The Last of Harry Potter

Just finished watching the last Harry Potter film and it was amazingly good.  I really disliked the "Deathly Hallows" book for so many reasons.  It was too long, the editing was terrible, the story sucked when favorite characters died.  Yet, the film handled all of these issue with grace and dignity.  I wondered how the producers would handle the last part of the story... the "19 years later" section, and it was good too.  Aging Harry and the gang was well done and believable.  Watching these young people grow up and become such fine actors is a treat.  They really have become very good at their jobs and their portrayals of their characters (even the lesser characters like Neville, Luna, Fred and George), are astonishingly good.  I'll have more to say about the film when I've spent more time digesting its goodness.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. Beautiful Creatures.
Little Brown and Company.  Paperback edition 2010.
ISBN 9780316077033
$9.99. Paperback. 563 pages.

Readers Annotation
Ethan Wate is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met.  Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever met.  When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

Plot Summary
Ethan Wate is a young man who intends to leave the small Southern town he grew up in as soon as he graduates from high school.  His father, deeply depressed by the unexpected death of his wife keeps himself locked away from life in the study they once shared.  Ethan is looked after by Amma, who once cared for his father.  Ethan's world is rocked by the arrival of Lena Duchannes, the dark haired, green-eyed niece of the town recluse Macon Ravenwood.  Ethan is smitten by the girl he has dreamed about, yet he doesn't know about the danger their budding relationship carries.  Danger and secrets surround the pair as they try to discover the truth about their connection to each other and Greenbriar plantation.

Critical Evaluation
The paranormal genre is full of books like this, but none are done as well as Beautiful Creatures.  Authors Garcia and Stohl have taken the genre and flipped it on it's side to create an original work of paranormal fiction.  The Southern setting is not unique (The Southern Vampire series), yet they have taken the best of my imagined South and imbued it with wit, tenderness, and the joy of first love against the backdrop of magic, curses and family feuds.  The friendships, relationships and love shared between two teens are genuine and the characters are believable.  Although I had predicted that the book would be more gothic and scary, I was pleasantly surprised by the tone and pacing of the story.  It was exciting and different from many novels in the same genre.  It is an excellent read.  The second novel in the series Beautiful Darkness is to be released on October 2010.

Genre
Young adult paranormal romance.

Challenge Issues
Teen sexuality, witchcraft, magic.
  

Spirited Away directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Miyazaki, Hayao (Director). Spirited Away.
Studio Ghibli. 2003.
Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki.
Run time: 125 minutes.
Rating: PG.

Watcher’s Annotation
Chihiro's parents have become pigs after eating food meant of the spirits, but with the help of Haku she will be able to restore them and escape back into her own world.

Plot Summary
10-year-old Chihiro is moving from her home. During the drive to their new house, her parents get lost. The find the ruins of an old amusement part. The smell of food draws her parents. They find a market place full of stalls with no people present. Her parents sit down and begin to eat everything. Chihiro does not join them and becomes increasingly alarmed when they begin to transform into pigs. To save her parents Haku, a boy she meets, tells her she will have to go to the bathhouse and ask Kamaji for work. Kamaji sends Chihiro to Yubaba (the witch) who runs the bathhouse. Yubaba agrees to hire Chihiro to save her parents, but only if she gives Yubaba her name. Chihiro becomes Sen. The Bathhouse and the marketplace where her parents ate all belong to the spirits. At first Chihiro is frightened but she is soon befriended by Lin. Haku, who is really a water spirit, helps Chirhiro save her parents, and in doing so has his own name restored. Chihiro saves her parents and they return to the mortal world.

Critical Evaluation
Miyakai is famous for his beautifully animated films, and this is one of his best. He takes Japanese myths and legends, and brings them to the screen. The color styling for this film is vibrant, and the scenes in the bathhouse are realistic. His protagonist, Chihiro is spunky and single-minded in her determination to save her parents from becoming bacon. Along the way she also helps Yubaba’s baby son grow up a little. The voice talents are also very good. Miyazaki has chosen actors with many credits to their names. Suzanne Pleshette’s gravelly voice is perfect for the dual roll of twin witch sisters. His choice of Daveigh Chase is inspired. She has just the right amount of stubbornness and appeal to create a character that the audience will care about. This film won the Academy Award for Best Animated film in 2003, and to date it is the highest grossing non-American film in history. I would recommend this film to any young person who loves anime, or graphic novels because it has the same vibe and unique storyline.

Genre
Animation, fantasy, adventure

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Some scary images for younger children.

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the film and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Internet Movie Database (IMDb) at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245429/externalreviews
· Try to get reviews of the film from teens that have seen it.

Why I included this title
I like the film and it is included on the ALA 2009 Best Films for Young Adults.

The Return of the King directed by Peter Jackson

Jackson, Peter (Director). The Return of the King.
New Line Cinema. 2003.
Screenplay by: Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens, Peter Jackson.
Run time: 251 minutes (extended edition).
Rating: PG-13

Watcher’s Annotation
The final battle looms in front of Aragon and Frodo. Aragorn tries to protect Minas Tirith, while Frodo prepares to send the one ring into the fire of Mordor.

Plot Summary
As the last film of the series opens, Frodo, Sam and Gollum have nearly reached Mordor in their quest to destroy the one ring created by Sauron. In a parallel story Aragorn and his crew, along with Gandalf have successfully defeated the enemy in Rohan. The armies of Rohan are called to aid Gondor. As friend and foe meet for a final clash in Minas Tirith, Frodo and Sam continue on their journey in Mordor. As the great battle ensues Aragorn rallies the forces to draw attention away from the Hobbits in Mordor. Frodo can’t destroy the ring, but in hand-to-hand combat with Gollum, the ring falls into the volcano. Both Gollum and the ring destroyed, the Hobbits find safety on a craggy outcropping as the volcano erupts around them. Gandalf and the eagles find the Hobbits and save them. Aragorn is crown King of the West, and the Hobbits return home from the war. Later, Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf and Galadriel travel to the west to the Elven homeland.

Critical Evaluation
This is the final film in the trilogy created by Peter Jackson. The films adapted from the classic novels of JRR Tolkien are all very good, but the final film The Return of the King is the culminating experience. The world Jackson created from  Tolkien’s work is amazing. Critics have stated that important portions of the books are absent in the film version. It has always been the nature of film to adapt as necessary to fit the time constraints presented. In addition, Jackson has tracked the film to flow smoothly in a consistent manner. This is especially evident in the second and third films where the story lines diverge in two separate directions. Jackson handles the divergence masterfully. The acting for the final movie is good, especially that of Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn). Mortensen makes the role his own. In the first films he does not wish to assume his rightful place as king.  In the last film he has resigned himself to the role. This film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2003. I do not know if the Academy considered the entire series when they voted, but they truly chose a masterpiece.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum ties
The novel is a classic. It might be used in English classes.

Challenge Issues
Violence

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the film and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Internet Movie Database (IMDb) at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/externalreviews.
· Try to get reviews of the film from teens that have seen it.

Why I included this title
One of my favorite films of all time, and it is an Academy Award winner.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl.
Laurel Leaf. 2004 (2000).
ISBN: 8780440416777
$6.99. Paperback. 208 pages.

Readers Annotation
Uniquely individual, Stargirl has everyone talking, but it isn’t all good. Can Leo resist the peer pressure to dump the girl he likes just so he can fit in?

Plot Summary
Stargirl Caraway has been homeschooled her entire life, so when she arrives at Mica High School she has never been exposed to the cliques and groups of a normal high school. Stargirl is a nonconformist. She wears the fashions her mother creates, doesn’t wear makeup, brings her pet rat to school, and plays the ukulele during lunch break. The students don’t know what to make of her. She is kind, thoughtful and supremely self-confident. Leo Borlock is attracted to her and soon they start dating. Leo pressures Stargirl into conforming to his perceived standards, and soon Stargirl is going by the name Susan and worrying about peer pressure. Leo isn’t sure if he likes the girl she is becoming and breaks away from her. Stargirl is also pressured into an interview on the school’s radio station where she is humiliated. The student body turns on her and Stargirl is now alone, her self-confidence is shattered. She decides to return to the girl she was, and leave the school. She returns one last time for a dance, where she leads the students in the bunny hop.

Critical Evaluation
I read this story a long time ago and was struck by how courageous the Stargirl character was in the face of tremendous pressure to conform. Jerry Spinelli has imbued his character with a spirit bordering on the supernatural. I only felt sorry for Leo. He lost the girl of his dreams, and he lost his chance to break free from the old school mold. His discovery that it was Stargirl who sent him the porcupine quill necklace shows just how caring and benevolent Stargirl really was. Stargirl is really more like a mythical creature (maybe angelic), sent to Earth to teach lessons in kindness and benevolence to people who lack those traits. Her disappearance adds even more to the mythology. Leo as narrator implies that 15 years have gone by since Stargirl disappeared, and for him it seems little has changed. Except for the day he again receives a porcupine necklace for his birthday. This book is deeply touching, and remains in my memory (like Leo’s) as a favorite.

Information about the author
Jerry Spinelli (1941-) won a Newbury for his novel Maniac Magee, and a Newbery honor for Wringer. You can find out more about him on his website at http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_002.htm

Genre
Narrative fiction, contemporary life

Curriculum ties
Self-esteem, bullying issues

Challenge Issues
None

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book. You can find out more about this book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Stargirl-Readers-Circle-Jerry-Spinelli/dp/0440416779/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260324197&sr=1-1

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss Stargirl’s self-esteem and how she isn’t bothered by what people think.
2. Talk about Leo’s attempt to change Stargirl.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult, ages 12 and up

Why I included this title
This book is on the 2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults list.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Brashares, Ann. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Delacourt Press. 2001.
ISBN: 0385730586.
$8.95. Paperback. 294 pages

Readers Annotation
Four girls and one magical pair of jeans embark on a summer adventure none of them will forget.

Plot Summary
For the first time since their birth, four best friends: Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen are spending the summer apart. Carmen, half Puerto Rican, buys a pair of jeans from a thrift store on a whim. Somehow, magically the jeans fit each girl although they have very different figures. Together they decide that the pants must have some kind of good mojo, so they create The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Each girl will wear the pants for a week before forwarding them to the next friend. Lena travels to Greece to visit her Grandparents. Bridget travels to Baja California to attend soccer camp. Carmen goes to visit her Dad in South Carolina. Tibby is the only girl staying home because she has a job at Wallman’s. Each of the girls faces a crisis that they must cope with alone. For each of them the Traveling Pants is the linking force in their friendship as they learn about love, family, and death.

Critical Evaluation
Brashares does a very complicated thing and makes it look easy. She takes four characters, gives them individual voices, and places in a story that manages to remain contiguous, easily read, and enjoyable. Brashares uses the epistolary format for part of the novel. Each girl has a set of troubles that she must learn to overcome. Lena must deal with the fallout from a misinterpreted situation with the boy Kostos. Bridget (Bee) has her first sexual encounter with a camp counselor. Carmen discovers her Dad is getting married again and will have a second family. Tibby befriends a little girl dying from leukemia. Although Brashares is dealing with big life changing subjects she is not heavy handed. The book is a little gem that I would recommend to any student.

Information about the author
Brashares is the author the the “Sisterhood” series of books. She also has a website that is connected to her blog. However her biography hasn’t been updated since 2008. You can find out more about http://annbrashares.com/

Genre
Fiction, epistolary novel

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Underage sex

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Sisterhood-Traveling-Pants-Book/dp/0553494791/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260311481&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Talk about how Carmen finds the pants and they fit all the girls.
2. Discuss the characters individual issues, for example: Lena and Costos.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 13 and up.

Why I included this title
This book is on the 2001 Best Books for Young Adults list.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Marr, Melissa. Wicked Lovely.
HarperTeen. 2007.
ISBN: 9780061214677
$8.99. Paperback. 352 pages.

Readers Annotation
Aislinn has always been able to see faeries, and now they taking notice of her.

Plot Summary
Aislinn, a seventeen-year-old Catholic schoolgirl has always been able to see faeries. Her grandmother has warned her to be careful not to acknowledge their presence or the consequences will be dire. Everything is fine until she catches the eye of the faery Summer King, Keenan. As he begins a game of seduction to lure Aislinn into becoming his Summer Queen, the Winter Queen (his mother ) plots to stop him. While the Winter Queen rules faery, winter continues to become longer and colder. The coming of the Summer Queen is destined to restore order to faery. Aislinn’s best friend Seth worries that he will lose her to Keenan. His fears are justified when Aislinn drinks the summer wine and dances in faery all night. Aislinn doesn’t know that the transformation to become the Summer Queen is already taking place. When she discovers that she is changing she runs to her safe harbor – Seth’s boxcar home. There she realizes that it is Seth’s love she craves and not Keenan’s. To save faery she agrees to become the Summer Queen in name only so that she and Seth can remain together as lovers.  This is book one of series.

Critical Evaluation
Marr’s novel is in keeping with the current trend of urban faery stories. Like Holly Black, Marr has created a faery world that exists side-by-side with our own. In both world’s there are only a few that have the gift of sight, and for them the world is far more dangerous place. However, Marr’s novel is not as gritty as the books by Black. While Wicked Lovely has some interesting difference, like Aislinn’s ability to choose which world she will inhabit, it lacks the danger prevalent in Black’s work. Marr tells us that faery is dangerous, but Black shows us it really is. Marr practically skips over the politics of the faery court. Instead, her story is more focused on the relationship between the Summer and Winter courts as parent and child. Marr’s story rambles around a bit, and seems a bit long. After reading both novels I think I could recommend both but for different reasons. If want more drama and violence you should read Holly Black’s Tithe, but if you want a love story, you should read Wicked Lovely.

Information about the author
At this writing Marr’s website is under reconstruction. Some pages are accessible but the home page is not. Instead you can look here for information about Melissa: http://www.harperteen.com/contests/wickedlovely/

Genre
Fantasy, Urban faery mythology

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Sexual situations

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_4_13?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=wicked+lovely+by+melissa+marr&sprefix=wicked+lovely
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss how Aislinn can see faeries.
2. Discuss her relationships with Keenan and Set.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult, ages 15 and up.

Why I included this title
The book was recommended at Hickelbee’s books, and I enjoy the genre.