| "Every Day," by David Levithan Nov 20th 2012, 22:36 David Levithan has traversed the giddy highs and dismal lows of young love — gay and straight — for a decade in his fiction ("Boy Meets Boy," "The Lover's Dictionary") and collaborations ("Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" with Rachel Cohn; "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" with John Green). In matters of the heart, teens have certainly taken him to theirs. Levithan's new YA novel proves to be his most nuanced yet, a tender meditation on identity and romantic love that evolves with surprising grace from a rather odd premise. Each morning for the past 16 years, A, a kind of drifting, non-corporeal consciousness, has awakened in the body of a different person, an existence that A finds both lonely and "remarkably freeing." While in the body of self-absorbed Justin, though, A becomes smitten with the boy's gentle, uncertain girlfriend, Rhiannon. Most of the plot revolves around A trying to spend time with her, whether in the body of a rocker, a geek, a pretty cheerleader, a burly football player or a scruffy, heavy-metal fan. A's wry, wistful voice keeps all this from devolving into "Freaky Friday" shenanigans, as do the sensitive glimpses into the lives of very different people, especially a suicidal girl and a confident transgendered teen. A subplot involving one of the boys determined to expose the "demon" that possessed him seems less developed and compelling than A's hopeful search for true connection. Read full article >>   |  | "Beyond Courage," by Doreen Rappaport Nov 20th 2012, 22:26 Doreen Rappaport's thoughtful, well-researched book explores the sorrows, triumphs and struggles of Jews who fought back against Nazi persecution. Ranging all over Europe, she begins with Kristallnacht in November 1938, when the horror of the Nazi mindset revealed itself in widespread anti-Semitic violence. Once immigration for entire families proved impossible, parents tried to send their children to safety, and the book shows the elaborate forgery and smuggling schemes required to get by German security. Bolstered by period photographs, including those of many individual resisters, Rappaport's accounts describe quiet rebellions, such as continued religious observance under grim circumstances, as well as dramatic attempted rescues, escapes and retaliatory attacks. (The Bielski brothers' heroic effort to evade German forces and create a functional village in the Polish forest is particularly gripping.) Whether Rappaport is discussing the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a young Greek woman's vengeance, or a 12-year-old violinist who ignited a bomb to kill German officers he had just entertained, the anti-Nazi violence comes off as thoroughly justified but never gleeful. Beyond courageous, Rappaport's subjects knew they could not stop the Nazis, but they did what they could to disrupt their hideous plans. Read full article >>   | | "Return to the Willows," by Jacqueline Kelly, illustrated by Clint Young Nov 20th 2012, 21:00 In which Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad reappear after a century-long hiatus to adventure once more in the Wild Wood. Creating a new installment for a much-loved childhood classic is a daunting project. When the classic in question is Kenneth Grahame's "The Wind in the Willows," the fragile blend of whimsy and humor makes the margin for error especially wide. This brand-spanking-new sequel has been neatly packaged in a generous square trim-size and handsomely illustrated by Clint Young in a style that echoes but does not imitate the many earlier editions. But what about the writing? Fortunately for a new generation of readers, Newbery Honor author Jacqueline Kelly must have steeped herself like a tea bag in all things British. Evoking the ineffable mixture of capers and camaraderie that has kept the original in print for so long, she serves up a roistering boisterous tale of hot-air balloons, fireworks and GBQs*. And while youngsters are lapping up Toad's adventures, howling as he rockets from lugubrious to lovable in the space of a chapter, adults lucky enough to read this aloud will also have lots of sly asides to chuckle over ("It is a truth universally acknowledged that a toad in possession of a fortune must be in want of adventure"). Although alternative versions (including several earlier sequels) abound in movies, on stage and even as theme park rides, this is a worthy successor that ends — most improbably — with cudgels and cake and a graceful reminder to revisit the original. Read full article >>   | | Johnny Carson returning to television Nov 20th 2012, 20:09 Johnny Carson is returning to television. Turner Classic Movies has licensed 50 of Johnny Carson's "Tonight" show interviews from the Carson Entertainment Group – including chats with some brighter bygone stars in the Hollywood firmament: Bette Davis, James Stewart, Fred Astaire, William Holden, Gregory Peck, Gene Kelly, Henry Fonda, etc. Read full article >>   | | Kelsey Grammer's 'Boss' canceled by Starz Nov 20th 2012, 18:33 Pay cable network Starz has canceled Kelsey Grammer 's "Boss" because its second season clocked fewer viewers than its first. The second season, ended in mid October, averaged about 940,000 viewers across multiple plays for its 18 episodes – not that much worse than the ratings for Starz' "Magic City." Read full article >>   | | Custody hearing for 'Modern Family' star to be held today; Peter Jackson denies mistreatment of animals on 'The Hobbit' Nov 20th 2012, 13:31 A morning mix of entertainment headlines . . . The custody situation involving Ariel Winter — the actress who plays Alex on "Modern Family" and was recently placed under the temporary guardianship of her older sister — will be addressed today in Los Angeles Superior Court. A judge will decide whether Winter, 14, should continue to live apart from her allegedly abusive mother, Chrisoula Workman. Complicating matters: Winter's dad has filed an objection to the existing guardianship because he says he wants to care for his daughter. Does anyone else wish this poor kid could just live with the Dunphys for real? (Associated Press) Read full article >>   | |
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