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The Sleeper and the Spindle

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The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Format: Book
Who its for: Teens

A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell – weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish.

The Sleeper and the Spindle is a up-to-date outlook on female heroism smooshed into the plot of a classic princess double-feature, though you won’t find a white knight or Prince Charming in this fairy tale.  Gaiman tells the story of warrior queen who travels to a faraway land armed with a sword and three dwarfs, on a mission to rid the people of a curse and save the princess locked in a tower.   This retelling is just as dark, magical, and twisted as this reader wanted it to be.  Riddell’s stunning black, white, and gold illustrations alone are worth a gander.

My only complaint – it’s too short.  Find it in the catalog. 

 

The Shallows

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The Shallows
Format: DVD
Who its for: Adults and Teens

Summer’s almost here! So while you’re planning your big, beach vacay, let’s talk about sharks!

In the movie The Shallows, despite the danger of surfing alone, Nancy decides to hit the waves. When a great white shark suddenly attacks, Nancy is forced to swim to a giant rock for safety. Left injured and stranded 200 yards from shore, Nancy must fight for her life as the deadly predator circles her in its feeding ground.

The Shallows sets the bar for what a shark attack thriller can be. Marketed as horror film, the movie is largely grounded in survival drama but also fantastical in its action and suspense. One of the things I appreciated most about this movie is that it gave the shark a purpose, a reason for its aggression that is almost believable.  I preferred this to the more common idea that sharks are mindless, bloodthirsty monsters (that roar?  I’m looking at you, Jaws).  Not to mention, the cinematography used in this movie is just…pretty. While you’re sweating on the edge of your seat, holding tight to your limbs, be sure to enjoy the vibrant colors and slow motion effects that make the film both terrifying and aesthetically pleasing.  Other than the CGI shark, Blake Lively’s performance is easily the best in the movie (of course she is pretty much the only person in the movie so that isn’t saying much).  If you’re feeling brave, dip your toes in and check out The Shallows. Find it in the catalog.

 

Look Big: And Other Tips for Surviving Animal Encounters of All Kinds

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Look Big: And Other Tips for Surviving Animal Encounters of All Kinds
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens and Adults

This easily-skimmable, illustrated wildlife survival guide, both humorous and helpful, explains what to do (or not do) in a showdown with 50 of the most feared and frustrating of North America’s creatures and critters.  As humans encroach on nature’s stomping ground, these run-ins are becoming increasingly common.  From bunnies to bull sharks, cockroaches to cows, this guide is handy for urban, suburban, and outdoor adventurers alike.  The readers can feel empowered to contain a major critter crisis or diffuse a dangerous disaster as each page contains expert tips, fascinating facts, and harrowing true tales of real-life encounters.  What I’ve learned: never turn your back on a goose, assume every moose is a serial killer, and if the mountain lion attacks, “give ’em hell.” Find it in the catalog.

Dumplin’

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Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Format: Book, Audio Book
Whose it for: Adults and Teens

Willowdean Dixon introduces self as “cashier, Dolly Parton enthusiast, and resident fat girl.”  She doesn’t consider her weight and stature to be a nuisance as some might think. “I mean, if it were 1642, my wide birthing hips would be worth many cows or something.” But in Clover City, Texas, football stars and beauty pageant queens reign supreme. Despite this, Will (nicknamed ‘Dumplin’ by her former beauty queen mom) has never struggled to love herself and her body… until she meets Bo Larson aka “Peach Butt” whose attention and affection give Will a whole new sense of self-doubt.  This insecurity is amplified when her best friend, Ellen, makes new “twiggy” friends, who make no secret of what they think of Will, her weight, and her friendship with Ellen.  In order to regain her confidence, Will does the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet beauty pageant.  Motivated by Will’s bravery, some other unlikely candidates join the cause and gain help from a few unconventional sources.

This book focuses mainly on the theme of body image, but touches on relationships, family life, and grief.  Dumplin’, though adorable and hilarious, teaches about body positivity and self-love, not only for the ample-bodied, but for anyone who views themselves as an obstacle rather than an asset. Find it in the catalog.

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors

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The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt
Format: Books
Who’s it for: Kids

From New York Times bestselling creators Drew Daywalt, author of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, and Adam Rex, author-illustrator of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, comes a laugh-out-loud hilarious picture book about the epic tale of the classic game Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named Rock.  Meanwhile, in the Empire of Mom’s Home Office, on lonely and windswept Desk Mountain, a second great warrior sought the glory of battle, and his name was Paper.  At the same time, in the Kitchen Realm, in the tiny village of Junk Drawer, there lived a third great warrior.  They called her Scissors.  These three were the smartest, strongest and fastest in all the land.

You’ve played the game, but do you know the legend of how it all began?  Put your battle pants on and follow the warriors on their epic quest: the search for the ultimate adversary!

Find it in the catalog.

The Darkest Minds

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Read the Book, Watch the Movie!

Book: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Movie: The Darkest Minds
Movie Release Date: August 3, 2018

Ruby first witnessed the effects of Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration (IAAN) when her classmate spontaneously dropped to the cafeteria floor during lunch. This mysterious disease has since killed 98% of America’s youth population in rapid succession.  Those few that do not succumb to the illness emerge with an assortment of powerful (and frightening) abilities.  So frightening in fact that when Ruby awakes on her 10th birthday, her parents lock her in the garage and immediately call the police.  She’s then carted off to Thurmond, a government-run camp operating under the guise of “rehabilitation” manned by the US military’s new Psi Special Forces (PSF) branch.  Upon her arrival,  Ruby discovers that kids with her particular kind of abilities are considered especially dangerous and are to be executed on-sight.  In a desperate act of self-preservation, Ruby disguises herself and her abilities to escape detection.

Now 16, Ruby’s secret is out and a group called the Children’s League comes to aid her in her escape from camp.  In exchange, they want to train Ruby as a soldier in their fight against the government.  Perturbed at the idea of being used as a weapon, Ruby runs – right into a group of kids in search of East River, a haven hidden away to protect AWOL youth like themselves.  She joins their ranks, but she fears that her presence is putting her new friends in danger.  PSF’s and Skip Tracers are intent on tracking them down and Ruby’s lack of control over her abilities puts everyone at risk.  While war wages on the outside, Ruby must battle her want of companionship against her need to protect said companions.

The first in a series, The Darkest Minds is thrilling, heart-breaking, and a little bit terrifying from beginning to end, exploring themes of friendship, self-sacrifice, and overcoming fears along the way.  Find it in the catalog.