A Long, Round-About Story About My Experience With a Teenage Love Story Involving a Vampire

A few months ago I received an email from my friend, Mindy, asking for suggestions of books that her 14-year-old daughter, Kate, would like. I easily came up with a few titles, but being more of a children's literature connoisseur than a young adult literature connoisseur, I went to the good ol' internet to do a bit more research. I found a great top-10-for-teens-list. One of the titles on the list was Twilight. After reading a synopsis of the book--something or other about a vampire--I decided not to recommend it to Mindy. I mean, let's get serious, who wants to read a book about a vampire?

About a month later, I was visiting my friend, Julie. Her 16-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, was there. There was a knock on the door. It was Caitlyn's friend, Lindsay, returing a book she had borrowed. It was Twilight. Not yet remembering my internet research about this book, I began questioning the girls about it. The conversation went something like this: Me: "What's that book?" Girls: "Twilight." Me: "I haven't seen that book before. What's it about?" Girls (in a state of utter shock and disbelief): "You haven't heard of Twilight?!!!" They then proceded to tell me all about it--how it's soooo good, and how the sequel is soooo great too, and how I HAD to read it, and how it's sooo romantic. Julie had read it as well, and told me it was really quite good. I was now officially curious, but not yet compelled to rush out and buy it. After all, it was a book about a vampire.

A couple more months passed, but suddenly, Twilight was all around me. It was brought up in the children's lit class I attended 2 weeks ago. The teacher talked about how hot it is right now (he ought to know, as the library director), and how the author, Stephenie Meyer, a fellow alumna of my alma mater, has already been approached about a movie. A few days later, my friend, Lori, somewhat abashedly revealed to her blog-audience that she--having received a tip from her librarian mother-in-law--was now reading Twilight. A few days later I was in Borders, and I overheard a girl talking to the store manager, as they stood next to a large display with dozens of copies of Twilight. "Oh yeah," he said. "It's very popular. We're selling about 70 copies a week." Whoa. I was starting to feel more compelled.

That week was my birthday. Do you know what is great about birthdays and other special occasions when you're a self-declared book enthusiast? People give you books!! That same lovely friend, Lori, gifted me with my very own copy of Twilight. And if you'll pardon the cheesy pun, I sunk my teeth right into it! Twilight is definitely a page-turner. It's mysterious and intriguing, and the kind of book you absolutely don't want to put down. Here's the basic premise: Bella, 17, transfers to a new school, and falls in love with Edward, a vampire. I know what you're thinking--come on, a teenage love story about a vampire? But even I, who swears off all fantasy except Harry Potter, LOVED IT. Here's why--it's something we can all relate to. Well, not the blood-thirsty vampire part, but the part about being an awkward teenager, just trying to fit in. And the part about having challenges in your family. And the part about being completely smitten with that dreamy boy (or girl) in Biology class. Here's what Meyer says about it: "I've always admired the ability of some authors to create situations of impossible fantasy, and then add characters that are so deeply human that their perspective makes the situation believable. I hope Twilight offers readers the same experience." And, Mrs. Cropper says, IT DOES. I wouldn't say it's amazing writing, but it's really good writing. Meyer uses foreshadowing well, introduces a fair amount of new vocabulary (remember, this is intended for a teen audience), and serves up a great big helping of character development. That is what I love most about it.
Here's why I am recommending this book: It's a great, entertaining, fast read. A great escape--for adults and teens alike. It is especially perfect for teens--partly because it's fairly good literature, partly because they love the romance (OK, I guess we're looking at a mainly female audience here--and by the way, the romance is clean and appropriate), and mostly because it gets them reading! So, yeah, let's get serious--I am whole-heartedly recommending that you read Twilight, a teenage love story about a vampire.

P.S. The sequel, New Moon, is also out. The third book, Eclipse, will be available August 6th.

Novel of the Month--The Devil's Arithmetic

The Novel for April is The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen. First of all, if the author's name seems familiar, it's because she's a prolific writer--and a fabulous one. She has written loads of picture books and novels, as well as lots of beautiful poetry. I've never read anything of Jane Yolen's that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed.

The Devil's Arithmetic is marvelous. Historical Fiction, it tells the story of a Jewish girl named Hannah growing up in present-day New York. In the car on the way to a Passover Seder with family, Hannah laments having to participate in so many Jewish holiday celebrations. As her mother reminds her that Passover is for remembering, Hannah replies, "All Jewish holidays are about remembering, Mama. I'm tired of remembering." But then, at dinner, when Hannah opens the front door of the house to sybolically welcome the prophet Elijah, she is transported to a Polish village in 1942. Soon Hannah finds herself amidst Nazi soldiers and struggling Jewish families, and only she knows the terrible things that await them. Only after experiencing these things for herself does Hannah appreciate the importance of remembering.

I first read this book in college. It reminded me of reading Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry in elementary school. (Have you read that one? It won the Newberry Medal and is also a must-read!) Like Number the Stars, The Devil's Arithmetic does a beautiful job of helping us, as readers, understand and feel the significance of the attrocities done to the Jewish people by the Nazis. What I find especially impressive is that both novels are deep and serious and thought-provoking, but still appropriate for children (both novels are about 3rd grade and up). They aren't dark or violent or grim. Instead, they educate, lift, and inspire.

I often comment to my husband that the worst thing in this world is man's inhumanity to man. More than anything else I want to be kind. And I want my children to understand that nothing is more important than being kind. Though it can be sobering to read about, I feel it is so important and necessary to know what happened to the Jews in Poland (and elsewhere), to the Tutsis in Rwanda, and what is happening now in Sudan. As we were always taught in history class, we have to make sure we don't repeat the mistakes of others. Stories like The Devil's Arithmetic remind me of the importance of friendship, hope, and courage. They remind me to be kind and to fight for that which is good and true. And just like Hannah learns, it is so important to remember.

The Giver gives you something to think about

Ooh! I am so excited to recommend this novel to you. This Newberry winner by Lois Lowry is outstanding. It tells the story of Jonas, a boy who lives in a futuristic, utopian existence. (Think Brave New World, only less disturbing.) His world is devoid of poverty, divorce, inequality, even bad manners. When he turns twelve, he, like his friends, receives his life assignment. But instead of becoming a Caretaker of the Old or a Director of Recreation like his friends, he becomes The Giver--an assignment that opens his eyes to so much more than his "perfect" world has ever revealed to him.

The Giver is inventive and poignant and will make you think about the world in which you exist. If you are like me, it will remind you of what a blessing it is that we have opposition in all things. After all, without pain, how can we know joy?

Novel of the Month--Bridge to Terabithia

As you likely know, Disney's movie version of this beloved novel comes out this Friday, February 16th. I've chosen it as my novel of the month for two reasons.

Reason Number 1: I read this book in 5th grade and it became my favorite book.
Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of Jesse and Leslie, two social outcasts who become best friends and rulers in their own magical kingdom--Terabithia. One of the reasons I love this book so much is that Katherine Paterson is an amazing writer (she won the Newberry Medal for this book in 1978 and again for Jacob Have I Loved in 1981. The Great Gilly Hopkins is another greatie as well and is one of my personal favorites). She uses incredible imagery and really gets you into the minds of her characters. Just pages in to Bridge to Terabithia you feel Jesse's frustration of being in the middle of 4 sisters, his sadness surrounding his less than great relationship with his father, and his determination to prove himself at school. I also love this book and Paterson in general because she tackles tough, real-to-life issues. If you've ever felt unappreciated by your family, unaccepted at school, or devastated by the loss of someone dear, you can relate to the characters in this book. It is definitely a must read. (Please note that this book does deal with mature content--not inappropriate, just mature. There are also a few instances of less than refined language, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone younger than 5th grade, and you might want to read it first to make sure you're comfortable with your child reading it.)

Reason Number 2: So I can get up on my soapbox and say, "READ IT BEFORE YOU SEE THE MOVIE!"
Don't we all agree that books are always better than movies? Now don't get me wrong, I love movies, and I'm excited to see this one, but there are three problems with movies based on novels.
1) Content is cut. Obviously to make a good film, this is often necessary. But is kills me. Take Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for instance. They had to cut so much of the actual plot that I found myself asking, "Wait? Did I check out the right movie?" All of J. K. Rowling's amazing foreshadowing and character building and fabuous detail...gone.
2) Your imagination is better than even the most amazing technology. Certainly moviemakers do WONDERS these days. Anything like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, etc. is visually impressive, to say the least. But don't you find yourself saying, "That's not the way I pictured it?" This is not to be disparaging of these movies. It is to say--your mind is limitless.
3) You miss out on the deliciousness of the literature! The metaphors, the descriptions, the imagery, the character building... Just listen to these examples from Bridge to Terabithia, "Those girls could get out of work faster than grasshoppers could slip through your fingers. " (page 6) and "Momma would be mad as flies in a fruit jar if they woke her up this time of day." (page 1)

So my recommendation is to see the movie, but after you've read the book. I'm reading it again right now and just oohing and ahhing about how well written it is. It is such a literary treat! So enjoy Bridge to Terabithia and remember, always read the book first!