Welcome to my blog/database of materials for young adults. This was created as a class project for the Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at San Jose State University (SJSU). What follows are reviews for 35 different materials, suitable for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18. Please see the post below for links to indices of the materials, great for finding something in a particular format, or simply scroll down to begin reading the reviews.
Thanks for visiting!
Friday, August 7, 2009
10 Things I Hate About You
Title 10 Things I Hate About You
Director Gil Junger
Writer Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith
Starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larissa Oleynik
ISBN 0788817795
Distributor Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Copyright Date 1999 (DVD)
Interest Age 12+
Rating PG-13
Genre Contemporary Life; Issues: Dating
Plot Summary
10 Things I Hate About You is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew about two sisters, Bianca and Katherine, who are extremely different. Bianca is outgoing and fun while Katherine is considered a "shrew" who will never wed. In this version, Bianca wants to date, but her father refuses to let her until Kat, as she's called, dates as well. The problem is that Kat has sworn off boys forever and is more comfortable listening to music, reading and fantasizing about going away for college. When Cameron, who wants to go out with Bianca, learns about her father's rule, he sets out to find someone who can get Kat to start dating again. Enter bad boy with an Australian accent, Patrick. How far will Patrick and Cameron go to win Kat over? Will Bianca even want to go out with Cameron after all is said and done?
Critical Evaluation
This movie, while a little bit silly and formulaic, is still enjoyable even after ten years. (Though teens might find the music and the outfits a bit dated.) This is a quintessential teen movie with heartthrobs, a great soundtrack and all the teen angst you can fit into an hour and a half. The acting by Julia Stiles is particularly good and today's teens will get a kick out of seeing her, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt ten years younger as they are all still popular actors (though Ledger has since passed away). The message, unfortunately, is ambiguous: are the filmmakers creating a traditional reading of The Taming of the Shrew (that a woman who is without a man can't possibly be complete) or a non-traditional reading (that the right person can help to heal old wounds)? These competing viewpoints could make for a great discussion for teens.
Reader’s Annotation
Bianca's dad won't let her date until her sister Kat does. But no one in their right mind would want to date Kat, right? What's a girl to do?
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into a discussion of The Taming of the Shrew for an English class, particularly in relationship to how modern retellings can be different from the original.
DVDtalking Ideas
1. Do character sketches of Kat and Bianca and end with the challenge of trying to figure out how to get Kat to date.
2. Start with a plot summary of The Taming of the Shrew and then hook the reader with this modern retelling.
Challenge Issues
Issue: underage alcohol and tobacco use
Defense: The message is ultimately that these things are bad and irresponsible - the smoker quits smoking and the drinking only results in throwing up.
Why did I include this DVD?
2009 Fabulous Films for Young Adults (ALA, 2009)
Juno
Title Juno
Director Jason Reitman
Writer Diablo Cody
Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons
ISBN 0788817795
Distributor Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Copyright Date 1999 (DVD)
Interest Age 13+
Rating PG-13
Genre Contemporary Life; Issues: Teen Pregnancy
Plot Summary
Juno is a film about a teenage girl of the same name who is witty, intelligent and wise beyond her years. When she finds out she is pregnant, she first thinks that she will have an abortion as she knows that she is too young and immature to be a parent. But when she encounters a fellow classmate at the abortion clinic who forces her to rethink her decision, she decides to keep the baby and give it up for adoption. Juno's parents are loving and kind, supporting her the whole way, though they certainly understand the severity of the situation. Of course, Juno also has to tell the father who is also a high schooler and not-quite her boyfriend. Juno thinks she has found the perfect parents in an affluent couple, but will they be able to give her baby the life it deserves?
Critical Evaluation
This movie was a huge hit for a reason. The character of Juno is almost unbelievably likeable, in a mouthy, confident way that makes her seem much older than she is. Her boyfriend is adorably clueless and their relationship, though immature, is endearing. Particularly likeable are her parents who are fiercely supportive while realistically shocked at Juno's decision. This is a great film to recommend to teens, particularly pregnant teenagers, who might need a more optimistic portrayal of this frightening and challenging situation. This film presents a nice balance to the often bleak outlook that most people have towards teen pregnancy and the assumption that teenagers who get pregnant are irresponsible, come from broken homes and are wildly promiscuous.
Reader’s Annotation
Juno's pregnant and she's keeping the baby. Now it's time to find the perfect parents.
Curriculum Ties None
DVDtalking Ideas
1. Tell a plot summary about the story, focusing on the fact and end with a question to the audience: Would you have done the same in Juno's shoes?
Challenge Issues
Issue: sexually explicit, inappropriately light depiction of teen pregnancy
Defense: This film ultimately has a positive message that teen pregnancy, though a serious issue, can be dealt with in a positive, supportive manner and goes a long way to validate the experiences of teenage girls who choose to give up their babies for adoption.
Why did I include this DVD?
2009 Fabulous Films for Young Adults (ALA, 2009); Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Writing, Best Director).
Napoleon Dynamite
Title Napoleon Dynamite
Director Jared Hess
Writer Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess
Starring Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Diedrich Bader
ISBN 024543534839
Distributor 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Copyright Date 2008 (DVD)
Interest Age 13+
Rating PG
Genre Contemporary Life
Plot Summary
Napoleon Dynamite is the quirky tale of Napoleon, a teenager living in Idaho with his older brother Kip and his llama-owning grandmother. The plot is fairly straightforward: Napoleon teams up with his friends to elect Pedro as school president. But neither Napoleon nor his friends are particularly popular, so they have to be fairly creative about it. This is a story about any high school, in any town, populated by the bizarre, the silly and the tragically sociall awkward. Will Pedro be elected school president? Will Napoleon ever gain any skills? Will Kip every hook up with his internet girlfriend?
Critical Evaluation
Though there is very little plot development to this film, it is still extremely funny and a cult-classic in it's own right. The character of Napoleon is hilarious, seemingly oblivious to his own dorkiness and awkardness. He is a character unlike any other in teen movies: he is neither the stereotypical intellegent nerd, nor the social outcast that he might be in another film. Instead, he is a unique person, unable and unwilling to conform to the standards of high school. This film is less a story than a small chunk out of a strange family and their endearing lives. Teens that enjoy off-beat, eccentric, oddball humor will enjoy this film and will delight in the climax that is both hysterical as well as inspiring.
Reader’s Annotation
"What are you going to do today Napoleon?" "Whatever I feel like doing, GOSH."
Curriculum Ties None
DVDtalking Ideas
1. Do character sketches of Pedro and Napoleon encouraging the audience to read more to find out what happens.
Challenge Issues
None
Why did I include this DVD?
MTV Movie Award, Best Movie; personal favorite.
Slumdog Millionaire
Title Slumdog Millionaire
Director Danny Boyle
Writer Simon Beaufoy
Starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto
ISBN 02454357443950
Distributor 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Copyright Date 2008 (DVD)
Interest Age 15+
Rating R
Genre Contemporary Life
Plot Summary
Jamal Malik is a contestant on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" and he is doing really well (to the chagrin of the show's creators). They want to know how he could possibly know all the answers to the questions and as the audience, so do we. Thus starts the tale of Slumdog Millionaire which follows Jamal from his childhood in the slums to sitting on stage, on television, for all the world and hopefully, his true love to see.
Critical Evaluation
This film garnered well-deserved attention for it's landmark portrayal of growing up in the slums of India, within a rigid caste system, rapid industrialization, overwhelming violence and crushing poverty. Jamal's character, played by Dev Patel, is fabulously acted and someone that the audience is immediately drawn to. As we learn about Dev's story, we begin to root for him, and not just to win the game show, but for the higher purpose: to reconnect with his lost love. There are some scenes that are quite violent, but this only adds to the fact that this film is a realistic potrayal of what it is like to grow up in India: though not always pretty, full of color, excitement and love. Particularly interesting is the method of using the questions that Jamal gets in order to tell the story - a clever device that captures attention. A great recommendation for fans of realistic films and teens interested in Indian culture.
Reader’s Annotation
Jamal wants to be a millionaire, but more importantly he wants to find his lost love.
Curriculum Ties Would be a great movie tie-in to a lesson about India's caste system. The dance at the end would be a fun introduction to bhangra, a traditional dance form.
DVDtalking Ideas
1. Start with a question phrased like one on the game show and then do a plot summary that highlights Jamal's struggles as a result of being born in the slums.
Challenge Issues
None
Why did I include this DVD?
Winner of eight Oscars; personal favorite.
Spirited Away
Title Spirited Away
Director/Writer Hayao Miyazaki
ISBN 0788844717
Distributor Buena Vista Home Vido
Copyright Date 2003 (DVD)
Interest Age 12+
Rating PG
Genre Contemporary Life; Fantasy
Plot Summary
Spirited Away is a feature-length animated Japanese film by Hayao Miyazaki. It is the story of Chihiro, a ten-year-old who is moving with her family to a new place. Along the way, her brash father decides to take a "shortcut" down a strange path with little house-like structures. At the end, they go through a portal to what looks like an abandoned fairgrounds on the other side. Surprisingly, though there is no one else around, there is hot food, which her greedy parents immediately start to devour. Chihiro wanders off and meets Haku, a young boy who warns her that she has entered a spirit world and should leave with her parents immediately. Suddenly, spirits do begin to appear and Chihiro rushes back to her parents to find that they have turned into pigs. Desperate, she again find Haku who tells her to go into the grand bath house in order to get a job until he can help her figure out a way out. The bath house is for the spirits and is run by a malevolent woman named Yubaba who has an enormously fat baby. Chihiro is able to get a job, but must give up her name in return. Frightened, Chihiro accepts the name of Sen and begins work in the bath house. Will Chihiro be able to gain her name back and save her parents or is she destined to remain a slave in the spirit's bath house forever?
Critical Evaluation
If ever an animated film could be considered a masterpiece, Spirited Away is the first to come to mind. Beautifully animated, this film is not your usual cartoon fare, but a story of mythological proportions that is sure to delight even the staunchest film-snob adults. Interesting to note is the fact that Chihiro, the main character, is not particularly likeable. She is whiny and snobby, afraid of hard work and easy to upset. But through the course of the movie she changes - she grows and matures. And this evolution is something that teenagers will relate to, even if her characer is portrayed as quite young. In addition, the references to Japanese mythology and culture are really enthralling and this would be a great recommendation to a teen that is interested in other cultures. I would also recommend this to teens interested in anime and Japan.
Reader’s Annotation
Chihiro wishes she didn't have to move and start over again. But when her parents take a detour on the way, she learns that maybe her life isn't so bad when she is spirited away.
Curriculum Ties Great tie-in to Japanese culture, mythology and religion.
DVDtalking Ideas
1. Set the mood of the abandoned park with the stall of food and then the bath house for the spirits.
2. Do a character sketch of Chihiro and encourage the audience to read more to find out if she grows up.
Challenge Issues
None
Why did I include this DVD?
Fabulous Films for Young Adults (ALA, 2009); Academy Award - Best Animated Feature; personal favorite.
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