Bebe Moore Campbell, author of such books as Brothers and Sisters and Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine died Monday at the age of 56. She was diagnosed with brain cancer this past February. Campbell was a very versatile author whose work included plays, children’s books, and many articles.
Source: Yahoo News
Bebe Moore Campbell, Brothers and Sisters, Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine
Apparently, Viggo Mortensen’s new film Alatriste will be arriving in theaters 22 December 2006. Alatriste is based on the Captain Alatriste novels by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. I’m not really that familiar with the story of this 17th century Spanish soldier, but I figured that folks might be interested in this film because Viggo Mortensen is in it. If the poster is anything to go by, the cinematography for this film is something to look forward to. It appears to have been filmed entirely in Spain. I know that it was originally filmed in Spanish, but I’m not sure what language it will be in when it arrives in the US.
Okay, consider yourselves informed.
Meg Cabot’s mystery, Size 12 is Not Fat gains a sequel on 28 November. Size 14 is Not Fat Either finds our heroine, former pop star Heather Wells, in yet another quandry. A cheerleader’s body has been found in the dorm kitchen. Well, most of the body, anyway. (eww.) As she is the Assistant Dorm Director, Heather needs to find out what happened, right? Maybe that handsome P. I. that owns her building can give her a hand with this problem. Now, if only her rocker ex-boyfriend will just stop calling…
Meg Cabot is the author of many engaging books for teens (ex. The Princess Diaries, Mediator: Shadowland, and All-American Girl) and adults (ex. Queen of Babble, Size 12 is Not Fat, and The Boy Next Door). She has written no picture books as yet. Size 14 is Not Fat Either promises to be yet another hit for this popular author.
According to the IMDB, Phillip Pullman’s The Golden Compass has begun filming. Some of the actors attached to this project are Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra. This film is slated for release 7 December 2007, thus continuing the recent move toward releasing high fantasy films near Christmas. Perhaps the other two books will appear in film soon in a similar manner. Trilogies are popular these days. For further information, check out the SciFi Wire’s article on this film.
In other news, Phillip Pullman’s The Ruby in the Smoke is coming to British Television this December. Billie Piper, most recently of Doctor Who fame, will star as Sally Lockhart in this adaptation of Pullman’s victorian mystery. As this book is the first in a series, I hope that the series is continued soon. This article from the BBC’s website seems to indicate that book two will follow quickly after the first. Hopefully, both of these films will make it to American television before long.
Phillip Pullman, The Golden Compass, Dakota Blue Richards, The Ruby in the Smoke, Billie Piper, Sally Lockhart
William Styron, author of such books as Sophie’s Choice and The Confessions of Nat Turner, for which he received the Pulitzer, died of pneumonia today in a Martha’s Vinyard hospital. He was 81, and had apparently been ill for some time.
Source: Yahoo News
William Styron, Sophie’s Choice, The Confessions of Nat Turner
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming is arriving in film form on 17 November. This book has the distinction of being the only James Bond one that I have actually read. I wonder if any of the plot lines will appear intact. I mean, The Bourne Identity had a couple of plotlines that were recognizable in the Matt Damon film, so why not the first Bond?
Theodore Taylor, author of such classic books as The Cay, Teetoncey, and The Trouble with Tuck , died Thursday at the age of 85. Theodore Taylor came to my Elementary school once, and I remember reading his books and being a bit over-awed at seeing the person who had written them. I still have my copy of Teetoncey and Ben O’Neal.
For more information: The L. A. Times Article
Theodore Taylor, classic books, The Cay, Teetoncey, The Trouble with Tuck
Apparently, Peter Jackson is currently working with his team on the script for a filmed version of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. There is, as yet, no word on casting, etc. This should prove…interesting.
Source: IMDB.com
Wendy Froud’s new book was due out in September, but due to some technical difficulties it was delayed. Apparently, orders will now begin shipping on 13 November. I have been looking forward to The Art of Wendy Froud since it was announced over on the World of Froud site. Ever since The Dark Crystal I have been a fan of both Wendy and Brian Froud. Someday I hope to actually own one of Wendy’s Faery figurines. Her Faery art populates the pages of this lovely art book. So, if you want to know what the heck I’m talking about go here to see the book and here to see some of her Faery figurines.
It’s pretty stuff. So, I thought I’d let y’all know.
Checkout the Froud’s Website: World of Froud
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz, a spy thriller for teens, has been made into a film.
I am really looking forward to seeing this one.
I feel that there is a dearth of good books for teen boys. Stormbreaker is the book I tend to offer to those seeking an “adventure book.” I enjoyed it, and one of my co-workers recently inhaled the series in a very short span of time. (He’s one of the children’s librarians). Hopefully this film will do it justice. The reviews that I have seen are mixed. I guess i just have to make up my own mind on this one.
Check out the pictures on the IMDB.
A live action Charlotte’s Web will be appearing on movie screens this upcoming holiday season. It’s release date in the US is 20 December 2006, and in the UK 9 February 2007. Dakota Fanning is playing Fern. It’s good to see that E. B. White is still popular.
Check out the official site: http://www.walden.com/web/teach/charlotte
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