Books to Movies and Movies to Books

Books To Movies

Coming soon--This week already!

Eclipse

From the "Twilight Series" to the screen.  This is the 3rd book of the series and the beginning of all of the vampire books out there now.  Yes, you may catch me at the theater to see this!

Lightening Thief

Has now gone from the big screen to the home screen.  The reviews that I heard from some of my trusted book readers--it wasn't that great.  Just a reminder to all that you should always try to read the book!  It could be better than the movie (especially if not everything in the book can be adapted to the large screen.

Movies to Books

Sometimes things work the other way.  The movie is made first and then the book and other "stuff" for you to buy is on the shelf.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Looks like it will be a great movie.  It was suggested that I might watch Fantasia (I hate to admit that I have never seen this movie) first, because some of the scenes are repeated.  While looking for information on this movie, I also found out that it is related to a poem written a long time ago.

Does Mrs. Book-in-Hand Like Everything

Yes, I have an avatar!  Believe it or not, I use to look this way in high school!

Do I like everything I read?   NO!

Like you I have likes and dislikes:

I like bumper cars, I don't like rides that whip you around!

I like pizza, I don't like liver!

I like mystery books, I don't like Science Fiction

I read many things to have an idea of what is out there, so that I can match books to customer.

I just finished reading One Hundred Cupboards (not in our library).  A young man has lost his parents (I'm not exactly sure how), and is living with his aunt and uncle.  In this house, one door does not open...(funny part) the uncle tries a variety of ways to getting it opened. Did I mention it has been locked for over two years?  There are bumps in the night.  The plaster in the room begins to fall, and a door is revealed.  And with a lot of work--99 others.

For me, the book was not the greatest....and there were lots of things missing from the story (my opinion).  It didn't have an ending...it looks like the beginning of a series.   However, if a student were wanting this type of book, then I would suggest it.  Who knows they may like it??? 

My suggestion to you--preview the book--look at the jacket, maybe visit the author's website, read the first page or two.  If you don't like it...Why waste your time on it.  (Unless of course, it is a book that is read by the whole class)

Enchanted Glassy by Diana Wynne Jones

Ms. Jones is an author from England.  All of her books are fantasies that deal with magic.  In this story, Professor Andrew Hope has inherited his grandfather home and duties.  When he begins taking over the manor, his grandfather's employees are not sure if this "Man in his own world." will be able to handle the duties that his grandfather has also passed down.  With monster size vegetables, weredogs, and giants, Andrew and his newest responsibility Aiden try to keep the community from being taken over by Mr. O. Brown.

If you like this book, you may want to try the other books by Diana Wynne Jones.  Check her website out:

 http://www.dianawynnejones.com/

Sports Camp by Rich Wallace

With it being summer, some kids are thinking about going to camp.  There are camps for scouts, church, and sports.  At Camp Olympia, boys participate in a variety of sports--basket ball, softball, water polo, and even swimming, track, and even karaoke.  In this small world of camp Riley worries about the same things everyone worries about, fitting in.  Riley already has a few strikes against him, being the youngest, and smallest at camp.  Even if you don't get the chance, escape with Riley as he explores the life at camp and learns to compete with the best of them.

The Hunger Games trailer

The Compound Book Trailer

Boost by Kathy Mackel

Calling all Girl Athletes!  Here is a Book Just for you!

Guys, you will like also!

If you want to be the best at anything not just sports, you need to "Boost" your game.

This is the first book that I have personally read that deals with girl athletes.  (Oh, I remember that there was a soccer player in the Traveling Pants series)

 The story is about Savvy, an 8th grade basketball player,  and her friendships, her trials with making a select team, her family troubles, school, and her relationship with her sister.

The story begins with Savvy and her family moving from New Mexico to Rhode island.  Savvy is trying out for basket ball.  She's got the talent and skills to easily make the team.  But she also likes to challenge herself, and with her new friend Gonzo, they try out for the 18 and under select league.

Occassionally, I was lost due to the basketball terms, but then I'm not a basketball player or sports announcer. However, I was able to tell if the team was winning or not, and I could get a glimps of what was happening and I did enjoy the different plots.

There is also a message about steroids that is very important for athletes!

Roy Morelli Steps Up to the Plate by Thatcher Heldring

What a way to start summer than with a baseball story.  Roy, All Star team member,  has a few problems with school (who of us don't--there are still somethings I dont' like to, but have to study).  In order to be eligible to play high school ball, he is going to have to get his history grade up.  In addition to this he has a mother who is upset with the grade, he has a girl that he is interested in, his father is seeing a teacher, and he is now on a  rec team rather than his All Star team.. How could he possibly show Coach Harden how good of a player he really is?

Unfortunately, no book trailer for this book (bummer)

So my challenge--Enjoy your summer

More books will be coming.

ZebraFish by Peter H. Reynolds

I know--I just don't have many graphic novels in the library.  This one is really good.  It is a fast read (not many words to read) and it has a message.  If you are someone who wants to make a difference in the world, this maybe the book you would like to try first.

check out the book screening at here!

Interested in making a difference?  Let's see what we can do!

You may also want to check this site out:

http://www.generationcures.org/

Is It Night or Day? by Fern Shumer Chapman

Need a good historical fiction book?  This is one of the best that I have read in a long time (It made the Top 10 Historical Fiction for Teens list by Booklist) . The story starts in Germany in 1938.  Children are being sent to safety by their parents.  Many of these children do not know why.  This is the story of a separation of a young girl (age 12) and her family.  This is the beginning of the end, the Holocaust.  Edith's parents were able to collect enough money and find a sponsor to take their daughter in America.  This is her story of the travels, the people she meets on they way, and dealing with the world around her.  Although this is a historical fiction, it is based on the story of the author's mother.  I think kids will find this book just as moving as the story of Anne Frank.

For more information on the author and book:
http://www.fernschumerchapman.com/

The Kane Chronicles, Book One: The Red Pyramid

Another book trailer.  Since this book company is owned by Disney, I wonder if we will be seeing a movie in the future!

Ali Sparkes Frozen in time

Wow...I love the Book Trailer.  I'm hoping that this will work for my readers.  If it does--Wow!

Time Travel Challenge

Frozen In Time

by

Ali Sparkes

This fall, I will be offering a couple of book challenges to my 7th and 8th grade classes.  More will be said about the challenges in the fall.  One book could fit in a couple of the challenges would be this one (Time travel challenge, Reading Around the World, or Reader's Choice).

Frozen in time takes place in 2010 in London.  Two of the characters, Freddy and Polly's story actually begins in 1956.  Imagine how life can change in 54 years.  The mystery is ... who did this to them, where is the father, is he still alive, and will they be able to make the survive after 54 years in a tank.

This book is a little challenging due to the fact that it is written by a British author, but I think that you will enjoy the story.

Challenge:  Interview someone about 50 years older than you, and find out about some of the differences in music, television, past-times, manners, roles of girls and boys! 

Check out Ms. Sparkes website:

http://www.alisparkes.com/