Just a quick announcement:
Look at the bottom of this post. Do you see those lovely thumbnails? These links will appear at the bottom of each and every post and will direct you to a few other posts on this blog that might be related to the one you are reading. These related posts are generated automatically based on the tags/labels that I give each post. Therefore a post labeled "reviews" might list other posts that have the "reviews" label.
Hopefully this will help readers - especially those who just stumble upon this blog via a Google search - find other interesting things to peruse on this blog. Enjoy!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Titanic Program
On April 15, 1912 the RMS Titanic sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. It was one of the largest disasters of its kind and the sinking still captures the hearts of people today. This year we commemorated the 100th anniversary of the disaster with a special program at the library.
My program was initially open to kids in grades 4-8. When sign-up was sluggish at first (and after we learned that the local 3rd graders had studied the Titanic in school!) we opened the program up to 3rd graders as well. In the end we had a solid turn out.
As kids arrived, we had them make name tags. I also gave each child a card with some information about a real passenger on the Titanic (information was taken from the Encyclopedia Titanica) featuring passenger names, ages, class, ticket cost, etc. I asked the kids to think critically about who their passenger was and try to guess if their passenger was likely to survive the sinking or not (children, women, and higher class were all more likely to survive than their counterparts). This activity was actually borrowed from an exhibit I saw at the Milwaukee Public Museum a few years ago, and proved to be a good way of connecting with the passengers' personal stories.
While waiting for the other kids to arrive they could explore a timeline of major Titanic events. There was also a display of books about the Titanic and its sinking available to browse.
Our first group activity was a discussion about Morse Code and other methods that the Titanic may have had at their disposal for signaling for help. We talked about CQD and SOS and how they are used as distress signals. I also showed them the Morse Code Machine on the Boy's Life website, which is a fun way of learning about Morse Code. You can take quizes here to test your knowledge of the code and type out your own messages.
Next we talked about the cold conditions on the night when the Titanic sank. We talked about how cold it was and how it was difficult to see icebergs on such a calm, clear night. We filled a kiddy pool with cold water and placed a large chunk of ice inside to act as our iceberg. (Credit for this idea goes to Abby the Librarian.) The kids were challenged to stand in the cold water and see how long they could last in the cold water. That was a lot of fun! Most kids only lasted a couple of seconds, but a few lasted a full five minutes before we had to move on to another project.
To prepare for our next activity I had looked up the dimensions of the Titanic's lifeboats and drawn an outline of one of the boats on the floor with masking tape. (Did you know that most of the lifeboats were about 30 feet long x 9 feet wide?). I asked the kids to sit inside our "lifeboat" while we talked about how and why most of the lifeboats weren't filled with as many people as they could hold. With the kids, myself, and a couple of helpers sitting in the "lifeboat" we had 19 people in total - the same number of people that were inside the first lifeboat when it was lowered. This was a great visual aid to demonstrate how the lifeboat situation really affected the fatality rate on the Titanic.
Next we played Titanic Trivia. I borrowed the idea for this game's format from this year's CSLP Teen Summer Library Program Manual (page 52) and adapted it for a Titanic theme. To set up, I had four chairs (one for each team) set up along one wall of the room with point values assigned on pieces of paper above each chair. I divided the kids up into four teams of four. I gave each team a set of cards on colored paper with the answers to all of the questions that I would ask. Each team sat on the floor with the answer cards spread out in front of them. I would ask a trivia question relating to the Titanic and each team would have to try to find the correct answer card. One person from each team would act as a runner and would run from their spot on the floor to a chair with an answer in hand. If they got the correct answer then their team would earn the number of points assigned to the chair they were sitting in. If they had the wrong answer, however, they would loose that many points - so it is more important to be right than it is to be fast! The kids had a great time and I think it was a good idea to have an activity like this with some movement involved. Another big appeal of this format is that the kids didn't necessarily already need to be Titanic experts to have fun with this game since the answers were already provided. Plus, it was a great way to review what we had learned from the previous activities and throw in a few other bits of information that didn't quite fit elsewhere in the program.
To conclude the event I passed out cards that corresponded to the passenger profiles that the kids were given early in the program. These cards described whether the passengers survived the sinking or not. The kids had fun comparing stories and discovering the fates of their passengers.
Overall, this was a very successful program and the kids and I had a great time with these hands-on activities. The program lasted about 75 minutes, and truthfully the trivia game could have been a program all on its own if expanded upon. I was also very glad to have another staff person on hand to help out - setting up or taking down activities, keeping the kids corralled, and taking pictures as needed.
My program was initially open to kids in grades 4-8. When sign-up was sluggish at first (and after we learned that the local 3rd graders had studied the Titanic in school!) we opened the program up to 3rd graders as well. In the end we had a solid turn out.
As kids arrived, we had them make name tags. I also gave each child a card with some information about a real passenger on the Titanic (information was taken from the Encyclopedia Titanica) featuring passenger names, ages, class, ticket cost, etc. I asked the kids to think critically about who their passenger was and try to guess if their passenger was likely to survive the sinking or not (children, women, and higher class were all more likely to survive than their counterparts). This activity was actually borrowed from an exhibit I saw at the Milwaukee Public Museum a few years ago, and proved to be a good way of connecting with the passengers' personal stories.
While waiting for the other kids to arrive they could explore a timeline of major Titanic events. There was also a display of books about the Titanic and its sinking available to browse.
Our first group activity was a discussion about Morse Code and other methods that the Titanic may have had at their disposal for signaling for help. We talked about CQD and SOS and how they are used as distress signals. I also showed them the Morse Code Machine on the Boy's Life website, which is a fun way of learning about Morse Code. You can take quizes here to test your knowledge of the code and type out your own messages.
Next we talked about the cold conditions on the night when the Titanic sank. We talked about how cold it was and how it was difficult to see icebergs on such a calm, clear night. We filled a kiddy pool with cold water and placed a large chunk of ice inside to act as our iceberg. (Credit for this idea goes to Abby the Librarian.) The kids were challenged to stand in the cold water and see how long they could last in the cold water. That was a lot of fun! Most kids only lasted a couple of seconds, but a few lasted a full five minutes before we had to move on to another project.
To prepare for our next activity I had looked up the dimensions of the Titanic's lifeboats and drawn an outline of one of the boats on the floor with masking tape. (Did you know that most of the lifeboats were about 30 feet long x 9 feet wide?). I asked the kids to sit inside our "lifeboat" while we talked about how and why most of the lifeboats weren't filled with as many people as they could hold. With the kids, myself, and a couple of helpers sitting in the "lifeboat" we had 19 people in total - the same number of people that were inside the first lifeboat when it was lowered. This was a great visual aid to demonstrate how the lifeboat situation really affected the fatality rate on the Titanic.
Next we played Titanic Trivia. I borrowed the idea for this game's format from this year's CSLP Teen Summer Library Program Manual (page 52) and adapted it for a Titanic theme. To set up, I had four chairs (one for each team) set up along one wall of the room with point values assigned on pieces of paper above each chair. I divided the kids up into four teams of four. I gave each team a set of cards on colored paper with the answers to all of the questions that I would ask. Each team sat on the floor with the answer cards spread out in front of them. I would ask a trivia question relating to the Titanic and each team would have to try to find the correct answer card. One person from each team would act as a runner and would run from their spot on the floor to a chair with an answer in hand. If they got the correct answer then their team would earn the number of points assigned to the chair they were sitting in. If they had the wrong answer, however, they would loose that many points - so it is more important to be right than it is to be fast! The kids had a great time and I think it was a good idea to have an activity like this with some movement involved. Another big appeal of this format is that the kids didn't necessarily already need to be Titanic experts to have fun with this game since the answers were already provided. Plus, it was a great way to review what we had learned from the previous activities and throw in a few other bits of information that didn't quite fit elsewhere in the program.
To conclude the event I passed out cards that corresponded to the passenger profiles that the kids were given early in the program. These cards described whether the passengers survived the sinking or not. The kids had fun comparing stories and discovering the fates of their passengers.
Overall, this was a very successful program and the kids and I had a great time with these hands-on activities. The program lasted about 75 minutes, and truthfully the trivia game could have been a program all on its own if expanded upon. I was also very glad to have another staff person on hand to help out - setting up or taking down activities, keeping the kids corralled, and taking pictures as needed.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
How did she do that?
Tonight I helped a girl, 4th grade or so, track down the second Harry Potter book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone). She had tried to find it in the catalog but for some reason was having trouble. I showed here where all of the Harry Potter books could be found on the shelves and, lo and behold, there was the book she was looking for. Huzzah!
A few minutes later I overheard the girl and her mom talking. The girl showed her mother that she had found the book she wanted. Mom, apparently realizing that she had had some trouble, asked in surprise, "How did she find it when you couldn't?"
The girl's reply: "She's a librarian..."
As if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Score one for the librarians!
A few minutes later I overheard the girl and her mom talking. The girl showed her mother that she had found the book she wanted. Mom, apparently realizing that she had had some trouble, asked in surprise, "How did she find it when you couldn't?"
The girl's reply: "She's a librarian..."
As if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Score one for the librarians!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
New Teen Arrivals
Things have been a bit hectic around here lately, both in Library Land as well as in my personal life. Fortunately, nothing soothes the soul quite like a box of brand new books. Here are just a few titles for teens that arrived at the library recently that I'd love to get my hands on:
Black Heart by Holly Black
The third book in Black's Curse Workers series is going to be a surefire hit. Fantasy meets the mafia as poor Cassel tries to figure out how to balance the curse-working life he was born into with the life he really wants. My only complaint - Once again, Holly Black's publishers have decided to completely change the style of the book covers, so none of the three books in this series look even remotely alike.
Chomp by Cark Hiassen
If Hiassen's previous books and the name of the central character (Wahoo Cray) are any indication, this latest middle-grade environmental adventure should be awesome. Wahoo's father is an animal wrangler working on location in the Everglades for a TV show called "Expedition Survival." Then the show's boneheaded star goes missing.
Blue Exorcist, Vol. 1 by Kazue Kato
I picked up the first three volumes in this highly-rated manga series for the library and I'm excited to give it a try. When his foster father is killed, Rin vows to defeat the demon lord Satan and enrolls in the True Cross Academy to train as an exorcist. And oh yeah, Satan is Rin's real father, and he must struggle to keep his true bloodline a secret.
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Divergent was one of the most talked-about books of last year, and the sequel comes highly anticipated as well. I'm looking forward to lots of action and hopefully a few answers to my questions from the last book.
Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
Kelsey has big plans for her life now that's she's starting high school. Unfortunately, the rest of the world doesn't seem to be in on this. It sounds like your basic, "wow, I'm in high school now!" story. But for some reason I'm very eager to read this one. I blame the attractive cover.
Black Heart by Holly BlackThe third book in Black's Curse Workers series is going to be a surefire hit. Fantasy meets the mafia as poor Cassel tries to figure out how to balance the curse-working life he was born into with the life he really wants. My only complaint - Once again, Holly Black's publishers have decided to completely change the style of the book covers, so none of the three books in this series look even remotely alike.
Chomp by Cark Hiassen
If Hiassen's previous books and the name of the central character (Wahoo Cray) are any indication, this latest middle-grade environmental adventure should be awesome. Wahoo's father is an animal wrangler working on location in the Everglades for a TV show called "Expedition Survival." Then the show's boneheaded star goes missing.
Blue Exorcist, Vol. 1 by Kazue Kato
I picked up the first three volumes in this highly-rated manga series for the library and I'm excited to give it a try. When his foster father is killed, Rin vows to defeat the demon lord Satan and enrolls in the True Cross Academy to train as an exorcist. And oh yeah, Satan is Rin's real father, and he must struggle to keep his true bloodline a secret.
Insurgent by Veronica RothDivergent was one of the most talked-about books of last year, and the sequel comes highly anticipated as well. I'm looking forward to lots of action and hopefully a few answers to my questions from the last book.
Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin
Kelsey has big plans for her life now that's she's starting high school. Unfortunately, the rest of the world doesn't seem to be in on this. It sounds like your basic, "wow, I'm in high school now!" story. But for some reason I'm very eager to read this one. I blame the attractive cover.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Keva Planks
We have several fun programs planned for this week while the kids are off on Spring Break. One of them was a LEGO and Keva Open Play event.
Most people are familiar with LEGOs - those little bricks that can be used to build houses, vehicles, the Millennium Falcon, Hogwarts, or a variety of other original sculptures. We've known for ages that LEGOs are cool, and LEGO clubs have been hot programs at libraries for a couple of years now.
But Keva Planks are not nearly as well known. Actually, I'd never heard of them before starting this new job. But they're super cool! These simple wooden planks look a lot like the blocks used to play the game Jenga, but they are actually kind of ingenious in their construction. They're engineered to all be the exact same size and weight, which means that they will stack and balance perfectly. There's no need to sort a million tiny pieces because all of the planks are the same. And you can build anything!
Here are a couple of pictures of projects that I completed during our open play program. One of them was copied from the idea sheet that comes in the box, and he other was more or less my own design:
I have to say, building with the Keva Planks was incredibly relaxing. I found myself building repetitive geometric patterns and it proved soothing, much like a zen garden. It's so simple that anyone can do it no matter what their age or how shaky their hands are. And the planks have that great wood-smell too.
I'm a great advocate of just having fun with blocks like Keva Planks and LEGOs, but of course there are those who need to see that an activity like this is worth something "more." Fortunately, playing with blocks really is good for you! It's a great way for kids to learn skills in art, architecture, engineering, mathematics, and team building. Kids will literally build all of these skills without even trying as they construct new towers and sculptures with simple toy blocks.
Most people are familiar with LEGOs - those little bricks that can be used to build houses, vehicles, the Millennium Falcon, Hogwarts, or a variety of other original sculptures. We've known for ages that LEGOs are cool, and LEGO clubs have been hot programs at libraries for a couple of years now.
But Keva Planks are not nearly as well known. Actually, I'd never heard of them before starting this new job. But they're super cool! These simple wooden planks look a lot like the blocks used to play the game Jenga, but they are actually kind of ingenious in their construction. They're engineered to all be the exact same size and weight, which means that they will stack and balance perfectly. There's no need to sort a million tiny pieces because all of the planks are the same. And you can build anything!
Here are a couple of pictures of projects that I completed during our open play program. One of them was copied from the idea sheet that comes in the box, and he other was more or less my own design:
I have to say, building with the Keva Planks was incredibly relaxing. I found myself building repetitive geometric patterns and it proved soothing, much like a zen garden. It's so simple that anyone can do it no matter what their age or how shaky their hands are. And the planks have that great wood-smell too.
I'm a great advocate of just having fun with blocks like Keva Planks and LEGOs, but of course there are those who need to see that an activity like this is worth something "more." Fortunately, playing with blocks really is good for you! It's a great way for kids to learn skills in art, architecture, engineering, mathematics, and team building. Kids will literally build all of these skills without even trying as they construct new towers and sculptures with simple toy blocks.
Monday, April 9, 2012
If You Liked The Hunger Games
Not too long ago when The Hunger Games movie was released, I started a book display in the teen area full of Hunger Games read-alikes. The book has been so popular and was made even more so with the movie's release, so it seemed like a good idea to give teens something to read until their holds came in. Needless to say, the display has been popular.
Here are just a few of the books included in the display:
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas wakes up in an elevator with no memory of his past. He finds himself in an area known as The Glade with other boys who have been trying to survive and find a way out of the maze that surrounds them. Action and a sinister setting make for a compelling read.
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Finn is a prisoner who is convinced that he once had a life outside of Incarceron and is determined to escape. Claudia is the warden's daughter who is desperate to find a way out of her arranged marriage and the political games that go with it. When the two find a way to communicate Claudia realizes that they may be able to help each other. This book is more fantasy than sci-fi, but it does have the adventure elements and political intrigue that will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future where it is illegal for parents to have more than two children, Luke is a third-born hidden away in his attic where no one will find him. Then he meets another third-born girl who makes his dream of freedom seem real. I like to give this book to middle-schoolers and other younger readers who are interested in The Hunger Games but might be too young for some of the other books on this list.
Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines
Lyn watches her seventh step-father die as a gladiator in the arena. She then realizes that she will have to marry the man who killed him. Much like The Hunger Games, fights to the death are televised on live TV as a part of the culture.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
In this book's universe, the people of what was once Chicago are divided into factions, each of which values a specific virtue above all else. Like the rest of her peers Beatrice takes a test when she turns 16 to determine which faction she is best suited for. Unfortunately Beatrice's results are inconclusive - a feat which is rare and places her in danger. Beatrice must decide which faction she wishes to join and hope that she can survive the rigorous initiation process.
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Saba lives in a wasteland, and her family finds what they need by scavenging old landfills. But when her brother Lugh is captured, Saba teams up with a group of freedom fighters to get him back.
Here are just a few of the books included in the display:
The Maze Runner by James DashnerThomas wakes up in an elevator with no memory of his past. He finds himself in an area known as The Glade with other boys who have been trying to survive and find a way out of the maze that surrounds them. Action and a sinister setting make for a compelling read.
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Finn is a prisoner who is convinced that he once had a life outside of Incarceron and is determined to escape. Claudia is the warden's daughter who is desperate to find a way out of her arranged marriage and the political games that go with it. When the two find a way to communicate Claudia realizes that they may be able to help each other. This book is more fantasy than sci-fi, but it does have the adventure elements and political intrigue that will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In a future where it is illegal for parents to have more than two children, Luke is a third-born hidden away in his attic where no one will find him. Then he meets another third-born girl who makes his dream of freedom seem real. I like to give this book to middle-schoolers and other younger readers who are interested in The Hunger Games but might be too young for some of the other books on this list.
Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines
Lyn watches her seventh step-father die as a gladiator in the arena. She then realizes that she will have to marry the man who killed him. Much like The Hunger Games, fights to the death are televised on live TV as a part of the culture.
Divergent by Veronica RothIn this book's universe, the people of what was once Chicago are divided into factions, each of which values a specific virtue above all else. Like the rest of her peers Beatrice takes a test when she turns 16 to determine which faction she is best suited for. Unfortunately Beatrice's results are inconclusive - a feat which is rare and places her in danger. Beatrice must decide which faction she wishes to join and hope that she can survive the rigorous initiation process.
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Saba lives in a wasteland, and her family finds what they need by scavenging old landfills. But when her brother Lugh is captured, Saba teams up with a group of freedom fighters to get him back.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Mars Workshop
Did you know that the theme for this summer's reading program is Dream Big? The theme focuses on nighttime, and many libraries are taking this theme into outer space. And did you also know that on August 6, 2012 the Mars rover Curiosity will be landing on the red planet? (Check out this website for more cool information on that.) That's pretty awesome timing, as it corresponds with the end of most libraries' summer reading programs.
In conjunction with both of these events, I spent some time this week at a very cool workshop sponsored by NASA's Lunar and Planetary Institute called Explore: Life on Mars. The workshop was designed specifically for librarians and other leaders who work with children outside of schools. They gave us a ton of interesting information about the planet Mars as well as ideas for cool hands-on programs that we could use with children.
I have to say, this was probably one of the coolest and most useful workshops I've been able to attend. We were able to teleconferece and meet in person with scientists who work in the field of astrobiology and they all gave great presentations. I got to flex my science muscles as I learned about Mars' climate (dry, dusty, windy, and cold) and discussed exactly what defines life and how we might find it on a planet like Mars. We even got to spend some time talking about the Curiosity rover and past rover missions to Mars.
Best of all were the hands-on activities. Each activity could be replicated with a group of school-age kids and helps to contribute to the scientific discussion about life on other planets. These activities included:
-Planting cactus as a way of talking about what life needs to survive.
-Making volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar, and tracking the lava flow to simulate volcanic activity on Mars.
-Allowing water to flow through a controled mixture of sand and dirt, simulating the way that water would have once flowed and left tracks on Mars.
-Designing our own Mars rovers using craft supplies, equipped specifically to look for microbal life forms on Mars.
I'm so excited to work some of these activities into our library programs! Who knew that Mars could be so interesting?
In conjunction with both of these events, I spent some time this week at a very cool workshop sponsored by NASA's Lunar and Planetary Institute called Explore: Life on Mars. The workshop was designed specifically for librarians and other leaders who work with children outside of schools. They gave us a ton of interesting information about the planet Mars as well as ideas for cool hands-on programs that we could use with children.
I have to say, this was probably one of the coolest and most useful workshops I've been able to attend. We were able to teleconferece and meet in person with scientists who work in the field of astrobiology and they all gave great presentations. I got to flex my science muscles as I learned about Mars' climate (dry, dusty, windy, and cold) and discussed exactly what defines life and how we might find it on a planet like Mars. We even got to spend some time talking about the Curiosity rover and past rover missions to Mars.
Best of all were the hands-on activities. Each activity could be replicated with a group of school-age kids and helps to contribute to the scientific discussion about life on other planets. These activities included:
-Planting cactus as a way of talking about what life needs to survive.
-Making volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar, and tracking the lava flow to simulate volcanic activity on Mars.
-Allowing water to flow through a controled mixture of sand and dirt, simulating the way that water would have once flowed and left tracks on Mars.
-Designing our own Mars rovers using craft supplies, equipped specifically to look for microbal life forms on Mars.
I'm so excited to work some of these activities into our library programs! Who knew that Mars could be so interesting?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Easter Bunny's Schedule
Did you know that this is my blog's 200th post? Huzzah! To celebrate, here is a little anecdote involving two of my favorite things: Cute kids and odd reference questions.
Earlier this week a little boy, about 5 years old, came to me in complete earnest looking for some information. He asked me to help him find a book about Easter that would tell him what time the Easter Bunny would be arriving at his house. He said that he needed to know what time it would be safe to come downstairs.
I told the boy that I didn't think we would find that information in a book because the Easter Bunny goes to different kids' houses at different times. I also suggested that he ask his mom or dad if they knew what time the Easter Bunny had visited them last year - as parents, after all, they just might know the specifics of the Easter Bunny's local timetable.
But I totally see this kid's point. Why shouldn't there be a schedule? Trains and buses have schedules, so why not supernatural chocolate-carrying rabbits?
Earlier this week a little boy, about 5 years old, came to me in complete earnest looking for some information. He asked me to help him find a book about Easter that would tell him what time the Easter Bunny would be arriving at his house. He said that he needed to know what time it would be safe to come downstairs.
I told the boy that I didn't think we would find that information in a book because the Easter Bunny goes to different kids' houses at different times. I also suggested that he ask his mom or dad if they knew what time the Easter Bunny had visited them last year - as parents, after all, they just might know the specifics of the Easter Bunny's local timetable.
But I totally see this kid's point. Why shouldn't there be a schedule? Trains and buses have schedules, so why not supernatural chocolate-carrying rabbits?
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Hunger Games Movie
Did everyone go and see The Hunger Games this weekend? This movie came very highly anticipated with much hoopla surrounding all elements of its production. But the question that fans of Suzanne Collins' myriad fans really wanted answered: Would the movie do the book justice?
One of the biggest concerns when a beloved book is adapted to the big screen is in the how true the plot and overall sequence of events stays true to the book. As a whole, the film was very successful in this regard. It probably helps that one of the film's screenwriters was Suzanne Collins herself. Very few big changes were made to the plot, and what few did exist seemed designed to foreshadow the events to come in Catching Fire. A few added scenes showing Seneca Crane and President Snow helped to really establish the Capitol and its authorities as the cruel opponents they are, and also gave viewers some necessary background knowledge about the Games. But as a whole, the plot was very much true to the original story.
My only complaint in terms of plotting: The scene between Katniss and Peeta on the train as they return home. I found this scene disappointing in the film. Peeta's words were far too ambiguous and I think it would have packed a lot more emotional punch if their dialogue had more directly addressed their relationship rather than the games as a whole.
But what about the movie's feel? Did director Gary Ross manage to capture the gritty urgency of the Games? In my opinion, he was mostly successful. There were plenty of moments while Katniss was in the arena where my heart was pounding in anticipation. Similarly, Katniss' home life in District 12 very nearly matched my own mental images of the area. However, I'd hoped for more visual "wow" from the Capitol. I understand that this would have required additional, expensive effects, but I did find myself feeling a tad under-whelmed during a few of these scenes.
Kudos to the film's casting department for rounding up such a strong, charismatic group of actors. Jennifer Lawrence was great as Katniss, and I really thought that Wes Bentley and Woody Harrelson shone in their roles as Seneca Crane and Haymitch Abernathy, respectively. Even still, I have to say that the film's emotional punch was, while certainly present, less than I'd hoped. I can't quite pin down an exact reason for this. Was it the change from first to third-person narrative? Was there too much packed into the time alotted? Is it my own fault thanks to high expectations? Or was it something else entirely? I'm not really sure.
Even still, The Hunger Games was as a whole a good movie. Not a great movie, but a bit better than average and definitely worth my time and money. Fans of the books will be pleased. I would, however, be curious to see this movie a second time to see how much the feeling of anticipation affected my initial response. If I can spend the duration of the film lost in the characters and the drama instead of worried about the quality of the adaptation, will the film be more enjoyable? Only one way to find out...
In the interest of full discolsure: This movie was rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images. It's also a long one at 142 minutes.
Overall Quality of the Film: B+
Overall Faithfulness to the Book: A-
Edit: I came across this review outlining the high and low points of the movie. I more or less agree with their comments on the movie's successes and failures.
One of the biggest concerns when a beloved book is adapted to the big screen is in the how true the plot and overall sequence of events stays true to the book. As a whole, the film was very successful in this regard. It probably helps that one of the film's screenwriters was Suzanne Collins herself. Very few big changes were made to the plot, and what few did exist seemed designed to foreshadow the events to come in Catching Fire. A few added scenes showing Seneca Crane and President Snow helped to really establish the Capitol and its authorities as the cruel opponents they are, and also gave viewers some necessary background knowledge about the Games. But as a whole, the plot was very much true to the original story.My only complaint in terms of plotting: The scene between Katniss and Peeta on the train as they return home. I found this scene disappointing in the film. Peeta's words were far too ambiguous and I think it would have packed a lot more emotional punch if their dialogue had more directly addressed their relationship rather than the games as a whole.
But what about the movie's feel? Did director Gary Ross manage to capture the gritty urgency of the Games? In my opinion, he was mostly successful. There were plenty of moments while Katniss was in the arena where my heart was pounding in anticipation. Similarly, Katniss' home life in District 12 very nearly matched my own mental images of the area. However, I'd hoped for more visual "wow" from the Capitol. I understand that this would have required additional, expensive effects, but I did find myself feeling a tad under-whelmed during a few of these scenes.
Kudos to the film's casting department for rounding up such a strong, charismatic group of actors. Jennifer Lawrence was great as Katniss, and I really thought that Wes Bentley and Woody Harrelson shone in their roles as Seneca Crane and Haymitch Abernathy, respectively. Even still, I have to say that the film's emotional punch was, while certainly present, less than I'd hoped. I can't quite pin down an exact reason for this. Was it the change from first to third-person narrative? Was there too much packed into the time alotted? Is it my own fault thanks to high expectations? Or was it something else entirely? I'm not really sure.
Even still, The Hunger Games was as a whole a good movie. Not a great movie, but a bit better than average and definitely worth my time and money. Fans of the books will be pleased. I would, however, be curious to see this movie a second time to see how much the feeling of anticipation affected my initial response. If I can spend the duration of the film lost in the characters and the drama instead of worried about the quality of the adaptation, will the film be more enjoyable? Only one way to find out...
In the interest of full discolsure: This movie was rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images. It's also a long one at 142 minutes.
Overall Quality of the Film: B+
Overall Faithfulness to the Book: A-
Edit: I came across this review outlining the high and low points of the movie. I more or less agree with their comments on the movie's successes and failures.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Fault in Our Stars
As a child, Hazel was diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer and expected to die. But thanks to a medical miracle and a drug that only works in a small percentage of users (herself being one of them), Hazel has bought herself a little more time. Unfortunately, no one is sure how much. Now Hazel is sixteen, constantly hooked up to an oxygen tank, out of school and somewhat disconnected from the rest of the world. Then at a support group meeting she meets Augustus Waters - handsome, brilliant, and in remission from the disease that took his leg. The two erudite survivors are drawn to each other and especially bond over Hazel's favorite book. Unfortunately the book ends abruptly when the narrator dies, and while Hazel appreciates the symbolism she has always been troubled by the lack of closure. Augustus takes Hazel on a journey to track down the book's author and, if at all possible, discover exactly what happened to the remaining characters. After reading this book I think that I can truly say that I love author John Green (author of such books as An Abundance of Katherines and Will Grayson, Will Grayson). He is such a smart writer, and in The Fault in Our Stars he really does an excellent job of exploring what it is like to live with a death sentence. The lesson Hazel learns about not allowing cancer to define the scope of her life is a powerful one. There have been plenty of books written about kids with cancer, but very few that have so effectively explored the human condition with such well-drawn, clever, truly interesting characters. Best of all, Hazel and Augustus' story will appeal to all kinds of readers, not just those looking for a tear-jerker. I laughed and cried simultaneously - a rare treat to find in any story, but even more impressive in a genre that normally assumes that crying is enough. Well played, John Green.
Overall Grade: A
I fully expect The Fault in Our Stars to make my Top 5 list of best books of 2012 - it was really that good! If you need more convincing, check out the book trailer:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)