What Joa is Reading & Other Stuff

Book reviews...from picture books to adult books, as well as books-to-movie info, and other stuff I think is interesting. Note: Not all books reviewed or recommended are appropriate for all ages.
FEBRUARY 16, 2012
TEENS/ADULT: Casting of Hunger Game's Katniss
I don't usually post on this blog about movies, but I recently watched Winter's Bone (Rated R) starring Jennifer Lawrence, and I feel pretty good about her being cast as Katniss in the soon to be released Hunger Games movie. Her Winter's Bone character was the oldest daughter of a family with an absent father, a mentally absent mother (catanonic-like), who has developed a no-nonsense toughness, purely as a survival skill. She also has a great tenderness for her younger siblings.....and is the kind of character you really root for. Sound familar? I could really see her in the scenes in my mind from The Hunger Games, and look forward to watching her interpretation of this great character.

FYI: The library will host a Hunger Games: Book into Movie discussion the week after the movie comes out (released on Friday, March 23)....dates and time to be announced, but watch for details.

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Categories: Movie Tie-insEventsSurvival/Adventure

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FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Diamond Willow is one of a kind
I have been busy reading and writing questions for Battle of the Books titles, both for the Lenihan/MACS list and the MHS list...and I recently re-read Diamond Willow by Helen Frost, which I liked just as much the second time reading it.

Diamond Willow  is a fast read with much of it written in a very unique two-layered free verse poetry style. The story is told in alternating voices by Willow (a middle school girl who with native Alaskan heritage), and by her and other characters' ancestors (who are watching over them in their current animal forms.) Willow wants to be allowed to drive her family's sled dogs solo to her grandparents house, and when she finally is allowed to, there is an accident that blinds Roxy, a sled dog who Willow considers her best friend. The storyline culminates in Willow taking off to protect Roxy and getting caught in a blizzard.

This story is exciting and suspenseful, but overall very poignant when it unfolds with a surprising twist. Highly recommended for all ages, including adults.

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Categories: Survival/AdventureOther CulturesAnimal Stories

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