Media Mania: Book Tie-ins to High-Interest Movies, TV Shows, and More-December Movie Delights
RSSJoy Fleishhacker
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows This much-celebrated sleuth and his equally ready-for-action sidekick return in an exhilarating sequel to the 2009 box-office hit based on Arthur Conan Doyle's famous fictional characters. Premiering in theaters on December 16 from Warner Bros. Pictures, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (PG-13) reunites director Guy Ritchie with stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, and the action, intrigue, and globe-trotting settings are even more spectacular this time around. The renowned detective (Downey) and his associate, Dr. John Watson (Law), join forces once again to square off against a new criminal mastermind. Brilliant, ruthless, and utterly amoral, professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) is a formidable adversary who just might have the edge on Holmes. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) interprets the evidence and declares it a suicide. Holmes, however, determines that a murder has been committed, and soon discovers that this act is part of a larger plot—a complex and deadly plan orchestrated by the ingenious Moriarty. Holmes risks all to conquer his nemesis, a man who seems to outmaneuver him at every opportunity, and halt an evil scheme that threatens to strike at the very foundations of Western civilization. Rachel McAdams returns as Irene Adler, and the cast is joined by Noomi Rapace as Sim, a Gypsy fortune teller who becomes Holmes's ally, and Stephen Fry as his brother Mycroft. Teens can visit the official website for a look at the high-octane pacing, gorgeously filmed action scenes, and captivating chemistry between the two main characters. Several theatrical trailers are available for viewing, as is a behind-the-scenes featurette that merges enticing clips with video commentary from the director and stars. The site also offers an in-depth plot summary, a gallery of film photos, and downloadable movie posters. Click here for a bibliography of more teen-grabbing reads spanning the gamut from reissues of Doyle's works to graphic novel retellings to tales that present original re-imaginings of the character. A list of inspired-by-Sherlock books and graphic novel adaptations for middle grade readers is available here. We Bought a Zoo Based on Benjamin Mee's memoire of the same title (Weinstein Books, 2008), We Bought a Zoo (PG), a comedy/drama from 20th Century Fox directed by Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire), premieres on December 23. With an intriguing premise, upbeat tone, and adorable young co-star (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), the movie is poised to be one of the top picks for family holiday viewing. Matt Damon plays the protagonist, a single dad who, determined to make a new life for his two children, picks up and moves everyone to an unexpected destination—a run-down wildlife park in Southern California. It truly is a brave new world for Mee, who has no experience in this area but lots of good-hearted intentions. With the assistance of the staff, he and his family must work hard to care for the exotic animals, make much-needed changes to the facility, and once again make the zoo into something great. The cast also includes Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, and Elle Fanning, and the movie features a score composed by Icelandic artist Jόnsi, lead singer for the post-rock band Sigur Rόs. Teens can catch a preview of this heart-warmer at the movie's official website. Publication Information DOYLE, Arthur Conan. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Penguin. 2011. pap. $14. ISBN 978-0-14-312015-5. MEE, Benjamin. We Bought a Zoo. Media tie-in ed. Weinstein Bks. 2011. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-60286-157-2. This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here. Two titles arrived just a little too late for this column, but I'd like to add them here. The first is HOUSE OF SILK from the highly popular YA author Anthony Horowitz (Mulholland, Nov 2011, 9780316196994), which is sanctioned by the Conan Doyle estate. Watson tells the story of going back, after Holmes' death, to a mystery that was never solved, one so horrible that they never discussed it after first discovering it. I'd say grade 9 and up on this one. - In THE SHERLOCKIAN, author Graham Moore creates a contemporary story in which Conan Doyle's diary is discovered, but before it is revealed to the pre-eminent Sherlockian society, the Baker Street Irregulars, the owner is murdered and the diary goes missing. Sir Conan Doyle himself delivers alternate chapters! Based on a real story - grade 9 and up on this title as well. * = Required information
Looking for a good hook to help fans of these compelling characters make the transition from big screen to book? Penguin Books has published The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (2011; Gr 7 Up), an eye-catching collection of Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories with an "Inspiration for the Major Motion Picture" tagline. Like its companion volume, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Penguin, 2009), this handsome paperback features an artistically designed jacket illustration showing a silhouette of the sleuth; his pipe is set on a nearby arm chair, and the title letters seem to rise from it like smoke, all set against a burnt-orange backdrop. Included here is "The Final Problem," the tale that marks the first appearance of professor Moriarty, that "Napoleon of crime," and is said to have influenced the film. Well-matched in intellect and cunning, the two rivals are pitted against each other in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, one that climaxes with the penultimate scene at Switzerland's Reichenbach Falls. Among the other suspenseful and mind-tweaking selections buoyantly narrated by Dr. Watson are "The 'Gloria Scott,'" Holmes's first-ever case taken on during his college days; "Silver Blaze," a twist-turning puzzle involving a champion race horse; and "The Musgrave Ritual," a delightful blend of family history and clever mystery. Ranging from murder to shipboard mutiny, the imaginative variety of crimes committed and skillfully sorted out make this volume fun to dip into and a solid starting point for launching investigations of Doyle's works.
Weinstein Books has reissued We Bought a Zoo (2011; Gr 10 Up) with a movie tie-in cover showing a close-up of the charismatic Damon in character, set against a film photo of the main players posed together in an outside shot of the zoo—with a couple of big cats lounging nearby for added atmosphere. With candor, fascinating detail, and lots of humor, Mee, a British journalist, tells the tale of how he and his family purchased and restored the Dartmoor Wildlife Park, a small zoo in the southwest of England. He clearly describes his experiences, recounting everything from initial negotiations, to his first realization of the enormity of this new enterprise (the escape of a jaguar four days after taking over the park), to the facility's long-awaited and sometimes impossible-to-imagine opening day. Challenges brought on by the bedraggled facilities, the needs of more than 200 exotic animals, and meeting licensing requirements are entertainingly depicted, as is the author's genuine enthusiasm for studying and living side-by-side with wildlife. The death of Mee's wife, Katherine, from the recurrence of a brain tumor, is also detailed with heartbreaking honesty. Teens will cheer for Mee, his family members, and their dedicated staff as they attempt to rebuild the zoo, make the correct though often tough choices for its varied inhabitants, and create a facility that reflects their sincere commitment to and passion for the animals under their care.
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Posted by Dodie Ownes on December 12, 2011 01:18:33PM
