GreenBeanTeenQueen

With all the children's and YA books being optioned for movies, I was thinking about some of the best book to movie adaptations. I think most books to movies end up disappointing readers and not being as good as the book. Some movies are passable. And there are a few that actually get it right it. Here are three that I think did a great job going from book to movie: Anne of Green Gables -This is one of my favorite books to movies and I love both the book and the movie. Sadly, this is the only Kevin Sullivan production that is faithful to the books. The second movie is a combination of three books, and the third has nothing to do with the books and is not worth watching. But the first one has the magic of the books and stays true to the story. The production is beautiful, the casting is spot on, and you really feel a part of Avonlea . Anne of Green Gables has around a four hour running time, which is great for fans who don't want anything left out. Charlotte's Web - Both t...

Single Voices Tour Descent Into Paradise by Vincent Karl Rating: 3/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary Release Date: 1/14/2010 Publisher: Annick Press About the Book: Two stories-one book. Descent Into Paradise is the story of police going too far, immigration, friendship and standing up for what you believe. During a police drug raid at school, a new student who has transferred from Afghanistan is targeted-even though he's innocent. What do you do when the police cross the line? GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This is a very short story-just over 100 pages, but it does pack a big punch. It's easy to read, fast paced, and raises a lot of questions. I couldn't believe the police were so mean, yet at the same time I know that prejudice is still very much alive so part of me wasn't surprised. There's not a ton of characterization, although the narrator grew on me throughout. The plot gets right to the point-it's short and there's no messing around with parts of the story th...

I had a couple of contests ending, so I thought I would announce the winners! The Cinderella Society Winner: Sophia at The Book Basement Here's her entry: "Being empowered means to take control of your own life proudly, in my opinion. You may need help, I'll admit, but you also need strength. You must have strong will and stick to what you believe in. You shouldn't sway your opinion, no matter what other people say about it. Plus, you always have to feel good about yourself. Walk down the hallways with your head held high and don't let anyone bring you down. Stay strong, believe in yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help. That's what I think empowerment means." LOVE IT! (And just so you know, I made GreenBeanSexyMan pick the winning entry!) Perfect Chemistry Prize Pack: Natalie at Mindful Musings This one was a random drawing, but for entries I asked for lit crushes. Natalie said Jace from Mortal Instruments and Ian from The Host. It was so...

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Fantasy Release Date: I found conflicting dates due to the various covers and re-pubs-but it's out now! and it's an oldie but goodie. :) Add to Goodreads About the Book: Condemned to death after she commits murder, Yelena is given an interesting opportunity. She can choose death or become the Commander of Ixia's food taster-and risk dying. Yelena chooses to be the new food taster. Valek, the chief of security, feeds her a poison called Butterfly's dust in order to keep Yelena from escaping and she must appear every morning for her antidote or she risks a slow and painful death from the poison. Yelena tries to plot an escape, while rebels plot a siege of Ixia and Yelena may hold a key to Ixia's future. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This book is the perfect example of why I love blogging and meeting other bloggers! I had seen so much love for this book around the blogosphere, I decided to give it a try-even though fantasy and I sometimes don...

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme I host to highlight great reads for tweens! Join in the fun and add your own Tween Tuesday post in the Mister Linky below. Alchemy and Meggy Swan by Karen Cushman Rating: 5/5 Stars Genre: Historical Release Date: 4/26/2010 About the Book: Meggy Swann arrives in London lost and confused. Her father summoned her, yet wants nothing to do with her. She walks with the help of walking sticks and often feels like an outsider. Yet in London, Meggy finds a new life-she begins to make friends and learn new skills and her outlook begins to change. Things just might look up for Meggy Swann! GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: In full disclosure, I grew up loving Ms. Cushman's Catherine Called Birdy . It's one of my favorite books from my childhood. So I'll admit I may have been pre-disposed to like this book. I really feel that Alchemy and Meggy Swann is Ms. Cushman at her best. All the reasons I love her books are here. The historical detail she puts into her wri...

So I was thinking the other day about how blogging is somewhat solitary. Sure, there's the blogging community, but that's online and I don't engage in conversations with other bloggers on a regular basis. We leave comments, read what others have written, and sometimes will participate in book chats. But blogging at times can be very solitary. I blog by myself and even though people read what I write, I blog mainly for myself. Readers in the blogging community know me, but I was thinking about how odd it is that my blog is such a big part of who I am and my life, yet very few of my friends and co-workers know about that part of me. They know I'm a teen librarian, they know I love to read, and some know I blog, but if they don't have an interest in YA lit (and really-they should!:) why would they know about or care about my blog? It's strange to me that so many people in the online world "know" who I am, yet people I see on a daily/weekly basis don...

As part of the tour for Read, Remember, Recommend, the author Rachelle Knight is writing about great summer reads. Check out Rachelle's website for more summer reads. The theme of the Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens Traveling to Teens Tour is "Great Summer Reading". For each of my guest posts on the tour, the blog host and I will both recommend a book we feel would be worthy of some sunny weather, summer reading. Is a trip to a deserted and sunny tropical island in your summer plans? Have you ever wanted to search for buried treasure from an old map? Would you like to spend some time with pirates named Black Dog, Bones and Long John Silver? Then Treasure Island , the classic and famous book about pirates by Robert Louis Stevenson, would make the perfect summer read. Don't let the idea of rum swilling, gun toting, scruffy men scare you - this is a book anyone can enjoy - and no one will regret reading. Treasure Island is the quintessential pirate book. Almost al...