Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Teen Menu

It's been a crazy month. I had three different deadlines on June 1, so I haven't had much time to read. I didn't finish reading any YA books this month, but I am reading Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon. It's the sequel to Silver Phoenix, which I've reviewed here on the Teen Menu and which I really enjoyed. Again, it's set in ancient China and has paranormal elements. I hope to have the review for you next month.

After that, I plan to read a book I picked up while at a friend's book signing recently, Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley. It was one of those where the cover drew me in and when I found out it was a fish-out-of-water story, I was hooked.

What good YA stories have you read so far this summer? (And despite the fact the calendar doesn't say so yet, it IS summer in my neck of the woods.)

We did have some YA-related news this month, about two highly anticipated movies.

YA News

As many of you may already know, the first trailer for the first part of Breaking Dawn premiered during the MTV Movie Awards last Sunday. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.



More casting news for The Hunger Games has been hitting the Internet. I think they made an excellent choice for President Snow in casting Donald Sutherland. Other roles have gone to Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Amandla Stenberg as Rue.

7 comments:

  1. I was working as a children's librarian until last year, and haven't kept up as well with what is coming out. I did finish the Twilight series and saw the first 2 movies with our teen group. Need to catch up and see how well they do with BREAKING DAWN.
    Can't wait for the Harry Potter finale. Hate to see the series end. We will have a movie marathon and watch all the movies the few days before Part 2 comes out.
    J. K. Rowling was smart to keep control over the movies. It has certainly maintained the feel and the quality of the books.
    HUNGER GAMES and the rese of the series is still on my TBR list.

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  2. I truly enjoy well written YA literature for itself and for the insight it gives into the thinking of young people. Additionally, I truly believe that anything that puts books into the hands of people of any age is a good thing.
    For example: I used to read Harlequins when I was younger. They tended to be shorter reads thus more accessible to many people. Once you start reading it can open up a whole new world of other books and genres. What could be better?!

    As for Recent YA Lit, I have enjoyed "The Harry Potter" series, "The "Twlight" series, (Stephenie Meyer's lesser known book "Host" is incredible! I am hearing that it will also be made into a film.) My favorite YA of all has to be "The Hunger Games" Trilogy. I have recommended it to so many people, young and older, and I have received only positive feedback.

    Thanks for all of the updated casting information. Such wonderfull actors make this casting inspired!

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  3. Apart from re-reading all the Harry Potters not long ago - before the second last movie, I have not read any YA for a while. I need to start compiling a list of must reads.

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  4. I haven't read any YA books lately, but I am looking forward to HP Part 2 in July and Breaking Dawn Part 1 in November. I'm hoping that Breaking Dawn will be as good as the book.

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  5. Thanks for another YA update, Trish!

    That's a great cast. I love Donald Sutherland!

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  6. We're going to have an HP marathon early next month too, and I'll try to fit in a reread of the books before July 15.

    I'm on deadline this month too and am way behind with all my reading. I have A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard on my TBR shelf, a loan from one of my young cousins who is my expert on all YA books. She highly recommends it. I love the title, and the description sounds intriguing: "the story of 12 year old Skip who in a time of war meets an odd assortment of friends. After a succession of foster homes and a life of abuse, the artistic Skip meets up with the old crippled Billy, a younger boy, Max and the dancer Tia with her baby Sixpence. These survivors of the war take refuge together in a fun fair."

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  7. The YA read that sucked me in the most was "Enclave" by Ann Aguirre. I know if a book had its hooks in me when I start wanting to explore the world more and that happened with "Enclave".

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