Since summer is winding to an end, and if you're anything like me: you're super busy! It's no surprise that I actually didn't even get around to finishing the book... That's OK, I'm sure you didn't either. So, instead of our usual discussion questions, I'm going to go straight to the reccomendations --which you hopefully enjoy just as much (or more) than you enjoyed Hero if you're interested in checking them out. I'll start with the short lists of Graphic Novels/Manga, then get into the lengther book and movie suggestions (because trust me, I have a lot of them!). Books are linked to MORE, if available.
Graphic Novels:
-Bone, Tom Sniegoski
-Fairy Tail (manga)
-Kingdom Hearts (Manga, and also of course a video game)
-Runaways (for the 14+ crowd)
-Listing all of the Marvel and DC comic books would be crazy, but don't forget about those! Many are available on MORE!
-Wolverine (manga, not the comic book, though that's good too)
Television:
-Amazing Spiderman and Friends
-Heroes
-Justice League
-Teen Titans
-Wolverine and the X-Men
-X-Men: Evolution
Movies (Warning: I didn't check the rating on all of these, so be sure to ask your parents permission before watching some of these titles. I *'d the ones I thought would be most questionable.):
-Big Man Japan
-Bolt
-Catomwan
-Daredevil
-Elecktra
-Fantastic Four
-The Green Hornet
-Ghost Rider
-Hancock
-Hellboy
-The Incredibles
-Iron Man
-Kick Ass*
-Megamind
-Pokemon
-Power Rangers
-Sky High
-Spider-Man
-Ultimate Avengers
-Watchmen*
-X-Men
-Zoom
Books (Not in alphabetical order, sorry!):
Hero, Perry Moore
Fearless, Francine Pascal
Captain Underpants, Dave Pilkey
The Awakening, Michael Carroll
Captain Nobody, Dean Pitchford
Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation, Matt Myklusch
Percy Jackson Series, Rick Riordan (link to search page for series)
Shredderman Series, Wendelin van Draanen
Flyboy of Underwhere, Bruce Hale
Great Cape Rescue, Phyllis Shalant
Questors, Joan Lennon
Sidekicks, Jack D. Ferraiolo
Standard Hero Behavior, John David Andersen
While I'm sure I could go on for ages with more reccomendations, that's MORE than enough to keep you busy --and if you don't see anything on the list you like but know of something I forgot: comment!
Next week, we'll start our discussion on Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney. Order your copy via MORE now. t
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hero Discussion: About the Author
Today, I thought I'd post something a little different. Many authors choose to stick to the same genre. Over the course of the summer, we've read several of those authors: Levine writes Fantasy and Korman writes realist comedy. Mike Lupica however writes sports novels. A LOT of sports novels --except for Hero. It's his first trip down fantasy lane, and his success in the endenvor is kind of up to the reader.
For the most part, I think Hero is reading a lot like one of his sports novels...which is both good and bad. Don't me wrong: I actually really like sports novels (Slot Machine and Ice Man by Chris Lynch are two of my favorites), but I think Lupica is missing something when it comes to his fantasy novel.
Sports fans might actually recognize Mike from Sports Report on ESPN. He writes a weekly sports column for the NY Daily News, which you can read online and has been at the Daily News since he was 23 --in 1977. He has co-written autobiographies with sports stars Reggie Jackson and Bill Parcells. When he isn't writing, he coaches a Little League teams: basektball, baseball, and soccer for his kids --3 boys and a girl.
You can check out other stuff about Mike on his website.
If you're interested in Mike's sports fiction, someone uploaded a portion of the audiobook for Heat on YouTube.
For the most part, I think Hero is reading a lot like one of his sports novels...which is both good and bad. Don't me wrong: I actually really like sports novels (Slot Machine and Ice Man by Chris Lynch are two of my favorites), but I think Lupica is missing something when it comes to his fantasy novel.
Sports fans might actually recognize Mike from Sports Report on ESPN. He writes a weekly sports column for the NY Daily News, which you can read online and has been at the Daily News since he was 23 --in 1977. He has co-written autobiographies with sports stars Reggie Jackson and Bill Parcells. When he isn't writing, he coaches a Little League teams: basektball, baseball, and soccer for his kids --3 boys and a girl.
You can check out other stuff about Mike on his website.
If you're interested in Mike's sports fiction, someone uploaded a portion of the audiobook for Heat on YouTube.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hero Discussion: Comic Book Crusaders
If you know me, you know the only thing I love more than fairy tales, are superheroes. Maybe it's the fantastic elements that go along with it. Who WOULDN'T love the ability to fly, to be able to read minds, walk through walls, or teleport to anywhere they wanted to go? How about regenerative healing, telekenisis, or the ability to converse with wildlife?
I was first introduced to the world of Superheroes at a young age, when Saturday Morning cartoons were still all the rage. The Amazing Spiderman and Friends, X-Men (the original animated series), even hokey superheroes like Freakazoid. I'm pretty sure I watched them all. As I got older, I started reading comic books. It started with Japanese manga. Then I got back into the old school Marvel comics and fell in love with the X-Men. I can lay out histories on almost any character you throw at me, but in particular Rogue. Rogue is awesome and doesn't get nearly enough credit for everything she's capable of.
And lately, it's been complete bliss in the Superhero world. The Green Lantern, The Green Hornet, Thor, and Captain America all in one summer --and The Avengers comes out May 12th, 2012. Directed by Joss Whedon, not to even go into all of the talented cast! It's Fan Girl Heaven, I tell you.
Here are a couple of upcoming movie trailers:
Happy reading!
Samma
I was first introduced to the world of Superheroes at a young age, when Saturday Morning cartoons were still all the rage. The Amazing Spiderman and Friends, X-Men (the original animated series), even hokey superheroes like Freakazoid. I'm pretty sure I watched them all. As I got older, I started reading comic books. It started with Japanese manga. Then I got back into the old school Marvel comics and fell in love with the X-Men. I can lay out histories on almost any character you throw at me, but in particular Rogue. Rogue is awesome and doesn't get nearly enough credit for everything she's capable of.
And lately, it's been complete bliss in the Superhero world. The Green Lantern, The Green Hornet, Thor, and Captain America all in one summer --and The Avengers comes out May 12th, 2012. Directed by Joss Whedon, not to even go into all of the talented cast! It's Fan Girl Heaven, I tell you.
Here are a couple of upcoming movie trailers:
Happy reading!
Samma
Hero by Mike Lupica
(Inside cover blurb)
Zach Harriman thought he knew his dad. Knicks fan, ex-Harvard football star, special advisor to the President of the United States. And then Tom Harriman's plane crashes under mysterious circumstances and everything Zach thought he knew about his father explodes with it.
Now the same people who wanted his father dead want Zach very much alive. Why? Because Tom Harriman was no ordinary man. And because Zach is destined to follow in his footsteps.
Starting now.
As something no one even knows exists...
A fourteen year old superhero.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Genius Discussion: Final Thoughts and Reccomendations
It seems like Genius has passed by rather quickly compared to our other two books! Next week we'll start discussion on Hero by Mike Lupica. But until then, here's the final round of discussion questions for Genius, and then some reccomendations for similar titles. I was disappointed to find that (so far) there isn't a sequal to Genius --it certaintly ended on a hopeful note of continuation. I suppose we can all hope for more in the future though.
1. What was your overall impression of the book?
2. Did you find Oliver to be a relatable character?
3. What did you think of some of Tatiana's campaign techniques --such as the t-shirts, the posters, and the Inflatable Oliver?
4. Do you think Oliver is honest with himself about his feelings regarding his parents, in particular his Dad? How do you think that reflects to his conversation with his Dad at the end of the book?
5. What was your reaction to Oliver's speech? Was it true? What about HIS reaction to his speech?
6. Did you find Oliver's genius to be beliveable? Do you think he did the "right thing" by pretending to be dumb? What do you think you would have done if you were Oliver and you knew you were "different".
7. What are you thoughts to the side characters, like Lionel Sheldrake, Mr. Moorehead, or Tatiana?
8. Were you suprised about the identies of Oliver's bodyguards?
Over all, I liked the book. I related a lot to Oliver's personality, but not really his actions. I'm pretty sure if I was that smart, I wouldn't alienate people with it, but I certaintly wouldn't hide it either. I think Oliver takes things to extremes regarding his feelings towards his parents. He tries to put off this aloof demenor, but I'm not sure if it's "real" or not. Maybe his genius has just pushed him into that rebellious teenaged stage little early than most.
I liked Oliver's speech. He had a point --it doesn't matter what you do in school because afterwords, you're only going to see those people every ten years. I think his reaction was a little bit of overkill. Although, I must say it's pretty interesting that he can do that kind of thing on command! It kind of makes you wonder if he's had to do it before.
I liked the side-story with Mr. Moorehead. I thought Moorehead was a likeable character (and I think Oliver liked him too, or he wouldn't have tried so hard to help me out with Miss Sokolov), and Oliver's pranks were rather witty.
Other reccomendations, divided by books, movies, and graphic novels with links to the MORE page.
Books:
Sprout by Dale Peck
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
Ironman by Chris Crutcher
Slot Machine by Chris Lynch
The Brain Full of Holes by Marin Chatterton
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks (series!)
Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper
The Accidental Genius of Weasel High by Rick Detorie
Movies:
The Jensen Project
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genuis (the library also has several DVDs of the TV show too!)
Matty Hanson and the Invisibility Ray
The Pretender (TV show from the 90s, maybe moreso for the older end of the group)
Graphic Novels
Bakuman by Tsugumi, Ohba
Feel free to share your thoughts, or other suggestions below.
Samma
1. What was your overall impression of the book?
2. Did you find Oliver to be a relatable character?
3. What did you think of some of Tatiana's campaign techniques --such as the t-shirts, the posters, and the Inflatable Oliver?
4. Do you think Oliver is honest with himself about his feelings regarding his parents, in particular his Dad? How do you think that reflects to his conversation with his Dad at the end of the book?
5. What was your reaction to Oliver's speech? Was it true? What about HIS reaction to his speech?
6. Did you find Oliver's genius to be beliveable? Do you think he did the "right thing" by pretending to be dumb? What do you think you would have done if you were Oliver and you knew you were "different".
7. What are you thoughts to the side characters, like Lionel Sheldrake, Mr. Moorehead, or Tatiana?
8. Were you suprised about the identies of Oliver's bodyguards?
Over all, I liked the book. I related a lot to Oliver's personality, but not really his actions. I'm pretty sure if I was that smart, I wouldn't alienate people with it, but I certaintly wouldn't hide it either. I think Oliver takes things to extremes regarding his feelings towards his parents. He tries to put off this aloof demenor, but I'm not sure if it's "real" or not. Maybe his genius has just pushed him into that rebellious teenaged stage little early than most.
I liked Oliver's speech. He had a point --it doesn't matter what you do in school because afterwords, you're only going to see those people every ten years. I think his reaction was a little bit of overkill. Although, I must say it's pretty interesting that he can do that kind of thing on command! It kind of makes you wonder if he's had to do it before.
I liked the side-story with Mr. Moorehead. I thought Moorehead was a likeable character (and I think Oliver liked him too, or he wouldn't have tried so hard to help me out with Miss Sokolov), and Oliver's pranks were rather witty.
Other reccomendations, divided by books, movies, and graphic novels with links to the MORE page.
Books:
Sprout by Dale Peck
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
Ironman by Chris Crutcher
Slot Machine by Chris Lynch
The Brain Full of Holes by Marin Chatterton
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks (series!)
Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper
The Accidental Genius of Weasel High by Rick Detorie
Movies:
The Jensen Project
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genuis (the library also has several DVDs of the TV show too!)
Matty Hanson and the Invisibility Ray
The Pretender (TV show from the 90s, maybe moreso for the older end of the group)
Graphic Novels
Bakuman by Tsugumi, Ohba
Feel free to share your thoughts, or other suggestions below.
Samma
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Genius Discussion: Campaigning
Sorry for the lack of post on Saturday. Technical issues caused me to lose the post, and I was so disheartened by it, that I couldn't bring myself to look up all of the information again. That being said, I'm taking today's post in a completely different direction anyway, so it's actually a win.
Hopefully you've gotten to a point in the book where Oliver is starting to think about his campaign strategies. Running for an office --whether for school, a club, or even an actual politcal office is hard to work! And that's before you even get any of the responsibilities! Did you know that Presidental Campaigns actually "begin" 2 years before the actual election? And we vote for our President every four years!
I thought it would be fun to find some campaign videos from yesteryear. One of my favorites is for Eisenhower's campagin, in 1952. I wish politicans still put out such catchy tunes!
Here's two more, including Kennedy's and Nixon's (1972)
g
This is a more recent ad from Mike Hickabee, featuring Chuck Norris. It was too funny not to share with you!
So, what should you do if you want to run for office at your school? Well, there are actually few books to help you out --but I did find one called "How to Win a High School Election" by Jeff Marx (ISBN: 978-0966782400). It isn't in the MORE system, but if you're interested in reading it, there is always the Suggestion button on the MORE website, or talk to your librarian. Or, there is an online verision of the book.
There are a few websites out there to help you out as well including:
Killer Campaigning, which devoted two posts regarding high school elections including one on Slogan ideas and the other on Strategies to Win.
WikiHow has a "How to Become Class President" page.
And Penguin Books also has a how-to on campaigning.
If none of those things seem to work out for you though, you could always take a cue from a movie, like Napoleon Dynamite (starring Jon Heder) or Election (starring Reece Witherspoon)
Samma
Hopefully you've gotten to a point in the book where Oliver is starting to think about his campaign strategies. Running for an office --whether for school, a club, or even an actual politcal office is hard to work! And that's before you even get any of the responsibilities! Did you know that Presidental Campaigns actually "begin" 2 years before the actual election? And we vote for our President every four years!
I thought it would be fun to find some campaign videos from yesteryear. One of my favorites is for Eisenhower's campagin, in 1952. I wish politicans still put out such catchy tunes!
Here's two more, including Kennedy's and Nixon's (1972)
g
This is a more recent ad from Mike Hickabee, featuring Chuck Norris. It was too funny not to share with you!
So, what should you do if you want to run for office at your school? Well, there are actually few books to help you out --but I did find one called "How to Win a High School Election" by Jeff Marx (ISBN: 978-0966782400). It isn't in the MORE system, but if you're interested in reading it, there is always the Suggestion button on the MORE website, or talk to your librarian. Or, there is an online verision of the book.
There are a few websites out there to help you out as well including:
Killer Campaigning, which devoted two posts regarding high school elections including one on Slogan ideas and the other on Strategies to Win.
WikiHow has a "How to Become Class President" page.
And Penguin Books also has a how-to on campaigning.
If none of those things seem to work out for you though, you could always take a cue from a movie, like Napoleon Dynamite (starring Jon Heder) or Election (starring Reece Witherspoon)
Samma
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