Lost Constellations: The Art of Tara McPherson, by Tara McPherson

• Title: Lost Constellations: The Art of Tara McPherson
• Author: Tara McPherson
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595822224
• ISBN-13: 978-1595822222
• Reader's Annotation:   "Lost Constellations: The Art of Tara McPherson Volume 2 is the compelling road map to the artist's most recent and ambitious journeys in paint, pencil, and sculpture." ~Via Dark Horse 
• Features line drawings next to paintings and illustrations (especially cool for the aspiring artist) Lost Constellations explores the Art of Tara Mcpherson as well as includes some of her FAMOUS art rock posters!

Synopsis: McPherson's Vol. II (second to Lonely at Heart), Mcpherson delivers a collection of artwork that has taken the looky-loos by storm. Like most of her characters suspended in either water or space, the reader will quickly find themselves staring at their own loss and gut-lost past, present, and future while suspended in their own space-like intoxication of Tara McPherson. I dare you to get enough. It's impossible. This is a book to own. 

Notes: Parental suggestion for the young ones. Otherwise, subtley dark & delicious for everyone!

Extras: Want MORE Tara Stuff? Or maybe you just want to look at more McPherson art? Visit http://www.taramcpherson.com/

or to buy artwork: http://www.clickforart.com/

Having trouble filling your whole'd out middle? Revisit your childhood with Tara's coloring book/backpack ensemble. And in the meantime go here to color online. Viva la Tara.

Leviathan Update!

• Title: Leviathan
• Author: Scott Westerfeld
• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416971734

Leviathan, Scott Westerfeld's yet to be released new steampunk novel has had a visit to "New Pretty Town" for a jacket make-over!

Check out the new Cover. I hate to say it but THIS makes me feel Bubbly. Click here to see the definition of Bubbly & some free Uglies related stuff online. Leviathan before turning 16 (seconds old) and after the Specials had their way with it...I apologize for the Uglies references, but can you blame me? It's an awesome remake!

Notes:

Can't wait for Fall 2009?

There is a Sneak Peak in the new paperback version of the Extras. And yes, it is a different one that was in From Bogus to Bubbly.

Super Extra Fun: Scott Talks Art & Illustration!

The Westerblog: http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/

Pre-Order: http://www.amazon.com/Leviathan-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/1416971734

The Unlibrarian's Steampunk Pathfinder: http://theunlibrarians-steampunk-pathfinder.blogspot.com/

Twilight: The Directors Notebook, The Story of How We Made the Movie Based on the Novel by Stephenie Meyer, By Catherine Hardwicke

By: Catherine Hardwicke

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers

Publish Date: 2009

ISBN: 0316070521

Page #: 176 pages

Classification: Non-Fiction

Genre: Art/Film

Age Level: Older Teens

Series Titles: n/a 

(Tie-in to The Twilight Saga franchise in both film & book)

Subjects: Film, Art, Journaling, Twilight

Reader's Annotation: An inside look at the Twilight's film director Catherine Hardwicke's Director Journal. This is a rare inside look at not only the production of Twilight, but at the mind of a movie director. 

Synopsis: Twilight, the first film in the Twilight Saga's screen adaptation, hit the movie world with a slam. Grossing the most money to date for an opening director who is female, Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke opens up her visionary style to her fans. In The Director's Notebook Hardwicke shows illustrations, story boards, costume and set notes, & virtually everything that went through her head and into the film. Visually the small hardcover book is page to page beauty, but at the same time shows a rare side of film making that most fans don't know exists. With this little gem, Twilight fans and aspiring filmmakers can revel in the art of filmmaking at the young adult level. 

Notes: One does not have to have read the Twilight Saga to enjoy the Directors notebook. A fan of the film can enjoy this tie in art book as well as students interested in art and film.  

Extras: Author website http://www.catherinehardwicke.com/

Romeo & Juliet (Film), Directed By Baz Luhrmann

By: Baz Luhrmann

Tagline: My only love sprung from my only hate.

Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 1996

DVD Release Date: March 12, 2002
ASIN: B000060OFT
Length: 120 minutes
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Drama, Musical
Age Level: PG-13
Series Title: Part of the Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy (Strictly Ballroom / Romeo + Juliet / Moulin Rouge)
Subjects: Shakespeare, Books-to-Films, Romance, Tragedy, Violence, Family Feud, Musicals

Reader's Annotation: A modern take on Shakespeare's classic love story, Baz Lurhmann delivers stunning modern music and visuals while keeping the original Shakespearian text in tact. 

Synopsis: Romeo is smoking hot. Juliet is a stunning babe. Together they make a beautiful dead couple. Romeo and Juliet as a couple are unquestionably time's most beloved (yet tragic) teen couple. Furthermore, it is one of the most classic love stories ever written (if not the most classic love story). Romeo + Juliet has inspired everything from West Side Story to Twilight. With this in mind, the dream-like director Baz Luhrmann presents his vision of Romeo + Juliet. The appeal to a younger audience is apparent with costumes, music, violence and feuding families (kind of what it may look like if Wallmart CEO's daughter fell for Target's CEO's Son). Rather then butchering Shakespeare Luhrmann presents a window into the depth, poetry, & pertinence of Shakespeare that can rivet even the most reluctant Shakespearian student. 

Notes: Violence, drugs, and sexual references are used throughout the film despite the PG-13 rating. Parental discretion is advised. Foul language is encapsulated by Shakespearian tongue: only English sleuths will catch them. 

Stars: 5

Awards: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/awards
Extras:  Official Movie Website http://www.romeoandjuliet.com/

Read Romeo + Juliet for free online: http://www.shakespeare-literature.com/Romeo_and_Juliet/index.html

Wikipedia on Romeo and Juliet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet 

Romeo + Juliet IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/

INDIE GIRL: From Starting a Band to Launching a Fashion Company, Nine Ways to Turn Your Creative Talent In, By Arne Johnson & Karen Macklin

By: Arne Johnson & Karen Macklin
Publisher: Zest Books
Publish Date: 2008
ISBN: 0979017335
Page #: 136
Classification: Non-Fiction, Arts
Genre: Arts
Age Level: Teen, Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Performing Arts, Journaling, Art

Reader's Annotation: A "how-to" field guide for teen girls to all things creative.

Synopsis: From filmmaking to poetry, Indie Girl lays it all out for any girl who wants to express herself. It's simple without being too simple and lays the creative process out in a way that is within reach for teens at any age. Though its titled and directed to girls, this book doesn't exclude boys in that clearly some of the tips are completely general. I doubt very few boys are going to buy a book called "Indie Girl" but non-the-less, boys collaborating with creative girls will no doubt benefit from the artistic sage wisdom (complete with checklists and websites) that most adults find out only after spending twenty grand on film school or a hundred grad at the FIDM institute in Los Angeles. Please don't misunderstand me, this book in no way replaces a college education, but it could be argued that the best artists are the ones who take matters into their own hands: aka the: indie girl. At the very least Indie Girl may just be the antidote to getting through another day of bad classes and boring chores. 

Notes: The authors are both accomplished artists living in the Bay Area. Arne Johnson is a film journalist and filmmaker, Karen Macklin is a writer who hold a MFA from from San Francisco State, and Micheal Wertz (illustrator of Indie Girl) is a commercial artist.

Stars: 5

Extras: Publisher's Website  http://www.zestbooks.net

Arne Johnson's Documentary Girl's Rock http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/

Karen Macklin http://www.kmacklin.com/

Trailer for GIRLS ROCK: