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.

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Harry Potter’s Deathly Hallows to be Two Movies

Neil Gaiman is the master of the new tween ghost story and is now also the winner of the Newbery award and has a new movie coming out in just a week. What a whirlwind.

From the ALA site:

A delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard, where he is reared and protected by its spirit denizens.

“A child named Nobody, an assassin, a graveyard and the dead are the perfect combination in this deliciously creepy tale, which is sometimes humorous, sometimes haunting and sometimes surprising,” said Newbery Committee Chair Rose V. Treviño.

To purchase this book see the One Book, Two Book sidebar: Award Winners.

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Neil Gaiman Wins Newbery

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.

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Marley and Me Endearing

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.

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The Tale of Despereaux Opens…

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

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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

“I’m not trying to do a fictional story based on all my friends in my real life because their stories aren’t really mine to tell,” she said, adding that she has already completed the outline for the first book. “Some of the characters may symbolize people in my life, but it is in no way calling anyone out.”

At 22 Conrad has it all. Author, fashion designer, reality star, and, in my opinion, she is a positive role model for teens.

The young adult fiction series will be titled “LA Candy” and will hit the book shelves next summer.

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The Hills goes to the Books

There is more to the The City of Ember (The First Book of Ember) than just the darkness. Deep beneath the city is a history that is ignored, there are things like death that have no meaning, much like that in the The Giver.

Ember comes to the screen October 10, 2008. Read the book BEFORE you see the movie!

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The City of Ember to the Screen

 We’re having an interesting, actually thought provoking, discussion at Marcie’s post, The Gossip, the Girls, and, OH, the Sex. You might like to check out the comments and add your own. 

Here are some questions you might think about:

•  What’s your take on the Gossip Girl book series and the show?
• Do you read the books or watch the show?
• Do, or would you, encourage your youngsters to read the books and watch the show?
• Would you participate in discussions with your youngsters or simply let them go along on their own?
• What are your thoughts about books like these for youngsters and teens?

Let us know what you think.

(Amazon image; click for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Join Our Discussion At Marcie’s “Gossip Girl” Post

I will be the first to admit that although I am an over 30 female I absolutely love Gossip Girl  I found the first season season to be utterly fascinating. Sure, it is all surreal…do 16-year-olds really have Serena-like summer sexcapades and socialite soirées in the Hamptons? Do they really drink in trendy nightclubs just like the Sex in the City 30+ year olds? And Chuck? Ah, Chuck…Are there really guys like him? He’s just the guy you don’t want to mess with..He’s all smarmy sex, money, and temptation (and yes…all decked out in plaid and a bow-tie).

But, do we really want our teenage children watching Gossip Girl? We all know that teens have sex. Hell, they even have multiple partners. But, do we really need to glorify it? From what I have read the books are loaded with sex, drugs, and alcohol but traditionally, kids watch television far more than they read, especially in middle school.

For all my love for the show it is, in my opinion, mind blowingly inappropriate for younger teen audiences. The writers have a different take on the show.

“When people say the show glamorizes teen drinking and sex, they aren’t really watching the episodes,” Savage said. “Not all the characters drink or have sex, and when they do, it’s always put in a context. Behaviors are rooted in character. There’s decision-making, regret and consequences involved.”

Despite it’s recent tawdry (and brilliant) advertising CW posted fabulous new ratings for its premiere episode. Aided by solid reviews, Gossip Girl (3.4 million viewers, 1.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating, a 5 share and a 2.3 adults 18-34 rating) returned up 6 percent from its premiere last year and up 10 percent among the key 18-34 demographic.

And, amazingly, what CW did was fabulous…despite that tantalizing advertising they failed to deliver as much smut as I anticipated. Instead, the only one “getti’ some” was Nate and his down and dirty duchess. Of course, the innuendos were there, as was the drinking and backstabbing.

Do you let your children watch Gossip Girl ? Do you let them read the books?

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The Gossip, the Girls, and OH, the Sex!

There are some changes from the book though. Mom is now Hispanic, Helen has a baby brother, and the family lives in Wagstaff.

You can find more about Martha Speaks at pbskids.

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Martha Speaks on PBS