In case you have not been following the Hunger Games movie casting news closely, you might not have heard that Lenny Kravitz was announced to be playing Cinna, Katniss’s stylist. A lot of people have been reacting with surprise/negativity. I’m definitely disappointed, but only because I really wanted Christian Siriano (from Project Runway) to play… Continue reading Lenny Kravitz as Cinna?! Okay, I Guess (And Other Thoughts on Hunger Games movie casting)
Author: renata
My Summer Reading List
Summer’s here! If not in weather–it’s cloudy and in the low 50s here in central Illinois–at least in official school terminology. This summer session I’m only taking one class (web design), and I’m hoping to catch up on some non-academic reading. (Okay, let’s be real, I’m taking classes on youth librarianship, so a lot of… Continue reading My Summer Reading List
Soul Surfer: Sharks ‘n Jesus
A few months ago, I went to see the movie Soul Surfer. I was drawn both by my love of watching other people surf and my love of teen movies. Soul Surfer looked like it would be promising on both accounts. Oh, before I say more–after I saw it, I went out and told everyone… Continue reading Soul Surfer: Sharks ‘n Jesus
Friday Feud: Gale vs Peeta!
Sandy and I decided to try out a new feature called FRIDAY FEUD. Gotta get down (with YA literature) on Friday. Our first feud comes from Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy. Which, if you haven’t read it yet, you’re probably a really boring person. I just don’t know how else to say it. In case… Continue reading Friday Feud: Gale vs Peeta!
Literary Moms
In honor of Mother’s Day, how about some fictional moms? (NOTE: I started writing this on Mother’s Day and then got distracted and never finished it. But, you know what? In the Dominican Republic, Mother’s Day is the last Sunday in May, so I’m early for that. Also, you should love your mom every day!)… Continue reading Literary Moms
Book Club
First, a follow-up on prom. It turns out that Laurie Halse Anderson wrote a book about prom. It’s cunningly entitled Prom. I’m definitely adding it to my to-read list, since if anybody can write a somewhat-normal book about prom, it’s probably her. David Levithan and Daniel Ehrenhaft have also edited a YA anthology called 21… Continue reading Book Club
Prom
As aficionados of YA media, my friend Anna and I went to see the movie Prom on Saturday. We have sat through and enjoyed many cheesy YA films, most recently Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (“racially problematic but entertaining”) and Soul Surfer (“I thought it was called Shark Girl”–which I also want to blog about as… Continue reading Prom
Fairy Tales With a Twist
Fairy tales! We loved them as children and there’s no reason we shouldn’t love them now. These classic (if admittedly bizarre, when you really stop to consider the plot of any of them) stories are finding new life as young adult novels. Here are a few of my personal favorite re-told fairy tales. Rose… Continue reading Fairy Tales With a Twist
Why YA?
That’s the question, right? I’m twenty-five–so, not old, but old enough to feel a little sheepish about walking into my public library’s designated Teen Zone. I got my B. A. in English. I don’t want to brag or anything, but I read all of Infinite Jest. (I’m not claiming to have understood all of it,… Continue reading Why YA?