Forever ~ Judy Blume

Publisher: Pocket Books (1975)
ISBN: 0-671-53225-1
220 pgs

Classification: YA fiction
Genre: Romance, issues.
Age Level: 15+

Reader’s Annotation: High school seniors Katherine and Michael experience all the thrilling uncertainties and joyful contentment of falling in love for the first time, including the turbulence of teen sexual intimacy.

Summary: Katherine and Michael meet at a party and experience an instant connection. As they date and get to know one another, their relationship also becomes more and more physically intimate. Then, as the school year draws to a close and Katherine and Michael must make decisions about their individual futures, the ultimate question looms: is their love the kind that will last forever?

Notes: This novel is a YA classic more for its subject matter than the characters. Katherine and Michael’s relationship is not memorable for its romantic value, and Michael (and Ralph), in particular, is laughable in a literary world that now includes Edward Cullen.
Flags: 3

Stardust (Movie)

Based on Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Studio: Paramount Pictures (2007)
Rating: PG-13

Genre: Fantasy
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Main Cast: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox

Viewer’s Annotation: To win the heart of his long-time crush, Tristan Thorn ventures from his small town of Wall into the kingdom of Stormhold to retrieve a fallen star, but he is not the only one who seeks it.

Summary: Determined to win the affection of the beautiful Victoria, Tristan vows to bring her the star that has fallen some ways beyond the wall that borders their town. Tristan ventures into the magical world on the other side of the wall and is surprised to discover that the star is not at all the lump of meteorite he expected, but rather a lovely young woman named Yvaine. Still intent on fulfilling his promise to Victoria, Tristan insists that Yvanie accompany him back to the Wall before he will restore her to the sky. But an old witch called Lamia is pursuing Yvaine because eating the heart of a star provides immortality. Meanwhile, the king of Stromhold has passed away and his feuding sons vie to retrieve the royal ruby (which Yvaine now wears) and claim the throne. As Tristan rushes to bring Yvaine to Victoria as a birthday present, the two narrowly escape the trap Lamia has laid for them and encounter a ferocious sky pirate aboard his flying ship. Even with danger closing in from all sides, Tristan and Yvaine fall in love.

Notes: This movie is hilarious, with terrific performances from an all-star cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert DeNiro and Rupert Everett.
Flags: 5

Twilight (Movie)

Based on Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Studio: Summit Entertainment (2008)
Rating: PG-13

Genre: Fantasy
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Main Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson

Viewer’s Annotation: In this adaptation of the Stephanie Meyer novel, a human teenager falls in love with a vampire.

Summary: Upon transferring to Forks High School in her dad’s small Pacific Northwest town, Bella Swan meets enigmatic Edward Cullen and promptly falls in love. The budding romance is complicated by Edward’s inhuman nature, but Bella refuses to be put off by even an entire family of vampires. But just how long can a human endure amid vampires before someone is unable to resist the lure of red hot blood?

Notes: The movie magnifies all that is wrong with the novel, namely Bella’s obsession with the good-looking vampire she just met. Lush landscape and attractive teenagers make it a very pretty movie and a great adaptation of the novel.
Flags: 4

A Walk to Remember (Movie)

Based on A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures (2002)
Rating: PG

Genre: Drama
Director: Adam Shankman
Main Cast: Shane West, Mandy Moore

Viewer’s Annotation: Jamie Sullivan, with her unfailing faith, inspires classmate Landon Carter to rethink his reckless, self-centered ways and the unlikely couple falls sweetly in love.

Summary: Landon Carter and his friends are the “in” crowd, and others are willing to go to great lengths to be a part of the group, but when a prank goes wrong and another teenager is hospitalized, Landon faces possible expulsion from school. Instead he is assigned to help the school janitorial staff, tutor after hours, and join the drama club. At each of these activities, Landon encounters Jamie Sullivan, daughter of Reverend Sullivan. Irked by Jamie’s independent spirit, Landon mocks Jamie even when she would try to help him. Relenting, Jamie agrees to practice lines with Landon for the school play, on the condition that Landon promise not to fall in love with her. But Landon does find himself captivated by Jamie and when Landon learns the real reason that Jamie has a to-do list for her life, he proves that miracles really do happen.

Notes: This is a tender, sweet story of faith, hope and love.
Flags: 4