Rango
DVD
Rated PG
Johnny Depp is a chameleon who slips into characters with instinctive accuracy in this eccentric animated film. But when he lands in a stereotypically Spaghetti Western town in need of a sheriff, he must decide who he really is. I can’t help thinking of this as a film rather than a DVD because of the breathtakingly real cinematography. The scenes are arty, the jokes are outrageous, and the homages fall like rain in the desert. I especially loved the toilet paper chase that ended in the death of a villainous hawk with the improbable use of just one bullet, validating Rango’s rather dubious fame as a gunslinger. Check it out!
Mary Kretsch
Information Specialist
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
Growing up in Salem, Massachusetts after the Revolutionary War, Nathaniel Bowditch faces several hardships in his young life. Being extremely gifted in mathematics, he is encouraged by prominent figures in his community to pursue an education, so Nat sets his hopes on Harvard University. A life-changing decision made by Nat’s father, however, curtails this plan and presents further obstacles. Yet instead of feeling sorry for himself, Nat chooses to “sail by Ash Breeze," not dwell on his misfortunes, and fulfill his hunger for knowledge through other means. Winner of the 1956 Newberry Award, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham is a heartwarming adventure tale about a boy who, despite his hardships, values bettering himself as well as others. Introduced to likable characters and interesting facts, the reader accompanies Nat in his sailing adventures through an enjoyable reading experience. Based on the life of Nathaniel Bowditch, this historical novel provides entertaining insight into the young man who wrote The New American Practical Navigator, which was a tremendous help to the shipping industry and is still utilized by the U.S. Navy. For those who enjoy this title, try also The Longitude Prize by Joan Dash and George Washington, Spymaster: How America Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War by Thomas B. Allen.
Julie Boyd
Information Specialist
The Forsyth Reads Together 2012 selection To Dance with the White Dog by Terry Kay is an evocative story that revisits the era of family farms, small towns (the novel takes place in Hall County, Georgia), and undying love. This engaging tale revolves around a widower’s struggles after his wife’s death and is filled with endearingly realistic characters. Feisty Sam Peek is certainly one. He enjoys planting trees and making up his own mind, usually to the dismay of his adult children and former housekeeper. Fueling the conflict in this obviously caring family is Sam’s insistence on a seemingly other-worldly companion who visits only when Sam is alone. Readers who remember the time period (or stories of it) will certainly be charmed by To Dance with the White Dog, as will anyone who appreciates a thoughtfully crafted story.
Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (Teen Middle)
If you saw Tim Burton’s recent movie Alice in Wonderland, you probably know that he took an old fantasy story and turned it into something brand new-- part dark comedy, part action adventure, combined with some elements of horror—definitely not for young children.
There are many ways to tweak classic stories and many reasons why old, familiar stories stay popular generation after generation. The most obvious reason is that they are simply great stories. They have themes almost anyone can relate to, such as the struggle of good against evil and the search of a young person to find his or her purpose in life.
If you enjoy reading stories that use these classic themes, you might like The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. This is the first book in a fantasy trilogy. It is different from most fantasy stories, which normally start in the real world and then move into the fantasy world. This is the opposite—in this book the real world is the fantasy world. A girl named Alyss, who lives in the real Wonderland, goes through a portal and winds up in Victorian London of the 1800s as a girl named Alice. She tells her story to a writer, who tells her story in a book he calls Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. But Alyss has to find her way back to Wonderland, escape evil creatures, fight an evil queen, and claim her rightful place as the Queen of Wonderland.
This is the first book in a trilogy, if you like epic stories. But if you want to get right to the action without reading the whole trilogy, you might be interested to know it is also available in a Graphic Novel. It’s not wordy, so it’s a very quick read. The illustrations tell most of the story, and they have a hazy, ethereal quality that draws you into that other world.
Virginia McCurry
Youth Services Specialist
I participated in the Forsyth Reads Together program for the first time last year. The featured title was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I grew up near Concord, MA where the author and her family lived. It was great to share the enjoyment of reading her book and learning about her history with others.
I have read To Dance with the White Dog and found it to be a wonderful read. The main character is an older man who had recently lost his wife, and his children worry about how he will get along without her. The story covers the loss of a loved one and family relations with compassion and humor. The addition of the “white dog” adds a little mystery to the story while being a comfort to the main character.
Joan Dudzinski
Information Specialist
I very much enjoyed reading To Dance with the White Dog. It is a tender and inspirational story with a tinge of humor. Anyone with parents will find this story beneficial, although I believe it can appeal to anyone, young or old, or someone facing a lonely time in his life. If one has aging parents, one knows how it can be a balancing act--keeping them safe without restricting their freedom. This book is about life lessons. It is a sweet, touching and emotional story. Terry Kay is an eloquent writer and I am looking forward to his visit in September.
Shamsha Karim
Information Specialist
