Not only did the movie eliminate most of the concepts from the book, it eliminated most of the concepts of the Beauty and the Beast story, which of course is the main focus of the book and plot. They barely mentioned the significant of the rose, there was no magic mirror and our beast was no beast, he was just a kid with bad scars and tattoos all over him. The last one I knew prior to going to see the movie and had took it for what it was, but the others, nah. Let's start with the rose, in this instance a white rose, the symbol of purity, innocence, silence, secrecy, reverence, humility, youthfulness, "I am worthy of you", and heavenly. Can you see why it is important? They skimmed the importance of it reducing the passing of time to a rose bush tattoo on his arm.

Then there's the mirror, the meaning of self-exploration, an instrument that can reveal the hidden truths in oneself no matter how hard you try to hide them. In this story, a way for the beast to find his true love and then by watching her at her most vulnerable, thereby loving her more because of it. It also provides away for him to communicate with the witch who put the curse on him. Which brings me to the biggest thing they excluded which was my favorite of the book: the fact that the witch was the maid who took care of our beast, the maid, who along with the blind tutor, provided him with the family he had always longed for. She didn't curse him out of revenge or indulgence, she cursed him because she truly cared for him and wanted him to have a better, richer life.

Last, there's our beauty. Lindy, played by Vanessa Hudgens. Who, in my opinion, was a bit more beautiful that what the part called for. The whole idea of Lindy was that she was considered a nobody in our beasts eyes, someone who he gave a rose to and didn't think twice about. It wasn't until he started viewing her in the mirror that he discovered her true beauty within. In the movie, he saw her, noticed her and was even entranced by her though he didn't want to admit it. Thus giving him somebody he was already falling for instead somebody he would have never fallen for in his former self.

If you're a fan of Madeleine L'Engle A Wrinkle in Time, then you'll love this soft sci-fi adventure from Newbery Award Winner Rebecca Stead.  When you reach me is about 12 year-old Miranda who discovers that the events happening around her are more than meets the eye.  When letters arrive from a stranger who seems to know more about Miranda than she does, she's not sure what to think.  All she knows is that she can help prevent a tragic death.  At least that's what the letters say.  Can she solve the mystery of these letters before it's too late?

Stead spins the weave of sci-fi in a tender, soft spoken plot that brings the reader into Miranda's world.  You'll anxiously want our heroin to succeed.  Click here to purchase.

When you were a teenager, did you ever feel embarrassed by your family?  Violet Paz did.  Centered around the tradition of a quinceanero, a sweet fifteen celebrated in most Spanish cultures, Violet struggles with finding her identity and discovers her Cuban heritage in the process.  She learns that although family may not be what you imagined them to be, they are family nevertheless.  One of the main themes of the book is self-discovery.  Knowing who you are and where you come from is one thing we all struggle with at one point or another and Violet is no exception.

No matter the culture you come from, most teenage girls will find themselves relating to Violet as she deals with heritage, traditions, and family.  Click here to purchase.