The Mortal Instruments Trilogy

The Mortal Instruments:
City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass

by Cassandra Clare

Written over the course of the past few years, the trilogy has become a massive success, achieving both great acclaim and bestselling status. The first in the series begins with its heroine, Clary, and her best friend Simon hanging out at a nightclub in Manhattan. Though supposedly invisible to the average human eye, Clary spies a trio of teens cornering a suspicious boy at the club. Clary intervenes, much to the trio's dismay and the ringleader Jace's amusement. What follows is a full immersion into a world of demons, witches, vampires, werewolves, and those called shadowhunters. Jace and his surrogate brother, Alec, and sister, Isabelle, begrudgingly provide the introduction into this new world for Clary.
However, Clary is not all that human as she seems, and with the sudden absence of her mother, and the increasingly erratic behavior of her mother's best friend Luke, Clary is thrust out on her own. Her relationship with Jace is tempestuous, the fine lines of love and hate manifesting themselves on a daily basis. Her attraction to him is irresistible though, and their blooming attraction builds into a horrible realization.
The problem with writing of a trilogy is the necessity of both explanation and the promise of unrevealment. I cannot describe the relationship between Jace and Clary, for it foregrounds the story that is the foundation of the series. Suffice it to say, with Jace's both help and hindrance, Clary learns the world of the shadowhunter and discovers her mother's role in it, and finally finds the identity of her horrible father, who in turn serves as the series' most sinister and powerful element of torment and violence.
The Mortal Instruments' is a trilogy created by strong writing, vividly imagistic scenarios, many biblical and medieval allusions, and the wonder of true and passionate love.

Shiver

Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater

Months spent reading YA novels (ostensibly for a YA Materials Library class) and a preexisting passion for vampires and werewolves has spoiled me...I no longer desire to expand my knowledge of the (adult) cannon, to finally read all the modernist classics I have missed. Instead, I want to read, read, read about teenagers in love--when one (or the other) is a monster.
Shiver complicates this formula, for although the focus is indeed upon a human girl and her love for a boy-turned-wolf, the structure is expanded to include the world of wolves that aren't were-. The werewolves here instead gradually transform fully into wolves--their lifespan mirrors that of the natural wolf, their human-to-wolf transformation successively shortens in accordance with the seasons and the weather, their emotional composition steadily loses its sharpness. As each human turns into the wolf, over time the memories of being human fade, their capacity to understand speech and human emotions fades also.
This transformative background sets the stage for the relationship between Grace the girl and Sam the near-wolf. When she was a little girl, Grace had been attacked by a pack of wolves that wandered the vast woods behind her house; since that event, Grace feels a strong kinship to wolves generally, and an even stronger connection with one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. (Grace also does not feel an overwhelming connection to her parents, her schoolmates, and the culture around her, but she just attributes these feelings to being a loner.)
Her fascination with the yellow-eyed wolf deepens into solidarity as the wolves begin being hunted by local angry humans, and Grace becomes entrenched in protecting the pack. At the risk of giving anything away, when the yellow-eyed wolf becomes a yellow-eyed boy named Sam, Grace falls madly in love, and any chance for disengagement from her all-encompassing wolf-love falls away.
The couple's burgeoning love is commingled with the greater structural characteristics described earlier, producing a narrative and emotional dilemma that deepens in relation to the couple's intimacy.
Beautifully and heartbreakingly told, Shiver is narrated in alternating chapters by Sam and Grace; and although the tone and style of the voices is really not that different from the other, the alteration allows for emotional identification with both figures. This decision wonderfully reflects the reciprocity, symbiosis, and equanimity between the couple, rendering the heartbreak on the horizon all the more devastating.

Disturbia

Disturbia
Directed by D.J. Caruso
Screenplay by Christopher B. Landon
2007
Dreamworks SKG
Rated PG-13

Plot Summary:
While 17 year old Kale is driving, a horrible accident occurs, leaving his father dead. One year later and Kale is still devastated by loss, and increasingly troubled. After punching a teacher in the face he is placed on house arrest for the summer. With no cable or X-Box and tons of time, Kale becomes a studious voyeur of his neighbors. This results in a tentative romance with the girl-next-door, but leads to other less fortuitous scenarios with the man-across-the-way. With the region-wide hunt for a serial killer on the loose occupying the headlines, Kale becomes convinced it is his next-door neighbor.
Critical Evaluation:
The film's story and sympathies can be tied directly to the famous Hitchcock film Rear Window, wherein a man recuperating from injuries entertains himself by watching his neighbors from his apartment window. Like Scotty in the earlier film, Kale becomes convinced his neighbor is a murderer. The plotline reflects the suspense, tension, and boredom found when a man is left to his imagination and immobility. However, Disturbia is no mere homage, and Caruso very ably lingers on the fear and impossibility experienced when the rug is suddenly swept out from under you. Though Kale's suspicions are somewhat obviously confirmed midway through the film, the rhythm and the tension produce a highly likable and suspenseful murder mystery.
Viewer's Annotation:
Kale can't shake the tragic death of his father. When he is placed under house arrest for assault, he begins believing there is violence all around him. Is Kale right, or delusional?
Genre:
Mystery/Suspence
Director Info:
Caruso's most notable film prior to Disturbia, was his Salton Sea, a cult classic starring Val Kilmer. He has been a director-for-hire for various television shows, including The Shield and Smallville.
Filmtalking Ideas:
*Are Kale's troubles rooted in his inability to deal with the loss of his father?
*Does the film's trajectory ever allow any sort of catharsis concerning Kale's loss?
*Will a girlfriend and a solved murder resolve Kale's problems?
Viewer Level/Interest Age:
13 and up.
Challenge Issues:
Film is rated PG-13 for violence and language. Some scenes hint at very macabre scenarios, but little is glimpsed. This and the film's rating render challenges rationally answerable. Further, its presence is unlikely at a school library, while more likely to be found at a public library.
Why Include?:
I have always been curious about the top-selling, Vertigo knock-off, and I wasn't disappointed.

Nick &Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Directed by Peter Sollett
Based on a book by Rachel Cohn
2008
Depth of Field
Rated PG-13

Plot Summary:
Norah's been rocking out to various mixtapes sent by a heartbroken Nick to his former girlfriend for a while now.
The two finally meet one crazy night in Manhattan, Norah asking him to be her boyfriend "for 5 minutes." Nick agrees, and a bumpy night ensues...Norah's best friend gets so wasted she can't see straight. Nick's bandmates drive around for hours in search of the elusive late-night gig by everyone's favorite underground band Fluffy. And Norah and Nick keep dancing around each other and looking back at their old flames, unsure if they should move forward together or not.
Critical Evaluation:
The film moves quickly and erratically, mimicking the frenetic motion of the characters as they all search for Fluffy. Sollett consistently returns to the chemistry between Nick and Norah, even though a multitude of obstacles are thrown at their budding romance. The dialogue is snappy, the cultural references are hip. But it's just not as funny or as interesting as it assumes itself to be. Ultimately, whether Nick and Norah get together, whether Caroline sobers up, and whether anybody finds Fluffy is irrelevant.
Viewer's Annotation:
Norah's been pining over the d.j. of her "borrowed" mixtapes for months now. Finally they meet. But can Nick finally get over his treacherous ex-girlfriend in time to discover Norah?
Genre:
Romantic Comedy/ YA Fiction
Director Info:
Sollett's first feature film was the critically recognized Raising Victor Vargas. He is also the director of several short films, and television episodes.
Viewer Level/Interest Age:
13 and up.
Filmtalking Ideas:
*Why is Norah so attracted to Nick?
*Why can't Nick get over his ex-girlfriend?
*Why does everybody want to find Fluffy?
Challenge Issues:
Sex, drink, rock & roll.
Answer to challenges:
Film is an adaptation of a popular young adult novel, and is rated PG-13.
Why Include?:
The popularity of both novel and film made me curious, so thought I should check it out. Not overjoyed that I did.

A Step from Heaven

A Step from Heaven
by An Na
Penguin Putnam
New York
2001
ISBN: 0142500275

Plot Summary:
Young Ju and her parents move from South Korea to the U.S. when she is a four. Shortly afterwards, her mother gives birth to a baby boy, and her father swells with an enormous pride Young Ju has never seen him possess. The parents are bursting with dreams of all the things they will do and have in their new country. But, as the years go by, Young Ju's family life does not progress according to their plans.
Critical Evaluation:
An Na uses the voice of Young Ju throughout the novel: as a child, an adolescent, and a maturing, confused teen. The voice never wavers in consistency and tone; Young Ju's struggle with comprehension and mastery of the English language is also portrayed with An Na's use of a kind of phonetic mish-mash of English and Korean. The unwavering voice produces a strong identification with the character, and her mother and brother's hopes and heartbreak.
Reader's Annotation:
Young Ju believes her parents when they tell her life in America will be better, easier. But absolutely nothing is better, and everything seems harder.
Genre:
Coming-of-age/YA Fiction
Author Info:
A Step from Heaven is An Na's first novel, and went on to win the Michael L. Printz Award in 2002. She has written two novels since, and currently lives in Vermont.
Reader Level/Interest Age:
12 and up.
Booktalking Ideas:
*Does the Park family achieve the American dream?
*Why is Young Ju's father so filled with anger and disappointment?
*Why doesn't her mother leave her father?
Challenge Issues:
Mature themes, however strong moral and emotional codes pervade the novel, making challenges unlikely.
Why Include?:
I have a strong faith in the selections made by those behind the Michael L. Printz Award, and haven't been disappointed yet.

Twilight

Twilight
Written by Stephenie Meyer
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke
2008
Imprint Entertainment
Rated PG-13

Plot Summary:
In the middle of the spring semester, Bella moves to northwest Washington to live with her father. She glimpses the Cullen siblings from across the school cafeteria on her first day, feeling a strong pull towards the distant Edward. Bella cannot stop thinking about Edward, but she's uncertain as to why. Slowly, they begin to spend more time together, and Bella realizes she has fallen in love with a century-old vampire.
Critical Evaluation:
Shot in moody dark blues and icy whites, Hardwicke focuses her camera on Bella's wondering face and Edward's angry eyes. Each encounter between the pair is played out in extremes, mirroring the increasing passion Bella feels for Edward. The palpable chemistry between the two players is further heightened by the expressive score, sensitive voice-over, and unique beauty of both actors.
Viewer's Annotation:
Bella's uncertain as to what a future in Forks, Washington will hold for her. Then she meets Edward, and can't imagine a future without him.
Genre:
Paranormal Romance
Author Info:
Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series is a world-wide phenomenon. She has since began another series, whose first book is The Host.
Catherine Hardwicke's first film was the attention-getting Thirteen. She has since directed the skateboard bio-pic Lords of Dogtown, and the uber-Christian The Nativity Story.
Filmtalking Ideas:
*Why does Edward seem repulsed by Bella?
*What is the history behind the Cullen's and Jacob's tribe?
*Why don't the Cullens bite humans?
*What are the feelings between Edward and Bella?
Viewer Level/Interest Age:
Swoonalicious for all ages.
Challenge Issues:
None foreseeable, as there is zero sexual situations, little violence, and a lot of chastity.
Why Include?:
First I saw the movie, then I became obsessed with the books.

New Moon

The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Based on the book by Stephenie Meyer
Directed by Chris Weitz
2009
Imprint Entertainment
Rated PG-13

Plot Summary:
On Bella's 18th birthday, something awful happens at the Cullen house, leading to the family's departure and Edward's desertion of her. Unable to cope with the loss of him, Bella sinks into an abyss of depression. Months later, with the help of her old friend Jacob, Bella begins to climb her way out.
However, she still cannot get over Edward. Seeing a vision of Edward while recklessly attempting to ride a motorbike, Bella discovers she can see him if she engages in dangerous acts. This leads Bella to begin a series of ill-advised stunts, unwise for someone with her lack of coordination.
Meanwhile, her friendship with Jacob deepens, leading her to discover a dark secret of the Quilete tribe.
Critical Evaluation:
The second adaptation of the Twilight series meticulously follows the lead of both book and previous film. The depression experienced by Bella (so wonderfully detailed in the book) is symbolized by her motionless figure, seated in front of her bedroom window, and the change of seasons swirling outside. The friendship with Jacob is slowly developed, allowing for a successful shift in identification from Edward to Jacob, and the metamorphosis experienced by Jacob is convincing though fully digitized.
Viewer's Annotation:
After Edward's departure, Bella slowly attempts to rebuild her life--with the help of Jacob. Jacob,however, has his own pain and secrets to overcome.
Genre:
Paranormal Romance
Author Info:
Weitz is a British director whose previous films include American Pie and About a Boy. Weitz also directed the poorly regarded filmic adaptation of Pullman's beloved novel The Golden Compass, part one in the His Dark Materials trilogy.
Viewer Level/Interest Age:
13 and up; but as I can attest to, this series is appealing to any age.
Filmtalking Ideas:
*Why does Edward leave?
*What is wrong with Jacob, and why can't he tell Bella?
*What is the reason behind Bella's sudden love of danger?
Challenge Issues:
None foreseeable. Minor violence and zero sexual situations. Just lots of pining.
Why Include?:
Because I have waited for this film to come out since I saw the last one (on its opening night!)