Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Book Trailer
I have completed my book trailer and it is available to view at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRYVNOpnmX0
Censorship Challenge: Weetzie Bat by Francesca Block
When I was reading this particular book, I felt that I couldn't understand why this book tends to get censored. Once I got into the book, I realized that the themes are so in the background and not obviously part of the plot. Once they encounter something unpleasant, they either solve it or move on. The controversial themes include adultery, AIDS (and STDs), pregnancy and GLBT issues.
I thought it was particularly endearing that Weetzie Bat doesn't care about the sexual orientation of her friend, Dirk, although it seems that they are dating.
I thought it was particularly endearing that Weetzie Bat doesn't care about the sexual orientation of her friend, Dirk, although it seems that they are dating.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Forever by Judy Blume
I read this book with a fairly open mind. I really liked that it was really short, but showed how people can change in such a short period of time. This book is all about first love and first experiences with sex.
I liked the realism of the scene where Katherine, the main character, loses her virginity. I also like the advice and suggestions that she gets from the doctor when she wants to start the pill. I thought there were somewhat unrealistic parts that had to do with sex. I really liked the forward that came with the edition of the book that I read because it discussed what other advice the doctor would likely give her in the modern day to keep her safe from various STDs or VD (venereal disease) as it called in the book.
In terms of emotions, it was very realistic and it showed how people can change and grow. It was not just the realism of the scene where she loses her virginity, but also the realism of life and the reactions to certain circumstances. Her emotions are portrayed very realistically since it is written in the first person and so she tells the reader exactly how she is feeling and what she is thinking.
When I was in teacher's college, I was taught that as a part of Phys. Ed I would likely have to give THE TALK to (hopefully) only the girls in my class at some point. However, I think that this book would serve as an excellent introduction to the topic and then move into a more specific direction.
I liked the realism of the scene where Katherine, the main character, loses her virginity. I also like the advice and suggestions that she gets from the doctor when she wants to start the pill. I thought there were somewhat unrealistic parts that had to do with sex. I really liked the forward that came with the edition of the book that I read because it discussed what other advice the doctor would likely give her in the modern day to keep her safe from various STDs or VD (venereal disease) as it called in the book.
In terms of emotions, it was very realistic and it showed how people can change and grow. It was not just the realism of the scene where she loses her virginity, but also the realism of life and the reactions to certain circumstances. Her emotions are portrayed very realistically since it is written in the first person and so she tells the reader exactly how she is feeling and what she is thinking.
When I was in teacher's college, I was taught that as a part of Phys. Ed I would likely have to give THE TALK to (hopefully) only the girls in my class at some point. However, I think that this book would serve as an excellent introduction to the topic and then move into a more specific direction.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Response to Rutherford's Article
One of the items that we discussed in my collection development class is how a number of these superconglomerate companies own publishing houses so that once a book is released, it can immediately be turned into a movie. Books that are not owned by publishing houses can later be re-published with a new cover featuring people from the movie.
Of the readers that are described by Elberse, I would have to say that I am a little bit of both. I am a fairly heavy reader, but I also tend to stick to particular genres.
Social media does have the potential to engage teen readers. If Terry Pratchett had a blog when I was younger, I would have probably participated in that. This does not apply to just books, either. A number of web comics have competitions around this time of year for the best date for Valentine's day. The winner is usually rewarded with being drawn into the comic as well as having their idea featured for the strip. Although some of the web comics are considered more adult, I feel that some of the web comics that are written for teens could easily do something similar.
The idea of how the Internet has changed the idea of authors' images is very true. Terry Pratchett is one of my favourite authors and there are several sites devoted to him and to his books. A number of them include a biography and bibliography.
Rutherford's article concentrates heavily on Stephanie Meyer and the phenomenon of the Twilight series. Although it is true for her, it is also possible to apply the concepts in this article to any other popular YA author.
Of the readers that are described by Elberse, I would have to say that I am a little bit of both. I am a fairly heavy reader, but I also tend to stick to particular genres.
Social media does have the potential to engage teen readers. If Terry Pratchett had a blog when I was younger, I would have probably participated in that. This does not apply to just books, either. A number of web comics have competitions around this time of year for the best date for Valentine's day. The winner is usually rewarded with being drawn into the comic as well as having their idea featured for the strip. Although some of the web comics are considered more adult, I feel that some of the web comics that are written for teens could easily do something similar.
The idea of how the Internet has changed the idea of authors' images is very true. Terry Pratchett is one of my favourite authors and there are several sites devoted to him and to his books. A number of them include a biography and bibliography.
Rutherford's article concentrates heavily on Stephanie Meyer and the phenomenon of the Twilight series. Although it is true for her, it is also possible to apply the concepts in this article to any other popular YA author.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Book Review #1 - Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ella Enchanted is a Newberry award-winning book by Gail Carson Levine. It evokes the archetype of Cinderella as a fantasy story. When Ella is born, she is “blessed” with the gift of obedience by a fairy. Whenever she disobeys or hesitates in following an order, it costs her dearly in physical pain. After her father re-marries, she is essentially banished with her two step-sisters to a boarding school that she hates. Although she manages to escape and meet with her father, she cannot avoid the fate of being exploited by her step family since her step-sister figured out that she obeys without question. Instead of dying like in the original, her father instead abandons her to live with her new family because he has lost all of his money in various schemes and needs to get it back. Ella meets her love interest early in the book and knows it is the prince. Unlike in the original story, Ella falls in love with him slowly through the letters that they write to one another. Eventually, they do live happily ever after. Although some of the characters seem two-dimensional, it is written in the first person from Ella's point of view and the reader experiences events with Ella. Although the story echoes the original Cinderella tale, it is the mastery description and wonderfully written characters that make it new again. This book is also available in paperback and with a library binding. Published 1997 by Middle Grade, 240 p. Hardcover, $16.25.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Catcher in the Rye
This was the first time I read Catcher in the Rye. There were several different themes for it. In terms of the main character, he does strike you as whiny. However, his affection for his younger sister is sweet. The part where he bought the (vinyl) record and it broke and he felt really bad about it was really tender. It is his affection for his siblings that redeems him a little bit to me. He is also a storyteller, which is interesting. He does not want to hurt the feelings of a mother of a classmate of his because, in his opinion, the guy is a total jerk. So he lies to protect her feelings about how he really regards his classmate.
When I was reading this, I felt that the language was almost like a stream of consciousness. For those of you who may not know, a stream of consciousness is when you write what you are thinking without regard for punctuation or self-censorship. The swearing put me off a bit, but it is really quite tame in comparison to the language you would hear in any high school nowadays.
I really liked the setting because I was in New York recently and took the rail from Penn Station in NYC to another station on the line. Newark station connects, now anyway, to the airlink at Liberty Airport. I felt that it was really neat because I could imagine the places that he was travelling. It meant more to me than to someone who did not go on the train.
When I was reading this, I felt that the language was almost like a stream of consciousness. For those of you who may not know, a stream of consciousness is when you write what you are thinking without regard for punctuation or self-censorship. The swearing put me off a bit, but it is really quite tame in comparison to the language you would hear in any high school nowadays.
I really liked the setting because I was in New York recently and took the rail from Penn Station in NYC to another station on the line. Newark station connects, now anyway, to the airlink at Liberty Airport. I felt that it was really neat because I could imagine the places that he was travelling. It meant more to me than to someone who did not go on the train.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Winner is...
No, I'm not talking about the Oscars. Rather, I am talking about the Margaret A. Edwards award. This year one of my favourite authors won! Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Sir Terry Pratchett!
Follow the link below in order to find out a little more about him and the books for which he was nominated:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/margaretaedwards/margaretedwards.cfm#current
Interestingly enough, they included books that I've read, but never found in the Teen section of the library. Although, now that I think about it, I started reading Terry Pratchett in my late teens, so they could be considered crossover books for young adults.
Follow the link below in order to find out a little more about him and the books for which he was nominated:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/margaretaedwards/margaretedwards.cfm#current
Interestingly enough, they included books that I've read, but never found in the Teen section of the library. Although, now that I think about it, I started reading Terry Pratchett in my late teens, so they could be considered crossover books for young adults.
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