Bibliography:Rowling, J.K. (2007) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York, NY: Scholastic.
Genre:Fantasy
Reading Level/Interest Age:12+yrs
Reader's Annotation:The final battle between Harry and Voldemort can leave only one survivor.
Author:J. K. Rowling's widely popular Harry Potter series has become a worldwide phenomenon.
Plot Summary:The final installment in the series, this novel finds Harry separated from Hogwarts. He, Ron, and Hermione scour the country searching for Horcruxes--the only way they know to destroy Lord Voldemort. Meanwhile, Harry's mental connection to Voldemort is stronger than ever, and Harry feels like he is truly a part of the Dark Lord. An epic battle over good and evil begins at Hogwarts and Harry, Ron, and Hermione rush to help their friends.
Critical Evaluation:
Curriculum Ties:N/A
Book Talk Ideas:Discuss the plot up to this point, read a chapter of this new installment
Challenge Issues:magic, magical violence
Why was this text included in this project?This last Harry Potter book was included because it is so popular.
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Stardust (movie)
Bibliography:di Bonaventura, L. (Producer) & Vaughnn, M. (Director). (10 August 2007) Stardust [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount.
Genre:movie--fantasy
Reading Level/Interest Age:12+yrs
Reader's Annotation:Tristan's quest for love takes him to another world where he must battle for freedom.
Author:Based on a novel by Neil Gaiman.
Plot Summary:Tristan is a love-sick young man, infatuated with the local beauty, Victoria. She tells him that Tristan is not good enough for her. Tristan promises to retrieve a recently-fallen star, if she agrees to marry him. He sets off on his quest and discovers a stone wall outside his village (also named Wall). When he crosses over the border, he finds himself in a very different place, a magical kingdom called Stormhold. Meanwhile, the King of Stormhold is near death without yet naming an heir. His remaining sons battle it out amongst themselves for the title. The King said that whichever son finds the ruby he throws out his window will be made King. His final act is to hurl the ruby into the sky and dislodges the star, Yvaine, who falls to Earth. Yvaine is the same shooting star that Tristan promised to retrieve for Victoria. The plot thickens: three witches also saw the star fall and want to capture it because if they eat her heart, they will be immortal. Tristan finds Yvaine and tries to bring her back to Wall. The princess of Stormhold are on their trail, and the witches--led by Lamia--plot to capture Yvaine for their own evil purposes. Bravery, magic, and adventure abound as the characters meet up on the outskirts of Wall.
Critical Evaluation:This is a fun and funny movie with several amusing characters, not the least of which is Captain Shakespeare, played by Robert de Niro. As the plots become more and more intwined, we begin to wonder if Yvaine will ever be freed from danger. Tristan shows his worth as a hero when he falls in love with Yvaine and rescues her from death at the hands of Lamia.
Curriculum Ties:Could be seen following the reading of the book, for comparison.
Book Talk Ideas:
Challenge Issues:magical violence, language, homosexual references, sex, magic
Why was this text included in this project?Many teenagers read Neil Gaiman and it's likely they might see movies based on his work.
Genre:movie--fantasy
Reading Level/Interest Age:12+yrs
Reader's Annotation:Tristan's quest for love takes him to another world where he must battle for freedom.
Author:Based on a novel by Neil Gaiman.
Plot Summary:Tristan is a love-sick young man, infatuated with the local beauty, Victoria. She tells him that Tristan is not good enough for her. Tristan promises to retrieve a recently-fallen star, if she agrees to marry him. He sets off on his quest and discovers a stone wall outside his village (also named Wall). When he crosses over the border, he finds himself in a very different place, a magical kingdom called Stormhold. Meanwhile, the King of Stormhold is near death without yet naming an heir. His remaining sons battle it out amongst themselves for the title. The King said that whichever son finds the ruby he throws out his window will be made King. His final act is to hurl the ruby into the sky and dislodges the star, Yvaine, who falls to Earth. Yvaine is the same shooting star that Tristan promised to retrieve for Victoria. The plot thickens: three witches also saw the star fall and want to capture it because if they eat her heart, they will be immortal. Tristan finds Yvaine and tries to bring her back to Wall. The princess of Stormhold are on their trail, and the witches--led by Lamia--plot to capture Yvaine for their own evil purposes. Bravery, magic, and adventure abound as the characters meet up on the outskirts of Wall.
Critical Evaluation:This is a fun and funny movie with several amusing characters, not the least of which is Captain Shakespeare, played by Robert de Niro. As the plots become more and more intwined, we begin to wonder if Yvaine will ever be freed from danger. Tristan shows his worth as a hero when he falls in love with Yvaine and rescues her from death at the hands of Lamia.
Curriculum Ties:Could be seen following the reading of the book, for comparison.
Book Talk Ideas:
Challenge Issues:magical violence, language, homosexual references, sex, magic
Why was this text included in this project?Many teenagers read Neil Gaiman and it's likely they might see movies based on his work.
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Princess Diaries (movie)
Bibliography: Chase, D.M. (Producer) & Marshall, G. (Director). (2001) The Princess Diaries[Motion picture]. United States: Buena Vista.
Genre:movie/chick lit
Reading Level/Interest Age:12+yrs
Reader's Annotation:Mia Theopolis has the chance to be a real princess, but does she want to change her life forever?
Author:
Plot Summary:Mia Theopolis is a typical unpopular and dorky fifteen-year old girl until the day her grandmother shows up with a very important announcement. Mia is a princess of Genovia! The choice to accept the post is left up to Mia, but she has to keep the news a secret. In preparation, Mia attends “princess lessons” with her grandmother (Queen of Genovia) and her staff, including her body-guard chauffeur, Joe, who befriends Mia. Under her grandmother’s tutelage, Mia learns how to dress, walk, wave, dance and look like a princess. When word leaks out that Mia is a princess, the cook kids at school rush to befriend her, including her crush Josh. Mia’s best friend Lilly is crushed by Mia’s new popularity, and Lilly’s brother Michael hides his own crush on Mia. As the Genovian Ball draws near, Mia ponders the consequences of both sides of her decision. Either way she picks, this decisions will change her life forever.
Critical Evaluation:The appeal of this film is evident from the very first scene where Mia wakes up, gets dressed for school, and then slides down a fire station pole to breakfast. Here is a typical teenager, living in a very cool house in San Francisco. We immediately like Mia because she is regular; her hair isn’t perfect; she rides a scooter to school. We sympathize with her dislike of the cool crowd at her school, and we want her to get even with them. Of course, the proposal that Mia is offered is a dream come true. To be a real princess! Meg Cabot has a firm grasp on what it is like to be a fifteen-year old girl, and the directors have us groan and laugh with Mia as she blunders and breezes through the tribulations of princes lessons. The movie moves along quickly, and we are swept up in Mia’s life. As the relationship between her and her grandmother strengthens, we begin to see Mia as a real princess. Lilly is the grounded character; she keeps the story from being too much like a fairytale. She encourages Mia to accept the post because it would allow Mia to enact change in the world.
Curriculum Ties:following the reading of the novel
Book Talk Ideas:N/A
Challenge Issues:bullying, high school snobbery
Why was this text included in this project?This movie was included in the project because its great popularity (as a movie and as a book).
Genre:movie/chick lit
Reading Level/Interest Age:12+yrs
Reader's Annotation:Mia Theopolis has the chance to be a real princess, but does she want to change her life forever?
Author:
Plot Summary:Mia Theopolis is a typical unpopular and dorky fifteen-year old girl until the day her grandmother shows up with a very important announcement. Mia is a princess of Genovia! The choice to accept the post is left up to Mia, but she has to keep the news a secret. In preparation, Mia attends “princess lessons” with her grandmother (Queen of Genovia) and her staff, including her body-guard chauffeur, Joe, who befriends Mia. Under her grandmother’s tutelage, Mia learns how to dress, walk, wave, dance and look like a princess. When word leaks out that Mia is a princess, the cook kids at school rush to befriend her, including her crush Josh. Mia’s best friend Lilly is crushed by Mia’s new popularity, and Lilly’s brother Michael hides his own crush on Mia. As the Genovian Ball draws near, Mia ponders the consequences of both sides of her decision. Either way she picks, this decisions will change her life forever.
Critical Evaluation:The appeal of this film is evident from the very first scene where Mia wakes up, gets dressed for school, and then slides down a fire station pole to breakfast. Here is a typical teenager, living in a very cool house in San Francisco. We immediately like Mia because she is regular; her hair isn’t perfect; she rides a scooter to school. We sympathize with her dislike of the cool crowd at her school, and we want her to get even with them. Of course, the proposal that Mia is offered is a dream come true. To be a real princess! Meg Cabot has a firm grasp on what it is like to be a fifteen-year old girl, and the directors have us groan and laugh with Mia as she blunders and breezes through the tribulations of princes lessons. The movie moves along quickly, and we are swept up in Mia’s life. As the relationship between her and her grandmother strengthens, we begin to see Mia as a real princess. Lilly is the grounded character; she keeps the story from being too much like a fairytale. She encourages Mia to accept the post because it would allow Mia to enact change in the world.
Curriculum Ties:following the reading of the novel
Book Talk Ideas:N/A
Challenge Issues:bullying, high school snobbery
Why was this text included in this project?This movie was included in the project because its great popularity (as a movie and as a book).
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Avalon High
Bibliography:Cabot, M. (2007) Avalon High. New York, NY: Harper.
Genre:Chick Lit
Reading Level/Interest Age:14-16 yrs
Reader's Annotation:Ellie's new school, Avalon High, is stranger than it seems. Could her crush, Will, really be King Arthur incarnate?
Author:Meg Cabot, famous for her Princess Diaries series, has composed over sixty-five novels including several successful series for tweens, teens, and adults. Cabot began her career as a romance novelist and is now a best-selling author.
Plot Summary:Ellie begins her junior year at Avalon High and soon meets A. William Wagoner, the handsome star football player. Will's girlfriend Jennifer is a cute blonde cheerleader, but Ellie soon discovers that Jennifer is romantically involved with Will's best friend, Lance. Ellie is torn between her growing feelings for Will and her obligation to tell him about Jen and Lance. When Will's vindictive stepbrother Marco gets involved, things start to turn ugly--and somewhat medieval. Soon, Ellie is seeing her life through the lens of the legendary King Arthur. She needs to act quickly to save her friend and fight the forces of evil!
Critical Evaluation:While it is not necessary to be familiar with the legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, readers with a basic background in the medieval lore will enjoy Avalon High more than those without that knowledge. Cabot has intertwined the classic legends with modern day teenagers attending a believable high school in Annapolis, MD. The plot follows the main character Ellie who faces the predictable challenges of attending a new school: meeting new friends, struggling to fit in, trying out for the track team, etc. Her literature teacher, Mr. Morton, is the most unbelievable of all the characters. For instance, he is a member of the secret Order of the Bear, a group dedicated to protecting the reincarnated King Arthur. The reader moves with Ellie as her opinion of Mr. Morton changes. She first thinks he must be out of his mind, but when events start happening that she cannot explain rationally she turns to him for assistance. Mr. Morton’s explanation for the events towards the end of the novel does seem ridiculous (and requires a leap of imagination), but we accept them because there is some part of Ellie that accepts them. Her ability to see the rational and irrational side-by-side make her a convincing and amusing narrator.
Curriculum Ties:Student choice book report, medieval legends
Book Talk Ideas:Read a passage from the novel, perhaps near the climax of the story when Ellie offers the sword to Will--before his "transformation."
Challenge Issues:Mythical legends, teen romance, violence, adultery
Why was this text included in this project?This book was recommended by the teen librarian.
Genre:Chick Lit
Reading Level/Interest Age:14-16 yrs
Reader's Annotation:Ellie's new school, Avalon High, is stranger than it seems. Could her crush, Will, really be King Arthur incarnate?
Author:Meg Cabot, famous for her Princess Diaries series, has composed over sixty-five novels including several successful series for tweens, teens, and adults. Cabot began her career as a romance novelist and is now a best-selling author.
Plot Summary:Ellie begins her junior year at Avalon High and soon meets A. William Wagoner, the handsome star football player. Will's girlfriend Jennifer is a cute blonde cheerleader, but Ellie soon discovers that Jennifer is romantically involved with Will's best friend, Lance. Ellie is torn between her growing feelings for Will and her obligation to tell him about Jen and Lance. When Will's vindictive stepbrother Marco gets involved, things start to turn ugly--and somewhat medieval. Soon, Ellie is seeing her life through the lens of the legendary King Arthur. She needs to act quickly to save her friend and fight the forces of evil!
Critical Evaluation:While it is not necessary to be familiar with the legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, readers with a basic background in the medieval lore will enjoy Avalon High more than those without that knowledge. Cabot has intertwined the classic legends with modern day teenagers attending a believable high school in Annapolis, MD. The plot follows the main character Ellie who faces the predictable challenges of attending a new school: meeting new friends, struggling to fit in, trying out for the track team, etc. Her literature teacher, Mr. Morton, is the most unbelievable of all the characters. For instance, he is a member of the secret Order of the Bear, a group dedicated to protecting the reincarnated King Arthur. The reader moves with Ellie as her opinion of Mr. Morton changes. She first thinks he must be out of his mind, but when events start happening that she cannot explain rationally she turns to him for assistance. Mr. Morton’s explanation for the events towards the end of the novel does seem ridiculous (and requires a leap of imagination), but we accept them because there is some part of Ellie that accepts them. Her ability to see the rational and irrational side-by-side make her a convincing and amusing narrator.
Curriculum Ties:Student choice book report, medieval legends
Book Talk Ideas:Read a passage from the novel, perhaps near the climax of the story when Ellie offers the sword to Will--before his "transformation."
Challenge Issues:Mythical legends, teen romance, violence, adultery
Why was this text included in this project?This book was recommended by the teen librarian.
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