Bibliography:Weisberger, L. (2006) The Devil Wears Prada. New York, NY:Anchor.
Genre:Chick-Lit--Adult Crossover
Reading Level/Interest Age:16+yrs
Reader's Annotation:Andrea's new job as assistant to the editor of Runway magazine is much than she hoped for--if she can survive the first week!
Author:Lauren Weisberger has written several contributions to the adult chick-lit genre, including Chasing Harry Winston and Everyone Worth Knowing. This novel was recently made into a film starring Meryl Streep.
Plot Summary:Andrea's first job after college is working as Assistant to one of the fashion world's most famous and most notorious members, the Editor of Runway magazine, Miranda Priestly. Although she had been told to expect a rough first day, Andrea has no idea the extent of Miranda's wickedness. She keeps Andrea at her beck and call, twenty-four hours a day. Andrea learns to deal with the hectic workdays, and she even learns more about fashion. When her job at Runway starts to interfere with her relationships, Andrea wonders what happened to her priorities.
Critical Evaluation:This novel was somewhat enjoyable. I do not have much symphathy for the narrator. She does not have to put up with Miranda; I found myself hoping that she would quit. The unbelievably impossible things that Miranda forced her to do seem ridiculous. I wondered why anyone would put up with it. Andrea feels the same way, but she hangs onto the promise that Miranda will help her get her dream job ( writing for the New Yorker), if she stays with her for one year. I was disappointed in Andrea. She had just graduated from Brown University--no small accomplishment! She should not have sunk to the level of Miranda's assistant. Because of my perspective, I did not appreciate the novel. It was too silly for my tastes.
Curriculum Ties:N/A
Book Talk Ideas:read a passage of the novel or maybe watch part of the movie based on the book
Challenge Issues:language, sex, drinking
Why was this text included in this project?Older teenage girls are likely to pick this book up, perhaps having seen the recent film.
Showing posts with label Manhattan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manhattan. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Gossip Girl #1: A Novel
Bibliography:Von Ziegesar, C. (2002) Gossip Girl #1: A Novel. New York, NY: Poppy.
Genre:Chick-Lit
Reading Level/Interest Age:15-18yrs
Reader's Annotation:Blair is stunned when her ex-best friend Serena returns to town. Will Blair's new popularity--and new boyfriend--go away now that Serena is back?
Author:Cecily Von Ziegesar's contribution to the YA chick-lit genre includes over ten Gossip Girl novels. The series has been made into a TV series, too.
Plot Summary:Blair and her boyfriend Nate have a good relationship, until Serena shows back up. Although they used to be best friends, Blair and Serena have drifted apart. Amidst a flurry of partying, drinking, and shopping, Blair and her friends set out to ruin Serena with a series of rumors. They host a posh party and do not invite Serena. Blair does not know that Nate and Serena are former lovers. As Nate's relationship with Blair gets more physical, he wonders whether he should tell Blair about their tryst. Blair wonders whether she should accept Serena back as her friend.
Critical Evaluation:This novel provides an entertaining story; although, it is highly unrealistic. The characters in Gossip Girl drink alcohol in popular Manhattan bars (and never get carded). They spend tons of money on clothes, drugs, and cigarettes. They do not care much about the outside world (despite Blair's charity dance). They are not characters that you care much about--but it is fun to watch to see what they do next. The overall narrator, Gossip Girl herself, has the most interesting point of view. She seems to know everything that goes on in the neighborhood, but how can she be in more than one place at a time? Readers will try to figure out who she is, and they will be entertained by her website commentary. Readers of this book should be prepared for some immoral teenagers. They drink often and in large quantities; they all smoke cigarettes; most of them have sex. This is like a Sex in the City for teenagers. There is not any "positive" role models in this book, but there are many fashion models.
Curriculum Ties:N/A
Book Talk Ideas:read a chapter of the novel
Challenge Issues:sex, underage drinking, drugs, teen pregnancy, language, eating disorders (bulimia)
Why was this text included in this project?This novel was the first one I read for the genre study project (Teen Chick-Lit).
Genre:Chick-Lit
Reading Level/Interest Age:15-18yrs
Reader's Annotation:Blair is stunned when her ex-best friend Serena returns to town. Will Blair's new popularity--and new boyfriend--go away now that Serena is back?
Author:Cecily Von Ziegesar's contribution to the YA chick-lit genre includes over ten Gossip Girl novels. The series has been made into a TV series, too.
Plot Summary:Blair and her boyfriend Nate have a good relationship, until Serena shows back up. Although they used to be best friends, Blair and Serena have drifted apart. Amidst a flurry of partying, drinking, and shopping, Blair and her friends set out to ruin Serena with a series of rumors. They host a posh party and do not invite Serena. Blair does not know that Nate and Serena are former lovers. As Nate's relationship with Blair gets more physical, he wonders whether he should tell Blair about their tryst. Blair wonders whether she should accept Serena back as her friend.
Critical Evaluation:This novel provides an entertaining story; although, it is highly unrealistic. The characters in Gossip Girl drink alcohol in popular Manhattan bars (and never get carded). They spend tons of money on clothes, drugs, and cigarettes. They do not care much about the outside world (despite Blair's charity dance). They are not characters that you care much about--but it is fun to watch to see what they do next. The overall narrator, Gossip Girl herself, has the most interesting point of view. She seems to know everything that goes on in the neighborhood, but how can she be in more than one place at a time? Readers will try to figure out who she is, and they will be entertained by her website commentary. Readers of this book should be prepared for some immoral teenagers. They drink often and in large quantities; they all smoke cigarettes; most of them have sex. This is like a Sex in the City for teenagers. There is not any "positive" role models in this book, but there are many fashion models.
Curriculum Ties:N/A
Book Talk Ideas:read a chapter of the novel
Challenge Issues:sex, underage drinking, drugs, teen pregnancy, language, eating disorders (bulimia)
Why was this text included in this project?This novel was the first one I read for the genre study project (Teen Chick-Lit).
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