Simply Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

        

Title:  Simply Alice   Author:  Phyllis Reynolds Taylor
ISBN:  0689826354    Pages:  222
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York, 2002

Readers Annotation:

Alice begins her ninth grade year busy with homework, the school newspaper, and the drama club. Will her responsibilities and involvement leave her any time for her friends, or even finding a new boyfriend?

Author Information: 

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor started her writing career as a sixteen year old, when she was asked to write a story for her church magazine. Since then, Naylor has authored over one hundred books, including books for both children and adults. Her Alice series is one of her most popular and successful endeavors. However, she is best known for her masterful novel Shiloh, which has won the Newbery Medal.

Phyllis was born on January 4, 1933, in Anderson, Indiana. Currently, she lives with her husband Rex in Bethesda, Maryland. Her two grown sons are married as well, and she has two granddaughters, Sophia and Tressa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Reynolds_Naylor

Plot Summary:  
Alice, who very recently broke up with her boyfriend, is now in her second semester of the ninth grade. Her best friends Pamela and Elizabeth want to do everything together. But Alice is still hurting, and trying to find her own way in her new high school environment.

She joins the school newspaper, where she is busy with meetings and article writings; and the drama club, where she meets two new friends Molly and Faith. Alice's extra-curricular activities, along with the loads of homework every high school student has, keep her extremely busy. As a result, Alice's two best friends start treating her differently, which hurts Alice. Home life is better, with a supportive older brother, and a newly engaged father. Alice learns how to juggle all aspects of her life as a teenager, including a new interest in the stuttering Eric.

Critical Evaluation:
This fourteenth book in the Alice series presents a new exciting and compelling tale in the life of a teenager. The reader follows the female protagonist easily through a first person narrative. Readers can identify with Alice's struggle after her recent breakup, the difficulties of friendship, and her feelings toward a new, yet endearing, stepmother. All of these experiences lend a note of realism to the book. Alice's relationship with her new boyfriend Eric, a stutterer, is another intriguing aspect of the story. There is no complete resolution to most of the story lines, in keeping with true life. Additionally, this allows a continuation of Alice's story, providing a hook for the next book in the series Patiently Alice. The book is fast paced and the prose itself is written in a simplistic manner. Simply Alice will delight and enchant the Alice series reader with new antics and fun-loving characters. 

Genre:  Fiction/Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties:  English - Coming of age theme

Booktalking Ideas: 

     1. Alice and her two best friends began drifting away from each other until Alice fixed the situation. Did you ever get into a fight with your friends and try to do something about it?

     2. Alice's mother died when she was very little and her father is engaged to another woman. How would you feel if one of your parents got married to someone new?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  12+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item: As a child I read Shiloh, so I was interested in reading a book by the same author. Additionally, this is a popular series among all teens, as well as reluctant readers.

Further Series Reading: The Agony of Alice, Alice in Rapture, Reluctantly Alice, All But Alice, Alice in April, Alice In-Between, Alice the Brave, Alice in Lace, Outrageously Alice, Achingly Alice, Alice on the Outside, The Grooming of Alice, Alice Alone, Patiently Alice, Including Alice, Alice on Her Way, Alice in the Know, Dangerously Alice, Almost Alice, Intensely Alice, Alice in Charge, 

Indiana Jones Omnibus, Vol. 2

        

Title:  Indiana Jones Omnibus, Volume 2    Publisher:  Mike Richardson
ISBN:  9781593079536    Pages:  375
Publisher:  Dark Horse Books, Milwaukee, Oregon, 2008

Readers Annotation:  
Nazis, Russians, ship captains, and sea witches, are all after Indiana Jones while he tries to discover and keep precious archeological finds.

Author Information:
This edition is an anthology of several comic books, therefore has many authors contributing to the omnibus. The following is a list of the contributors to the scripts of Indiana Jones Omnibus: Pat McGreal, Dave Rawson, Gary Gianni, Lee Marrs, Elaine Lee, and Karl Kesel.

Content: 
The overall running theme throughout the anthology is about Indiana Jones retrieving ancient artifacts, and ensuring that his opponents don't use them for evil purposes. There is usually some type of love interest for Indiana, alongside adventurous escapades and narrow escapes. This anthology is a complication of several editions of the Indiana Jones comic books: The Golden Fleece volumes 1-2, The Shrine of the Sea Devil, The Iron Phoenix volumes 1-4, The Spear of Destiny volumes 1-4, and The Sargasso Pirates volumes 1-4.

Critical Evaluation: 
These comic books accurately portray the cinematic creation of Harrison Ford's character in the Indiana Jones movie series, created by George Lucas. Ford's cowboy disposition coupled with his natural charm, are illuminated in the facial expressions and word usage throughout the comics. Each story line is scripted and drawn by different authors and artists, thereby taking on a slightly different and interesting slant each time. The illustrations are drawn with a variety of tools, including pencils, inks, colors and letters. This variety enables the story to come alive. Additional features that contribute to the reader's understanding of the stories are the actual facial expressions, and the fonts in the talking bubbles. The authors distinguish some of the characters with words that stay true to their corresponding accents, making those personalities more exciting for the reader. At times, mysticism plays a role in the narrative, whereas other times the story is based on true to life events. This creates an interesting assortment within the anthology.

Genre: Comic book

Curriculum Ties:  English - comic books. History - America in the 1930's and 40's

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Indiana Jones is actually a very smart and well-read archeologist with a Ph.D. Do you think you could juggle being an adventurer and an intellectual?
     2.  Many of the objects that Indiana Jones discovered contain ancient mystical powers. If you found an item with special powers, would you do with it?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  12+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item:  I enjoyed the Indiana Jones movies as a kid, and was interested in seeing how the adventures developed in comic book form. Additionally, I felt that it was important to include a comic book in my collection.

Guitar Hero: World Tour

Title:  Guitar Hero: World Tour    Manufacturer:  Activision  
ASIN:  B001ABP95E    Media:  Video Game   
Console: Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Xbox 360, PC/Mac, Nintendo Wii     

Release Date:  October 26, 2008
 

Product Features:

Guitar Hero is a video game where the player wields a gaming guitar, playing the notes of a rock song as they appear on the video screen. Players have the ability to customize their rock star character, including clothes, facial and body structure, and accessories. Furthermore, players can customize their virtual instruments, band, or album covers. The song list on Guitar Hero World Tour is a compilation of eighty-five recordings from some of the greatest rock artists, including Bon Jovi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael Jackson, and The Eagles.

Additional features include a full band experience, with the potential of up to four players utilizing gaming guitars, microphones or drums at once. There is also an online connection available, where users can play with or against each other via the internet. Lastly, Guitar Hero World Tour offers a digital music creator system, where players can create their own music and subsequently play their pieces in-game or download them to the online community.    

Critical Evaluation:

Guitar Hero World Tour offers a large selection of songs, thus appealing to a variety of players. The difficulty levels lend another layer to the song selection, creating a new experience each time. There are stunning visuals that stay true to the world of rock 'n roll, complete with grunge decals, clothing, and background sets. For the hardcore musical enthusiast, the new addition of the music studio adds to the overall quality of the game. This game is appealing to both male and female rock lovers, as the customizable characters include both genders with an assortment of stylish clothes and accessories.

Genre:  Music, Video Games 

Curriculum Ties:  Music Appreciation - Rock n' Roll

Interest Age:  13 +

Challenge Issue: Mild suggestive themes and lyrics
- Compilation of teen reviews and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy

Why I chose this item:  Guitar Hero is a popular game among my husband's high school students, and I decided this game would be a great addition to my collection. As a librarian, I would choose the Xbox version of the game due to its popularity.

 
Guitar Hero World Tour game trailer

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

          

Title:  Wicked Lovely   Author:   Melissa Marr
ISBN:  9780061214653   Pages:  328
Publisher:  HarperTeen, New York, 2007

Readers Annotation:  
Aislinn has always been terrified of the fairies that no other human can see, with the exception of her Grams. Suddenly, she is chosen by the Summer King fairy himself to become that which she hates.

Author Information:
Melissa Marr graduated with a Masters and has taught literature and gender studies to college students all over America for a decade. Marr started writing in 2004, and her published items include works of poetry, short fiction and young adult novels. Wicked Lovely, Marr's first novel, has been awarded with the IRA Notable Books of 2008 for Young Adult Fiction, and was chosen as Amazon's Best Books of 2007: Top 10 Editor's Picks for Teens.

Melissa is partial to trying out new things, including getting tattooed, working at an archeological dig, and serving drinks at a biker bar. Marr likes to live in different places and make new discoveries. She's lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Southern California, and is currently living in Washington D.C.

www.harpercollins.com/authors/31765/Melissa_Marr/index.aspx, www.wikipedia.com/melissamarr


Plot Summary: 
Aislinn could see fairies for as long as she could remember. Her grandmother, who also had "the Sight", warned her to never let anyone or anything know of "the Sight" and trained her to follow three rules. 1) Don't ever attract their attention, 2) Don't ever speak to the invisible fairies, and 3) Don't stare at invisible fairies. These rules take concentration and focus, especially when the fairies are right next to her blowing in her ears, or if they are particularly ugly and scary looking.

Lately, Aislinn has noticed two new and powerful fairies following her, one of whom she discovers to be the Summer King. As he endeavors to win her affections, Aislinn also notices a larger number of fairies showing up at places where they never appeared previously. When the Summer King fairy shrouds himself in human form and enrolls into Aislinn's high school, Aislinn turns to her best friend Seth. Though she has never told anyone before, Seth represents safety and comfort to Aislinn, and she tells him her surprising secret. Together they decide how to deal with the fairy world, while discovering what they mean to each other on a whole new level.

Critical Evaluation:
Marr narrates her novel from the point of view of Aislinn. The narration is in third person, but the reader can 'hear' Aislinn's thoughts as well. Aislinn's emotions are clearly felt, portraying the overwhelming and conflicting emotions that are often found in teenagers. Marr explores Aislinn's feelings in relation to the scary world of fairies, the love of a handsome boy, the loneliness of her "Sight", and the fear of "the Game". The book is written with a wonderful use of imagery, describing the differences of sunshine and summer, and ice and winter. When reading those passages, one can almost feel the warm heat and the bitter cold. Aislinn's story is set in modern times, laced with magical elements from the past. This provides a level of historical fantasy that should be entertaining for the modern adolescent. Additionally, the reader is given the chance to observe the struggles that Aislinn faces alone, offering encouragement to adolescents facing their own internal struggles.

Genre:  Modern fantasy

Curriculum Ties:  English - Mythological creatures

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Aislinn is offered to become an immortal fairy. If you had the choice to become immortal, would you choose that life?
     2.  Aislinn lived with her grandmother, without parents of her own to raise her. What do you think it's like for children growing up this way?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  15+

Challenge Issue:  Fairies and the supernatural
- Book was awarded with the IRA Notable Books of 2008 for Young Adult Fiction, and was chosen as Amazon's Best Books of 2007: Top 10 Editor's Picks for Teens
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy

Why I chose this item:  I discovered this book in the young adult section in my library, and decided it would be a great fantasy addition to my collection that deals with adolescent issues as well as addressing the fantastical. I also wanted to add a book for fairy story lovers.

Further Series Reading:  Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows, Darkest Mercy, Stopping Time, Old Habits

 
Wicked Lovely book trailer

Ransom my Heart by Meg Cabot

        

Title: Ransom my Heart   Author:   Meg Cabot
ISBN:  9780061700071 Pages:  396
Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 2009

Readers Annotation:

When asked to assist in the extortion of a wealthy man, the kindhearted yet rebellious Finnula Crais agrees. What Finnula did not agree to was falling in love with the most maddeningly handsome and charming man she had ever met.

Author Information: 
Known for both adult contemporary fiction and tween/teen novels, Meg Cabot first began her writing career at thirty years old. Her most popular books are the bestselling YA fiction series The Princess Diaries, which have been published in more than thirty-eight countries and made into two films by Disney Studios. Meg is also a #1 New York Times bestselling author with books such as Mediator, Airhead, Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls, and Insatiable. Her books All-American Girls and Avalon High are also award winning. Her newest upcoming series is called Abandon, and will debut sometime in 2011. Cabot has also been named as a 2008 Distinguished Alumnus by Indiana University for her exceptional career.   

Meg was born in February 1967 in Bloomington, Indiana. Presently, she lives in Key West, Florida with her husband and one eyed cat. Cabot also has written under the pen-names Jenny, and Patricia.
www.megcabot.com

Plot Summary: 
A kindhearted renegade, Finnula Crais is the best shot with a bow and arrow for miles around. She uses her talent to poach deer for the starving townsfolk. She rationalizes her behavior because she is merely stealing from the greedy Reginald Laroche, caretaker of the Fitzwilliam lands. One day, one of her many sisters asks for her help. Finn begrudgingly agrees to take a wealthy man hostage and ransom him for a dowry for her sister's upcoming wedding.

Sir Hugo Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Stephensgate, is returning home from the Crusades after many long years. Miles before his home, Hugo is suddenly attacked by a petite but strong-willed woman, Finnula Crais. Enamored by Finn, Hugo decides to allow himself to be taken hostage. For the remainder of the journey back to their hometown, they fall in love. Hugo returns home with the determination both to set things right in his Earldom, and to marry the Fair Finn.

Critical Evaluation: 

Incorporating love with humor, this book is a delight to read. Though somewhat predictable, the reader can't help but be enchanted with its many delightful and complex characters . Additionally, the story begins with a Robin Hood-like theme, ideal for fans of the Prince of Thieves. This romance novel is narrated from both the female and male protagonist's point of view, presenting the reader with insight into the nature of their relationship. The historical aspects are somewhat underplayed, working simply as a backdrop to the romance. Finnula's unconventional heroics lend a fresh tone to the Medieval plot. The book explores the familial relationships of Finnula Crais, as well as Hugo Fitzwilliam, adding an extra layer of interest and realism to the story line. Meg Cabot strays from her usual style of writing, consisting of traditional novels set in the present day, creating a historical fiction piece with a more risque theme.

Genre:  Romance, Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties:  History - Serfs, Medieval. Economics - Robin Hood

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1. Finnula Crais hunted animals from the forbidden lands of their greedy overlord to feed the starving people in her town. Do you feel that it's moral to steal from the rich and give to the poor?
     2. Finn had a family of five older sisters and one older brother, all whom considered themselves her protector. Do you have protective older siblings, and do you feel they have ever overstepped their boundaries?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 16+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item: I wanted to include something written by the popular author of the Princess Diaries.

Girl Coming in for a Landing by April Halprin Wayland

         

Title: Girl Coming in for a Landing   Author:  April Halprin Wayland
ISBN:  0440419034   Pages:  134
Publisher: Yearling, New York, 2004

Readers Annotation:   

An anonymous adolescent girl with a strong desire to write down her innermost feelings, decides to express herself with poetry. At the beginning of her high school career, season by season, she shares her most private thoughts and emotions.

Author Information: 

April Halprin Wayland is an award winning poet in addition to an author for young readers. She grew up in both Santa Monica, California, and on a three hundred acre farm in Northern California. April went to college at University of California Davis and graduated with a degree in Human Development. She worked with the poet Myra Cohn Livingston for ten years, who suggested that she write a verse novel in a teen voice. This led to Girl Coming in for a Landing, which has won many awards including the Myra Cohn Livingston Award for Poetry, and the Lee Bennett Hopkins Honor Award for Children's Poetry. Another of her famous works is New Year at the Pier, which has won the 2010 Sydney Taylor Book Award.

Currently, Wayland lives with her family and her animals in Southern California. She teaches writing for University of California Los Angeles's extension program. Though always a writer, April has also tried her hand at fiddle playing, walnut farming, aqua farming, and managing a corporate marketing business.

www.goodreads.com
www.aprilwayland.com

Plot Summary:

Set in Los Angeles, California, a young teenage girl narrates one year of her high school existence through poetry. Her adventure begins in the fall, immediately prior to the beginning of the first semester. Her ramblings take her to wondering what love has in store for her in the coming year. She also discusses her relationships with the most important people in her life. She tells of the safe and somewhat distant relationship she has with her parents, the wonderful yet occasionally annoying relationship she has with her older sister, the close and tumultuous feelings for her best friend, the love and headaches she gets from her great-aunt, and the crushes she has on two boys in her class. 

The poems she writes vary based on her moods and daily events. She depicts a typical life of a high school teenager, complete with loved and hated teachers, anxiety at drama tryouts and at parties, and love both gained and lost. She explains her need to write and her thoughts on being published. She writes her true emotions as a teenager, and the accompanying trials and triumphs.

Critical Evaluation:  
This novel in poems presents an honest and simple year in the life of a ninth grade teenager. The book is cleverly divided into four chapters corresponding to the four seasons. Essentially, Girl Coming in for a Landing is an enchanting plot about a young girl who talks about her ordinary teen travails in about 160 short poems. She speaks directly to the audience through a first person narrative, giving the readers insight into her true feelings. The tone is raw and straightforward, bringing a sense of powerful reality to the book. Diverse black and white illustrations by Elaine Clayton enhance the background of many poems, making the novel both entertaining and charming.

Genre:  Coming of Age, Verse Novel

Curriculum Ties:  English - Poetry

Book-talking Ideas: 
    1.  The adolescent girl writing the poems tells of her highs and lows in high school. How was your high school experience similar or different than the experience of the narrator of this book?
    2.  The teenage poet was told by her teacher that her poems were good enough to give into a publisher. Were you ever told that some of your own works could be published?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  12+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item:  I found it fascinating that a novel could be written in poetry format, and felt that this would be a great poetry option for the more reluctant readers.

 
Girl Coming in for a Landing book trailer

Revenge of the Bridesmaids: the movie

          


Title:  Revenge of the Bridesmaids   Format:  DVD, Color
Actors: Raven-Symoné, Joanna Garcia, Beth Broderick, David Clayton Rogers, and Virginia Williams   Director:  James Hayman
ASIN:  B004K4FUSE   Running Time:  86 minutes
Studio: Living Arts, 2010  Ratings:  TV-14

Readers Annotation:
Two childhood friends return to their hometown and get invited to the wedding of a lifetime. However, they soon find out that the groom is getting married to the wrong bride, and they don't intend to allow that to happen. 
 

Director Information: 
James, also known as Jim Hayman, is a Welsh born director, producer, and  cinematographer. Hayman is famous for many television series including Judging Amy, Ugly Betty, Joan of Arcadia, and Northern Exposure. He has two Emmy nominations, one for his work in Joan of Arcadia in 2004, and one for Ugly Betty in 2007. In 2010, the William S Paley TV Festival hosted an evening honoring the television series Ugly Betty.

Hayman was born in 1950, and has been married to the actress Annie Potts since 1990. James and Annie have two children together; Doc, who was born in 1992, and Harry who was born in 1996. James loves the Welsh professional football club Swansea City, and the English Chelsea Football Club.

www.tvguide.com
www.wikipedia.com/jameshayman

Plot Summary: 
Abigail, Parker, and Rachel, were best friends with the wealthy and spoiled Caitlin. The girls have since grown up and gone their separate ways, especially since Caitlin proved herself to be conniving and selfish. Abigail and Parker are returning from New York to their small Southern hometown for a short visit. When the two girls meet up with Caitlin and are invited to her wedding, they decide to lengthen their stay and join in the festivities.

However, soon Abigail and Parker learn that Caitlin has done the despicable. She is marrying Rachel's old boyfriend, and the love of her life. Together, Abigail, Parker, and Rachel attempt to sabotage the wedding. Abigail and Parker become proficient in their use of trickery and deceit, all in the name of true love.

Critical Evaluation:
This lighthearted and fun movie tells a story of loyalty and friendship. Revenge of the Bridesmaids follows the comedic antics of two best friends assisting the 'third wheel' in their trio. Although the movie uses comedy to  keep the mood light, it also incorporates the intricacies of relationships between different personalities. Flashbacks help the audience comprehend the background story of the four main characters, utilizing color schemes to clearly differentiate between the past and the present. The performances are delivered beautifully and professionally, fully depicting the down to earth nature, caring attitude, and slightly mischievous quality of each character. The wardrobe of the actors assist in their character development, as do the many supporting actors, creating a full and interesting story. 

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Curriculum Ties:  English - Friendship, Marriage

Reading Level/Interest Age: 14 +

Challenge Issue: none

Why I chose this item:  The age group and topic seemed to fit the young adult forum. Additionally, I wanted to add some comedy pieces to my collection.

 
Revenge of the Bridesmaids movie trailer