Mainly for die-hard Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans who want more than the novel itself.
An effusive celebration of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on its 50th anniversary.
This chatty volume opens by describing Dahl’s years of work on the novel, which were interrupted by personal tragedies, then gives a lengthy account of film and stage versions. No fact is too small to include, such as Fred Astaire’s secret desire, revealed after casting, to be Willie Wonka. Mangan, a British journalist, tends toward the coy, labeling the first film’s reviews as “less than scrumdiddlyumptious.” The most engaging chapter explores visuals that illustrators and designers created of the story. After a survey of the novel’s influence on popular culture, the narrative meanders off into a history of chocolate. It wraps up with a fervid defense of Dahl against his critics, mainly librarians and other reviewers who just didn’t “ ‘get’ Roald” in contrast to children—referred to as a single entity—who “love his books to bits.” A tone of adulation prevails with the assumption that it’s shared by the intended audience, presumably of British adults who will understand the many cultural references. A broader audience, however, may enjoy leafing through the extensive illustrations from different editions of the book as well as photographs of actors, performances and products.
Mainly for die-hard Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans who want more than the novel itself. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-14-751348-9
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Penguin
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
At the time when wholesome singers like Debbie Boone were on the radio, girls from Janis Joplin’s hometown of Port Arthur, Texas, were expected to marry their high-school boyfriends. Joplin, however, preferred to draw and listen to folk and blues music. Pursuing a life of freedom and art, Joplin traveled from Texas to California, where she nursed her talent and carved out a life as a singer. Joplin was intelligent, honest and a bold pioneer for women in music, but she was also devastatingly insecure, a trait that contributed to her drug addiction and death by overdose. Angel showcases the rise of hippie culture and how its ideals of creative expression appealed to Joplin. Quotes from Joplin’s loved ones and photographs (both color and black-and-white) chronicling her life are set against geometric designs in ’60s psychedelic colors, which add interest and appeal without distracting. Young music buffs will gain an understanding of Joplin’s place in pop culture and how, even with her career cut short, she paved the way for today’s female rock musicians. (Biography. 14 & up)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8349-6
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Bosworth—late of Laguna Beach and The Hills, two MTV series that showcased the lives and loves of Southern California’s young and glamorous—is building a brand for herself: the sensible-yet-sexy older cousin. This book, which shares a title with her recently launched lifestyle website, expands on the romance-advice section of her site and ably offers an appealing mix of generic and specific relationship advice in a breezy, knowing tone. Using a mix of anecdotes from her own life and those of her friends, quizzes, recipes and straight-ahead advice in a post-feminist–meets-retro mashup that may make older readers occasionally gnash their teeth, the author counsels girls never to forget their intrinsic excellence and not to settle for bad relationships. Readers might expect a funny and wise young advisor to address sex more directly than she does here, but this is clearly a title intended to capitalize on a specific moment in its author’s life. Bosworth is focused on broad appeal, not breaking new ground. Overall, the positive aspects of her message outweigh the sigh-worthy bits. (Relationship advice. YA)
Pub Date: Jan. 11, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4424-1200-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2010
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