Coming this February to the ZACH SCOTT, performed by the ZACH SCOTT's "youth pre-professional troupe," a musical based on April Lurie's young adult novel, BROTHERS, BOYFRIENDS, AND OTHER CRIMINAL MINDS:
"At first glance, April Lundquist seems like your average high school freshman in 1970s Brooklyn. She's sporting bellbottoms and dancing disco like all of her friends. But when the Mafia shows up on her doorstep--literally--April finds herself confronted with some tough choices to make. Will she be able to save her brother, navigate boyfriends, and capture the perfect kiss, all while keeping her cool? Find out in ZACH's world premier production of this new musical for the whole family!"
Saturdays February 5, 12 and 19 at 1pm & 4pm and Sundays February 6, 13 and 20 at 6:30pm on ZACH's Kleberg Stage.
Click here to buy tickets.
Cynthia and I had the pleasure of attending a read-through a few months back. Even at the rough draft script stage and without all the songs, it was hilarious and engaging. Can't wait to see it!
Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 15, 2010
Trick-or-treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to read!
Well, it doesn’t quite rhyme, but I do wish that people gave out kids’ books instead of candy during Halloween.
For those of us that really enjoy Halloween— you know who you are: you’ve had your child’s costume since July, you’re dying for a visit to the pumpkin patch, and you’re dreaming of ways to make Halloween last longer than one fabulous day and night—this is the list you’ve been waiting for. There’s the silly, the spooky, the scary, and everything in between. No tricks here—only treats!
Picture Books
ZEN GHOSTS
by Jon J. Muth
Publisher’s synopsis: It’s Halloween.
The trees are ablaze in fiery reds. Excited children don colorful costumes. And there’s mystery and fun around every corner!
When Addy, Michael, and Karl finish trick-or-treating, their bags are brimming with treats. But the fun isn’t over yet. Their good friend Stillwater the panda has one more special surprise in store for them. A mysterious visitor is about to tell them a spine-tingling story — one that will fill each and every reader with wonder.
Scholastic Press | September 1, 2010 | Ages 4-8 | 40 pages
Add this book to your collection: Zen Ghosts
SCAREDY-CAT, SPLAT!
by Rob Scotton
Publisher’s synopsis: It’s Halloween, and Splat is determined to be the scariest cat in the class. Unfortunately he’s just too much of a scaredy-cat. He’s afraid of a little spider, and everyone says his costume looks more silly than scary. And when Mrs. Wimpydimple tells a ghost story in the dark, Splat gets so frightened that he tips over his jack-o’-lantern. But when the lights go back on, the entire class is scared silly by a small, black, furry creature with a big pumpkin head. Whooooo can it be?
Splat the Cat Scaredy-Cat Plush Doll Toy
HarperCollins | August 24, 2010 | Ages 4-8 | 40 pages
Add this book to your collection: Scaredy-Cat, Splat!
Everything seems to be happening to Dylan Fontaine. He ends up in jail for carrying two bags of underwear out of a store before paying in an effort to avoid a chance meeting with his mother. Dylan's home life is a disaster: Mom's left home, Dad's working 24-7 as usual, and Dylan's older brother Randy is smoking more and more pot. To make matters worse, the members of Randy's rock band have moved into the Fontaine home turning it into a smelly (and loud) pigsty.
Dylan grew up in his brother's shadow: Randy, Dylan thinks, is smarter and a better musician than he is. But now Dylan is watching Randy self-combust. Randy's band only plays covers, instead of Randy's original music. Someone in the band, Dylan thinks, is dealing drugs. Could it be Randy?
Dylan's a confused mess when his best friend Angie shows up in his life again. A student taking a NYU film course, she wants Dylan to help her with a film project. Before long the film is about Dylan and is titled "The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine." In the midst of all this chaos, it's time for Dylan to come into his own. Angie sees it. A girl in his art class, who critiques Dylan's drawing, saying "I think Dylan is at a point in his artistic career where he should...find his own style," sees it. Finally, Dylan sees it too.
The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine is a quick read, but one with lasting impact. Dylan is a normal kid with interests in music, sports, and art--"an ordinary dude...taking a few chances, finding humor in the world, and discovering who he is." Highly recommended.
The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine
by April Lurie
Delacorte Press
------------------------
Other blog reviews:
Becky's Book Reviews
Hope's Bookshelf
------------------------
Cynthia and I had the pleasure of attending a read-through a few months back. Even at the rough draft script stage and without all the songs, it was hilarious and engaging. Can't wait to see it!
I went ahead and made the filmmaking fiction booklist. Please tell me what I forgot to include!
Sounds great!! I will put it on my list of books to look for.