Becoming Jane

Directed by: Julian Jarrold

Genre: Biographical Drama
Rated: PG

Becoming Jane, starring Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy, tells the tale of the young author Jane Austen’s life. An independent woman, Jane promises herself to never marry unless it is for love itself. But when Tom Lefroy shows up, her initial hate blooms into something more. This romantic movie takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster, making it a must-see production.

reviewed by TAB member Saniya K.

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Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance

by Ronan Hardiman
(Q IREL MFL D 57)

This is the soundtrack from the critically acclaimed Lord of the Dance, which is a dance performance utilizing traditional Irish dance. The music goes from the vibrant “Warriors” to the ethereal “Sula Ruin.” An excellent selection, combining traditional Irish songs with modern day music.

reviewed by TAB member Elizabeth D.

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Impossible

By Nancy Werlin

(YA F Werl)
376 pages, 2008, Chick Lit / Fantasy

Impossible….that describes the three tasks Lucy Scarborogh must perform to lift an ancient curse placed upon the women of her family. If she fails, she will descend into madness upon the birth of her first child. The evil Elfin Knight who placed the curse will make sure of that. But wait! This isn’t the 1600’s; it’s 2009 and Lucy is a senior in high school, planning on going to college. She enlists the help of her parents and childhood friend, Zach, to break the magical curse. But is it enough to give Lucy’s modern day fairy tale a happy ending? (Grades 9 & up)

reviewed by Teen Librarian Kay G.

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Nobody's Prize

By Esther Friesner

(YA F Frie)
306 pages, 2008, Historical Fiction / Greek Mythology

Helen disguises herself as a boy to board the ship her brothers are sailing and for the chance to find the Golden Fleece. Her gender is uncovered; she’s captured, and then promised as the wife to a family enemy. Helen’s trusted free slave is the only one who can help her out of this miserable situation and reunite her with her family. Her role of Queen of Sparta-in-training proves quite the challenge to this free spirit. (Grades 6 & up)

reviewed by Teen Librarian Elaine D.

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Boom Blox

Video game available in: Wii

ESRB Rating: E, for everyone

Boom Blox is an excellent strategy game for the Nintendo Wii. This game’s main objective is to see if you can pull, push, explode, or teleport various sets of blocks without knocking over the tower and causing devastation to the blox animals below. All the movements are controlled by the Wii remote, which really gets the player into the game. Boom Blox has both a story mode and a free play achievement mode. Both are sure to be equally exciting. I give Boom Blox 4 out of 5 stars. The only thing I can find wrong with it is that it gets old after a while, and the controls may seem a little complex and sensitive for some players.

reviewed by TAB member Brian K.

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Tangerine

By Edward Bloor

(YA F Bloo)
312 pages, 2006, Mystery/Sports

If you want to read a good mystery, Tangerine is the right one! This book by Edward Bloor is about a boy named Paul, who has just moved. Paul has a secret about himself that he does not know. Something happened to his eyesight when he was little. Now he gets flashes of his past. What happened to his eyes? You’ll need to wait and read to find out. (Grades 6 & up)

reviewed by TAB member Shivani S.

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Deadville

By Ron Koertge

(YA F Koer)
212 pages, 2008, Realistic Fiction

Ryan, a sophomore in high school, is mourning the death of his little sister, Molly, by doing drugs and living in his iPod playlist. When a popular senior, Charlotte, falls into a coma, Ryan is drawn to her hospital room. Through his daily visits to talk to Charlotte, Ryan meets a young hospital patient who claims he can see into “Deadville,” a sort of limbo between life and death. Will this drive Ryan to finally accept his sister’s death, or will he continue to live in his own version of Deadville? (Grades 10 & up)

reviewed by Teen Librarian Elizabeth H.

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