Media is headquartered in San Francisco, California. (http://www.vizmedia.com/about/)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: Magazine <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Art/illustration<br />
Japanese culture<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Booktalk individual series each month<br />
Discuss popularity of manga and impact on society<br />
Creating graphic novels (plot and illustrations)<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 7 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Violence<br />
Some sexuality<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grades 7 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read through magazine before child. <br />
Recommend parent read magazine with child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Recommend parent look for manga ratings of each chapter and determine which are appropriate for child. </span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Most popular and best-selling manga magazine in the United States. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-82672143566910331792010-12-03T12:23:00.000-08:002010-12-03T12:26:26.018-08:00Seventeen (Magazine)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Seventeen (Magazine)</span> </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 1944. Creator: Walter Annenberg. Publisher: Hearst Corporation. ISSN: 0037301X.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61onV4kVdXL._SS400_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fashexp.com/images/press/SeventeenMay2007Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://fashexp.com/images/press/SeventeenMay2007Cover.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="238" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Plot summary</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: One of the longest running teen magazines in the United States, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i> features information about fashion, beauty, romance, health, relationships and celebrities for teen girls. The cover of each issue typically features a popular female celebrity with a corresponding interview inside. Recently celebrities featured include Ke$ha, Rachel Bilson, Vanessa Hudgens, Rihanna, Carried Underwood, and Ashlee Simpson. Celeb interviews cover information about their lives, what they were like at age seventeen, and other topics important to teen girls. One of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i>’s most popular and well-known features are their quizzes. Issues feature several quizzes for readers to complete, with titles like “How should you do your makeup for school?” and “How organized are you?” These quizzes are also available on the online version of the magazine, <a href="http://www.seventeen.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">www.seventeen.com</span></a>. Another popular portion of the magazine is the monthly section entitled “traumarama.” This section allows readers to submit their embarrassing stories for other teens to read and laugh at. Apart from these pieces that are meant for entertainment, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i> often includes articles about teens that have overcome or had to deal with a serious problem in their life. Stories from teens that have experienced date rape, been diagnosed with a terminal illness, or had an eating disorder are examples of these types of articles. In addition to these more narrative articles, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i> has features on fashion and makeup trends that correspond to the month of each issue. There are typically four issues per year that have larger fashion features as each season draws near (i.e. spring fashion, back-to-school trends, etc.) <br />
<br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i> magazine stands out as one of the most well-known magazines for teen girls in the history of publishing in the United States, most likely because it has been in publication for over 65 years. It’s safe to say that the majority of teen girls have at least glanced through a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i> at one time or another, even though it is aimed towards the “typical” teenage girl. The magazine itself is quite formulaic, usually having a similar layout of stories and features, but is still quite entertaining to read. The editors do a good job of featuring the most popular female stars on the cover that will appeal to teenage girls. Indeed, the entire magazine is designed to appeal to girls: from color and font choice to wording. This does, unfortunately, make the magazine virtually useless for the majority of teenage boys, but there are certainly some who may be interested in reading it as well. The quizzes and “traumarama” sections of the magazine are some of the most entertaining and appealing. Teens will enjoy reading through these items together, comparing quiz responses and discussing results. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i> does a great job of creating something that can be enjoyed by a group of teens, a unique feature of a print resource. One of the most useful and educational sections of the magazine are the “serious” articles that highlight a teen that has experienced an issues affecting teens. These articles provide insight into the issue, and are usually highly relatable for readers. Typically, the end of these articles provides resources for helping readers or their friends if they are experiencing similar problems (i.e. hotlines, websites, community organizations.) The success of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen</i> is certainly no wonder as it is an entertaining, fun, appealing and informative magazine for teens. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventeen </i>provides the most up-to-date information about celebs, fashion, makeup, relationships, romance and health. Features include quizzes, “traumarama,” interviews, and fashion tips. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Founded in March of 1887 by William Randolph Hearst, the Hearst Corporation has been one of America’s largest diversified media companies for over 120 years. The Hearst Corporation owns fifteen daily newspapers including the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, The Advocate, Greenwich Time, </i>and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Connecticut Post</i>. They also publish over 200 magazines around the world, including some of the most popular in the United States like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, O: The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Town & Country. </i>Hearst owns 29 television stations as well, such as A&E and ESPN. The current CEO, Frank A. Bennack, Jr., has served as the CEO of the Hearst Corporation for 23 years. In addition, each subsidiary of the corporation, like the newspaper division, magazine division, etc., has its own president. After William Randolph Hearst’s death in 1951, a board of thirteen trustees was established to administer the Hearst Foundation. This board of trustees selects the eighteen member executive board of the Hearst Corporation, and includes five Hearst family members and eight outsiders. The Hearst Corporation is headquartered in the Hearst Tower in New York City. (<a href="http://www.hearst.com/about-hearst/index.php">http://www.hearst.com/about-hearst/index.php</a>)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: Magazine <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
How magazines affect the daily lives of teens<br />
Accuracy of magazine in depicting interests of teens<br />
Do magazines appeal to all teens or just some?<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 7 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Romance/some sexuality<br />
Includes images of thin girls (encouraging girls to be thin)<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grades 7 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read through magazine before child. <br />
Recommend parent read magazine with child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Recommend parent discuss body image with child. </span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Magazine has been published for more than sixty-five years. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-22364789190970486342010-12-02T21:33:00.000-08:002010-12-02T21:33:33.374-08:00GamePro (Magazine)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">GamePro (Magazine)</span> </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published since: 1989. Creators: Patrick Ferrell, Leeanne McDermott, Michael Kavish, Lynne Kavish. Publisher: IDG Communications. ISSN: 10428658.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61C7Er8kAAL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61C7Er8kAAL._SL500_.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="240" /></a><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Plot summary</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: This long running magazine includes information about various video games and gaming hardware for consoles, PC and handheld devices. Typical issues include previews for upcoming games, news about gaming companies or events, and ratings and reviews of recently released games. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GamePro</i> also offers gaming tips for readers including screenshots of games and cheat codes. One aspect of the magazine that is unusual is that editors, writers and contributors always go by humorous monikers. Some of these pennames include “Boba Fatt,” “Dr. Mario,” “Lawrence of Arcadia,” and “Vicious Sid.” The magazine uses a give star rating system when reviewing recently released games with one star being the lowest and five the highest. An Editor’s Choice Award is given to games that earn four and a half or more stars. In 1998 Gamepro.com was created, and the majority of the magazine’s contents are now available for viewing online. <br />
<br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Since its creation over twenty years ago, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GamePro </i>has been consistently providing fun, interesting and useful information for both teen and adult video gaming enthusiasts. Previews of upcoming games and gaming devices are timely and informative. The magazine also includes colorful and enticing illustrations. Screenshots are typically large and provide a good look at what players can expect from games in terms of graphics. The editors also include useful information about gameplay, including tips, tricks and cheat codes. One of the best parts of the magazine is the humor the editors include in their articles and reviews. Gamer jokes and good-natured sarcasm add to the enjoyment of reading about new gaming products. The reviews provided by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GamePro</i> are very useful for both teens and adults in making decisions about which games or hardware to purchase. In addition to the print information, Gamepro.com also provides a lot of content that gaming enthusiasts can appreciate. One of the most informative features is the “buyers beware” section that warns gamers about poor games or companies that don’t provide good customer service or support. Overall, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GamePro</i> is an entertaining and helpful magazine for teens and adults alike. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Interested in video games? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GamePro</i> provides fun, entertaining and useful information for gamers of all ages.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">International Data Group (IDG) was founded in 1964 in Newtonville, Massachusetts by Patrick Joseph McGovern and Fred Kirch. The company is now headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and publishes over 200 magazines and newspapers in over 85 countries. They also publish 460 websites. Overall, IDG serves about 270 million customers through its publications, and are valued at $3.05 billion. With all of its success and revenues, IDG founded the McGovern Institute for Brain Research in November of 2005. Some of IDG’s publications in the United States include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CIO Magazine, Computerworld, GamePro, Network World </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Taste for Life. </i>(http://www.idg.com/www/HomeNew.nsf/docs/about_IDG)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: Magazine <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Influence of gaming on society<br />
Influence of specific games on pop-culture <br />
Balancing gaming with other activities<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 7 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Language<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grades 7 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read through magazine before child. <br />
Recommend parent read magazine with child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Magazine has been published for more than twenty years. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-31892664128912122832010-12-01T22:05:00.001-08:002010-12-01T22:05:52.725-08:00Catching Fire (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Catching Fire (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Release date: 2009. Author: Suzanne Collins. Publisher: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9780439023498.</span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Catching_fire.JPG" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="File:Catching fire.JPG" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Catching_fire.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Plot summary</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: This second novel in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunger Games </i>trilogy picks up directly where the plot of the first left off. Katniss and Peeta have won the Hunger Games, but their win is shrouded in uncertainty. A visit from President Snow confirms that the Capitol is angry at the way in which the games were won: by defying the Capitol’s last minute decision to allow only one winner through Katniss and Peeta threatening to commit suicide. Now Katniss must convince Panem that she is lovesick for Peeta, despite the fact that she has feelings for Gale. As the victory tour commences, Katniss and Peeta sense that there is unrest in Panem. After a particularly emotional visit to District 11, home of Katniss’ ally Rue from the first novel, an elderly man is shot and killed for whistling Rue’s tune during Katniss’ speech. Unsure of what their future holds, Katniss and Peeta are shocked when the Capitol announces the rules for the next Hunger Games. It is to be a Quarter Quell, a Games that occurs every 25 years, and this time victors will be pitted against one another in the ultimate test of survival. As the only girl victor from District 12, Katniss will be forced to participate in the event that she barely survived the first time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Although any story would be hard-pressed to top Suzanne Collins’ masterpiece <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hunger Games</i>, the second novel in the series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Catching Fire</i>, manages to compete with its predecessor quite admirably. The suspense of the first novel’s climax is picked right up as Katniss and Peeta embark on life as victors. Although they were promised luxury and comfort, they are instead met with fear, distrust and uncertainty. Collins does a remarkable job of allowing the reader to experience the tension in their journey through Panem. It begins as uncomfortable than becomes borderline dangerous as violence begins to suddenly erupt. The reader is also given a better introduction of President Snow, the mastermind behind the Hunger Games and ruler of the Capitol. Collins creates her villain quite well, giving him a creepy almost pedophilic nature that is sure to unnerve the reader as it does Katniss. The action of the first novel is also continued in the Quarter Quell Hunger Games. The arena of the new games is even more brutal than what Katniss and Peeta originally faced, but is made somewhat more easy to bear with the introduction of several lovable players. The stand-out character in the second novel is Finnick Odair, a winner from District 4 who is a lothario but also a skilled competitor. Johanna Mason is another interesting character, a victor from District 7 who is complicated and dangerous. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Catching Fire</i>, Collins does an outstanding job of maintaining the excellence of her first novel while furthering the story. The novel, and the entire series, will appeal to adults and teens alike. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have survived the Hunger Games, but will they survive the victory tour? When President Snow pays a visit to Katniss, informing her that the Capitol is none too pleased with how she won the Hunger Games, she fears for the safety of those she holds most dear.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the author: </span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Suzanne Collins began her writing career in 1991, writing for children’s television. She was on staff for several popular Nickelodeon shows such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Clarissa Explains it All </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo</i>. She also wrote for programs on different networks, including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Little Bear, Oswald</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Clifford’s Puppy Days</i>. In 2003, Collins released her first children’s novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gregor the Overlander</i>. This book was the first in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Underland Chronicles</i> series for which she wrote five more books by 2007. In 2008, Collins published <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hunger Games</i>, the first in her best-selling trilogy. The sequel to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hunger Games</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Catching Fire</i>, was published in 2009 and the final book in the trilogy, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mockingjay</i>, was released in August 2010. Since their release, the first two novels of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hunger Games</i> trilogy have sold over 1.5 million copies in North America alone. The film rights for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hunger Games </i>have been purchased by Lions Gate Entertainment, and the film version is set to be released in 2013. Collins lives in Connecticut with her husband and children. (<a href="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm">http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm</a>)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Genre</span></b><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: Science-fiction <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Tyrannical governments/government control<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Obligation<br />
Violence<br />
Self-sacrifice</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Government oppression<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 7 and up<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Graphic violence<br />
Torture<br />
Sexuality<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grades 7 and up.<br />
If parent has issue with violence, recommend another book for child. <br />
Recommend parent read book before child. <br />
Recommend parent discuss book with child. </span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Bookmarks Magazine, The New York Times, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">School Library Journal</i>. <br />
Winner of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly </i>Best Book of the Year Award for 2009.<br />
Named by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People</i> magazine as one of top ten books of 2009.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-5083858422237143032010-12-01T21:19:00.001-08:002010-12-01T21:19:55.114-08:00Life Lists for Teens (Book)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Life Lists for Teens (Book)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2003. Author: Pamela Espeland. Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing. ISBN: 1575421259.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://www.bookapex.com/images/Life-Lists-for-Teens-Tips-Steps-Hints-and-How-Tos-for-Growing-Up-Getting-Along-Learning-and-Having-Fun-1575421259-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.bookapex.com/images/Life-Lists-for-Teens-Tips-Steps-Hints-and-How-Tos-for-Growing-Up-Getting-Along-Learning-and-Having-Fun-1575421259-L.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: This book of life lists covers a variety of topics for teens, beginning with explaining why lists are useful and how to use the book. The lists are divided into chapters: health and wellness, getting along, staying safe, school and learning, going online, planning ahead, saving the world, focus on you and just for fun. The lists include a variety of information, from humor to school success to crisis hotlines. Many resources for teens are included in the lists. For example, the list entitled “14 Do’s and Don’ts for Helping a Friend Who Might Have an Eating Disorder” includes five different websites for teens to refer to when trying to learn more about eating disorders. The list called “7 Ways to Connect With Others Who Care” provides links to organizations dedicated to making a different in the world like UNICEF. Some of the lists are also simply for amusement like “The 8 Clown Commandments” and “18 Tips for Analyzing Your Handwriting.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: This book of life lists, though quite long, is full of useful, interesting and potentially life-saving information that will be beneficial for teens. The division of the lists into sections is helpful in navigating the plethora of information, as is the index. Each chapter has a mix of facts that range from amusing to serious. The first chapter about health and wellness has some lists that are not quite as important, such as “12 Serious Reasons to Laugh,” to some that are very important, like “8 Ways to Never Start Smoking,” “24 Warning Signs of an Eating Disorder” and “If You Live with Someone who Drinks too Much or Uses Drugs.” The chapter on staying safe also has resources about suicide and teen pregnancy. The benefit of having all of this information contained in one book is that it allows teens to have a go-to resource about things they may be experiencing in their lives but aren’t sure how to tackle on their own. If a teen suspects a friend has an eating disorder but isn’t sure whether they want to tell their parent about it, reading the list of warning signs could be a good way for the teen to realize that maybe they do need to get parents involved. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life Lists for Teens</i> acts as an embarrassment buffer, allowing teens to come to their own conclusions about important topics without necessarily having to ask their parents. For any serious topics, the book also stresses the importance of getting help as soon as possible. Overall, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life Lists for Teens</i> is a very useful and navigable book for young adults. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
</i><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Need help with life? This book of lists covers everything from eating right to goal setting to convincing your parents to let you have a party. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pamela Espeland is the author, coauthor, ghostwriter and editor of over forty books for all ages. Her novels have been translated into nine different languages and have sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide. Some of Espeland’s titles include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See You Later, Procrastinator! </i>(2008), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life Lists for Teens</i> (2003), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Succeed Every Day: Daily Readings for Teens </i>(2001), and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dude, That’s Rude! (Get Some Manners) </i>(2007). Espeland is the owner of Pamela Espeland Associates, Inc. which performs a variety of literary tasks, including targeted publications for various companies, music reviews, and direct mail catalogs. Espeland lives in Minnesota with her husband and two cats. (http://www.espelandassociates.com/content/view/7/13/)<br />
<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Non-fiction <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Life management<br />
Health<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Discussion of life lists (why they’re important)<br />
Discussion of specific issues in lists (eating disorders, suicide, depression, safe sex, drugs and alcohol, etc.)<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 8 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Includes lists related to sexuality<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grade 8 and up.<br />
Recommend parent look through lists before child. <br />
Recommend parent discuss items on lists with child in terms of family policies and beliefs.</span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive review from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">School Library Journal </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">KLIATT. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Receiver of National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-59665151304291157912010-12-01T20:31:00.000-08:002010-12-01T20:31:24.076-08:0097 Things to do Before You Finish High School (Book)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School (Book)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2007. Author: Steven Jenkins and Erika Stalder. Publisher: Zest Books. ISBN: 9780979017308.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a class="underline" cmimpressionsent="1" href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9780979017308&imId=13337752" rel="nofollow" sizcache="2" sizset="0" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 226px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 192px;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/17050000/17057004.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School</i> seeks to educate students that there is more to being in high school than simply going to school. None of the 97 things listed in the book pertain to school, but instead focus on other aspects of a teen’s life. The 97 item list is divided into nine sections: “For your personal development,” “With/for friends,” “With/for family,” “For your body,” “To get to know the world around you,” “To express yourself,” “To benefit your community and environment,” “Because you should,” and “Because you’re only young once.” Within each section are various activities for teens to complete and instructions on how to accomplish the task and the benefits. Activities range from simple to more complex. For example, in the personal development category goals include to “interpret a dream” or “assemble a photo album” but also to “connect with a role model” or “make a public speech.” The section of self-expression includes “designing a tee-shirt” and “learning to play an instrument.” The book also explains that high school students don’t have to complete all 97 tasks, but advises picking and choosing based on personal interests. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School</i> is a fun and inspiring guide for teens to try things they might not have thought of before they graduate. The main message is that there is more to being in high school than just homework, class, dances, popularity, and other typical high school concerns. All the to-do items are positive and beneficial. The majority of the items are also relatively low-cost and simple. Only a few tasks stand out as potentially difficult to achieve such as taking a road trip, enter a sports competition, visit a foreign country, hike to a mountaintop and go skinny dipping. The goals also represent a diverse group of interests and will appeal to a variety of teens. The division of the to-do items into sections is also a helpful tool to allow readers to navigate all 97 activities. Each section contains a variety of items ranging from simple to complex. Some of the more stand-out items on the list include “host a film festival,” “end an argument,” “spend quality time with your grandparents,” “learn the constellations,” “write your own manifesto,” and “spend a day in silence.” The instructions for each item are also very helpful, and an explanation of the benefits the teens can expect from completing each task help put them in perspective. Overall, a very interesting guide for teens that will appeal to many.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
</i><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Think that high school is just about classes and homework? Think again! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the authors: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Steven Jenkins is an author and cultural-critic from San Francisco. He has been involved with many projects in the arts, and is currently the deputy director of the San Francisco Film Society. He is the editor of both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Artweek</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bay Area Citysearch </i>and has published several books including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">City Slivers</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fresh Kills: The Films of Gordon Matta-Clark</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School</i>. He also writes articles regularly for several publications such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Out, New York, Detour, Publishers Weekly</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">San Francisco Bay Guardian</i>. (http://www.sffs.org/content.aspx?catid=17,32&pageid=469)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Erika Stalder is an author of advice books and guides for teens. She also has a regular advice column and blog, "Dear Erika," devoted to the same topic. Stalder has written several books for teens including <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School </span></em>(2007), <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Date Book: A Teen Girl's Complete Guide to Going Out With Someone New </span></em>(2007), <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing </span></em>(2008), and <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the Driver's Seat: A Girl's Guide to Her First Car </span></em>(2009). In addition to writing, Stalder has also created a workshop about dating, and held a "Girl Summit" in 2007 to address important topics for teens. (from <a href="http://erikastalder.com/home/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">erikastalder.com/home/</span></a>)</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Non-fiction <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Life management<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Contributions teens would make to the list of to-do items<br />
Sharing of experiences in completing items on the list<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 9 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Mention of sexuality (safe sex)<br />
Item number 91 is to go skinny-dipping<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grade 9 and up.<br />
Recommend parent go through book before or with child, discussing each item. <br />
Recommend parent decide which activities would be appropriate for child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive review from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gumbo Teen Magazine, Carolina Parent</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nashville Parent. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-67676938233320340712010-11-29T22:16:00.000-08:002010-11-29T22:18:10.779-08:00The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1999. Author: Stephen Chbosky. Publisher: Pocket Books. ISBN: 9780671027346.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITmiuwF76JxJR_w99wKjfUDyDKG4yxj8T6dLeo6slJhj-I5wROfMfRtSTskZZx8B2Aw9iPufbHA9kBDqq57ocI1_WnwH1icVTvI0eWw-BEDDaHrkDCZXeTvT67aTs-FNY7ZQv8kcdK1Fh/s1600/perksimage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" sb_id="ms__id242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITmiuwF76JxJR_w99wKjfUDyDKG4yxj8T6dLeo6slJhj-I5wROfMfRtSTskZZx8B2Aw9iPufbHA9kBDqq57ocI1_WnwH1icVTvI0eWw-BEDDaHrkDCZXeTvT67aTs-FNY7ZQv8kcdK1Fh/s320/perksimage1.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="223" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Charlie starts his freshman year of high school in the fall of 1991 and chronicles his experiences through letters to an unknown person (simply called “Friend”). The story begins with Charlie expressing how upset he is that his best friend, Michael, has recently committed suicide. It is clear that Charlie is an unusual fifteen-year-old. In his letters to his friend, he seems to think about things other people do not. After he is befriended by brother and sister, Sam and Patrick, both seniors, Charlie begins to experience things outside of his own mind. He is introduced to friends of Sam and Patrick, he attends parties and experiments with alcohol and drugs, and he explores his sexuality in his love for Sam. Throughout his letters, Charlie alludes to previous hospitalizations for psychiatric reasons, but divulges little about the nature of his psychological problems. As he encounters typical teen situations, Charlie must deal with them in his own way. Often he cries or says and does the wrong thing, but he is always, simply put, Charlie. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i> is a very engaging story about a very endearing character. Almost from the beginning, the reader will fall in love with Charlie and his quirkiness. Although it is clear that he has some deeply rooted psychological issues, Charlie’s zest for his experiences is addicting. Charlie truly values the relationships he has with the people in his life. He discusses in great detail his feelings for his family, his friends Sam and Patrick, and his encouraging teacher, Bill. He also describes other experiences ranging from masturbation to acid trips to fighting. In every detail, however, Charlie provides an unusual but realistic look at what many teens experience. Charlie’s prose is a look at what teens might think or feel if they weren’t inhibited by the need to appear “normal.” Charlie realizes that he’s odd, but it doesn’t change who he is or how he feels. Charlie’s life and experiences draw the reader in, making the book difficult to put down. Teens and adults alike will find something in Charlie or in the people in his life to relate to. Charlie’s friend Sam must struggle with the sexual victimization she received as a child. Her brother, Patrick, is dealing with being a closet homosexual who is in love with the high school’s star athlete. Charlie’s sister has an abusive boyfriend who threatens to abandon her he finds out she’s pregnant. All of the characters in the novel are very relatable and create a rich and compelling cast for the plot. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i>, Chbosky has created a fun, interesting, entertaining but also very sweet, sentimental and emotional read. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Charlie is different from other teens: he’s very sensitive, he doesn’t think of things the way other people do, but he’s determined to participate in the experiences of his freshman year of high school as much as possible. After befriending two seniors, Charlie finally begins to feel a part of something. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1970, Stephen Chbosky’s literary career has been varied. In 1992, Chbosky graduated from the University of Southern California’s screenwriting program. His first screenplay, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Four Corners of Nowhere</i>, debuted in 1995 at the Sundance Film Festival. Chbosky began working on his first and only novel to date, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i>. The novel was published in 1999 and has been successful ever since, despite being on the ALA’s list on ten most frequently challenged titles in 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 2005, Chbosky wrote another screenplay for the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rent</i>. Chbosky also helped edit John Leguizamo’s one-man show, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sexaholic</i>, as well as a short story anthology called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pieces</i> (2000). In 2006, Chbosky became the writer, executive producer and co-creator of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jericho, </i>a television show on CBS which was cancelled in 2008. In recent years, Chbosky has said he is working on a screenplay adaptation of his most well-known work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i>. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Chbosky">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Chbosky</a>)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Literature in high school (the works that Charlie reads)<br />
Banned or challenged literature<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Charlie’s behavior and personality<br />
Charlie’s relationships with his friends and family<br />
Sexual abuse<br />
Homosexuality in high school<br />
Drug and alcohol use in high school<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 9 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Language<br />
Sexuality (including masturbation)<br />
Homosexuality<br />
Drug and alcohol use<br />
Violence<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grade 9 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read novel before child.<br />
Recommend parent discuss family policy concerning drug and alcohol use with child.<br />
Recommend parent discuss teenage sexuality with child. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive review from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Los Angeles Times, School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly</i>. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-22229196380182972452010-11-29T20:04:00.000-08:002010-11-29T20:04:58.091-08:00Emily the Strange: Lost, Dark and Bored, Vol. 1 (Graphic Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily the Strange: Lost, Dark and Bored, Volume 1. (Graphic Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2006. Author: Rob Reger and Buzz Parker. Publisher: Dark Horse Books. ISBN: 9781593075736.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/d0/21/b45ac0a398a0f854486db110.L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="cmuImage" height="320" id="cmuMainImage" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/d0/21/b45ac0a398a0f854486db110.L.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Organized in a series of strips and vignettes, this graphic novel features Emily and her cats, Sabbath, Mystery, Miles and Neechee. The novel is divided into three subparts: bored, lost and dark. In each subpart, Emily experiences different things and puts forth different ideas and thoughts about the topic. In the “bored” chapter, Emily concocts a “strange sauce” that she feeds her classmates on their food loaf, causing a very strange reaction. She also details thirteen uses for a wire hanger, including a swamp stirrer, head cage, liver skewer and monster pacifier. In the “lost” chapter, Emily visits Lostco, a large warehouse store, where she is on the hunt for cat food. True to its name, Emily ends up hopelessly lost and goes to extreme means to find what she’s looking for among all the free samples and junk. Emily also gets lost in the woods where she stumbles upon a witch’s house made of black licorice. In the “dark” chapter, Emily hosts a public access show called “Deep Dark Thoughts” where she presents just that to the audience. Apart from these topical vignettes, Emily also interviews Elvira and Marilyn Manson, asking them strange and unusual questions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emily the Strange </i>is dark and creepy, but that’s the point. The illustrations are grotesque. Mouths gape, there’s blood and guts, and few colors other than black, white and red. The vignettes and strips don’t really follow a plot but serve more as a vehicle for Emily to unleash biting sarcasm and societal critiques on the reader. Although this type of graphic novel is not for everyone, it will undoubtedly appeal to teens of the “Hot Topic” variety. Emily’s statements and adventures are often clever. The vignette about getting lost in Lostco is quite funny and something that teens and adults can relate to. She also has clever lists, such as “Emily’s Thirteen Other Uses for Wire Hangers” and “What’s Darker Than Dark.” What is most appealing about Emily is how she maintains her expression, or lack of one, throughout every situation she finds herself in. She doesn’t smile, and always seems to be bored or disinterested. This is reminiscent of popular 90s cartoon character, Daria, who was cynical to the point of it being endearing. Teens can identify with this type of attitude and will find it amusing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Emily tackles three topics she knows all too well: boredom, getting lost and darkness. <br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emily the Strange was created by Rob Reger and his company called Cosmic Debris Etc. Inc. The character of Emily was created by Reger in 1993 and has since expanded from the graphic novel market to be used on t-shirts, underwear, toys, guitars, notebooks and much more. Emily has also been used in a series of novels for young adults published by Harper Collins. Buzz Parker is just one illustrator of Emily of the Strange novels. Cosmic Debris Etc. Inc. employs a team of individuals to create the stories and illustrations of Emily the Strange. (<a href="http://www.cosmicdebris.com/">http://www.cosmicdebris.com/</a>)<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Graphic novel <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Cynicism<br />
Boredom, feeling lost, and darkness<br />
Emily’s view on the world<br />
How graphic novels reflect on real issues<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 10 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Violence<br />
Language<br />
Grotesque images<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grade 10 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read novel before child or with child. <br />
Recommend parent discuss character of Emily the Strange with child (her point of view and how it relates to family policies.) </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive review from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publishers Weekly</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">School Library Journal</i>. <br />
Popular character that has been around for decades. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-86166284136170144432010-11-29T14:57:00.000-08:002010-11-29T14:57:24.846-08:00The Sims 3 (Game)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sims 3 (Game)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2009. Creator: Electronic Arts. Platform: PC. ASIN: B000166N6SA.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a class="image" href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/File:Sims3Cover-Art.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Sims3Cover-Art.jpg" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/65/Sims3Cover-Art.jpg/250px-Sims3Cover-Art.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Continuing on the successes of the previous two editions of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sims</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sims 3</i> adds many new elements to traditional Sims game play. Sims games do not have a plot in the traditional sense. Like other simulator games, players make their own stories. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sims 3</i>, players create families of Sims. Sims can look any way the player wants and can have any personality the player wants. Sims can start off as adults, or can begin as toddlers, kids or teens. Players create familial relationships. Sims can begin their lives in love with someone and with children, or players can have them fall in love and start a family as part of the game play. The environment of the Sims is also up to the player. Sims can live in a mansion surrounded by fancy things, or a one-room shack. Sims can have whatever job the player desires and can attain skills to advance in their careers. The possibilities are endless. Additional features present in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sims 3</i> include simultaneous aging between households. This means that players can create two families, both of which will age at the same rate even if the player is not actively playing those houses. The Sims also have many more options in their lives in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sims 3</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: There are few games in the world more addictive than Electronic Arts’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sims</i> series. The same is true for the latest edition, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sims 3</i>, which takes the best parts of the earlier <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sims</i> games and introduces new features to make game play easier. The best part of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sims 3</i> the sense of control it gives the player. This is why it is especially appealing for teens who often feel that they have little to no control over their lives. Players can make or break their Sims. Sims can be based on real people or fictional. Players can create a Sim of themselves and have the Sim fall in love with their dream partner. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sims 3</i> allows players to use their imagination but see their creations on screen. It is a game that allows the player to escape their world and enter another, something that many teens will enjoy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: The possibilities are endless when creating your own virtual neighborhood! Watch your Sims grow from babies to toddlers, kids and teens to adults, all while you control their lives!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the creator: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins, Electronic Arts (EA) has become one of the most successful software developers and publishers in the world. One of the most notable features of EA was their commendation and promotion of their game developers, something other software companies were not doing. Game developers would receive profits from the games they created, as well as notoriety for their work. This attracted some of the industry’s best developers as EA was getting its start. After Trip Hawkins left the company in the 1990s, new CEO, Larry Probst, brought EA to its current size and scope. Much of EA’s success if due to their creation of strong game franchises, such as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sims</i>, sports games like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Madden, FIFA, NHL, Need for Speed </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battlefield</i>. In 2007, Probst stepped down as CEO of EA and was replace by John Riccitiello. Riccitiello now manages the company, as well as its many studios, subsidiaries, and labels. The company is headquartered in Redwood City, California. In 2010, EA has 27 titles that have sold more than one million copies, and five titles that have sold more than four million copies (one of which is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sims 3</i>). (http://aboutus.ea.com/home.action)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Genre</b>: Simulation<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Role of simulation games in society<br />
Using simulation games to role-play<br />
Using simulations games as a way to act out imaginary scenarios<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
ESRB rating of T (for teens ages 13+).<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Sexuality<br />
Violence<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Challenge counterpoints:</i>Recommended for ages 13+. <br />
Recommend parent play game before child. <br />
Recommend parent play game with child. <br />
Recommend parent discuss nature of game (imaginary) versus reality. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Best-selling game (has sold over 4.6 million copies, 1.4 copies in the first week of release).<br />
Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PC Gamer </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> GameSpot</i>. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-89146704654130854732010-11-28T21:48:00.000-08:002010-11-28T21:48:38.616-08:00Sense and Sensibility (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Sense and Sensibility (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1811. Author: Jane Austen. Publisher: CreateSpace (2010). ISBN: 9781451539400.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511L6N9e-uL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511L6N9e-uL.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Nineteen-year-old Elinor Dashwood and her younger sister, sixteen-year-old Marianne, must move with their mother and sister, thirteen-year-old Margaret, after the death of their father. Although Mr. Dashwood made his son, John, half-brother to the Dashwood women, promise to take care of the ladies, John’s cruel and stingy wife, Fanny, refuses. Before they are turned out of the family estate, the Dashwoods are visited by Fanny’s brother, Edward Ferrars. Elinor and Edward immediately form an attachment which is, unfortunately, cut short when the Dashwood women move to a cottage at Barton Park, the estate of Mrs. Dashwood’s cousin, Sir John Middleton, in Devonshire. There, the women are introduced to Colonel Brandon who Sir John and his vivacious mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennings, believe would make a good match for Elinor. Still remembering her affections for Edward, however, Elinor is not interested, and Brandon is attracted to Marianne. Marianne is put off by the age difference between her and the Colonel, Brandon is 35, and eventually falls for the dashing John Willoughby whom she happens to meet one day in the countryside. Not everything is as it seems for the Dashwoods, however: Willoughby inexplicably disappears to London with little explanation and Elinor discovers that her beloved Edward is actually engaged to someone else. Are the Dashwoods doomed to a life of perpetual disappointment and neglect?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Jane Austen’s classic tales have appealed to readers of all ages for centuries, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i> is no different. What is not often thought of, however, when discussing Austen’s novels is that they are, in fact, generally about teenage women. Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are both teenagers who deal with common teenage problems: love, disappointment, rejection and loss. Readers will be able to relate to the relationship between the two sisters: Elinor is calm, reserved and modest. Marianne is exuberant and very forthcoming with her feelings and emotions. This is a common distinction between siblings still, almost 200 years later. Austen also does a wonderful job of portraying the unique qualities of her time. Etiquette and decorum are major considerations for the Dashwood sisters, as are their social standing. Many modern teens will be able to identify with the fact that Elinor and Marianne do not have the income for fancy clothes, coaches, or even their own house. They instead rely on their intelligence and personalities in their relationships. Perhaps the relevance of Austen’s stories in the 21<sup>st</sup> century are the reason they have seen a resurgence in recent years (i.e. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters </i>[2009]). Teens over the past two centuries have enjoyed this wonderful story, as they undoubtedly will for years to come. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: After their father’s death, nineteen-year-old Elinor Dashwood and her sixteen-year-old sister, Marianne, must move with their mother and younger sister from their lavish home to a small country cottage. Will they be able to find love in their new lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, England to Reverend George Austen and his wife Cassandra. Austen was the seventh child, but only the second daughter in her family. Her and her older sister, Cassandra (named after their mother), were very close as a result of being the only two girls in the family. Austen was also very close with older brother, Henry, who later served as her literary agent. In 1783, Austen and her sister were sent to boarding school where they were educated in foreign language, music and art. Upon returning from school, Jane furthered her own education through reading works from her father’s large book collection. In 1787, Austen began writing stories and poems in small notebooks. Jane would often read aloud her compositions to the rest of her family for their amusement. Although it was expected that young women would marry, Austen never did. She did, however, fall in love with family friend, Tom Lefroy, whom she was unable to marry because the match was thought impractical. Over the following years, Austen continued to work on her stories, even after her family relocated to Bath, England. In 1811, Austen’s first novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sense and Sensibility</i>, was published with much success. Her second work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pride and Prejudice</i> was published in 1813. After publishing several more successful titles, Jane died in 1817 of illness. Through her novels, Austen stands out as an intelligent, head-strong woman from an era when women were expected to be meek. (<a href="http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp">http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp</a>) <br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction/Historical<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Romantic era<br />
Famous authors<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Sibling relationships<br />
Social aspects of being a teenager in Austen’s era vs. modern-day<br />
Roles of women throughout history<br />
Love and deception<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Age 13 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Considered a classic work of literature. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-29777889628368175252010-11-28T10:20:00.000-08:002010-11-28T10:22:16.757-08:00Star Wars: The Force Unleased II (Game)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (Game)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2010. Creator: LucasArts. Platform: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC. ASIN: B0030F1D00 (PS3), B0030EU3TG (XBOX 360), B0030F1DQC (Wii), B0030EU400 (DS), B00302182A (PC). </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61ClzPWyTXL._AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" border="0" class="prod_image_selector" height="300" jquery1290967134808="11" onclick="openImmersiveView(event)" onload="if (typeof uet == 'function') { uet('af'); }" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61ClzPWyTXL._AA300_.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: This sequel to the LucasArts game <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: The Force Unleashed</i> (2008) picks up the story of Starkiller, an apprentice to Darth Vader, several months after the events of the first game. Starkiller was thought to have died, but is reanimated as a clone at the imperial cloning facility on the planet Kamino. Starkiller experiences flashbacks to the events of the first game and realizes that Darth Vader is on a quest to kill him. Fleeing Kamino, Starkiller goes in search of love interest, Juno Eclipse. In his search for Juno and flight from Vader, Starkiller reunites with old allies including Jedi Master Kota and the rebel forces. Starkiller discovers that Vader has hired bounty hunter Boba Fett to capture Juno in an effort to lure him back to Kamino. After Juno is captured, Starkiller does venture back to Kamino and learns that Vader and the Emperor are cloning an army of Jedi. The events of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Force Unleashed II</i> take place about one year prior to the original Star Wars film, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A New Hope</i>. <br />
<br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II</i>, though tragically short for Star Wars fans, is a fun and engaging game that improves upon an already wonderful predecessor. The graphics are cutting-edge with the right combination of flare and artistry. The game play is highly addictive, giving the player the opportunity to immerse in the abilities of the Jedi. Players can wield the Force by moving objects, generating electricity, mind-tricking, and acrobatics. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the game is the light saber combat, where players can now wield two light sabers at once. The plot of the game is fast-paced and engrossing. Starkiller is a realistic character who expresses true human emotions during the game, such as despair, love and rage. Players are given the opportunity to make decisions for Starkiller that impact the outcome of the plot. This makes the game almost an electronic version of a “Choose your own adventure” story that will appeal to teens. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: The Force Unleased II</i>, LucasArts has created an intriguing addition to the Star Wars saga that will satisfy gamers and Star Wars enthusiasts alike. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Wield the Force as you control powerful Jedi, Starkiller on his quest to rescue his true love, Juno, from the clutches of the evil Darth Vader. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">About the creator: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Founded by George Lucas in 1982, LucasArts, working closely with Lucas’ special effects company, Industrial Light and Magic, continues to advance the art of game design. One of the primary aspects of LucasArts games that set them apart from those created by other companies is storytelling. LucasArts strives to combine advanced game play with elements of filmmaking, like character development and plot twists, to create an immersive experience. In 1984, LucasArts released its first games, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ballblazer</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rescue on Fractulus!</i> for the Atari. Since then, the company has released hundreds of very successful titles including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Secret of Monkey Island </i>(1990), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Afterlife</i> (1996), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gladius </i>(2003), and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thrillville </i>(2006). Their most popular games, however, are based on George Lucas’ Star Wars and Indiana Jones sagas. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. <br />
<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Action and adventure<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Choices, both good and bad<br />
Consequences<br />
Sacrifice<br />
Star Wars and its impact on society<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of T (for teens ages 13+).<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Violence<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Challenge counterpoints:</i>Recommended for teens ages 13 and older.<br />
Recommend parent play game before child.<br />
Recommend parent play game with child or discuss as child is playing game.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Based on critically acclaimed Star Wars saga. <br />
Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">IGN, Game Informer, GamePro</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GamesRadar</i>.</span></div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-22158139371916774672010-11-26T21:55:00.001-08:002010-11-26T22:00:21.717-08:00Super Mario Galaxy (Game)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Super Mario Galaxy (Game)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2007. Creator: Nintendo. Platform: Nintendo Wii. ASIN: B000FG9QVI.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/76/SuperMarioGalaxy.jpg/250px-SuperMarioGalaxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SuperMarioGalaxy.jpg" border="0" height="332" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/76/SuperMarioGalaxy.jpg/250px-SuperMarioGalaxy.jpg" width="250" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/76/SuperMarioGalaxy.jpg/250px-SuperMarioGalaxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tPCaGMWCL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Plot summary</b>: Mario receives an invitation from Princess Peach to attend the Star Festival. After arriving at the festival, however, the Mushroom Kingdom is attacked by the evil Bowser and an army of airships and Princess Peach is kidnapped. Mario and his friends must once again rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches, only this time the adventure takes them to outer space. In order to warp from galaxy to galaxy, players must guide Mario on 3D planets as he battles enemies to collect Power Stars. Mario is aided in his quest by Lumas, tiny star-like creatures that inhabit the Observatory from which Mario makes his journey between galaxies. Lumas can be fed Star Bits, tiny colorful shapes that Mario collects on various planets. The mother of the Lumas, Rosalina, is a beautiful woman who promises to transport Mario to save his beloved Peach after he has collected sixty Power Stars. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Super Mario Galaxy</i> is a delightful and adorable game that will appeal to long-time Mario fans and newcomers alike. The graphics of the game are beautiful: the galaxy is serene but vibrant. Mario’s enemies are even somewhat lovable. The game play of this title is truly original as well. Players guide Mario as he travels from galaxy to galaxy, each one containing different planets. Mario traverses these planets in 3D, meaning that he is literally running upside for much of the game. Players can jump Mario from one planet to another located below. Although this new form of gaming perspective will take some getting used to, it is truly enthralling once mastered. Nintendo has left the possibilities wide-open for 3D game play. The 3D aspects of the game make for some interesting puzzles and challenges as well, as players must think in three dimensions when looking for clues or finding Power Stars. The one downside to the game is that it is relatively short in duration. Sixty Power Stars can easily be collected after just a short amount of playing time, and players will wish there was more story to the game after that point. In actuality, there are 120 Power Stars that can be collected and some are quite difficult. These additional challenges will appeal to players who wish to enjoy the graphics and 3D perspective longer, despite the fact that the storyline has ended. Overall, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Super Mario Galaxy</i> is a wonderful game that is fun for all ages. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Player's annotation</b>: Help Mario and his friends rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil Bowser as they travel from galaxy to galaxy! Collect Power Stars on 3D planets to help Mario save the day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the creator: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of the most well-known names in gaming, the Nintendo Company actually got its start in 1889 when it was founded by Fusajiro Yamauchi to produce Japanese card games. Over the following decades the company tried many different business ventures before entering the video game industry in 1977. The first console released by Nintendo was called Color TV Game. In 1980 the company created the Game & Watch handheld video game series, but became a global sensation with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) released in 1985. The first game created for NES was Super Mario Brothers which has since become a worldwide phenomenon sparking many sequels. Since the release of the NES, Nintendo has launched several other gaming consoles including the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo Wii. They have also created many handheld gaming devices like the Nintendo Game Boy and the Nintendo DS. Nintendo is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan and is the third most valuable company in Japan. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo)<br />
<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Action and adventure<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
None<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Influence of gaming in society<br />
Balancing gaming with other activities<br />
Super Mario Brothers phenomenon<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
All ages.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
None<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span><br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Winner of British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award for excellence in video gaming in 2009.<br />
Voted by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nintendo Power </i>magazine in 2008 as best game released for the Nintendo Wii. <br />
Named by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nintendo Power </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Official Nintendo Magazine</i> as “Nintendo game of the decade” for 2000-2009. <br />
Third best-selling Wii game ever released.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-30576818045435573302010-11-26T11:37:00.000-08:002010-11-26T11:37:08.597-08:00Parrotfish (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Parrotfish (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2007. Author: Ellen Wittlinger. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781416916222.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://carolinethefuturelibrarian.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/parrotfish.jpg?w=360&h=500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://carolinethefuturelibrarian.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/parrotfish.jpg?w=360&h=500" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="230" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Angela Katz-McNair is a boy. She feels like a boy, she thinks like a boy, and has always felt like nature made a mistake putting her in a girl’s body. So she decides to change things. Angela turns into Grady. Grady has short hair and wears boys’ clothes. Grady feels much more comfortable in his skin than Angela ever did. But changing genders isn’t going to be easy. Grady’s family doesn’t seem to be taking the change well. His mother isn’t sure she can ever think of Grady as anything but Angela, and his sister is worried that having a transgendered sibling will ruin her chances of becoming popular. Things at school are worse. Grady’s lifelong friend, Eve, won’t talk to him now that he’s not a she. Grady is bullied by other students and misunderstood by administrators. Soon, however, Grady discovers that not everyone is as judgmental as he thinks. He makes friends with the school’s biggest nerd, Sebastian, and develops a crush on the cool and beautiful, Kita. Grady wonders if people can truly change, as he has, and accept him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parrotfish </i>is a quick but important read tackling a confusing social issue, transgenderism. While many novels for young adults have uncovered the journeys of LGBT teens, transgendered individuals are rarely the primary characters. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parrotfish</i>, the reader dives headlong into Angela’s transition into Grady. Angela’s feelings that she is a boy trapped in a girl’s body are not a phase. She has felt this way her whole life and finally decides, in order to be happy, she has to transform herself into what she knows is her correct identity. Angela’s sexual attraction to other females is not the main focus of this transition as many often believe. Rather, Wittlinger emphasizes that Angela feels Grady is who she is meant to be. This is an important distinction to be made to both teens and adults: transgendered individuals don’t necessarily change their genders because they are homosexual, rather they know that nature made a mistake. In the novel, Grady identifies himself as a heterosexual male, not a lesbian who wants to become a boy. Wittlinger does a superb job of emphasizing this point by including it seamlessly in the plot. The other characters in the novel besides Grady are also interesting. Sebastian, Grady’s friend who immediately accepts his transformation, is a scene-stealer. He is endearing, quirky, intelligent and a perfect friend for Grady. The relationship between Grady and his former friend Eve will also resonate with readers. Most teens can identify with losing a friend for one reason or another, and will understand the loneliness and anger that Grady feels over his friend choosing the popular crowd over him. Overall, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parrotfish</i> tackles a controversial topic in a very readable way that will appeal to teens. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Angela Katz-McNair knows that nature made a mistake when it put her in the body of a female. She knows she is a boy, she has felt this way her whole life, and decides that she must live life the way she was meant to: she cuts her hair, dons boy’s clothing and announces to the world that she is now Grady, a boy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ellen Wittlinger was born in Belleville, Illinois in 1948. She spent her youth as an only child, helping her parents run the small grocery store attached to their house. After attending college at Millikin University, Wittlinger moved to Ashland, Oregon. Soon, Wittlinger attended the University of Iowa where she received her MFA. Wittlinger then moved to Provincetown, Massachusetts where she worked at the Fine Arts Work Center and began her writing career. In 1979 she published her first book of poetry called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Breakers</i>. Wittlinger also wrote many plays, some of which were staged in Massachusetts. After becoming a children’s librarian, Wittlinger decided to try writing young adult novels. In 1993, her first novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lombardo’s Law</i> was published. Since then, Wittlinger has written many more award-winning novels for the young adult audience, including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hard Love </i>(1999), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s in a Name </i>(2000), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Razzle</i> (2001), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sandpiper</i> (2005), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parrotfish</i> (2007) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This Means War</i> (2010). Wittlinger lives in Massachutsetts with her husband. <br />
<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Fiction<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Transgenderism<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Transgenderism<br />
LGBT issues and high school<br />
Bullying<br />
Coming out to a friend or family<br />
Gender roles<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 9 and up.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Mild sexuality<br />
Controversial subject matter<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grades 9 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read book before child.<br />
Recommend parent discuss transgenderism with child. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Booklist</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">School Library Journal, The Horn Book Magazine, VOYA, Publishers Weekly. </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-25454863055990095872010-11-25T14:21:00.001-08:002010-11-25T14:21:39.430-08:00I am Number Four (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">I am Number Four (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2010. Author: Pittacus Lore. Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780061969553.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://scifimafia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/I_Am_Number_Four_Book_Cover-677x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://scifimafia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/I_Am_Number_Four_Book_Cover-677x1024.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="211" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: Number Four and his guardian have been on the run for fifteen-years ever since they escaped from their home planet, Lorien, after it was destroyed by the evil Mogadorians. Number Four and eight other children and their guardians, or Cêpan, live in hiding all over the Earth as they are hunted by the Mogadorians. A Loric charm was cast as they escaped from Lorien, and the nine children can only be killed in numerical order. When one child dies, a small scar appears on the ankles of the remaining Lorien children. Number Four is fifteen when a third scar appears: one, two and three have been murdered, and he is next in line. Constantly changing identities and moving from place to place, school to school, Number Four and his guardian arrive in Paradise, Ohio to stay for however long they can. Four assumes the name of John Smith, his guardian, Henri, and together they begin another new life in Paradise. For John, something is different about this new place. He makes a true friend, Sam, falls in love for the first time with Sarah, and even adopts a stray dog, Bernie Kosar. John also discovers that he is beginning to develop his Legacies: superpowers that the nine Lorien children will receive as they grow older. Henri trains John in using his Legacies to protect himself, and John becomes more accustomed to life in Paradise as time passes. But how long will John be able to enjoy his new friends before the Mogadorians find him? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: With an interesting storyline that will appeal to both teen and adult audiences, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am Number Four</i> seems poised to become the latest teen novel craze. With the movie rights purchased before the novel was even released (the film version is set to come out in theaters in February 2011), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am Number Four</i> has the elements of a successful series like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twilight</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Harry Potter</i>. The main character, Number Four, or John as he becomes early in the novel, is very compelling. He has a lot of his plate for a fifteen-year-old: he is hunted ruthlessly by the Mogadorians and has spent his life on the run with his guardian Henri; he longs for normal human relationships like friends and family; he’s unsure of his newly developing Legacies and if he will be able to use them to protect himself; he’s dealing with bullies at school who seem from the start determined to make life difficult for the “new guy”; he’s falling in love with the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen. The plot seems to focus more on John’s life as a teenager who is different, with the aspects of John’s alien’s past in the background. The breakout star of the novel, and most likely the film, is Bernie Kosar, the little beagle who John and Henri “adopt” (rather the dog adopts them) shortly after arriving in Paradise. There is something mysterious about Bernie, and readers will enjoy learning more about him while laughing at his antics (Henri dresses the beagle up as Superman for Halloween, etc.) Overall, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am Number Four</i> is a very successful starting point for what is sure to be a very well-loved series. The second novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Power of Six, </i>is set to come out on June 7, 2011. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: John Smith is from the planet Lorien and has been on the run with his guardian, Henri, for fifteen-years since his planet was destroyed by the cruel Mogadorians. After moving to the town of Paradise, Ohio, however, and falling in love for the first time, John isn’t sure if he wants to run anymore. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to the book jacket, Pittacus Lore is the ruler of the planet Lorien who has been in hiding on Earth for twelve years. In reality, Pittacus Lore is the combination of two authors, Jobie Hughes and James Frey, who collaborated in writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am Number Four</i>. Hughes, born in Ohio in 1980, made his authorial debut with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am Number Four. </i>Author James Frey made news headlines with his first work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Million Little Pieces</i> published in 2005. This “memoir” was supposedly about Frey’s struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and his rehabilitation from this disease. It was later revealed, however, that much of this account was untrue. Frey received a lot of criticism from the news media, including talk show host Oprah Winfrey, for claiming this memoir was true. Frey published two other novels following this unusual debut, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Friend Leonard </i>(2005) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bright Shiny Morning</i> (2008). In 2009, Frey created a publishing company called Full Fathom Five with the goal of creating successful young adult novels. A great deal of controversy surrounds this publishing company which many claims exploits literary students (like Jobie Hughes) to create commercially viable novels. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Frey">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Frey</a>) <br />
<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Science-fiction <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
N/A<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Social aspects of high school<br />
Bullying<br />
Death and murder<br />
Relationship of John and Henri<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Grade 9-12<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Violence<br />
Sexuality<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for grades 9-12.<br />
Recommend parent read book before child.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Booklist</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Publisher’s Weekly, The Horn Book</i>. <br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times</i> bestseller. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-10046741323508550532010-11-19T12:56:00.000-08:002010-11-19T12:56:45.576-08:00Interview with the Vampire (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Interview with the Vampire (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1976. Author: Anne Rice. Publisher: Ballantine Books. ISBN: 0345409647.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://25hourbooks.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/interview-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://25hourbooks.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/interview-cover.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="194" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Interview with the Vampire</i>, the first novel in Anne Rice’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vampire Chronicles</i>, tells the story of Louis, a young plantation owner in 18<sup>th</sup> century New Orleans, who is transformed into a vampire by the handsome and bewitching vampire Lestat. Lestat is enamored with his new companion, but Louis has trouble adjusting to life as a vampire, preferring to feed on animals rather than humans as Lestat does. As the years pass, Louis begins to become more comfortable with preying on humans, however, and the two move to the center of New Orleans to live fashionably. In the city, Louis encounters a young, sick child on whom he feeds but does not kill. Lestat decides to turn the child, Claudia, into a vampire to add to their family. Louis immediately becomes a father-figure for Claudia, and the three live happily for a time. Claudia becomes increasingly frustrated, however, when she realizes that, though her mind is that of a woman, she is forever stuck in the body of a child. Claudia decides to kill Lestat, and after they believe their creator is dead, Louis and Claudia escape to Europe. In Paris, the pair meet Armand and his vampire coven, whom they befriend. The coven becomes suspicious, however, suspecting that Claudia and Louis might be responsible for murdering their creator. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Anne Rice’s famed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vampire Chronicles </i>series begins with the now classic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Interview with the Vampire</i>. Although teen literature is now riddled with vampire stories, Rice’s tale of Louis, Lestat and Claudia stands out as one of the first vampire novels appealing to the young adult audience. Although the story is full of action and scares, the true plot is about the relationship between Lestat, Louis and Claudia. Lestat is a handsome, charming vampire, but also one who clearly has a past of his own. His creation of Louis satisfies a deep need for companionship, something that teens will be able to identify with in their own relationships. Lestat is fearful of losing Louis as his companion, and creates Claudia to be their “vampire daughter.” Lestat knows that Louis will love the little girl immediately, and uses her to keep his family together. This is a kind of dynamic that many teens have experienced in their lives: fear of losing a friend, using others to maintain relationships. The novel is essentially a reflection of human dynamics, disguised as a scary story. Claudia’s rebellion against her “father” is another important part of this dynamic. Overall, Rice’s first novel set the stage for teen vampire stories of today. Instead of creepy ghouls, Rice’s vampires are beautiful, charming, and fashionable. Their need to feed on humans is only part of their existence. They deal with love, loss, friendship, and romance, and other authors (Stephanie Meyer, etc.) have expanded upon this idea. A must-read for any teen vampire fan. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: This first novel in Anne Rice’s famed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vampire Chronicles</i> tells the story of a vampire family: Lestat, Louis and their “daughter” Claudia. Together, the threesome live in 19<sup>th</sup> century New Orleans, feeding on the living, and dealing with their immortality. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Born in 1941, Anne Rice spent most of her childhood in New Orleans (the setting for some of her future novels). After graduating high school in 1959, Anne went to the Texas Woman’s University in Denton as well as North Texas State College. After college, Anne married her childhood sweetheart, Stan Rice. The two moved to San Francisco where they lived until 1989 when they moved back to New Orleans. The couple lost their first child, a daughter, to leukemia in 1972. Their son, Christopher Rice, was born in 1978. Christopher, like his mother and father, also went on to become an author. Rice completed her first novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Interview with the Vampire</i>, in 1973 and it was published in 1976. The novel was very popular, prompting Rice to continue her series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vampire Chronicles</i>. The series includes novels like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vampire Lestat </i>(1985), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Queen of the Damned</i> (1988), and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vampire Armand</i> (1998). The final novel in the series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blood Canticle</i> was published in 2003. Rice also wrote another popular series about the lives of the Mayfair witches, some of which have crossed over with her vampire characters. After her husband’s death from cancer in 2002, Rice made a public announcement that she would devote her writing to the subject of Christianity. Since then, she has written several works on the topic including <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt</i> (2005) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Called Out of Darkness </i>(2008). In July of 2010, Rice made another announcement concerning her faith, stating that she no longer identifies herself as a Christian, although she still devotes herself to the teachings of Jesus. (http://www.annerice.com/Chamber-Biography.html)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction/Horror/Historical<br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
American literature<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Vampires<br />
Relationships (Louis and Lestat, Louis and Claudia, etc.)<br />
Rebellion and punishment<br />
Eternity/immortality<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Age 15+<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Vampirism<br />
Sexuality<br />
Violence<br />
Language<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for ages 15 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read book before child.<br />
Recommend parent discuss book with child. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Considered a classic American novel. <br />
Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Library Journal, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Boston Globe</i>.<br />
From <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times</i> bestselling author and series. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-55268458421578054482010-11-19T09:21:00.000-08:002010-11-19T09:21:37.422-08:00Lessons from a Dead Girl (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Lessons from a Dead Girl (Novel)</span> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 2007. Author: Jo Knowles. Publisher: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763644857.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><a href="http://images.indiebound.com/857/644/9780763644857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://images.indiebound.com/857/644/9780763644857.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="216" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Plot summary</b>: After Leah Green is tragically killed, Laine reflects on their relationship as she tries to come to terms with the death. Leah and Lainey have been friends since they were little. As they were growing up they did everything together: had sleepovers, told secrets, played with dolls. But something was different about their friendship. Leah has a troubled past and was sexually abusive to Lainey, telling her that what they did was just practice for when they got older and begin to date boys. Lainey was confused by her friend’s actions. Leah’s charisma and popularity made it hard for Lainey to question anything her friend says or does, but she knew that what they do in the “doll closet” was wrong. She felt dirty and guilty. As they grew up, Lainey struggled as Leah began to drift away, making new friends and becoming increasingly popular at school. Lainey is confused, and is constantly haunted by Leah’s past actions and taunting. At every turn, Lainey can hear Leah’s voice inside her head, reminding her that she liked what they did together. As Lainey thinks about her troubled friend’s life, will she be able to forgive her?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lessons from a Dead Girl</i> is a truly haunting and heartbreaking story about abuse, friendship and forgiveness. The novel opens with the death of Leah Greene, and the rest of the story is broken up into chapters named with a lesson Lainey learned from her friend. As more and more about Leah and Lainey’s friendship is revealed, the truth about the abuse subjected upon Lainey at the hands of a peer becomes clear. Sexual abuse between friends, siblings, or children who are close in age is not something that is talked about as frequently as between an adult and a child. As the reader learns about Leah’s actions, it’s obvious that Leah herself has been sexually abused (it is later revealed that a family friend, Sam, is the person responsible for victimizing Leah.) This type of abuse has been presented in previous teen literature, but few novels have touched upon sexual abuse between friends in quite the same as Knowles does in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lessons from a Dead Girl</i>. The novel itself is very well-written, but extremely difficult to read due to the subject matter. Teen and adult readers alike will find themselves sickened by Leah’s treatment of the innocent and trusting Lainey, as well as by the abuse Leah must have suffered herself. And while Leah is somewhat of an antagonist, her death is truly tragic despite the fact that Lainey is now free from her abuse. The story will raise many questions in the reader’s mind about Lainey’s struggles: What could she have done to help her friend? Is there any grace in Leah’s tragic death since she was clearly very troubled? Will Lainey ever be able to truly forgive Leah? Thoughts like these will remain in the reader’s mind long after the book has been completed. An excellent but heartbreaking read for teens.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Reader's annotation</b>: Leah Greene is dead, and Lainey reflects on her long-time friendship with the beautiful, troubled teen. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jo Knowles grew up in New Hampshire surrounded by animals and books at her parents’ farmhouse. As she was growing up, Knowles loves writing stories about her family and their pets. When she was young, her parents purchased a Victorian house and converted it to a restaurant called The Hathaway House. Some of the first stories Knowles wrote were about her experiences at The Hathaway House. In college, Knowles took a children’s literature course and decided to pursue a career in writing. She went to grad school and wrote her first novel as her graduate thesis. In 2007, her first novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lessons from a Dead Girl </i>was published. Her second novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumping Off Swings</i> was published in 2009. Both novels have received much praise by critics as well as awards. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lessons from a Dead Girl</i> was named a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. It also received the Pen New England Children’s Book Discovery Away and a Gold Star Award for Excellence from TeensReadToo.com. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumping Off Swings </i>was also a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers as well as a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. Knowles lives in Vermont with her husband. (<a href="http://www.joknowles.com/bio.html">http://www.joknowles.com/bio.html</a>) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction <br />
<br />
<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
N/A<br />
<br />
<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Sexual abuse between friends, siblings, or peers<br />
Sexual abuse between adults and children<br />
Friendship<br />
<br />
<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Age 15+<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Sexuality<br />
Sexual abuse<br />
Language<br />
Drug and alcohol abuse<br />
Violence<br />
Homosexuality<br />
<br />
<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Recommended for ages 15 and up.<br />
Recommend parent read book before child and discuss before child reads book.<br />
Recommend parent discuss sexual abuse with child. <br />
Provide resources about sexual abuse and how to report it to authorities if parent or child suspects it is occurring to someone they know. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Positive review from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">School Library Journal</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Booklist</i>. <br />
Winner of Pen New England Children’s Book Discovery Away and a Gold Star Award for Excellence from TeensReadToo.com.<br />
Named a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age.<br />
Nominated for a Georgia Peach Book Award for 2009-2010.<br />
Named a Teen Top Choice at Flamingnet Book Reviews. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8829043381963931070.post-74348524967860740192010-11-17T22:00:00.000-08:002010-11-17T22:01:14.635-08:00The Clan of the Cave Bear (Novel)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Clan of the Cave Bear (Novel)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Release date: 1980. Author: Jean M. Auel. Publisher: Crown Publishers. ISBN: 9780553381672.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><b></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/greatest-novels-of-all-time/204-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/greatest-novels-of-all-time/204-1.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="206" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Plot summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Ayla is just five-years-old when an earthquake destroys her family’s home, stranding her on her own in the wilderness. The little girl is adopted by Iza after being found by the Clan, a group of Neanderthals that communicate via sign language and guttural sounds. Although Ayla is a Cro-Magnon, and looks and thinks differently than her adoptive people, she struggles to fit in to the Clan society. By Clan standards, Ayla is a hideous little girl, sure to never find a mate that will want to father children with her. As Ayla grows up into a teenager, she learns about healing from her adoptive mother and also learns how to hunt, something that is typically considered taboo for Clan women. After Ayla begins to receive attention for her accomplishments, she incurs the wrath of Broud, the son of the Clan’s leader, Brun. Broud is an unkind, cruel man who repeatedly rapes Ayla. Despite his constant torment, Ayla is thrilled when she becomes pregnant, giving birth to a son. Now Ayla must struggle not only to find acceptance for herself in the Clan, but also for her child. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b>Critical evaluation</b>: Considered by many to be a classic, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Clan of the Cave Bear, </i>the first book in Jean M. Auel’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Earth’s Children</i> series, is a unique novel for teens. Although the main character, Ayla, is a teenager living roughly 18,000 years ago, she still encounters many problems that teens experience today. From the time of her birth she doesn’t feel accepted, and views herself as an outsider. She constantly tries to fit in with the Clan and struggles to prove herself. Many teens will identify with this feeling of not fitting in despite all efforts to do so. Auel also paints a very vivid and enthralling picture of the landscape in which Ayla lives. Her descriptions of the behavior of the Clan, their way of life, language, and customs, though wordy, are enthralling. Teens will be able to relate what they may have learned about Cro-Magnon and prehistoric life to the novel. The Clan characters are also very intriguing, despite the fact that they are what many would refer to as “cave men.” Ayla’s relationship with her adoptive mother, Iza, is very endearing. The novel also deals with issues like teen pregnancy and rape that are still important today. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Clan of the Cave Bear</i> is a novel unlike any other for teens, and one they will likely enjoy. </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
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<b>Reader's annotation</b>: 18,000 years ago, a young, Cro-Magnon girl was stranded from her family following a devastating earthquake. After being adopted by the Clan, a group of Neanderthals, can this girl, Ayla, fit in to the society of a species that is on its way to extinction?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jean M. Auel was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1936. Soon after graduating high school, Auel married her husband in 1954. The couple moved to the Portland, Oregon area where Auel received her MBA in 1976. After finishing her MBA, Auel got the idea to write her first novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Clan of the Cave Bear</i>. After a great deal of research spanning a two-year period, Auel completed the novel which was published in 1980. The novel was very popular and later adapted into a movie starring Darryl Hannah as Ayla in 1985. Auel wrote several more novels in the series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Valley of the Horses </i>(1983), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mammoth Hunters </i>(1985), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Plains of Passage </i>(1990) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shelters of Stone </i>(2002). For her series, Auel has received many awards including the Friends of Literature Award in 1981, the Golden Plate Award in 1986, the American Academy of Achievement in 1986 and the National Zoo Award in 1990. The next novel in her series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Land of Painted Caves</i>, will be released in 2011. (<a href="http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/auel.htm">http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/auel.htm</a>)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Fiction/Historical</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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<b>Curriculum ties</b>: <br />
Evolution<br />
Cro-Magnon/Neanderthal<br />
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<b>Booktalking ideas:</b><br />
Evolution<br />
Struggling to fit in<br />
Orphan/losing parents<br />
Rape<br />
Teen pregnancy<br />
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<b>Reading level/Interest Age:</b><br />
Age 14+<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge issues:</b><br />
Sexuality<br />
Rape<br />
Violence<br />
Evolution<br />
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<i>Challenge counterpoints:</i><br />
Recommended for age 14+.<br />
Recommend parent read novel before child.<br />
Remind parent that novel is not claiming to be factual depiction of evolution.<br />
Recommend parent discuss rape with child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<b>Reasons for inclusion:</b><br />
Critically acclaimed for several decades.<br />
Positive reviews from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times Book Review, San Francisco Chronicle.</i><br />
Winner of several literary awards. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Hylaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10096927073318655638noreply@blogger.com0