New Picks!

This week the picks of the week are not going to be in the regular movie format because Marcie is on vacation! Below is my list for the picks of the week for this week! Hope you enjoy them!
1.Babar and the Ghost by Laurent de Brunhoff This story is about a friendly ghost who follows Babar the elephant and his family back to Celesteville from a haunted castle! This is a fun story about Babar that has been popular for a long time. It is appropriate for all ages!
2.The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare This is a historical fiction novel about Connecticut in 1687. Kit Tyler moves in with her Aunt and Uncle who are Puritans. Kit is from Barbados so she is not used to the Puritan life and rules. The people of the colony look at her with suspicion from the moment she arrives in Connecticut, but this becomes worse when she becomes friends with Hannah Tupper. Hannah is know to the colonists as a witch. You will have to read the story to find out why and what happens to Kit and the people she befriends in Connecticut. Recommended for kids in 5th to 8th grade.
3.Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs This is a novel that mixes words with photographs to tell an adventurous story. All of Jacob's life he has heard his grandfather tell stories about strange children and monsters that hunted him. His grandfather was in WWII so his father explained to Jacob that the monster were Nazi's and the children never existed. When Jacob's grandfather is killed in the woods Jacob begins to question how true these stories are. He travels to an island in Whales to discover the truth behind his grandfathers stories. Here he finds a home for children. These children are not normal. Read the story to find out what is so special about these children and to see what happens to Jacob! This book is recommended for ages 13 and up.
4.The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor This is a strange fairytale about humans and mythical creatures. Karou was abandoned at birth and taken in by the monster Brimstone. She has been brought up running errands for him and his other workers. When black handprints start showing up on all of the doorways Karou wonders what is going on. She sees these winged creatures appearing and marking the doors. She soon discovers they are Seraphim, or angels, when she meets Akiva. He knows that he should kill Karou, but he cannot do it! Karou begins to find out there is a big secret about who she really is. Read the book to find out if Karou will live to regret finding out about this secret! This is appropriate for teens and young adults.
Movie Picks for this week.
1.Pan's Labyrinth This is a Foreign movie directed by Guillermo del Toro. The film is set in 1944 fascist Spain and is about a girl who is fascinated with fairy-tales. She goes with her pregnant mother to live with her new stepfather, a ruthless captain of the Spanish army. During the night, she meets a fairy who takes her to an old faun in the center of the labyrinth. He tells her she's a princess, but must prove her royalty by surviving three gruesome tasks. If she fails, she will never prove herself to be the the true princess and will never see her real father, the king, again. This is an interesting twist on a fairytale.
2.Blood Diamond Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a man who is haunted by his roots and has used his survival skills to become a successful diamond smuggler. When he meets Solomon his life is changes. Solomon was forced to mine for diamonds in his home of Sierra Leon, Africa for the rebel army. This movie shows why blood diamonds have been given that name and the conflict over diamonds Africa has been facing. This is a very moving film.
3.The Adventures of Milo and Otis This is a children's movie about a dog, Otis, and a cat, Milo, who are best friends that grew up and the same farm and are separated. The two make a journey to find each other again. This is a very cute movie and will be enjoyed by animal lovers.
4.Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey This movie is about two dogs, Chance and Shadow, and a cat names Sassy whose owners have gone on a vacation. The animals were left at a farm with their owner's aunt. The animals set out on a journey to find the family they belong to. This is a very moving journey about the devotion animals have for their owners.