A Guy, a Girl, and a Teen Book Blog: Star Wars

Showing posts with label Star Wars. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken

Title: A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Number of CDs (I listened to the audiobook, and you should too!): 5
Publisher: Listening Library and Disney Lucasfilm
ISBN: 9781101891971
Publication Date: September 22, 2015
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.7, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points - 7.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22716524-a-new-hope

In a nutshell: A long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far away...yeah, you know what this is about. Do I really need to summarize it? Okay, fine. This is the tale of a girl and two guys. The girl is trying to save the galaxy from an evil regime, one guy is pirating his way through the stars and accidentally winds up aiding a rebellion, and the other guy is discovering that his destiny lies far beyond his desert home planet. When these three characters' tales intersect, the galaxy will never be the same again. *cue John Williams music*

I'd recommend it to grades: 3 and up (Let's be honest...all ages will love this.)

I'd recommend it to: Star Wars fans (obviously), adventure junkies, and those who like character-driven novels with plenty of action splashed in

What I liked most about this book: First off...I listened to the audiobook of this, and I'm so glad I did. I think I would have enjoyed the book, but the Star Wars music and sound effects and incredible voice talents on this are AMAZING! Huge props to Marc Thompson and Rebecca Soler. As for the content, I loved the insight you get into each of these three main characters. Like many people, I've been a ginormous Star Wars fan for longer than I can remember, and I thought I knew these characters pretty well. However, this delved even more into the minds of Leia, Han, and Luke. You hear Leia's inner struggle to prove herself to the Senate and the Rebellion and mourn with her after she loses her home planet, you laugh at Han's inner playboy yet realize that he's more than just a smug smuggler, and you follow Luke's journey from naive moisture farmer to confident and selfless Rebellion pilot and Jedi-in-training. Plus, much of the dialogue is straight from the movie! I may or may not have quoted it along with the book as I listened to it. Yeah, I definitely did. ;) I laughed, I teared up (Yes, in the car! Haha!), I nerded out, and I applauded Alexandra Bracken for writing a worthy Star Wars retelling that lives up to the original. Brava, Ms. Bracken, brava!

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I'm not sure it's even possible to give Star Wars spoilers. I mean, unless you've been living under a rock or are under a year old or something (In which case, I doubt you're reading this review. You'd be super genius smart!), you've heard or seen this tale in one way or another. If you haven't, then this is the perfect time to start, but I digress. It's hard to pick a favorite moment in this because it's all so fantastic, but the trash compacter scene is probably at the top of my list. Our three heroes are in danger of being flattened alive in a giant garbage disposal, and you really get to see how each reacts under pressure and how they interact with each other. Plus, trash monster!

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): All the stars in a galaxy far, far away! (plus 3 stars for the second book, The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi? by Adam Gidwitz, and 5 stars for the third book, Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side! by Tom Angleberger)

Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett by Tom Angleberger

Title: The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett
Author: Tom Angleberger
Pages: 224
Publisher: Amulet Books
ISBN: 9781419708589
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.9, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points: 4.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17802191-the-surprise-attack-of-jabba-the-puppett

In a nutshell: Things at McQuarrie Middle School have never been worse. After failing to pass their standardized tests the previous school year, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders must all be subjected to the torturous educational videos known as FunTime, and p.s. all their electives have been cancelled. In order to foil the school board's plot to bore them to tears and ruin their favorite classes, students from all grades come together to form a Rebel Alliance, and it's all hands (and finger puppets) on deck.

I'd recommend it for grades: 4 to 8

I'd recommend it to: Star Wars fans, Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans, and teachers/educators (who will love the central conflict in this one)

What I liked most about this book: This one is definitely my favorite in the series so far because of the sheer volume of new Star Wars origami puppets. Most of the key players in the Alliance have brand-new puppets that will not disappoint you. The surprise plot twist at the end is pretty amazing too. The book does a good job of showing both the students' and teachers'/administrators' perspectives on the standardized testing debate, and in true Origami Yoda style adds a healthy dose of humor into the situation. You'll finish this one wishing you could read the next one immediately.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): any of the parts with Padme Origamidala because she has the best Star Wars origami puppet name (and because she's one of my favorite Star Wars characters!)

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 fully-operational Death Stars ;)

Friday, August 30, 2013

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doescher

Title: William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope
Author: Ian Doescher
Pages: 176
Publisher: Quirk Books
ISBN: 9781594746376
Publication Date: July 2, 2013
AR Levels: N/A
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262540-william-shakespeare-s-star-wars

In a nutshell: What if Shakespeare had written Star Wars? You may think this is a silly mash-up, but I assure you it is pure genius! This one details the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, and I sure hope there are more to come! (I'd go to a theatrical performance of this too!)

I'd recommend it for grades: 6th and up. This book's actually written for adults, but it's clean enough content-wise that even middle schoolers will love it! It may be tough for younger readers to understand the Shakespearean language, but it might also be a gateway to Shakespeare since many of them know the plot of Star Wars already.

I'd recommend it to: Shakespeare fans and Star Wars fans of course

What I liked most about this book: This is every bit as awesome as I'd hoped! Not only do you get some laughable Shakespearean interpretations of classic Star Wars lines, but you also get even more character development through the soliloquies (especially with Han...who is also my favorite). Perhaps the best part is that we finally get to hear R2's voice (only in asides...but still!)!!! You'll find many borrowed and adapted lines from many of Shakespeare's plays, including a pep talk from Luke to the rebels beginning, "Friends, rebels, starfighters, lend me your ears" (Julius Caesar) and a Hamlet-like reflection ("Alas, poor stormtrooper, I knew ye not."). If you like Star Wars and Shakespeare, you'll kick yourself if you don't read this.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This line Han delivers after the shoot-out with Greedo: "And whether I shot first, I'll ne'er confess." Love it.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown

Title: Darth Vader and Son
Author: Jeffrey Brown
Pages: 64
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9781452106557
Publication Date: April 18, 2012
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13163846-darth-vader-and-son

In a nutshell: What if Anakin Skywalker hadn't turned to the Dark Side and instead got to raise his son?* This collection of single-frame comics attempts to answer that question. The zany antics of Darth Vader and Luke are sure to charm you.

I'd recommend it for grades: 2 and up! Even adults will love this one.

I'd recommend it to: Star Wars fans young and old!

What I liked most about this book: What isn't there to love about a humorous Star Wars-inspired graphic novel? Even those who are not huge Star Wars fans will enjoy this one, but for the hardcore fan, there are tons of inside jokes that literally made me laugh out loud.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y):
I won't give away too many of the jokes, but one of my favorites was when Luke tried to hit a baseball with a lightsaber. Not so successful but very funny!

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 Death Stars ;)

*P.S.: The companion book, Vader's Little Princess, will feature young Princess Leia. It hits shelves April 23, 2013!

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About Us

Chris Belser is a former middle school counselor and middle school English teacher who is currently working on his PhD in Counselor Education in Orlando, FL. When he's not saving the world, taking a well-deserved nap, or speaking at a conference (let's be honest--that's probably where he is), he enjoys sprawling out with a good book, playing a mean keyboard, or watching whatever LSU sporting event is in season. Like his compadre Stefanie, he enjoys all things quirky and nerdy. This is his first foray into the world of blogging.

Stefanie Kellum is a youth services librarian in central North Carolina, and her favorite part of her job is connecting teens and tweens with books they'll love. She's a self-confessed nerd (of the Jane Austen, Harry Potter, and Supernatural variety), rescue dog mom, LSU fanatic, and curly-haired Southern Belle. She longs to be a world traveler, but so far her passport has only been stamped in Mexico and Canada...and Narnia.

Chris and Stefanie met at LSU (Geaux Tigers!). They both have weaknesses for puns, sarcasm, and well-written teen books, and they're both nerdfighters. DFTBA.

20 Questions for Chris

1. What male book character did you idolize when you were younger?
That's easy: Tom Sawyer. Like Tom, I grew up playing out in the woods and making up stories about what went on out there. And on top of that, I was always good at tricking people into doing things for me just like how Tom got his fence painted.
2. If you could transport yourself into any book, which one would it be and why?
Harry Potter has a pretty cool world. I guess I'll just have to settle on a trip to Orlando. (Note: In 2014, Chris moved to Orlando.)
3. What was your favorite sports moment that you witnessed as an LSU college student?
Hmm. That's a toss-up between the 2007 Football National Championship in New Orleans and the 2009 Baseball National Championship in Omaha. (I was with my dad for both.)
4. What's your favorite Jane Austen book? (Heh, heh, heh...now the world will know!)
Okay, I'll admit that I've read them ALL, but Sense and Sensibility was my favorite. . . Maybe because Kate Winslet was in the movie.
5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Peanut butter
6. You're given the opportunity to meet one of the Green brothers. Do you choose Hank or John?
John. I'm sure when I meet him he'll be vlogging to his brother anyway.
7. What's the last book you read that was so good you read it in one sitting?
The Hunger Games
8. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Toooootsie Pop?
Too many; just give me a Tootsie Roll.
9. Would you rather be pranked by Dwight Schrute or Jim Halpert?
Dwight. Jim's pranks are too epic.
10. Multiple choice: If you ever met Justin Bieber would you a. jam with him, b. ask him if you can be his back-up dancer, c. poke him constantly in the arm, or d. ask him how he gets such perfect hair?
E. None of the above
11. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite and why?
HP and the Half-Blood Prince; there's some serious Snape action in this one.
12. It's common knowledge that Severus Snape is by far your favorite character in Potter world. Tell us why, por favor.
He's a very complex and deep character. And the fact that people fear him doesn't hurt either.
13. Okay, just one more Potter question: if you went to Hogwarts, what house would you be in and why?
Well, I would want to be in Gryffindor, but the hat would probably put me in Slytherin.
14. If you could have lunch with any fictional character, whom would you choose and why?
Cyrano de Bergerac for two reasons: 1) his quick wit; 2)French food
15. You and I are both avid travelers. Where's your favorite place you've visited and why?
San Francisco. I mean, in one city you've got the ocean, a bay, a famous prison, a famous bridge, fun hills, cable cars, Chinatown, cool fog, and lots of culture.
16. What made you decide to be a school counselor?
That one can't be explained in a short answer, so I'll just say that I enjoy getting to talk to students one-on-one or in small groups to help them solve problems.
17. Cats or dogs?
Cats
18. Who's your favorite Glee character and why?
Joe (aka Hippie Jesus); I honestly think people with dreadlocks make better music.
19. Name one classic children's/YA book that you've never read.
Slaughterhouse Five; I've just never gotten around to it.
20. Team Edward or Team Buffy-Slays-Edward?
Team Buffy. To quote a superior vampire series, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: "Vampires, after all, don't sparkle."

20 Questions for Stefanie

1. Who's your favorite character in The Hunger Games series?
Oh, definitely Peeta. He's loyal, he's caring, he can throw around large sacks of flour, and he's quite the awesome make-up artist. Plus, he's determined to not let the crappy circumstances in the world change who he is, and I think that's something we should all aspire to do.

2. If you could have lunch with any fictional character, what would you order to eat?
I'd meet Hermione Granger (my literary twin) for a Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks.

3. Which celebrity do you have a scrapbook of from your childhood?
You are such a punk for making me answer this because now I have to tell the whole world that I had a Jonathan Taylor Thomas scrapbook. And I also wrote a JTT fan fiction story in which we fell madly in love and got married and then he died from cancer. Yeah. I was a kind of weird kid. :)

4. If you could make a pitch to an author to be a character in his/her next book, which author would you choose?
I think I would probably fit best in a Maureen Johnson book because of my adorkableness.

5. Would you rather be divorced from Mr. Darcy or married to Mr. Willoughby?
Well, divorcing Mr. Darcy would be a cardinal sin no matter the circumstances, so I'll suppose I'll have to marry the dastardly yet dashing Mr. Willoughby and keep a very close watch on his wandering eye.

6. Which pizza topping best describes your personality?
I'd be a pineapple - bright and sweet and longing to be somewhere tropical. ;)

7. Coke or Pepsi?
Um, Coke! What kind of question is that?!

8. If you had to rename your dog, what name would you choose?
To fill in everyone, I have a beagle/basset hound mix named Darcy for Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, my favorite book of all time, but I did almost name him Jack or Sawyer after LOST. Love that show!

9. Which reality show would you like to be on?
Even though I have what I think is a snazzy wardrobe, I really want to go on What Not to Wear and get Stacy and Clinton to make me over!

10. Have you ever been told you look like a celebrity? If so, who?
Again, you are such a punk! I've been told I look like Bette Midler...but also Shirley Temple, Debra Messing, and Keri Russell. I don't really see any of those except for the hair.

11. What is the strangest place you've ever visited?
In the teeny tiny town of Holly Springs, Mississippi, there is a strange and wonderful place known as Graceland Too where Paul McLeod has transformed his entire house into an Elvis museum. I can't really describe it for you other than to say it's full to the brim with memorabilia, it's open 24 hours a day every day of the year, and it's slightly terrifying. You should just go and judge for yourself. I'm a lifetime member now because I'm crazy enough to have been (and survived) four times.

12. Name a book that you've been meaning to read but haven't gotten around to it yet.
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone tells me at the library that I should read those.

13. What made you want to be a librarian?
This is hard to summarize too, but I basically wanted to help people, work with kids and teens and tweens, and promote literacy and reading...thus, librarian.

14. Multiple choice: If you were stranded on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific, which would you rather have? A. Michael Phelps' swimming ability B. Katniss Everdeen's survival instincts C. Captain Jack Sparrow's joie de vivre D. Wilson the volleyball as a companion
E. Katniss Everdeen's survival instincts and actual Captain Jack Sparrow for comic relief and eye candy

15. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
A part of me always wants to move back to Manhattan (I spent a summer in the Upper West Side, and I fell in love with it.), but I think I'd also be happy in Ireland somewhere too. I'm not gonna lie though, North Carolina is pretty amazing!

16. If you had to trade your sister, which literary character would you want as your sibling and why?
Haha! Sorry, Staci. I would probably trade her for Elizabeth Bennet because she's kind, lovingly honest, bookish, and loyal, but then again, my real sister is all that too.

17. Glass half empty or glass half full?
That depends on what's in the glass...ooh, philosophical.

18. Describe your worst haircut. (hehehe)
Three strikes, and you're out, Belser. Before I realized I could just let the curls do their thing, I tried to straighten my hair, and I had these really awful poofy bangs that sat right on top of my head. The kids at school called me "Marshmallow Head." No lie. I to this day have hidden all photos of me from about third to eighth grade.

19. Would you rather win on The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune because there's actually a bit of skill involved there so it would be more of an accomplishment and because Bob Barker is no longer on The Price Is Right.

20. In a movie about your life, who would play you?
I would hope they'd cast Emma Stone. I love her. Think Emma Stone in The Help, and that's pretty much me to a T. I also wouldn't say no to Zoey Deschanel. I heart her!

The Fine Print

A few short disclaimers...

The reviews written here reflect our personal professional opinions and not the opinions of any particular organization. While we value our own opinions and hope that you do, there's always a chance you'll disagree with us. Our motto: when in doubt, check it out for yourself (library pun!).

If you see anything with the label for boys or for girls, this doesn't mean that one gender shouldn't read it or that there are "girl books" and "boy books." This label simply reflects what we've heard from teens that they like to read.

We strive to keep this blog rated PG in an effort to make it a family-friendly resource. We reserve the right to delete any comments we deem inappropriate, offensive, or obscene. Keep it clean, people! :)

This is also a spoiler-free zone. Thou shalt not give away the ending or any surprises in books, or we shall delete thy comment. You have been warned.

Unless otherwise noted, all book cover images are borrowed from Goodreads. They own those images, not us, so please give them all the glory if you borrow the images too.

Speaking of Goodreads, we've decided to include a link to each title's Goodreads page because from there you can get links to all the major bookstores should you wish to purchase a particular title. In that way, we're not showing any partiality to any one bookstore. That said, we are HUGE supporters of not only libraries (duh!) but small, independent bookstores. Please support them any chance you get. Also, Goodreads is good stuff. You should get a free account here, and all your reading organizational needs will be met. :)

Finally, plagiarism is evil. If you quote our reviews elsewhere, please give us credit where credit is due. Gracias.

Thanks and enjoy our blog!

-Stefanie and Chris