The Year My Voice Broke

The Year My Voice Broke. Directed by John Duigan. Avenue Pictures, 1987. 103 Minutes.


Genre: Romance, Drama


Rating: PG-13


Freya and Danny have been friends since they were children. As teenagers they move in different social circles, yet often return to their secret rock cropping outside their small Australian hometown to be together. Despite Danny’s telepathic attempts to make Freya love him she falls in love with the school’s most wild student, Trevor. For a distraction Danny investigates the story behind a supposedly haunted house which leads to discovering a link to Freya’s past and a scandalous town secret. The Year My Voice Broke is an emotionally bittersweet movie about friendship, love, and everything in between.


Discussion:


· Unrequited love is when one person loves another, but the love is not returned. Danny is younger than Freya, but is that the only reason why she is not in love with him?

· What is so special about Freya’s locket? How did it make its way back to her?


· Danny knows Trevor is a bad match for Freya. Even though Danny cannot control Freya's thoughts and actions through telepathy, he still loves her, why?

This story is set in 1962, and has a fabulous soundtrack to match. If you like the songs you heard try these albums:
Peterson, Ray. (1960). Tell Laura I Love Her

The Shadows.  (2004).  The Best of the Shadows

If you enjoyed the rugged Australian landscape you may want to consider watching another Australian coming-of-age film, Walkabout, based off the book by the same name.
Movie:  Walkabout.  Directed by Nicolas Roeg.  Twentieth Century Fox, 1971. 100 Minutes. Rated GP (general purpose)

Book:  Marshall, James Vance.  (1959).  Walkabout.  Marlborough, MA:  Sundance Publishing.  ISBN:  0887410995

Activity idea:  The Year My Voice Broke's soundtrack captures the spirit of the era in which it is supposed to take place.  Music is a creative way to instill excitement about history.  Pick a decade or a year and research what songs were popular.  Talk or write about why you think certain songs were well received based upon what other details they research on their chosen era.  Also, compile a playlist of songs for your own personal soundtrack.

Let us know what your take on The Year My Voice Broke.

Trailer from Youtube
CD Cover Art from CD Universe
Walkabout image from Internet movie Database



Vitus

Vitus.  Directed by Fredi M. Murer.  Ocean Films (France), 2006. 100 Minutes.

Genre:  Drama, Family
Rating: PG 

Language:  In Swiss, German, and English with English subtitles

At six Vitus was deemed a “wonderchild” for having an exceptionally high IQ and an ability to play piano concertos flawlessly.  At twelve he attends high school, yet is ostracized by both teachers and classmates because of his age, intelligence, and wit.  Vitus yearns for a life of his own and not the ones his parents have fabricated for him.  Then, an encounter with a world renowned pianist ironically presents Vitus with the opportunity to begin living according to his own plans- which are, shall I say, absolute genious!

Discussion:

·         Vitus has a natural talent for playing the piano, what’s yours?

·         In order to stand up to his mother, Vitus sabotages her plan to make him a pupil of a renowned pianist.  Do you think he could have done something else to express how he felt about being pressured into doing something that he was not ready to do?  What would you have done?

·         Vitus’ only ally is his grandfather, a humble woodworker with a passion for flight, and he understands his grandson like nobody else.  Is there a person in your life who you talk to and always supports you?  Are you that person for somebody else?

If you want to watch a movie about someone who was a true boy prodigy, try Amadeus, about famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 

Amadeus.  Directed by Milos Forman.  Warner Brothers, 1984.  2 hours, 38 minutes.  Rated PG.

Or for a comedy, check out School of Rock. 
School of Rock.  Directed by Richard Linklater.  Paramount, 2003.  108 Minutes.  Rated PG-13.

Also, if you love classical music, there are many albums floating around there, but one of my (Colleen’s!) favorites is an album Rondo alla Turka by William Kanengiser, who plays the work of Mozart and other composers on guitar.

Activity idea:  Doesn’t this film just inspire you to make some noise of your own?  Get your friends together for a movie night and jam session, and be sure to have plenty of Swiss chocolate on hand!  Play Guitar Hero or Rock Band, perform your own music, or compose your own little ditties using computer software.  Need more inspiration?  Head to your well-stocked library to explore their audio collection and books on how to read, write, and create music.

Let your fingers do the talking, and leave a reply below for what you think about Vitus!

Trailer from Youtube

Amadeus art from Rotton Tomatoes

School of Rock art from Internet Movie Database

The Sandlot

Who’s The Great Bambino? Scotty Smalls is clueless, but in order to fit into the new neighborhood his mom and stepdad move to he pretends to know. The neighborhood kids are serious baseball players and Smalls gets the chance to join their team. Unfortunately, due to his ignorance on The Great Bambino his life goes from good to worse and he and his teammates scramble to right a big time baseball WRONG!

Discussion:

• Who or what gets Smalls into baseball?

• Why does Benny give Smalls a chance? How does he help Smalls?

• How do the neighborhood kids bond? What keeps their friendship strong?

• Is teamwork important? How do the kids overcome The Beast?

• What was your favorite sandlot moment?

Love baseball? Try these awesome young adult books about the classic American sport:

Heat by Mike Lupica
Cover art link: allquizzes

The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter
Cover art link: leb

Heart of a Champion by Carl Deuker
Cover art link: booksamillion












And heck, want more movies dealing with kids and baseball? Check out:

Rookie of the Year
Image link: mimi

and Angels in the Outfield
Image link: impawards

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting.  Directed by Jay Russell.  Walt Disney Pictures, 2002.  90 Minutes.

Genre:  Drama, Romance, Fantasy, Family

Rated: PG

A classic story about immortality, independence, and love.  Winnie runs away from home and finds, or rather is found by a family, the Tucks.  She falls in love with Jessie Tuck, but spending eternity with him would mean she could never go home, and never be safe.  She learns that death is as essential to life as love and freedom.  After watching go out and live, LIVE!

Discussion:

·         At the end of the movie, what did Winnie choose to do?  Would you have done the same?

·         If the Man in the Yellow Suit had become the owner of the spring, what do you think would have happened to the town of Tree Gap, or even the world?

·         Why does Angus tell Winnie not to fear death? 

If you liked the movie, you MUST read the book by Natalie Babbitt. 

Book:  Babbitt, Natalie. (1975).  Tuck Everlasting.  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.  ISBN:  0374480095

You may also feel inspired to read (or re-read) Peter Pan, the story about the boy who wouldn't grow up.

Barrie, J.M.  (2003).  Peter Pan, 100th Anniversary Edition.  New York, NY:  Henry Holt and Company.  ISBN:  0805072454

Activity idea: 

Tuck Everlasting is about mortality as much as it is about immortality.  Compare the advantages and disadvantages of mortality and immortality and read about or discuss different interpretations of the afterlife with your family and friends. 

Also, what about all those wheel and time metaphors?  Have you ever wondered how people actually keep time?  Well, they have been doing it forever, and to find out how, why not dissect a watch?  Or find a book that tells you how it works or how to create your own time-telling devices like a sundial or a waterclock.

Drop us a line and let others know what you thought about the book, the movie, and if you would choose immortality over death.

Juno

Rated PG-13

This quirky film about a young teen getting pregnant mixes humor with life’s challenges. Juno decides to opt out on getting an abortion and chooses the adoption route, which is laden with hijinks and emotional discoveries that force Juno to realize the severity of her situation.

Discussion:

• After Juno finds out she’s pregnant whom does she turn to first? Why not her parents?

• Juno attempts to go to the abortion clinic, but changes her mind. Why?

• Juno sort of has an arrogant view of the world, but what incident (other than her pregnancy, but related to) shakes her core and forces her to reevaluate her decisions?

• Are Juno’s parents supportive? What are some examples of their support or non-support?

• What are your thoughts on Juno's choices? Is she a changed person? 

Dig the tunes of the movie? Then check out the killer soundtrack! It's totally awesome -- honest to blog!

Image link: blogs.mess

Interested in this topic further? Try these great young adult novels:

Forever by Judy Blume
Cover art link: avidbookreader

Someone Like You by Sarah Dressen
Cover art link: swap













Interested in books about young guys dealing with the struggles of teen pregnancy? Check out these amazing young adult titles:

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Cover art link: bookapex

Slam by Nick Hornby
Cover art link: trashionista
















Tell us how you felt after this movie or respond to some of the discussion points. What about that whack vernacular?! Did you find yourself loving it or despising it? Give us your feedback in the comments below!


Activity Idea: Juno deals with some controversial issues that some teens, unfortunately, have to face. Juno chooses to take one path, but what if she went another way? Write a story depicting another route Juno could have taken and the impact that path might have on her life. 

About a Boy

Please, tell us what you thought of this movie below.

About a Boy.    Directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz.  Universal Pictures, 2002.  101 Minutes. 

Genre:  Comedy, Drama, Romance

Rating:   PG-13

Twelve-year-old Marcus has attached himself to shallow, mid-thirty-year-old Will who, for the moment, eases Marcus’ troubles with bullies, his suicidal mother, and a recently deceased duck.  When Will is unable to see past his own problems to help Marcus the two go their separate ways, until Marcus makes a decision that will be sure to end in his own social suicide.  

About a Boy inspires audiences to believe that you’re never too young to help those you care about and you’re never too old to grow up.

Discussion: 

·         We hear it all the time, “act your age.”  Does that bother you?  What does that really mean?  Is there a difference between age and maturity?

·         Was there ever an adult that you envied?  Why was that?  Was it because of what they had or what they did?

·         Marcus experiences several challenged in the book.  If you could be his friend and talk to him what would you say?  What would you want him to say to you?

About a Boy was based off a book by the same title by Nick Hornby.  It is not considered a Children’s or a Tween book, but if you are interested, give it a whirl!  It’s very funny, well-written, and by the same author who wrote High Fidelity and An Education- other cool books that were made into movies!

Hornby, Nick.  (1999).  About a Boy. New York:  Penguin.  ISBN:  1573227371

And is it just me, or does this story line seem reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? You know, poor boy, indulgent man, learning to trust...no?

Dahl, Roald.  (1964).  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.  ISBN:  0394910117

Actvity idea:  What do you like about yourself and what do you hope will change in the years to come?  Write a letter to your future self, and place the letter in a sealed envelope that is not to be opened for 10, 20, or 30 years.  When you open it it will be like you’re having a conversation with the younger version of you, because you are!  You can e-mail your letter to a friend a vice versa, and agree on a age when you send them back to other eachother to avoid temptation.

About a Boy Trailer from: Youtube

Book cover art link: Powell's Books, http://www.powells.com/biblio/1573227331

Empire of the Sun

Rated PG

Jamie Graham is a spoiled British kid obsessed with jets and growing up in China. In 1941 Japan occupies China while WWII rages on. Separated from his parents Jamie/Jim struggles to survive in a war torn world. 

• How does Jamie change throughout the film?

• Is Basie a true friend to Jim? Why or why not?

• What does Jim do to survive? How does he live compared to his pre-occupation life? 

Interested in books about WWII? Check out these great titles:

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Cover art link: goodreads

 



Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Cover art link: puffin

Under a War-Torn Sky by L.M. Elliott
Cover art link: fantasticfiction

The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
Cover art link: bp

  
Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Cover link: bp














- check out the film adaptation as well!

Image link: bp