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Book Review: Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Brooklyn high school student Ari Mitchell has always lived in the shadows of both her sister and her best friend. But when she gets a chance to attend an elite private school, she makes friends with Leigh, who’s artsy, rich, and sees Ari for who she really is. Leigh introduces Ari to a world of privilege and to her gorgeous college-aged cousin, Blake. As Ari spends more and more time with Blake, she begins to distance herself from her friends and the high expectations of her family.
I was drawn to this debut novel by the beautiful cover and the promise of a 1980s setting, but ended up disappointed. There was just too much going on in the plot, but at the same time it felt like not much happened at all. Plus, the summary gives away a plot point that doesn’t happen until about three quarters of the way into the book! Though it is ostensibly set in the 80s, it felt like an afterthought that had no bearing on what happened to the characters. Certainly some readers will enjoy the romance, the friendships, and the family drama depicted in this story, but they have to be patient and willing to look past its shortcomings.
Other Words for Love was released on January 11, 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers. Find on Amazon, in a library, or add to Goodreads.
Want another opinion? Check out other reviews at Frenetic Reader, Steph Su Reads, and Spine Label.
Reviewed from an ARC received from the publisher at ALA Midwinter.
April 19th, 2011 ♥ Books, Reviews ♥ No Comments »
Little Red Riding Hood: Book and Movie Adaptations
With this week’s release of the film Red Riding Hood, a post on literary and film adaptations of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale with teen appeal seemed apt. Coming from oral stories told as early as the 14th century, most modern day retellings are based on the written versions popularized by Charles Perrault in 17th century France and the Grimm Brothers in 19th century Germany. The tale centers on a young girl donning a red cape who must venture into the woods to deliver food to her sick grandmother. A predatory wolf discovers her destination, beats her there, eats the grandmother, and lies in wait for Little Red Riding Hood to arrive. In most versions, the wolf then swallows her whole. A hunter arrives to save her and the grandmother by cutting them out of the wolf’s stomach and then filling him with stones, to his death. Little Red Riding Hood learns to never again take the shortcut through the woods and they all lived happily ever after. Modern-day adaptations and retellings relish in subverting fairy tale tropes and calling out their inherent sexism and didacticism.
Red Riding Hood, starring Amanda Seyfried and helmed by Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, combines elements of the traditional tale with the increasingly trendy werewolf mythology. Seyfried’s Valerie had planned to run away with the town woodcutter to escape an arranged marriage, but her plans are cut short when her sister is killed by a werewolf. While her town is ravaged by the threat, Valerie learns she has a unique connection to the wolf that makes her both the target of suspicion from the town and from the wolf himself. The movie opens on nearly 3,000 screens Friday, March 11.
Sarah Blakley-Cartwright and the film’s screenwriter, David Leslie Johnson, wrote a novelization of the movie that is available now, though apparently the final chapter will only be available online after the film’s release. Check out a review over at The Compulsive Reader.
(Poppy, 2011; 329 p.)
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce tells the story of two sisters, Scarlett and Rose, who hunt down the wolves that killed their grandmother, attacked Scarlett, and continue to prey on young girls, with the help of red cloaks and Silas, the woodsman’s son. Check out reviews at Galleysmith, Steph Su Reads, and Abby the Librarian.
(Little, Brown, 2010; 336 p.)
Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde comprises eight wry versions of the tale, sending up and twisting many fairy tale conventions.
(Marshall Cavendish Children, 2010; 128 p.)
In Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguie, Ruth tends to her grandmother, banished to the woods for her supposed witchcraft. It is during this time that she encounters the mysterious William, a noble with cursed wolf blood running through his veins, and must confront her feelings for him.
(Simon Pulse, 2004; 157 p.)
The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block, a collection of nine fairy tale retellings, includes “Wolf,” an interpretation of the Little Red Riding Hood story. Kirkus Reviews called “Wolf” a “harrowing tale of incest and sorrow.”
(HarperCollins, 2000; 229 p.)
Little Miss Red by Robin Palmer is a contemporary romance that follows Sophie as she travels to her grandmother’s house in Florida. On her way there, she meets bad-boy Jack, who seems much more appealing than her predictably boyfriend of three years.
(Speak, 2009; 288 p.)
Red Rider’s Hood by Neal Shusterman gives us a male perspective on the tale. Red Rider visits his grandmother in his red mustang, only to discover she is a wolf-hunter being terrorized by a gang of werewolves. Red joins the gang as a spy at first, but finds his loyalties shifting.
(Dutton Children’s Books, 2005; 181 p.)
Are you intrigued by the upcoming movie adaptation? Do you have any favorite interpretations of the story? Let us know in the comments!
March 9th, 2011 ♥ Books, Movies ♥ 1 Comment »
Book Review: The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta
Thomas Mackee wakes up in the hospital, realizing that he’s wasted away the past few years after his favorite uncle died and that he may be headed down the same path as his alcoholic father. With no other options, he moves in with his pregnant aunt, Georgie, gets a grunt job at a pub with old friends, and tries to make sense of his failed, not-quite-relationship with Tara Finke. In this companion novel to Saving Francesca, readers get to reconnect with some of their favorite characters and meet some engaging new ones, all of whom come together to help Thomas deal with the tragedies, both big and small, in his life.
Melina Marchetta’s fluid, natural writing style brings her characters to life in a way that feels like you’ve known them forever. Though Thomas feels alone, he’s surrounded by a rich cast of characters, all with their own quirks, that gives the book a sense of intimacy. The interactions between the younger characters were particularly entertaining and will definitely appeal most to teen readers. Thomas is certainly the focus of the book, but his 40-something aunt Georgie gets nearly equal prominence. Her pregnancy and more complex relationship problems were compelling for me, but may put off younger readers looking for a true YA book. And while this does stand alone from Saving Francesca, it may be a harder sell for those who haven’t read it. Some elements of the story, especially the Thomas-Francesca-Will relationship, are richer knowing their history. Overall, this is a story about family, community, grief, healing, and reconciliation that will resonate with many readers, though it may have some difficulty finding them.
The Piper’s Son will be released on March 8, 2011 from Candlewick. Find on Amazon or add to Goodreads.
Reviewed from an ARC received from the publisher at ALA Midwinter.
February 16th, 2011 ♥ Books, Reviews ♥ No Comments »
Book Review: Jenna and Jonah’s Fauxmance by Brendan Halpin and Emily Franklin
Jenna and Jonah’s Fauxmance offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of two insanely popular teen TV stars — Charlie and Fielding — who have been acting out a romance both on and off screen for the last four years. When their off-screen relationship is revealed as a front, the news throws both their careers and futures into a tailspin and forces the pair to figure out if there’s any truth in their relationship at all.
This sweet, fun novel that will be sure to delight fans of shows like iCarly and Hannah Montana and their respective stars. It offers a bit of voyeurism into the star-studded lifestyle, while also showing that they’re just like real teens. It’s told through the alternating viewpoints of the main characters, so the reader gets some insight into both, and while the final conclusion is pretty inevitable, there’s still enough of that will they or won’t they tension to keep the reader interested. The story also takes an interesting turn about halfway through as the two perform in a summer Shakespeare festival and introduces some heavy Much Ado About Nothing references that might scare away more reluctant readers. Ultimately, though, it serves as an effective environment for them to explore themselves and their relationship with each other. This is a great option for tween and younger teen readers or anyone looking for an easy-to-read romance with a bit of Hollywood flair.
Jenna and Jonah’s Fauxmance was released on February 1, 2011 from Walker Books for Young Readers. Find on Amazon, in a library, or add to Goodreads.
Reviewed from an ARC received from the publisher at ALA Midwinter.
February 9th, 2011 ♥ Books, Reviews ♥ No Comments »
Book Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
In the sequel to 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Ginny returns to Europe to complete the quest left for her by her late aunt, this time with help from the guy she has a crush on, Keith, his new girlfriend, Ellis, and the mysterious and brooding Oliver, who found the last little blue envelope.
It’s a treat to return to these characters, especially Ginny, who’s a little bit wiser this time around, and Aunt Peg, whose final letter provides an epic quest and a bit of soul-searching for Ginny and her friends. Johnson’s treatment of place is captivating and transports the reader to an enchanting European winter. The group’s often-hilarious adventures make the story move along quickly, but still allow plenty of time for Ginny to both grieve and celebrate her aunt’s life. Overall, this is a delightful and satisfying end to the journey started in 13 Little Blue Envelopes.
The Last Little Blue Envelope will be released on April 26, 2011 from HarperTeen. Find on Amazon or add to Goodreads.
Reviewed from an ARC received from the publisher at ALA Midwinter.
February 1st, 2011 ♥ Books, Reviews ♥ No Comments »
Resource Spotlight: NetGalley
NetGalley is a free service that provides electronic versions of galleys (aka ARCs) to librarians, educators, book reviewers, and bloggers. After registering for an account — be sure to specify your role and fill out your bio — it’s easy to browse the catalog of available books. For most books, you need to request the digital copy from the publisher. It can take a couple days to get approved, but in general the requests get processed quickly. Once you’re approved you can download the galley! Viewing requires Adobe Digital Editions and an Adobe account. I’ve read copies on my laptop and through the BlueFire app on my iPhone. The files are also compatible with the Nook, the Sony Reader, and the Kobo Reader. Not all publishers are involved yet and not all of a publisher’s titles are usually available. Right now there are about 100 titles in the Teens and YA category, with representation by publishers like Harlequin, Lerner, Abrams, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and HarperCollins. This is a great way to preview books, especially if you aren’t able to attend the big conferences to pick up hard-copy ARCs and talk to publishers.
January 27th, 2011 ♥ Books, Resource Spotlight ♥ No Comments »
Review: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
On their way to compete in the Miss Teen Dream pageant, a plane full of teen beauty queens crashes on a desert island. The diverse group of survivors bands together despite their fierce competitiveness and makes do by pooling their skills and re-purposing evening gowns, hair dryers, and other beauty supplies into survival equipment. In the midst of some intense female bonding, the girls begin to suspect that they aren’t alone on the island. Throw in an evil corporation, a Sarah Palin-esque pageant director-cum-villain, a whack-a-doodle dictator, and a group of sexy, reality-show pirates, and you’ve got an island adventure like no other.
Libba Bray’s latest takes a wacky plot set-up and somehow makes it even more ridiculous in the best possible way. A biting satire of our consumption-driven, beauty-obsessed, reality-show-infatuated culture, this is also a straight-up adventure story with strong female leads who realize that they have more to offer than pretty faces and perfectly groomed resumes, that they can be friends despite their differences, and that sexuality is not something to be ashamed of. Bray takes different female stereotypes, pushes them to their extremes, and then subverts them all while keeping the plot rolling along. This book is so over-the-top that it may alienate more close-minded readers, but there’s enough entertainment here for girls (and boys) of all different reading tastes to like.
Beauty Queens will be released on May 24, 2011 from Scholastic Press. Find on Amazon or add to Goodreads.
Reviewed from an ARC received from the publisher at ALA Midwinter.
January 24th, 2011 ♥ Books, Reviews ♥ No Comments »
Movies Based on Books: Winter 2011
(1. From Prada to Nada 2. The Eagle 3. I Am Number Four 4. Beastly 5. Jane Eyre 6. Red Riding Hood 7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules 8. Miral 9. Water for Elephants)
January 14
Barney’s Version
Starring Paul Giamatti
Based on the novel by Mordecai Richler
January 21
The Way Back
Starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris and Colin Farrell
Inspired by The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz
January 28
The Rite
Starring Anthony Hopkins
Based on Matt Baglio’s The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist
From Prada to Nada
Starring Camilla Belle and Alexa Vega
Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
February 11
Gnomeo and Juliet
Animated film with the voices of James McAvoy, Emily Blunt and Maggie Smith
Based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
The Eagle
Starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell and Donald Sutherland
Based on The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
February 18
I Am Number Four
Starring Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron
Based on the book by Pittacus Lore (aka Jobie Hughes and James Frey)
Unknown
Starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger and January Jones
Based on Out of My Head by Didier Van Cauwelaert
March 4
Beastly
Starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer
Based on the novel by Alex Flinn
The Adjustment Bureau
Starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt
Based on the short story “Adjustment Team” by Philip K. Dick
March 11
Jane Eyre
Starring Mia Wasikowska
Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte
Red Riding Hood
Starring Amanda Seyfried and directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight)
loosely based on the folk tale Little Red Riding Hood
A novelization of the film by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright and David Leslie Johnson is available now
Mars Needs Moms
Animated featuring the voices of Seth Green, Joan Cusack and Dan Fogler
Based on the book by Berkeley Breathed
Kill the Irishman
Based on To Kill the Irishman by Rick Porrello
March 18
Limitless
Starring Bradley Cooper, Anna Friel and Abbie Cornish
Based on the novel by Alan Glynn
The Lincoln Lawyer
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillippe
Based on the novel by Michael Connelly
March 25
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules
Based on Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney
Miral
Starring Freida Pinto
Based on the novel by Rula Jebreal
April 15
Soul Surfer
Starring AnnaSophia Robb
Based on the memoir Soul surfer: a true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board by Bethany Hamilton
April 22
Water for Elephants
Starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz
Based on the novel by Sara Gruen
April 29
What’s Your Number?
Starring Anna Faris, Chris Pratt and Chris Evans
Based on the novel 20 Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak
January 20th, 2011 ♥ Books, Movies ♥ 1 Comment »
Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie
In a society where everything is chosen for you — what you can read, your occupation, and your spouse — Cassia begins to question these decisions when the screen containing her match malfunctions. After showing Xander, her longtime friend anyone would be happy to be paired with, the screen flickers and displays the face of Ky, the mysterious boy who moved to her town from the outer provinces. This anomaly in the otherwise perfect society leads Cassia to question other aspects of her world, but her realizations may come too late to save the ones she loves.
This book is a compelling entry in the rapidly growing genre of dystopian YA fiction, but it lacks that certain something that makes it stand out from the rest. For me, Cassia was weak and complacent. Things happened to her and around her, but her conviction to do anything didn’t manifest until near the end of the book and was almost purely based on her feelings for a boy. The worldbuilding left a lot of details unexplained and left some major revelations until the end. This makes some sense as the story is told from a sheltered viewpoint, but it was hard to really connect with these characters’ universe. Things really picked up at the end, thought, and perfectly set up a course of action for the second book in the eventual trilogy.
Find in a library, on Amazon, or add to Goodreads.
Reviewed from a library copy.
January 19th, 2011 ♥ Books, Reviews ♥ No Comments »
2010 in Books
So, I can’t believe we’re already 17 days into 2011! Still, I wanted to recap my reading from 2010, so here goes. Last year, I was amazed by reading other book bloggers’ accounts of the number of books they read in a year. With my paltry 59 books read in 2009, I made a goal to read at least 100 in 2010. I’m thrilled to report I achieved that goal and then some! I actually doubled my books read in a year. In general, I read a lot of 2010 releases because of the ARCs I picked up at ALA Midwinter, read a number of YA classics for my YA through the decades challenge, and read quite a few adult books for my local book club.
Total books read: 121
YA books read: 84
Adult books read: 21
Graphic novels and comics read: 8
Audiobooks listened to: 6
Children’s chapter books read: 10
Average Rating: 3.4/5 stars
Favorite 2010 YA Releases:
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June by Robin Benway
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar
Sorta Like A Rock Star by Matthew Quick
Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve
Non-2010 YA Books That I Loved:
If You Come Softly by Jaqueline Woodson
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
(To see all the books I read in 2010 including ratings, visit my LibraryThing page.)
For 2011, I hope to read about 150 books. I’ll again have a lot of new releases to read from midwinter, plus I want to go back and read the Printz and Cybils books that I didn’t get a chance to read in 2010. I’m also working through Fuse #8′s top 100 children’s novels to deepen my knowledge of kid’s lit and have quite a few older adult books sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read!
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