Warner Bros. has announced the release date for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two. It will be July 15, 2011.

The studio has decided to split the final book in J.K. Rowling’s series into two movies. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One will be released November 19, 2010.

Go Ask Alice

Anonymous

GENRE: Realistic Fiction or personal Non-fiction
THEME: Growing up, Family, Responsibility, Drugs, Sexuality, and Identity
RL/IL: Young Adult, Middle School or High School
AWARDS:
PAGES: 205
Warnings: Sex, drugs, molestation, homosexuality
Alice begins her diary out of necessity. She is looking for someone to talk to, someone to share her feelings of isolation from her family and her world. Instead, her diary turns into a chronicle of drug and sexual abuse. Initially, her experimentation with drugs is an accident; her friends play an “adult version” of spin the bottle, spiking her Coke with LSD. After her fascinating experience, a good first trip, Alice begins to experiment to fit in, only to find out that drugs can not mask her loneliness and unfulfillment. Read more

If you are a fan of Marley like I am (we have our own precious lab) then you know why the Marley books are loved in our house. There are many others that you can get for your kids to read that are just as great. This lists ranges from early elementary to late Middle School.

A Dog’s Life: Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin

Told in the first person, a stray dog narrates the story from birth to death.

Amazing Gracie: by Dan Dye (Author), Mark Beckloff (Author):

Gracie was a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane with a delicate constitution and a penchant for small miracles. Dan is the man-sad over the loss of his last dog and trapped in a dead-end job-who adopted her. Gracie saves Dan more than he saves her.

The Digging-Est Dog- by Al Perkins (Author), Eric Gurney (Illustrator):

after digging the entire town, the dog has to clean it up.

No More Dead Dogs- Gordon Korman:

Tired of reading books wherein every dog dies, Wallace Wallace rebels.

Because of Winn Dixie- Kate DiCamillo:

Newbery Award winning author, DiCamillo writes of Winne Dixie, a big, ugly, happy dog who accompanies Opal on a self acceptance journey.

Shiloh- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor:

One of the best dog books for elementary readers, Naylor creates the timely tale of an abused dog and his savior.

You’re a Good Dog, Carl- Alexandra Day

Mother knows she can trust Carl, a large and lovable Rottweiler, to watch over baby Madeleine. What she doesn’t know is that the minute she’s gone, Carl and the baby gallop off on adventures.

Dog Heaven- Cynthia Rylant:

Beautiful images of where dogs will go when they pass.

Snow Dog- Jim Kjelgaard:

The adventures of a dog born in the wilderness and then captured by the same trapper his mother deserted.

The Incredible Journey- Sheila Burnford

Three dogs return home.

Marley has certainly made his impact in bookstores and in children’s and adult’s hearts across the country (the book was first a biographical  novel about Marley 2005). He is as lovable as any dog, especially because he is a rambunctious lab that almost every boy and girl can relate to. He destroys everything in sight; shoes, dinners, and toys. But, he is also the most adorable pup to ever bound across some book pages.

Wikipedia says that Marley, a yellow Labrador Retriever, is described as a highly strung, boisterous, and somewhat uncontrolled dog. He is strong, powerful, endlessly hungry, eager to be active, and often destructive of their property (but completely without malice). Marley routinely fails to “get the idea” of what humans expect of him and at one point the comment is made that mental illness might be a plausible explanation for his behavior. His acts and behaviors are forgiven, however, since it is clear that he has a heart of gold and is merely living within his nature.

In the book and in the movie, Marley is the motivating factor in almost all the family does and he is never second stage. He teaches the family about loyalty, like every dog should, and about unconditional love.

In recent reviews of the movie many parents state that although it is rated PG that it should be rated PG 13 because the family loses a child and because of some sexual content.

This review is written based upon the children’s book by the same name, Marley and Me.

Holes
Louis Sachar.

GENRE: Fantasy
THEME: Responsibility, Friendship, Survival.
RL/IL: Young Adult, Grades 5-8.
AWARDS:.Newbery Medal, National Book Award, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Notable Book, ALA Quick Pick, Christopher Award for Juvenile Fiction, Horn Book Fanfare, Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Bulletin Blue Ribbon, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
PAGES: 233
Warnings: None Read more

I have been a big fan of Kate DiCamillo since I began reading her novels way back when…Because of Winn Dixie (which makes me cry).

The Tale of Despereaux tells a magical story about a mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea (reminds me of a friend who played the Princess in the play). It is ALSO the story of a rat who lives in darkness. It is ALSO the story of Miggery Sow, a serving girl who wants one wish granted.

And, in true fantasy, Camillo tells us, the readers, that it is “our destiny to find out”.

A bit Princess Bride, a tad Mouse and the Motorcycle, a lot Shrek-like (but with a whole lotta charm).

DiCamillo will life kids into a magical world, glitter them with wishes, and fill their hearts with laughter and love.

One movie NOT to miss if you have little ones.

I’ve heard mixed reports about Twilight, the movie made from Stephenie Meyer’s best selling vampire book.  No, I haven’t seen the movie…and I haven’t read the book, or any of her books.

However, I’ve discussed the books with my 17-year old granddaughter, Kara, and one of her friends, Jennie.  Kara had no interest in seeing the movie after reading the books.  She’s a fan of fantasy and this type of book.  However, she said she found the Twilight series books slow reading.  There seemed to be a great deal of extraneous material that wasn’t necessary to the story, she thought.  So she found herself skipping that and getting to the action.  The last book in the series, she didn’t read.  She simply found a summary and skimmed that so she’d know the plot. She’s also had no desire to see the movie Twilight.   

Jennie, who wasn’t a fan of vampire type books, read the first Stephenie Meyer book and was hooked.  She loved it.  I don’t know if she’s seen the movie.

It appears people either love the movie and often see it repeatedly.  Others find it doesn’t equal the book and don’t care for it. 

What do you think of the books?  How does the movie compare?

(Adam Hersh Posters image)

If you are either a fan of Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, or the well renowned writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald …you will probably enjoy seeing this over your holiday vacation.

Mark your calendars for December 19 and check out the trailer below.

To order the book before seeing the movie (always a good recommendation) click on the link. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: The Inspiration for the Upcoming Major Motion Picture

To see Brad Pitt this week…check out the Today Show on Tuesday morning.

Trailer

Freewill

Lynch, C.

GENRE: Realistic Fiction
THEME: Grief, Death, Family, and Emotional problems.
RL/IL: Young Adult: Grades 7-10.
AWARDS: Michael Printz Award,
PAGES: 148
Will would confuse Holden Caulfield himself with his thought process. Will is sent to an alternative school and to live with his grandparents after his father commits suicide and kills Will’s stepmother (although the reader does not know this until midway through the novel). The story becomes even more confusing when several teenagers in the community mysteriously die and Will is blamed. After much consideration, Will begins to believe that he did harm them and believes he is a bringer of death. Read more

The Rainbow Fish

“This is what the author means,” so often teachers, reviewers and readers say.

I’ve often wondered how they know, unless the author has specifically stated it.  When I was in school, my teachers, then my college professors told us this or that was what the author actually meant about books, plays and short stories we were reading.  They would pull out a commentary of some “expert’s” opinion and say that was what the author meant. Reviewers often tell us the same thing.

However, I often wondered, “Did the author actually say this is what he/she meant by that story?”  Yes, sometimes the author’s life experiences are reflected in the book or subject matter chosen.  But don’t reviewers and so-called experts often read more into the story than was intended?

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister brings the more controversy and discussion than  just about any book mentioned on One Book Two Book.  The post, Rainbow Fish Makes a Comback at Our House, was written by former blogger, Kelly Erb, about a year ago, yet still draws attention and comments.

Did the author write it as a social, socialistic commentary?  Or was it written as pure fun and to entertain young readers?  Is there an underlying message?  If so, is the message as deep as some commenters say?

What’s your take on this?  If anyone knows about specific references from the author about what he intended to convey, I’d enjoy knowing about them. 

(Check out my Controversial Books page.)

(Amazon image)