My Brother’s Keeper (2005) 192 pages

Written by Patricia McCormick Who also wrote Cut and Sold

Characters

Toby MaloneJake MaloneEli MaloneMr. D

Introduction

Toby Malone adores his older brother, Jake. He’s the cool one, the MVP of the baseball team, the one who can charm their mother into anything. Toby, Jake and their little brother Eli, have always had an easy, joking friendship, where it’s the three of them against the world.But ever since Toby’s father left, things have been off balance. His mother seems deflated and resigned. Eli has gone back to sucking his thumb. And Jake is becoming distant and secretive. As Toby struggles to keep his family together, Jake drifts further and further away. Only Toby knows why: Jake is slipping into drug use, the way their father slipped into alcohol before he disappeared. To spare his mother yet more heartache, Toby tries to cover up for Jake. But his efforts backfire, only adding to the growing tension between the two brothers – until Jake finally goes too far.

Nurse Wesley’s standing in the front of the room acting like it’s perfectly normal to have words like puberty and hormones and safe sex on the blackboard. The other guys in my class are calling out words for certain body parts – partly to see if they count and partly because Nurse Wesley’s chest shakes when she writes on the board. Nurse Breastly, they call her. Meanwhile, I’m taking inventory of the number of hairs on the back of Paul Badowski’s neck, who I purposely sat behind because he has the most enormous head in the class, and wondering if it’s scientifically possible for a person to die of embarrassment.

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Men of Stone (2000) 216 pages

Written by Gayle Friesen Who also wrote For Now and Janey’s Girl

Characters

Ben Conrand Stan JoniClaude Fish MadGreat Aunt Frieda Kat Beth

Introduction

Can an old woman’s past change Ben’s future?

Living in a house full of women isn’t helping fifteen-year-old Ben make sense of his life. He’d like to be able to talk easily to girls – but he just sounds like a food. He tries to be a jock – but he cant even make the co-ed volleyball team. And tired of ridicule, Ben has given up the one thing at which he excels. Now, he’s being bullied by a thug named Claude, and the violence is escalating.

Then Great-Aunt Frieda comes to visit and Ben learns about her former life in Russia. He’s amazed at how she dealt with the Men of Stone – Stalin’s agents who terrorized her community and family. As Frieda tells her powerful story, Ben begins to see the route he must take. The choice is clear … but first he must get past the rage that has taken control of his life.

The lines on her face were like earth that had gone too long without rain. It was a face that told a story, but not one I wanted to hear. She was a hundred years old if she was a day.“Aunt Frieda would like to come for a visit” was the way Mom had opened the family conference a week ago.“Aunt who?” my sisters and I asked simultaneously.“You know,” Mom insisted.No, we didn’t…

The girls kept on grumbling, but no one asked my opinion. It was accepted that I had no opinions.This was okay because, after fifteen years, I’d figured a few things out. For most of my life I’d known I didn’t quite fit.

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Ender’s Game (1977) 324 pages

Written by Orson Scott Card Who also wrote Speaker for the Dead and Ender’s Shadow

Characters

Ender Wiggin Valentine Wiggin Peter WigginAlai Bean Mazer Rackham

Introduction

It’s the distant future and Earth is locked in a deadly battle with a vicious alien race called Buggers. Children on Earth play games of Buggers – pretending to be the heroic Mazer Rackham, who hundreds of years earlier, had won the first battle against the alien invaders. Ender Wiggin, however, is always forced to play the role of the Buggers, waiting to be painfully defeated by his cruel older brother, Peter. At school it’s not much better; Ender is picked on because he’s a Third: the third born child that no other families have.

But then Ender’s life changes: he’s taken by the government go to Battle School; chosen to one day fight the Buggers on their home planet. Ender must leave Earth and his sister Valentine, whom he loves dearly, to see if he is the special military leader the government has been carefully monitoring the Earth’s children for.

“I’ve watched through his eyes, I’ve listened through his ears, and I tell you he’s the one. Or at least as close as we’re going to get.”“That’s what you said about the brother.”“The brother tested out impossible. For other reasons. Nothing to do with his ability.”“Same with the sister. And there are doubts about him. He’s too malleable. Too willing to submerge himself in someone else’s will.”“Not if the other person is his enemy.”“So what do we do? Surround him with enemies all the time?”“If we have to.”“I thought you said you liked this kid.”“If the buggers get him, they’ll make me look like his favorite uncle.”“All right. We’re saving the world after all. Take him.”

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Stardust (2007) 127 min Rated: PG

Directed by Matthew Vaughn Who also directed Kick-Ass

Screenplay by Matthew Vaughn & Jane GoldmanWho also wrote Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class

Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman Who also wrote The Sandman and Coraline

Characters

Tristan Thorn played by Charlie CoxYvaine played by Claire DanesVictoria played by Sienna MillerSeptimus played by Mark StrongPrimus played by Jason FlemyngLamia played by Michelle PfeifferCap’n Shakespeare played by Robert De Niro

Introduction

A star falls; the chase begins.

Young Tristan Thorn is having trouble winning the heart of his one true love, Victoria. When the pair witness a falling star, Tristan vows to return with the celestial treasure in exchange for Victoria’s hand in marriage. Retrieving the star, Yvaine, however, means crossing The Wall, a mystical barrier between our world and the magical world of Stormhold where the star’s true power is known and coveted viciously. Tristan’s journey turns out to be nothing like he intended when he suddenly finds himself in a race against a series of unsavory characters in order to return home with the star.

[Tristan and Yvaine are imprisoned in the pirate ship] Yvaine: Tell me about Victoria, then. Tristan: Well, she... she... There's nothing more to tell you. Yvaine: The little I know about love is that it's unconditional. It's not something you can buy. Tristan: Hang on! This wasn't about me buying her love. This was a way for me to prove to her how I felt. Yvaine: Ah... And what's she doing to prove how she feels about you? Tristan: Well... Look, Yvaine, you'll understand when you meet her, all right? If we don't get murdered by pirates first. Yvaine: Mmm... Murdered by pirates. Heart torn out and eaten. Meet Victoria. I can't quite decide which sounds more fun...

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Willow (1988) 126 min Rated: PG

Directed by Ron Howard Who also directed How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Screenplay by Bob DolmanWho also wrote the screenplay for How to Eat Fried Worms

Based on the story by George Lucas Who also wrote Star Wars and Indiana Jones

Characters

Willow Ufgood played by Warwick DavisMadmartigan played by Val KilmarQueen Bavmorda played by Jean MarshSorsha played by Joanne WhalleyFin Raziel played by Patricia Hayes

Introduction

Adventure doesn’t come any bigger than this.

When a Daikini baby washes ashore at Willow Ufgood’s home, he is chosen by the High Aldwin to venture beyond their village boundaries to return the child. Little does Willow know that the evil Queen Bavmorda has been looking for the child that was prophesized to destroy her evil reign. Cherlindrea, Queen of the Fairies, helps Willow and tells him that the baby, named Elora Danan, must be protected and he must be the one to protect her. Willow soon finds himself in a world of trouble he had never known and with the reluctant help of the criminal Madmartigan, Willow takes on adventures bigger than he could have ever imagined.

High Aldwin: [throws an apple into the air which turns into a bird] Go in the direction the bird is flying! Villager: It’s going back to village! High Aldwin: Ignore the bird. Follow the river.

Cherlindrea: Elora Danan must survive. She must fulfill her destiny and bring about the downfall of Queen Bavmorda. Her powers are growing like an evil plague. Unless she is stopped, Bavmorda will control the lives of your village, your children, everyone. All creatures of good heart need your help, Willow. The choice is yours.

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King Kong (2005) 3h 8min Rated: 14A

Directed by Peter Jackson Who also directed Lord of the Rings

Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Pilippa Boyens & Peter JacksonWho also wrote the screenplays for Lord of the Rings

Based on the story by Merian C. Cooper & Edgar Wallace Remake of the 1933 movie directed by

Merian C. Cooper & Ernest B. Schoedsack

Characters

Ann Darrow played by Naomi WattsCarl Denham played by Jack BlackJack Driscoll played by Adrien BrodyKong played by Andy SerkisPreston played by Colin Hanks

Introduction

The eighth wonder of the world.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, actress Ann Darrow is having a hard time making ends meet. When movie director Carl Denham offers her a role in his upcoming movie, she is thrilled, but soon realizes that Denham’s vision is far larger, and far more dangerous than she thought.On the trip to Skull Island, the location for the film, writer Jack Driscoll falls in love with Ann’s sweetness and beauty. When Ann is kidnapped by the terrifying and vicious Kong, Jack rushes to her aid. The rescuer’s crew faces terrifying monsters and horrifying death as they trek through Skull Island’s impossible jungles to rescue Ann from the clutches of the giant ape.

Carl Denham: Ann, I'm telling you - you're perfect. Look at you. You're the saddest girl I've ever met. You're gonna make them weep, Ann. You're gonna break their hearts. Ann Darrow: See, that's where you're wrong, Mr. Denham. I make people laugh, that's what I do. Good luck with your picture. Carl Denham: Ann? Miss Darrow, please! I'm offering you money. Adventure, fame, the thrill of a lifetime, and a long sea voyage. You want to read a script? Jack Driscoll's turning in a draft as we speak. Ann Darrow: Jack Driscoll? Carl Denham: Sure, why? Wait. You know him? Ann Darrow: No, not personally. I've seen his plays. Carl Denham: What a writer, huh? And let me tell you, Ann. Jack Driscoll does not want just anyone starring in this picture. He said to me, "Carl, somewhere out there is a woman born to play this role." And as soon as I saw you, I knew. Ann Darrow: Knew what? Carl Denham: It was always going to be you.

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Hunter in the Dark (1982) 130 pages

Written by Monica Hughes Who also wrote The Golden Aquarians and The Maze

Characters

Mike RankinGloria HladyDoug O’Reilly

Introduction

Mike’s got it made. He’s a star on the high school basketball team. His girlfriend is the gorgeous Gloria Hlady. And he’s about the go on a hunting trip with his best friend Doug. But then he collapses on the basketball court and his parents won’t tell him the results of the hospital tests, Mike’s search for answers leads him on a dangerous and lonely wilderness quest.

Mike Rankin geared down to a correct fifty kilometers an hour and slid quietly into Barrhead. The town was barely awake, but the lights in a small café were tempting. He thought of hot coffee. He wanted it so badly he could smell it, and his food touched the brake.He had almost come to a stop when he saw the RCMP car parked at the curb, and his foot moved automatically from brake to gas pedal. He picked up speed and drove smoothly through the town. His palms were sweating against the wheel, and he rubbed them, one at a time, against his thighs.

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The Hobbit (1937) 310 pages

Written by JRR Tolkien Who also wrote The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion

Characters

Bilbo BagginsGandalf the Grey WizardGollumDwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin,

Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Thorin Oakenshield (the Dwarves)

Introduction

Whisked away from his comfortable, unambitious life in his hobbit-hole in Bag End by Gandalf the wizard and a company of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Although quite reluctant to take part in this quest, Bilbo surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and his skill as a burglar!

This book is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings.

Smaug certainly looked fast asleep, when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance. He was just about to step out on to the floor when he caught a sudden thin ray of red from her the drooping lid of Smaug’s left eye. He was only pretending to be asleep! He was watching the tunnel entrance…

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October Sky (1999) 108 minutes Rated: PG

Directed by Joe Johnston Who also directed Jumanji and Captain America (2011)

Screenplay written by Lewis Colick Who also wrote the screenplay for Charlie St. Cloud

Based on the autobiographical book by Homer H. Hickam Jr.

Characters

Homer H. Hickam Jr played by Jake GyllenhaalJohn Hickam played by Chris CooperMiss Riley played by Laura DernQuentin played by Chris OwenRoy Lee played by William Lee Scott

Introduction

Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky.

Raised in a coal mining town by a coal mining family, Homer has his life set out for him. But in the fall of 1957, the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, is rocketed into space and Homer’s ambitions go with it. Inspired, Homer starts building rockets. Despite the encouragement of his teacher, and the possibility of winning college scholarships, Homer’s father looks down on his son’s use of time. Homer struggles with the hard reality of the coal mining town and his family while pursuing his dream.

Coalminer: Buck up, Homer. You're a Coalwood boy! You get down there, get that shovel in your hands, coaldust on your neck, feel just as natural as a tick on a dog.

Homer, Roy Lee, O'Dell: [after lighting their first rocket] Ten, nine, eight... Roy Lee: Should we get behind something? [it blows up and they fly back]

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Whale Rider (2002) 101 minutes Rated: PG-13

Screenplay and Directed by Niki Caro

Based on the book by Witi Ihimaera

Characters

Paikea played by Keisha Castle-HughesKoro played by Rawiri ParateneNanny Flowers played by Vicky HaughtonPorourangi played by Cliff CurtisUncle Rawiri played by Grant RoaHemi played by Mana Taumaunu

Introduction

One young girl dared to confront the past, change the present and determine the future.

On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.

Paikea: A long time ago, my ancestor Paikea came to this place on the back of a whale. Since then, in every generation of my family, the first born son has carried his name and become the leader of our tribe... until now.

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