The second of the Narnia films is set to release on May 16, 2008. The official site has a great synopsis of the plot, as well as a number of fun activities and downloads. Also, if you're into a little inside "dirt" there is some talk that Disney is considering ditching the Narnia series after the third movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Check out FirstShowing.net's post for all the details.
This so rocks! The American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children announce that The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick won the Caldecott Medal for picture book this year. In an earlier post, I reviewed The Invention of Hugo Cabret and advocated for it to win the Caldecott medal. I wasn't sure, however, it the judges would consider it a complete picture book. Read About.com's notice of the winner, and they include a synopsis of the book as well. At the homepage for Hugo Cabret, you can find out more about the history of the author, the history of the book and the history in the book. You can also watch a slideshow for the opening sequence of illustrations in the book.
Janice Harayda at One Minute Book Reviews does an excellent job of reviewing the novel. She gave it an 'A' for packaging and a 'C' for writing. I liked it a lot more. But what I like even more about Janice's review is that right below the review she includes s reading group guide to Hugo Cabret. Awesome! Michele Norris, one of the voices of NPR, also offers up a review of Hugo Cabret. This one has a audio podcast, illustrations from the book and an excerpt.
If you would like to find out more about the Caldecott Medal, then check out About.com's article or to the ALA/ALSC's page for Caldecott for a list of winners back to 1938.
The entertainment world is all a-buzz with the announcement that the final Harry Potter book Deathly Hallows will be split into 2 films. If you haven't heard, then the LA Times and CNN both have stories. But "The Leaky Cauldron" blog offers a follow-up entry with producer David Heyman about the 2 films' plans. And for you die-hard Daniel Radcliff fans, here's a quick video of him talking about the split.
AUTHOR: Eoin Colfer
AGES: 4th – 10th grades
REVIEW: Finally, we see redemption in Artemis Fowl. He's able to build an uneasy allance with the People. Barnes and Noble offers this synopsis. EmilyP has a cute take on this one as well.
This quick read is pure fun. The action is fast and the technology and magic pretty incredulous. You gotta love this one.
AUTHOR: Jude Watson
AGES: 9th – 12th grades
REVIEW: This was one of the most depressing books I have ever read. If you can get through the first half of the book without giving up, the second half improves. The first half of the novel is completely centered on emotions, and they are dark. To her credit, the author does a wonderful job of nailing the plight of a teenage girl, who is aloof and distant and filled with pain. In the second half of the novel, the action picks up, and the story moves quicker. The mystery/detective work/thriller part picks up and makes this a better read. There is also a sense of hope in the second half of the book that is missing in the first half. But I can see that the author may have wanted us to feel that despair. It was tough reading, though. I was able to finish this book off in one late night when I couldn't sleep.
For a quick synopsis of the plot, visit my fave Barnes and Noble. You can also see some other reader's reviews there, too.
AUTHOR: K.V. Johnasen
AGES: 9th – 12th
REVIEW: Admittedly, this book took some time to get into. The beginning was slow. You can check the plot summary at Barnes and Noble. Once the action gets going in this book, the plot picks up. The focus of the story is on precocious Jordan and Helen, who seem to spend too much time alone entertaining themselves. After Cassandra is born, we find out very little about her/it. So, Cassandra is not really developed as a potential character. There is quite a bit of technical language sprinkled throughout, but particularly at the beginning. I think this significantly contributes to the plodding plot. The story, however, is reminiscent of a Michael Crichton novel. The plot just isn't quite as quick, moving and engaging.
AUTHOR: Meg Cabot
AGES: 10th – 12th grades
REVIEW: This teen thriller is not disappointing. You can find synopses of the plot at Barnes and Noble or The Reading Zone. Cabot nails the teen language, sarcasm and insecurities. You probably know Cabot from The Princess Diaries but she also write under pseudonyms.
The strength of this book is that it is pure entertainment. There really aren't other commentary or underlying themes. It's pretty much Jesse's story and the complications she faces as a result of gaining her new psychic powers. Her oldest brother is fragile after his suicide attempt. She comes to understand that everyone who is being searched for isn't lost. While there aren't additional plots, we get little hints at teen angst and struggle from her overweight best friend to detention to cliques. A great quick read.
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