 The toys in the playroom are a lively group of adventurers in this magical picture book story featuring bold illustrations and a strong storyline that kids and parents will both enjoy. It is ideal for beginning readers. - Blurb from Amazon.com.
I love finding random books in random places. Sometimes the random books are one of the best I've read and this one is no exception. As with last months picture book review, I found this simple, fun-filled story at AC Moore. What first attracted me to this book were the illustrations. I love bold bright colors and out of all the books of this kind in the bin at AC Moore, this was the second book that caught my color eye and attention. As I read the story, I found that not only were the illustration colorful, but they were fun as well, full of hidden treasures that compliment the story. And speaking of the story, it's a great depiction of children using their toys and imagination to come up with interesting adventures. I liked the repetition of adventure, conflict and decision: "Where shall we go on our next adventure?" the little girl would ask. I also like the book end of the first and last pages. Opposites of each other to signify the beginning and end of the adventurous day. Click here to purchase.
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 With Mockingjay Part II movie coming out in November, I have decided to review all the previous Hunger Game books, and their movie counterpart (look below), in preparation for the conclusion to this YA franchise. So here is my review of the second book in the series.
The second book in the hunger games series pretty much mirrored the first: life before the games, the action packed plot of the games and the uncertainty of what life will be like after the games. But, there was definately some interesting additions and twists. Let's break this up into the three categories: Life before the games In one word: strained. Relationships are strained due to the games, the districts are strained due to the capital and with the new plot addition of the Victory Tour, the 3 victors are strained due to the threat of President Snow. Add in the uprising that is starting, the fact that Katniss has to go back into the arena (a twist) and the new head peacemaker in town and life in district 12 is more than strained. The Action Packed Plot of the Games I am starting with the chariot rides, because as far as the tributes go, this is where the games begin. As with the first book, this is the fastest moving part of the story. We meet the tributes, but this time there is no pretense, no need to hide ones ability and keep secrets. Everyone knows each other's strengths and weeknesses, so it's about making allies and showing off your skills. But the stakes are higher this time around. Not just for the tributes but for the capital as well as the tributes are all pissed. Cages animals tend to fight. The Uncertainty of Life after the Games If the end of book one was uncertain, than book two is beyond that. No District 12, the introduction of District 13, half the victors captured by the Capital including Peeta. What does this mean for the final book in the series. All in all, what I love most about this series thus far, expesially with this book, is the humor Suzanne Collins mixes in with the drama. The sudden jokes "I'd love to borrow your outfit sometime", "I'm about to put in a formal request myself". The pranks "Put our faces right in front of his." The humor lightens the story and makes it feel real. Life is about the laughter along with the crying. Click here to purchase the book.  With Mockingjay Part II coming out in November, I have decided to review all the previous Hunger Game movies, and their book counterpart (look above), in preparation for the conclusion to this YA franchise. So here is my review of the second movie in the series.
The movie makers did a much better job this time around. Not only did they stay truer to the book, but the major themes of the book remained in tack. They even added some of the humor (even though they still cut my favorite Peeta joke "They saw her shoot. Actually, I saw her shoot, for real, for the first time. I'm about to put in a formal request myself") Even though they had to change a few things with Peeta, they did a much better job with him as well. In the first movie, I felt they made him too wimpy (having him cry on the way to the train, pa-leese). This time they showed off the charismatic side to the character and gave him the boldness he demonstrated in the books. All while still being him. So let's take a look at the nigger differences from book to movie: 1) No Twill and Bonnie. The refugees from District 8 never appear and tell Katniss that District 13 is still around. This then doesn't spark Katniss to pay attention to the new cast and realize that the footage of District 13 is a fake. 2) Darius doesn't exist. This is the peacekeeper that defends Gale. He's later turned into an Avox and assigned to Katniss' and Peeta, most likely as a way of getting under Katniss' skin and shaking her up. 3) Plutarch Heavensbee never shows Katniss a watch. In the book, the watch is his way of showing he's on her side. It has a mockingjay hologram. It also signifies the design of the arena, to give Katniss a heads up as a new mentor. In fact, the movie set Plutarch up as having manipulated the Quarter Quell with president snow, slightly suggesting that they bring the victors in a tributes in a ploy to kill Katniss and "her kind". There's even a deleted scene of him switching the Quarter Quell envelope. This is not in the book as Plutarch specifically says he didn't know Katniss would be back in the arena. 4) Peeta, Katniss and Haymitch training as Careers. When it was decided that the victors were being brought back into the games, these three begin training and studying up in the other victors so they can be prepared and possibly win the games again. It's due to this that Peeta and Katniss watch the Quarter Quell in which Haymitch won. Katniss sees that he also defied the capital by using their own force field against them to kill a fellow tribute and ultimately win the game. Even with this changes, nothing is taken away from the movie. This is how I like my adaptations. |
