E.T., Schindler’s List, and An American Tale—these seemingly disparate movies all came from the mind of Steven Spielberg, arguably one of the most influential people in the history of cinema. Filled with interviews with Spielberg’s friends, the stars of his films, and his family, this biography presents the man behind the legend. From exploding cherry pie filling his mother’s kitchen to the games he used to play to torment his sisters, it is apparent that Spielberg was destined to become a creative filmmaker. This fast-paced look at Spielberg’s life from childhood through the present is filled with never-before-seen family photographs, eye-catching movie stills, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of movie-making magic. Humorous anecdotes of his early filmmaking career fill the first several chapters, making this an excellent choice for reluctant readers. A bibliography includes films, CDs, videos, interviews, and recordings, as well as books and articles. (glossary of filmmaking terms) (Biography. 10-15)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8109-4492-8
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2001
Dare-devil mountain-climber Peak Marcello (14), decides to scale the Woolworth Building and lands in jail. To save him, his long-lost Everest-trekking dad appears with a plan for the duo to make a life in Katmandu—a smokescreen to make Peak become the youngest person in history to summit Mount Everest. Peak must learn to navigate the extreme and exotic terrain but negotiate a code of ethics among men. This and other elements such as the return of the long-lost father, bite-size chunks of information about climbing and altitude, an all-male cast, competition and suspense (can Peak be the youngest ever to summit Everest, and can he beat out a 14-year-old Nepalese boy who accompanies him?) creates the tough stuff of a “boys read.” The narrative offers enough of a bumpy ride to satisfy thrill seekers, while Peak’s softer reflective quality lends depth and some—but not too much—emotional resonance. Teachers will want to pair this with Mark Pfetzer’s Within Reach: My Everest Story (1998). (Fiction. 12-15)
Pub Date: May 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-15-202417-8
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2007
Mick Johnson wants to be a star running back. He’s good, but not good enough. The trouble is the red zone, the 20 yards in front of the end zone, and he’s not quite powerful enough to crunch his way in against big defenders. He begins working harder, lifting weights and taking protein powders, but progress is slow. He starts going to Popeye’s gym, where his trainer introduces him to steroids—gym candy—and then to “stacks,” mixes of pills and injections. This cautionary tale, told in first person, is a methodical working out of the psychology of the high-school athlete willing to do anything to gain an edge. It’s a moral tale, too, as Mick realizes what he has lost for his gains. After almost killing a friend and himself and going through rehab, he understands the almost-irresistible lure of the drugs that promise to make him more than he could be on his own. A superb sports novel with no easy resolutions and a good match with Robert Lipsyte’s Raiders Night (2006). (Fiction. 12-15)
Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-618-77713-6
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2007
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