Desert Crossing

Desert CrossingBy: Elise Broach
*Most appropriate for mature strong 7th grade readers and grades 8 +

Fourteen year old Lucy, her eighteen year old brother Jamie and his friend Kit are driving from Kansas to Phoenix to spend time with the father for Spring Break when an unexpected bump in the road takes a grisly turn for the worse.

While driving through a blinding rainstorm in the New Mexico desert the three teens hit something in the road. After turning back to investigate what they think was a coyote they are sickened to find a teen aged girl dead on the side of the road. They reach out to the nearest neighbor, Beth, a thirty-something artist that lives alone to help them contact the authorities. As the investigation progresses Jamie is riddled with guilt that he caused the girl’s death and finds comfort in the arms of Beth and the two begin a May-December romance. The three teens are eventually cleared of any wrong doing but because of Jamie’s new found feelings for Beth they decide to stay a little longer. While Jamie and Beth are occupied with their new found affair, Lucy is determined to solve the crime and find the girls murderer. As she and Kit begin a love/hate flirtation she persuades him to help her investigate the death of the girl on their own.

The encompassing mystery is full of suspense and is a real page turner. I did feel that the relationship between Jamie and Beth was a little quick moving for the feelings they claimed to have developed for one another. I was also a little irritated at the on again/off again love/hate flirtation between Lucy and Kit but I secretly hoped that he would redeem himself and they would end up together. While the two developing relationships were subplots to the mystery they were very insightful as to the things we do and the people we turn to in times of stress, grief, and fear. Overall this was a great read for young adults.

Eleven Birthdays

Eleven Birthdays
By: Wendy Mass

Since the day they were born Amanda and Leo have been best friends. After celebrating their birthday together every year for nine years the two have a falling out right before their tenth birthday party. They haven’t spoken for a year and their eleventh birthday is drawing near. What they don’t know is that they are destined to repeat their eleventh birthday over and over again until they can make things right.

Amanda and Leo’s parents meet at the birthing center the day both kids are born and think they will never see one another again. Under strange circumstances a year later they both end up at the same party place. The two babies meet and become fast friends. They spend every year celebrating their birthday together until their tenth birthday when Amanda is hurt by Leo. They stop speaking for an entire year and as their eleventh birthday approaches they begin wondering what it will be like to spend the first birthday apart from one another. When her dreaded day has finally ended Amanda is glad to go to bed only to wake up the next day to find it is her birthday all over again. She continues to wake to the same day until she realizes that the cycle won’t end unless she and Leo make things right again. This is a cute story that is reminiscent in plot to the movie Groundhogs Day but geared towards pre-teens/young adults. I especially enjoyed Amanda’s voice as she tried to rectify her wrongs only to find that what she thought she needed fixing wasn’t really what was wrong at all.

The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys

By: Lois Lowry

The Willoughbys is a hilarious parody of themes found in classic literature centering around four precocious children that are determined to become “deserving orphans” after their horrible parents (who are as equally ready to rid themselves of the children) set out for a dangerous around-the-world adventure, leaving the children in the care of a nanny.

Timothy, the twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B (because coming up with more than one name was too much work for the parents) and little Jane spend many hours reading “old fashion stories” such as The Secret Garden, Mary Poppins, and Huck Finn where they find themselves obsessed with the thought of being orphans. Tim takes charge over the children making them play silly games he invents with rules he creates. When they find a baby on their doorstep and their mother simply won’t let them keep such a “beastly” thing they leave her on the doorstep at the home of a rich, old depressed man with a note that all rewards should be sent to them. They then hatch a plan to rid themselves of their parents so that they can become orphans. At the same time the parents hatch a plan to rid themselves of the children leaving them in the care of a nanny. Once the nanny arrives and takes charge the children bond with her and they eventually find the home they always wanted just like in the “old-fashioned stories”.

While this book is very unlike any of Lois Lowry’s other books (and honestly that is part of the intrigue and appeal) this is one of the cleverest books I have read in awhile. It is very funny; quick paced, and has hilarious dialogue. It also holds a large vocabulary (complete with ‘glossary’ in the back) as well as a witty ‘bibliography’ of the classic literature (“old fashion stories”) it is constantly referring to.

The Tale of Despereaux - the movie

The book was a wonderful intertwining of four key story lines: Princess Pea and her overwhelming sadness, Roscuro the rat born into darkness, Miggery Sow the peasant girl that wanted to be a princess and Despereaux, the mouse born to be brave. I had high hopes that the movie adaptation would stay true to the story and build the four story lines until they would inevitably be linked within one another. I was pleasantly surprised that the movie adaptation stayed pretty true to the book.

The King and the Princess Pea were every bit as sad and pathetic in the movie as they were in the book and Despereaux was just as adorable as we imagined him being. I was also very happy to see that they did have a narrator in the movie as the voice of the narrator played such a big part in the book.

A few key points which were changed in the movie version that did the plot a disservice were:

Roscuro the RatBook version: Roscuro was born in the dungeon and craved light because it was something he never had. He was jealous of anything or anyone that was able to leave the dungeon. It was that jealousy and coveting that led to his hate and bitterness and ultimately the decision to harm the Princess Pea. He was an utterly unredeemable character throughout the entire book until the very end when the Princess Pea forgave him. It was only after she offered her forgiveness that Roscuro repented and then shared his knowledge about Miggery Sow and the prisoner.

Movie version: Roscuro was a ship rat that was accidentally left ashore and through a series of unfortunate events he came to live in the dungeon. He began as a good character but after being imprisoned in the dungeon he turned bitter and was led astray by an evil rat leader therefore he was viewed as a redeemable character. He was redeemed in the end and found his way back to a ship. The entrance and exit of the movie centered on Roscuro which was misleading because he certainly wasn’t the lead or main character.

Miggery Sow:
Book version: Miggery was born into a loving family and was only given away at the age of six after her father could no longer care for her. She was then later traded at the age of twelve and taken to the kingdom to become a servant. She was inherently unintelligent and therefore received a number of clouts to the ear by the family raising her which was ultimately what led to her ear deformity and deafness. This was a key point to her story because it was her belief that she was unloved by her birth family and unloved and abused by her adoptive family that led to her sadness, despair, and desire to be someone else. Miggery’s father was also revealed to be the prisoner that shared his sins with Roscuro.

Movie version: Miggery wasn’t as big of a character in the movie as she was in the book. The movie left out the clouting and abuse she received which was understandable since it was an animated children’s movie. Additionally, Miggery’s father was revealed to be Gregory the prison guard which was a plot change that made little or no sense, to me at least.

Lastly, the introduction of the imaginary friend (or as I call him “Vegetable man”) of the chef (who was a female and referred to as “cook” in the book version) was a completely mute point that had no relevance to story, character, theme, or plot. I have been told that the “vegetable man” is in the graphic novel version of The Tale of Despereaux but that was one change that should have been left out of the movie version. I will say, however, that the rats jumping up and trying eat away at the “vegetable man” served as a source of great humor for every three and four year old boy in the theater.

I really enjoyed this movie and felt that it adapted well to the screen. Overall, the screen adaptation stayed pretty true to the book and I was happy with the film.

The Poison Apples

The Poison ApplesBy: Lily Archer

When three teens from very different backgrounds find themselves at a boarding school they discover a common bond (hating their new stepmothers) and decide to form a club to plot revenge against the women they believe have ruined their lives.

The majority of the book is about each girl’s respective background, how they each ended up at the Massachusetts boarding school, and how they came to be friends. While each girl’s story is vastly different they are completely believable (with the exception of the penguin...read it and you will see what I am referring to) and certainly every girl will find some aspect of one of the characters to identify with. However, once they have formed their club, “The Poison Apples”, and begin to plot their revenge against their wicked step-mothers the book loses some of its momentum. As much as these girls detail their intense despise of their evil step-mothers I was expecting (and quite honestly hoping for) some hilarious escapades as they enacted revenge…but that didn’t happen. I won’t spoil the ending but it certainly wasn’t the ending I was hoping for.

While I wouldn’t give it any awards or put it on a recommended reading list, overall it is a cute read perfect for a “chick lit” list and girls will surely overlook the lack of actual revenge and focus on the girl’s relationships as they mature and come to terms with their family as it is.

Found

FoundBook One in the series The Missing
By Margaret Peterson Haddix

Thirteen years ago a plane mysteriously appeared out of nowhere at an airport. The plane while completely unattended was filled with babies. Just as mysteriously as it appeared it disappeared. There were no news crews, no reporters, and only one person willing to admit what she saw. Thirteen years later, after finding out that they were both adopted as infants, Jonah and his friend Chip begin receiving mysterious letters with cryptic messages such as “You are one of the missing.” Along with Jonah’s sister, the three teens set off to find out about their mysterious past unraveling a series of events they could have never imagined.

This book is a real page turner! I read it in just over a 24 hour period because I could not put it down. It is the first in a new series by Haddix that is sure to be as popular as her The Shadow Children series. It has mystery, twist & turns you don’t expect and a cliff hanger ending that will leave you anxious for the next book in the series, Sent, coming to book shelves everywhere 2009.

Visit the author’s official page to learn more about her books. http://www.haddixbooks.com/home.html

Marley & Me

This review actually covers two versions of the book:

Marley & MeBy John Grogan

(ages 13+)
*Contains some mild objectionable material. Some mild language and discussion of topics related to family planning/sex (nothing graphic or detailed) and neighborhood crime including indecent behavior. Overall, the little objectionable material is nothing to be overly concerned about for 7th grade and up.

And

Marley: A Dog Like No OtherBy John Grogan
An adaptation of Marley & Me for all ages; mostly geared toward ages 8-12

Written as a personal memoir, John and Jenny, a newlywed couple living in the tropics of Florida, decide to extend their family by getting a pet. With very little research and planning they come home with their new bundle of joy, a yellow lab, they affectionately name Marley after the reggae musician Bob Marley. After getting kicked out of obedience school and eating virtually anything he can fit in his mouth, Marley is dubbed “the world’s worst dog”. His owners continue to look past Marley’s bad habits and incorrigible ways to see his loving demeanor, gentle nature, and loyalty. They love him unconditionally as a member of the family and look back on the life lessons learned during the thirteen years Marley was their cherished family pet.

As an avid animal lover, I just finished reading this book in anticipation of the upcoming Christmas Day release of the major motion picture. I laughed whole-heartedly throughout the entire book and cried my eyes out throughout the last chapters. In fact, I still get a little teary eyed thinking about it or speaking about it. Much like the couple in the book, my husband and I extended our family soon after marriage by purchasing a few little fur balls of dachshunds affectionately known and Chloe and Norman. They have been with us 16 years now and with the exception of a few additions along the way they are the only pets my children have ever known. While they certainly didn’t get into as much mischief as Marley in their younger days they certainly have been every bit as loving and loyal. Reading this book made me reflect on their lives and ours and how we have both changed so much over the last sixteen years. I have spent many days believing I was prepared to let my dogs go when the time came and the book served as a good reminder to our family that while our dachshunds are no longer able to run, fetch, and wrestle we should take every measure to continue to pamper them and make their last days filled with the same love and devotion that they have given us for so many years.

Anyone that is an animal lover and dog owner will enjoy this book. It is an openly candid look at the evolution of a couple’s life as earmarked by the major events in a marriage and mostly by the crazy antics of their loyal family fur ball, Marley. Marley, in his own rambunctious way, teaches the family about patience, living without inhibitions, and unconditional love.

Twilight ~ the movie

I have chewed and digested this movie for several weeks now. It was good, but wasn’t great…and certainly not as good as the book. To me, the movie had a feel of an “indy” (independently made movie). I wanted to love it. I wanted to be so awed that I couldn’t speak. Don’t get my wrong…I gasped when Edward entered the cafeteria. I sighed when they finally kissed and squealed when I first saw Jacob. I wanted more and ultimately, I left feeling very unsatisfied which, truth be told, is typically part of my nature. (or so I have been told).

Let’s call my critique: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Let’s start with the bad and the ugly.

I felt the movie moved too fast, especially the relationship between Bella and Edward. I wanted to watch them fall in love. I wanted to see her persistence and Edward giving in to his feelings despite himself.

I was irritated that they used film time to add superfluous characters and added the killings by the rogue vampires just to add heightened drama. It was pointless to the story; nothing to do with the plot.

The fact that they depicted Edward "flying" when really he could only run very fast (not fly or climb trees) was ridiculous; and the effects, for that matter, did not seem very ‘large budget’.

I hated that they took the meadow scene and had it following Edward and Bella arguing and Edward upset...when in the book it is a very touching scene where they realize they love each other and he takes her to the meadow on a date, their first real date, to reveal himself. (Not to mention he sparkled in the book much more brilliantly than in the movie.)

Bella continually insists that she isn’t scared but is in awe and very intrigued by the Cullens; but throughout the movie she did seem scared, in pain, and very jittery. The fact that she spoke almost entirely in incomplete sentences drove me insane! It was as if her thoughts were incomplete but while her character might have been very clumsy in body but she was very certain in mind of what she felt, thought, and wanted.

There was never a mention of the Volturi or the Denail Clan throughout the entire film.

Several important plot points that were left out of the film:

They left out Bella's dream about her grandmother which was important since her "realization" that she would grow old while Edward wouldn't was the real reason she pushed for someone to change her...and she was pretty pushy about that being done throughout the end of the book...which in the movie she mentions ONCE.

They didn't show the biology lab about blood typing where Bella faints...and the whole irony of her being 'sick at the sight and smell of blood' but in love with a vampire is kind of humorous not to mention a great example of foreshadowing for what comes in the other books.

I hated that they left out her birthday party and the paper cut. The paper cut was the whole reason Edward left in New Moon; therefore leaving the door wide open for the budding relationship between Bella and Jacob. Following the ending in the book would have been a much better and more accurate ending than seeing Victoria at prom.

I was very upset that there was no mention of the tour of Carlisle’s office, his family cross (again, great example of irony), and his history of becoming a vampire. That point is important to the plot because it was that reason they were 'vegetarian' to begin with.
There was no mention of Alice's history and lack of memory regarding her life…especially since it was James' doing to begin with and one of the reasons he felt his killing of Bella was poetic justice.

There was not much chemistry between Alice & Bella and the film did not allow that bond to blossom.

One of the funniest parts of the book is when Edward & Bella are in his room and Alice & Jasper come in and Alice says something like, “It sounded like you were having Bella for a snack and we wanted to see if you would share!” That wit is what made us all fall in love with the Cullen/Hale family and we didn’t see much, if any, of that in the film.

The initial meeting of Bella and Jacob was to take place at the bonfire on the beach and his telling her the "scary story" made more sense at night than them surfing during the day. (I'm being picky, I know.)

The time spent in the hotel and her 'escaping' from the airport was cut to minutes instead of lengthened to create the nerve wracking waiting and intensity that actually took place.
The character of Jasper all together was totally “Edward Scissorhands-esque” in the film...Hello?? Did he have more than 3 lines in the movie??

The fact that Bella was in her underwear when they kissed in her bedroom really annoyed me because she was much more reserved in her appearance, lacked the confidence it would take to kiss someone (for the first time) while wearing your undergarments, and I believe their first kiss was in a car.

They left out the whole spring dance and went straight to prom then left out the humor of Edward causing the traffic jam so Tyler could ask her to prom and then the real humor of Tyler showing up to pick her up for prom.

Okay, finally the good.

Here is what I loved:

The soundtrack. I will admit that I listened to many songs before the movie and already loved the fact that Rob Pattinson sang two songs on the soundtrack.

Charlie (I didn't think I would like the actor that played him but I loved him!)

Emmett (He was fabulous and just spot on with that character!)

Edward (of course, he certainly has that sad brooding down PAT and he is so hot especially when he smiles...holy cow.)

Carlisle (Good call on casting, appeared about 10 years older than in the book which was more believable so I didn’t mind that change.)

The supporting cast (all the kids from school were hilarious!)

James (He was spot on...hot, sexy, and scary as all get out!)

Jacob. I just love Jacob...love, love, love me some Jacob. I can't wait to watch his character grow and evolve and hopefully they will stay true to his character. I did, for some reason, imagine him with short hair and still very boyish looking in Twilight, then becoming manlier with longer, wilder hair in New Moon.

I guess I am a purist and want it to follow the book exactly. The book read well enough alone that it should have just been transferred to the screen. No need to change, add or delete anything. In the end, this saga works because of the nuances within all the relationships so I hope the films for New Moon and Eclipse are longer so they can stay true to the plot, story line, relationships, and details.

Twilight

Twilight

by: Stephenie Meyer

In case you have been hiding under a rock and haven’t heard the buzz about Twilight let me bring you up to speed. First off, the movie version debuts at midnight tonight and the hard core fans will surely be lined up well before the midnight hour; myself included. The soundtrack debuted at the top of Billboard this week which is unheard of for a soundtrack of a movie that hasn’t even been released yet! I have a feeling the cast of the movie, especially that of Rob Pattinson (Edward) is about to be thrust into mega-stardom. A brooding actor and musician, he was the perfect pick (in my opinion) to play Edward Cullen. In fact, a little trivia on Mr. Pattinson…he wrote and sang two of the songs on the soundtrack. He wrote his own version of “Bella’s lullaby” and while the original composition was selected for the movie, he does play the lullaby himself in the film. You can also watch (fairly bad quality) videos of him singing his own tunes in several LA bars on www.youtube.com. He has a sound much like a mixture between Joe Cocker/Bob Segar/Bob Dylan. It is a very strange combination coming from such a pretty British lad.
Secondly, if you haven’t read this book don’t even bother trying to check it out at your local library…the current hold queue is over 300 and counting. Do yourself a favor and just go buy a paperback copy, sit back, and give this saga a read. It is well worth the money in entertainment value as well as the “cool” points you will surely earn by being able to discuss this with anyone over the age of 11. I have been book talking this book for well over two years now and slowly but surely I am seeing a following that I haven’t seen since the likes of Harry Potter. And yes, if the movie does the book any justice at all…it will be that big, I have no doubt.
Lastly, the great thing about this book is that is has so many components combined: romance, action, vampires, and even some witty humor. While there are some characters that are introduced and not very well developed, you will spend more than half the book screaming, “JUST BITE HER ALREADY!”, and the ending leaves you wanting more, in truth, it is simply setting the stage for the future books in the saga. It is a very easy read, will capture your attention from the prologue, and has left young girls everywhere saying, “To heck with Prince Charming…I am waiting on my Edward Cullen!”