33. Far Arden by Kevin Cannon

1. Bibliographic Information:
Cannon, K. (2009). Far arden. Marietta, Georgia: Top Shelf Productions.
ISBN 1603090363
400 Pages

2. Plot Summary
Army Shanks, a former member of the Royal Canadian Arctic Navy (RCAN) turned pirate, is searching for the mythical, tropical island, Far Arden in Canada’s Arctic. He always promised his mentor and friend Simon Arctavius that they would both find the island. After Army Shanks was marooned, and for three years presumed dead, Simon Arctavius left to find the island. When he returns, Army Shanks feels compelled to finish what he started and decides to find Far Arden and Simon Arctavius. However, Shanks is sidetracked by the RCAN, his long lost nephew, his on-again off-again love Fortuna, circus members, his once peer turned enemy, and a horde of other characters. Filled with mistaken agendas, deception and conspiracies, Shanks must now embark on a zany adventure. Will Shanks be reunited with Arctavius, and find the tropical island of Far Arden or is Far Arden just a figment of the imagination?

3. Critical Evaluation
I was pleasantly surprised about the quality and complexity of this graphic novel. The plot line initially seemed ridiculous, but the author was able to tie multiple plot lines together to weave an interesting and comical look at Shanks’ adventures. The themes can actually be quite serious despite the humor of the story. Looking at the role of the military and government bureaucracy, Cannon makes some pretty scathing assertions about how corrupt and self-serving these political and military organizations can be. Additionally, Cannon looks at the role of the environment, in which he seems to feel somewhat skeptical. There are examples of boring lectures about global warming, a murderous polar bear on the loose, and an island that produces hazardous gases. Through these adventures, the reader gets a feel for Canada’s culture and, surprisingly, even current events: the idea of exploration and undiscovered territories, as well as global warming and its effects on Polar Bears. Ultimately, this graphic novel is an interesting example of political satire and comedy.

4. Reader’s Annotation
Meet Army Shanks, a former member of the Royal Canadian Arctic Navy. He is currently searching for the mysterious island of Far Arden rumored to be a tropical island, but not all is what it seems.

5. Information about the Author:
Kevin Cannon lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Ginnell College in central Iowa. His graphic novel, Far Arden is also available online at
http://www.kevincannon.org/288hour/

6. Genre
Graphic Novel: Comedy

7. Curriculum Ties
Learning about other cultures: Canada

8. Booktalking Ideas:
- How does this graphic novel play off of Canadian stereotypes?
- How does this graphic novel examine global issues?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
There are many plot lines, which would be difficult for a young reader to follow; therefore, I would recommend that this book would be best suited for older teen readers between the ages of 15-18.

10. Challenge Issues
This graphic novel has instances of cursing, violence, nudity and sexual innuendo. Therefore, some adults might not want their children to read this graphic novel. If challenges occurred I would refer angry patrons to the American Library Association’s challenge form found at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/

11. Why was it selected?
This was one of the books I chose for another class on Canadian Literature (LIBR 271A). However, when I found out that the author was not Canadian and I could not use it for that class, I immediately thought of this assignment.

12. Citations

Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Cannon, K. (2010). Bio. Retrieved from http://kevincannon.org/

Cannon, K. (2006). Far Arden. Retrieved from http://www.kevincannon.org/288hour/

Picture
Amazon.com. (2010). Far Arden. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Far-Arden-Kevin-Cannon/dp/1603090363/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268701190&sr=1-1

13. Awards
2010 Eisner Award Nominee
2010 Izzer Award

35. 17 Again Directed by Burr Steers

1. Bibliographic Information
Gibgot, J. and Shankman, A. (Producers), & Steers, B. (Director). (2009). 17 Again [motion picture]. United States of America: New Line Cinema.
Principle Actors: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry
102 minutes
Rated PG-13 for language, some sexual material and teen partying
UPC: 7-94043-13594-1
DVD #3000021412

2. Plot Summary
In 1989 Mike O’Donnell is a popular, athletic high school senior with dreams of getting a college scholarship for basketball. On the day of the big game, Mike’s girl friend, Scarlet, tells him that she’s pregnant. Feeling the weight of his responsibilities, Mike forgoes his chance at an education and instead proposes to Scarlet, professing his love for her and his baby. Years have passed since his high school years, and Mike O’Donnell is now in a tough situation. He has just gotten passed up for a promotion he felt he was entitled to, and he and his wife are filing for a divorce. Their two children are now in high school and Mike does not feel connected to them. When he visits his old high school, Mike wishes he could relive his high school experience and do things differently. A janitor talks with him, and suddenly, Mike has changed back into his high school body. He is still stuck in the present day; however, he realizes he has a chance to relive high school with his children. With his adult attitudes, perceptions, and knowing how his life had originally turned out, can Mike decide what is really best for himself? Will he chose to potentially live out his dreams or make things right with his family?

3. Critical Evaluation
17 Again is a movie that relies too much on the Zac Efron fan base. Like his High School Musical character, Zac Efron seems to be in familiar territory as a high school basketball player. While the movie does for the most part focus on Zac Efron, the clichéd plot lines (including the nerdy, unpopular kid turning into the millionaire to spite all the people who bullied him) and poor storyline do little to entice mature viewers. Ultimately, I found the movie to be heavy-handed. The plot revolves around an adult stuck in a teen’s body, which does not necessarily work when the character is busy telling other teenagers about safe sex, and if possible abstinence only. I’m not entirely convinced that teens would want to see a movie with essentially an adult character telling them what they should or should not be doing. This blatant attempt to maintain a “family” film with morals for teenagers is overdone. Furthermore, the morality of this film can be called into question: if Mike’s children mean that much to him, why would he even consider leaving them to pursue his dreams of college basketball? While not a terrible movie, 17 Again just comes off as ridiculous.

4. Reader’s Annotation
Mike O’Donnell’s life has never been what he expected. He gave up a college scholarship in order to marry his pregnant girlfriend, and now, years later, is heading for a divorce. When he is given the chance to go back to high school, can Mike make things right?

5. Information about the Author
Burr Steers is an actor, writer and director whose contributions include Pulp Fiction, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Igby Goes Down. He was born October 8, 1965 and is the nephew of Gore Vidal and Jacqueline Kennedy.

6. Genre
Comedy

7. Curriculum Ties
N/A

8. Booktalking Ideas
-Have you ever wondered what it would be like to relive a part of your life?
-How do you think being an adult trapped in a kid’s body would affect your attitudes, morals, and perceptions?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that 15-16 year olds would be the extent of the interest age for this film.

10. Challenge Issues:
Since it is rated PG-13 I would recommend parents to be sure to abide by the ratings guidelines. The movie does include examples of language, sexual material and teen partying.

For more information on the ratings and the ratings system, see the Motion Pictures of America website at:

http://www.mpaa.org/

11. Why was it selected?
Some of the high school girls that I coached recommended the film.

12. Citations

Internet Movie Database. (2010). Burr Steers. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0824882/

Motion Picture Association of America. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.mpaa.org/

Amazon.com (2010). 17 Again. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/17-Again-Zac-Efron/dp/B001OQCUYI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1268688369&sr=1-1

13. Awards
2009 Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Comedy (Zac Efron) and Choice Movie Rockstar Moment (Zac Efron)