Saturday, November 22, 2014

Catching Fire: The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 2 by Suzanne Collins and Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Kate Egan

[1]
Book Review by:
Sharon Powers.

     "He suddenly lost concern for himself, and forgot to look at a menacing fate. He became not a man but a member. He felt that something of which he was a part--a regiment, an army, a cause, or a country--was in a crisis. He was welded into a common personality which was dominated by a single desire. For some moments he could not flee, no more than a little finger can commit a revolution from a hand." (The Red Badge of Courage, Chp. 5, p. 34.)

     Henry Fleming, protagonist in The Red Badge of Courage, has a flash of realization that he isn't really an individual, but only a part of a group; and, in that moment, his self preservation--which previously blinded him to a larger struggle--fled. We've heard of the heroics of persons who, forgetting themselves, have run into a burning building to save someone, or jumped under a subway train to save a child. These examples, are undoubtedly, the most noble actions of selflessness. But, as we will see below, selflessness can also be hazardous. [2]

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
[3]
     The book opens about six months after the Hunger Games have concluded and Peeta and Katniss were declared winners. The Victory Tour is about to begin and President Snow visits Katniss to deliver an ultimatum: convince all of Panem and Snow that she and Peeta acted out of love and not "rebellion." If she doesn't, dire consequences to her and her family will follow.

     On the very first Victory Tour stop, District 11, the District that Rue came from, Katniss impulsively speaks about Rue--the District's listeners honor Katniss and salute her. Katniss and Peeta are rushed out, but not before they see a man shot in the head and killed by the Peacekeepers.

[4]
     The Victory Tour ends with a stop at the Capitol and a special appearance. Peeta proposes to Katniss in front of the crowd in a last-ditch attempt to show that their actions in the arena were out of love, not insurrection. President Snow lets Katniss know it was not enough to convince him or the public; Katniss now knows that she and her family are in danger.

     Before she goes home, she has a strange meeting with the new Head Games Keeper, Plutarch Heavens- bee. Plutarch shows her his watch--it has a Mockingjay on it--he points to the watch and says, "It starts at midnight." Katniss doesn't understand his strange and cryptic behavior and comment, and returns home full of fear for her family.

     The 75th Hunger Games, The Quarter Quell announcement, shocks everyone: the competitors for the games will be harvested from all the previous winners. Peeta and Katniss are selected and soon head back to the Capitol for training. Katniss decides that she will do whatever it takes to save Peeta, even though it is highly likely to result in her death. Unbeknownst to Katniss, Peeta promises to himself to save Katniss.

[5]
     When training begins, Haymitch urges the two to try for an alliance with some of the other competitors. Reluctantly, Katniss settles on Finnick and Mags, Beetee and Wiress, and Johanna. Then came the pre-game interviews. Peeta drops a bomb when he tells everyone that Katniss and he were secretly married and that she is expecting a baby.

Beetee. [7]
     As Cinna is seeing Katniss off to the beginning of the games, she watches in horror as he is grabbed and beaten and then dragged off. Katniss rises into the arena and the games are on. A series of adventures plagues the team and they begin losing people. Sadly, Mags dies and the others are injured--all the while Katniss doesn't know if she can trust anyone.

     Beetee, trying to blow the dome force-field, is injured, so Katniss shoots an arrow into the force field to cause it to short out. It does and she and some of the others are rescued by a hovercraft that has Haymitch, Plutarch Heavensbee, and her friend Gale on board. Gale tells Katniss that their home, District 12, was destroyed by the government and that the government had captured Johanna and Peeta. They are taken to District 13 to safety and for medical treatment. [6]

 by Albert Anker [8]
MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
         I selected this quote for my daughter, Sherri, who asked me what I thought about the mother-daughter relationship between Katniss and her mother. Since I didn't address this relationship in the first book, let's take a look at it, here, in Catching Fire.
My mother laughs, and I think about how there was no going back after I took over caring for the family when I was eleven. How I will always have to protect her...Since I've been home I've been trying hard to mend my relationship with my mother. Asking her to do things for me instead of brushing aside any offer of help, as I did for years out of anger...My time in the arena made me realize how I needed to stop punishing her for something she couldn't help, specifically the crushing depression she fell into after my father's death. Because sometimes things happen to people and they're not equipped to deal with them. (p. 31)
     It is so very difficult for children to be forced into a parental role through no fault of their own. Katniss ended up taking over her mother's role when Katniss's father died. Katniss went hunting for food, learned how to trade her game for food, how to set snares, and how to become proficient with a bow and arrow. Katniss was forced to learn how to care for her mother and little sister Prim, something no eleven-year-old should have to do.

[9]
     We find this happens in today's so-called "modern" society, too. No matter what the problem, whether its depress- ion, drugs or alcohol, when a child is parentified, it causes detriment to the relationship. Katniss, in choosing to take Prim's place at the 24th Hunger Games, was propelled into a situation she was ill-prepared to face.

     In that realization, Katniss understands that her mother was also ill-equipped to face caring for two small children alone after her husband's death. It was in the Hunger Games, as horrible as they were, that Katniss grew to understand her mother better and let love back in. Katniss was able to let go of her anger over the unfairness of it all and begin to let the relationship heal. Undoubtedly, we will see the relationship continue on in the third book of the series, Mockingjay.

THE MOVIE--Catching Fire:
     The movie, Catching Fire, was released to the big-screen just a year ago on November 22, 2013. The movie was nominated and won many accolades in the year since it has been released. So, to see what the hub-bub was all about, let's take a quick look at a trailer of the movie [10]:


     Directing the movie was Francis Lawrence with screenwriting credits going to Suzanne Collins (novel) and Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt (for screenplay). Starring in the film is Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Donald Sutherland as President Snow, Stanley Tucci as Cesar Flickerman, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, and many others.

WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK:
     WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
Human beings have choices to make--
go with the crowd, or go your own way? [11]
     In high school, I came to a crossroads when I had to decide whether or not to follow the crowd, or go on a path of my own. It was definitely harder for me, but I chose not to follow the crowd. It meant I had fewer friends and fewer opportunities to go to parties and other outings, but I am happy with the choice I made back then. I didn't ever have to worry over whether or not I would be judged and found wanting by the crowd--I thought and acted for myself.

     This concept, about "thinking for yourself" is paramount in getting through life, and it is paramount in the book, as well. One of the reasons I used Stephen Crane's, The Red Badge of Courage, to open the blog post today was for that very reason. Crane shows us how cogs in machines just go along with the other cogs, working in the same way, never deviating from what they do. They do not think. That simply means they do not have to consider whether or not what they are doing is right or wrong. The unthinking cogs do not exhibit discretion or judgment in any given situation.

[12]
     In Catching Fire, the government, and by extension, the games makers, and Capitol people who support the government are nothing more than a machine and it's people--cogs. Unthinking. Incapable of using discretion or good judgment concerning people other than themselves. They do not even consider whether or not what they are doing with the children of the districts is right or wrong.

     The government, the games and the people are incapable of understanding that their watching the Hunger Games on television, cheering, betting, and celebrating when one child killed another child, and they won their bet is wrong. Likewise they fail to see that their government's division of citizens into districts and then prohibiting their free travel is wrong--which by the way, sounds a lot like the concentration and work camps and internment camps of WWII. [13]

Do you remember this Star Trek quote:
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs
 of the few, or the one"? [14]
     When a government claims that the needs of society outweigh the needs of the individual, freedom of choice is diminished or lost. Even today, this concept is still around, and hasn't disappeared from society. Suzanne Collins masterfully sets the stage for the trilogy by utilizing this concept.

     Another wonderful concept Suzanne Collins has incorporated into the story is that of selflessness. For example, both Peeta and Katniss, want to set aside their own well-being to protect each other. They each make bargains with Haymitch to do so.

Cinna.
Did you cry over the death
of this fictional character?
[15]
     And then there is Cinna. Oh, wonderful Cinna. We later learn Cinna is involved with the underground, the insurrectionists. He selflessly chooses to put his life on the line to both promote Katniss and help her, and also to help "kindle" a fire under the movement. Cinna created the wedding dress to end all wedding dresses--one that transformed into the exotic, wild, breath-taking and world shaking black mockingjay. In effect, he showed the world that Katniss was THE mockingjay. Undoubtedly, he knew his time was up--selfless to the end. One last example: half of the competitors were in on the agreement to help save Katniss and Peeta, and a number of them, in fact, sacrificed themselves to help Katniss and Peeta survive.

     WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME:
[16]
     Now I know that Katniss is a young teenager. However, she was forced to grow up early when her father died and she had to take over the care of the family. And...Katniss has always been portrayed as intelligent and creative and quick to learn. So why does Collins from time to time treat her as if she is stupid?

     After she met the two women in the woods by the lake, she knew that she was everyone's "mockingjay." She knew the symbol of the insurrection was the "mockingjay." So, why, when Heavensbee shows her a personal item--a pocket watch--with a mockingjay put on it does she not recognize him as being with the insurrection? He even gives her a clue as to what is coming and she doesn't get it.

[17
     Beetee and Wiress speak with Katniss in the training center discussing the forcefield shield and how it can be seen in the little patch-like areas. And why, for heavens sake would Beetee and Wiress give away an obvious advantage to an opponent? I mean, Katniss recognizes it as an advantage, because she didn't even want to divulge how she knew about the forcefield to people in her alliance--she comes up with the lame excuse that she can hear it. Really? She doesn't recognize people are helping her?

     And what about Finnick? She sees the bracelet that Haymitch wore on Finnick and she still doesn't trust him. What does she think? Finnick mugged Haymitch to get the bracelet? And there's Mags, too. She trusts Finnick with her life and still Katniss doesn't trust Finnick. Oh, and let's not forget he uses CPR on Peeta to bring him back from near death. During the deadly fog incident Finnick carries him on his back when he could have just left him and saved himself--he lets Mags walk into the deadly fog and doesn't stop her, but he keeps helping Peeta. Still, Katniss doesn't trust him.

     Finally, I think Snow is a fool. He obviously has so many "yes" men around him that when someone (Heavensbee) with any intelligence comes in, he (Heavensbee) gives him a "Snow" job. Really, President Snow, have you never heard that there is no such thing as "bad" publicity, only publicity. So why give Katniss all that publicity when you could have sent her back to obscurity and anonymity to be lost forever in history. So what would I say to Snow? I'd say, "Snow, you're the one who lit the match that started the revolution.  

[18]
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE 
THE OFFICIAL ILLUSTRATED MOVIE COMPANION:

     The companion book is organized into six parts:
(1) The Hunger Games Catches Fire;
(2) Moving Forward;
(3) Expanding the World of Panem;
(4) Designing the Arena;
(5) Creating Costumes, Designing Faces; and,
(6) Looking Ahead.

     Part one reaches back to book 1, The Hunger Games, to speak about the phenomenon of the book and movie. Then the chapter moves on to the continued story of Catching Fire. Here the author explains that Katniss is now a veteran, but still wants to protect those she loves and is "awake," now; even so, Katniss is still not ready to lead.

     Part two showcases how the director was so important to the filming of the story, and then went on to tell how the casting was accomplished by considering actors from all over the world. Also, the importance of some of the character's roles was stressed, for example, Plutarch Heavensbee, the mentor, Haymitch, and Finnick and Mags.

     Part three, tells the story of how the filmmakers put the world of Panem together, how it was imagined, the logistics of filming, and how continuity was incorporated without losing the individuality of the various districts. Also in this chapter, the Presidential Feast is highlighted along with the setting, The Swan House in Atlanta.

     Part four, Designing the Arena, of course, reveals how the company first searched out an appropriate location, but how they worked with the limitations set upon them. The cornucopia and its creation is explained, along with a number of photographs, and then how it was set into the arena as the center of the dial of a clock. Covering the aspect that a true tropical forest setting was needed, the filming in Hawaii and the challenges of the arena filming were, likewise, covered. We also get to see "Life on the Set," and how the actors got to intermingle.

The above three photographs are of my copy of
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The
Official Illustrated Movie Companion
.
     Part five covered, in detail, the creation of the costumes and how certain looks were created for Katniss, Gale Hawthorne, for Katniss's wedding dress, Peeta Mellark's changing look, Cinna, Finnick, Effie Trinket, the Avoxes, Haymitch Abernathy, President Snow, Plutarch Heavensbee, and the uniforms for the games. The challenges of creating a look for each actor were discussed, as well as the problems with functionality of the uniforms.

     In Part six, the last chapter, discusses how in the first book we were introduced to Katniss and got to know her and who she is. Then, in Catching Fire, the metaphor that Katniss is a "burning ember" that starts the fire of revolution. And lastly, how in Mockingjay, how the Capitol will feel the "wrath" of the districts. (p.154.)

CONCLUSION OF MOVIE GUIDE:
[19]
     Like the companion guide to The Hunger Games that I reviewed in my last post, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Here, we get to see a bit more of what happens behind the scenes, what goes on on the set, and how the actors relate to each other. In addition I liked learning more about the motivations of some of the characters and how book two is really fleshing out the story of Katniss. I really liked that the focus was on Katniss's growth of her character. I give this guide 4.0 stars out of 5.

______________________________________________________

MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING FOR CATCHING FIRE:
 Katniss Everdeen exhibits some of these signs and symptoms
of PTSD. Which of these have you observed in the movie, or
read about in the book? If someone you know has PTSD, please
be kind and understanding, and most of all, don't be judgmental.
Haven't we all had problems in our life from time to time? [*]
     As I mentioned in my blog post of Hunger Games, it is difficult to avoid the fact that the movie has violence, death, and fighting at every turn. The movie, mentioned above, is rated by MPAA as PG-13 for "intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language. [20]

     I would, therefore, advise that young children should be guided by their parents, and sensitive persons consider the material before watching. Those of the appropriate age will, undoubtedly, enjoy the book and movie.

[20]
RATING: Even with what I consider minor criticisms I have given, I really loved the book. Therefore, I am happy to rate this book 4.5 stars out of 5. I had reread this book in anticipation of my reviewing it for my blog post, today. I am not disappointed in my rereading of it, nor have I changed my opinion of the good quality of the novel. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loved The Hunger Games.

[21]
     Thank you for joining me this week as we got to look at the exciting novel by Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire. I thank you for taking time to read my blog post and consideration of the information I have presented. Do something good for yourself: please take some time to read a little this week. And...please join me again, next week as we review the last book of the trilogy of The Hunger Games, The Mockingjay. I can hardly wait!



Until next time...
This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [22]


...many happy pages of reading!

My love to you all!

Sharon.





_________________________________________________________
REFERENCES/SOURCES
[1] "Catching Fire: The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 2." [Suzanne Collins] amazon.com. Retrieved 11-15-14.
[2] "The Red Badge of Courage." sparknotes.com. Retrieved 11-19-14.
[3] "The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane." [by Charles McNair] pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 11-19-14.
[4] "Other Characters." [watch graphic] catchingfiremovienews.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[5] "Finnick and Mags Banner." [by LeMeNe] lemene.deviantart.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[6] "Catching Fire--Book Plot." [by Andrew Sims] hypable.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[7] "Photo: Beetee debuts on Hunger Games Explorer's Catching Fire banner." [by Tanvi Berwah] hunger-games.net. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[8] "Parentification and Sibling Resentment: The Bologna Soup Story." n-continuum.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[9] "You Never Understand A Person Until You Consider Things From His Point Of View." quotesvalley.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[10] "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire--The Official Trailer." youtube.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[11] "Digital Media--Display Advertising Dilemma." mediarecruiting.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[12]  "You; The Collective." itechnophile.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[13] "The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane." shmoop.com. Retrieved 11-18-14.
[14] "Epigenics: How Evolution Really Works." [by Gary Vey] viewzone.com. Retrieved 11-21-14.
[15] "Lenny Kravitz on Cinna's Catching Fire Fate." hungergamesfandom.net. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[16] "# The Hunger Games." [just-me777] tumblr.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[17] "Movie Review: Catching Fire." alicemarvels.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[18] "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion." amazon.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[19] "Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron." glogster.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[20] "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." [MPAA Rating] imdb.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[21] "4.5 out of 5 Stars." pixgood.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[22] "Pictures From My Garden." sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.
[*] "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 101." redefiningthefaceofbeauty.com. Retrieved 11-22-14.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The Hunger Games: Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1, by Suzanne Collins AND The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Kate Egan

Suzanne Collins book, The Hunger Games,
Book 1 in The Hunger Games Trilogy,
originally was released in 2008. The movie
followed in March of 2012. The book, still
popular with readers, can be purchased
at most book purveyors. [1]
Book Review By:
Sharon Powers.

   The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, burst onto the scene in 2008, some six years ago. Little did the public realize that this erstwhile dystopian novel would gain such momentum or fill the halls of schools with chatter about a girl named Katniss who lives in a broken-down and poverty-stricken area called District 12.

     What is it about this book that has captivated the minds and hearts of teens and pre-teens, and even some adults? After all, the story is about a teenage girl...right? Yes...but there's so much more.

     I can't wait to talk to you more about this wonderful and exciting story, so I guess we should begin at the beginning. Let's take a look at the synopsis of the book.

BOOK SYNOPSIS
Katniss and Gale, from the motion
picture, The Hunger Games. [2]
     As I indicated, above, Katniss (Everdeen) lives in District 12; she lives there with her mother and sister, and of course friends, like Gale, with whom she sneaks out of the compound to go hunting. Food being scarce she has honed her hunting skills, partly due to her deceased father's tutelage, partly her own wiles, and partly learning from another teenager, a boy named Gale.

     The government has imposed what they call, "The Hunger Games," on all twelve districts; from each district a lottery is held to select two participants from the districts teenage children--one girl and one boy. When Katniss's sister is selected, Katniss jumps up and volunteers to go in her place as tribute. Then, the boy tribute is chosen--it turns out to be "Peeta Mellark," a boy who has helped Katniss in the past and who had a secret crush on her.

"Nothing will change the
fact that we've saved each
other's lives in here. And
beyond that, he will always
be the boy with the bread."
[Kindle Loc. 5358] [3]
     The two District 12 kids, Katniss and Peeta, are whisked away to join the other 22 tribute children at the Capitol--there, they begin training and prepare for combat, not unlike gladiators of old, to fight to the death. In fact, each and every contestant must fight until they are the only remaining contestant of the 24 participants. 

     Instead of an arena, contestants are turned loose in a specially prepared area full of hazards in addition to the contestants who hunt each other. Monitoring the participants with cameras and audio equipment is necessary, as they are broadcast to the excited people in the Capitol who place bets on the contest. Sponsors can parachute little gifts to their favorite contestants to help them out in time of extreme trouble, but in the end, it's the choices the contestants make to stay alive that really count.

     [For those of you who haven't read the book...yet...] Will Katniss ever like Peeta in the way she likes Gale? Will the triangle cause a rift between Peeta and Katniss? And, even more importantly, will Peeta and Katniss make it through to the end of the games? Since only one winner is permitted, will one of them have to kill the other? Will one sacrifice himself or herself for the other? How will the moral dilemma be resolved between the two friends?

[4]
MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
     This quote is about a scene that happened early on in the book. Katniss and Gale watched the government capture two runaway teenagers. The boy was killed and the redheaded girl captured. Katniss thinks back on that moment when she runs into the same redheaded girl who is now acting as a servant in apartments where Katniss is staying--the girl's tongue has been cut out as a punishment.
I'd set out to tell her I was sorry about dinner. But I know that my apology runs much deeper. That I'm ashamed I never tried to help her in the woods. That I let the Capitol kill the boy and mutilate her without lifting a finger. Just like I was watching the Games...I...climb under the covers [and] pull the covers up over my head as if this will protect me from the redheaded girl who can't speak. But I feel her eyes staring at me, piercing through walls and doors and bedding. I wonder if she'll enjoy watching me die. [Kindle Location: 1459-1467]
[5]
     So many really good quotes exist in The Hunger Games, and while some of them are, undoubtedly, more popular than the one I selected, I chose this quote because it clearly shows the reader what is going on, really, in the whole book. Katniss even says that she feels like she was "watching the Games" when the redheaded girl was captured and the boy killed. She feels guilt over not "lifting a finger" to help the runaways. Katniss feels like a Hunger Games spectator.

     Katniss can't hide from her own conscience; her admission of shame is indicative of that. In fact, the image of the redheaded girl burns in Katniss's mind, like the (artificial) fire that consumed her in the tribute's parade. The image of fire, here, acts as a symbol of purification, of sorts, burning away like the outer ashes of a burning coal--it burns away Katniss's excuses for not helping and exposes her shame.

[6]
     You've, undoubtedly, heard the expression, that someone's eyes felt like "burning coals." Well, here, the redheaded girl's eyes are a symbol of burning coals--with her gaze, she can burn through the "walls and doors and bedding" to see Katniss and her guilt. I love this whole passage. It is beautifully crafted to show not only Katniss and her guilt, but as a metaphor, it is a condemnation of the Capitol residents who watch the games for sport and celebrate the child tributes' deaths. Katniss wonders if the redheaded girl, too, will celebrate Katniss's death.

WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE HUNGER GAMES--WORKS FOR ME:
[7]
     Dystopian novels are all the rage right now. Back in July of this year, I did a review of The Giver by Lois Lowry. In that review, I did an in-depth analysis of what makes a dystopian novel. (Click here to see that review.) But, for right now, let's just say that the key elements of a dystopian novel include the following:

(1) The society is undesirable, harmful, or unpleasant (usually due to a dramatic decline in society, i.e. an apocalypse);
(2) Stratification of society;
(3) Family: the government seeks to control or destroy the family unit;
(4) Propaganda: may be used to control society through one or more of the following methods: Politics and government (the type used in The Hunger Games); Economics, Psychology, Religion, Identity, Violence, Corporate Control, Bureaucratic Control, Science, and through Environmental issues. Each of these four key points are seen in The Hunger Games. [For an expanded explanation of these four basic elements, see my review of The Giver by Lois Lowery.]

These are just a few "Dystopian Novels" that are
popular in today's reading market. [8]
     Utilizing the dystopian society permitted Suzanne Collins to address controversial themes in a palatable manner; that is, they are addressed in a way that is less objectionable to the adult perspective, or those who would censor such a book. Some of these themes include the fight for survival, how much independence and freedom may be had in such a society; (in #4, just above,) politics and government are used to control individuals and society (one important way of doing that is through The Hunger Games.); the use of nuclear weapons to control society (District 13 was destroyed this way to put fear into the other Districts); (also in #4, above,) Environmental issues (relating to food and other resources necessary for survival); Fashion as influence of others and society; Violence--life and death; and, of course, Gender roles. Collins addresses a number of these themes in the "Annotated" section at the end of the book (starting at Kindle Location 6420).

[9]
     The themes are way too many in quantity for me to discuss them in-depth in any manner. I just wanted you to know these major issues and themes are part and parcel of the book. They are very important to think about as you read the book. Consider them after you have finished reading the book, and discuss them with your friends and family. For example, ask someone who has read the book what they think about kids (teens) being forced to kill other kids in this Hunger Games ritual.

     Apart from the wonderful themes and controversial issues Collins includes in her book, I really enjoyed her style of writing. She keeps the perspective in First Person Present, keeping the full impact of the book on Katniss Everdeen. By keeping it First Person Present, the reader gets a sense of "IMMEDIACY."

"Immediacy." [10]
     With a sense of immediacy, the reader tends to perceive the story, not only as happening NOW, but tends to also sense the feelings that accompany it. This, in turn, makes the story believable. The reader tends to identify with the protagonist, and invests themselves in the story. The end result is that the reader enjoys the book and looks forward to the next in the series. So it is with The Hunger Games.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME:
     I found myself not really caring or feeling a bit sad at all when the opposing tribute participants were killed. Yes, the action was non-stop, but I just really didn't care about the other tributes. It was kind of like, oh, yes, one more down--how many left to go now? Not sad, at all. The one exception, of course, was Rue; her friendship with Katniss and eventual death was very moving. I, also, very much liked Katniss singing Rue, "to sleep," the flowers, and gift of bread from District 11.

Haymitch Abernathy. [11]
     I also did not like the way Haymitch talked down to Katniss. Peeta is always treated like he "gets" what he is suppose to be doing, but Katniss needs to be coached along like she is not bright enough to figure things out. For example, once Katniss is apprised that she and Peeta can gain adoration and sympathy from the viewing audience by being romantic together, she resists and suddenly "forgets" that her actions can impact everyone she loves.

     I know that teens are not fully grown adults, even if they mostly look like they are. But, teens are intelligent, and I think many teens (especially older teens) have a good head on their shoulders. Katniss's script has her acting stupidly when her life depends on her being very smart. Now, I know that Haymitch's role is the disaffected Games Winner from the past, now gone to "seed," so to speak.  But, even after he gives Katniss advice, she acts blatantly resistant to his ideas and puts herself, Peeta, and everyone she loves in danger. I'm not talking about teenage rebellion--Collins uses that card very effectively later on in the book and series--I'm talking about how Katniss cares so much for her sister and family and District, but then responds so stupidly. I think this could have been handled better in the book.

THE MOVIE: THE HUNGER GAMES:
A movie promotion poster for
The Hunger Games. [13]
     The Hunger Games movie was released to the big screen in March of 2013. Drawing crowds of people to the movie was Jennifer Lawrence who played Katniss Everdeen; Liam Hemsworth played Gale Hawthorne, Josh Hutcherson played Peeta Melark, and Woody Harrelson played Haymitch Abernathy. Also starring in the movie were actors Donald Sutherland as President Snow, Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman, Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane, Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Amanda Stenberg as Rue, and Paula Malcomson as Katniss' mother. Writing credits go to Suzanne Collins for the novel and Gary Ross, Billy Ray, and Suzanne Collins for the screenplay. Directing credits go to Gary Ross. [12]

     Now that we have reviewed the Book Synopsis, My Favorite Quote, and What Works, and What Doesn't, let's take a look at one of the trailers for The Hunger Games that previewed the movie's release in 2012. The trailer is courtesy of YouTube. [14] I hope you enjoy it.



     I hope you enjoyed reading about the book and watching the trailer for The Hunger Games. I, now, have a little bonus review, for you, today. I really hope you enjoy this quick look at The Hunger Games: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion!

QUICK BOOK REVIEW OF THE OFFICIAL ILLUSTRATED MOVIE COMPANION
 (THE HUNGER GAMES).
The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated
Movie Companion
, by Kate Egan is 160 pages;
it sells for $9.99 to about $18.99, of course,
depending on where you buy your book.
[15]
     The Movie Companion is divided into six parts, as follows:
(1) The History of The Hunger Games;
(2) The Cast of The Hunger Games;
(3) The Look of The Hunger Games: Places               and Props;
(4) The Look of The Hunger Games: People;
(5) The Filming of The Hunger Games; and,
(6) The Legacy of The Hunger Games.

     The first section on the history of The Hunger Games covers the history of Hunger Games. It also deals with violence and the "challenge of how to present the violence while still maintaining a PG-13 rating" so the intended audience can view the movie (as well as read the book). (p.14) [15] I found this section very interesting and of great interest in examining how the violence was handled in the book and movie.

One page showing beautiful glossy photographs of actors,
Woody Harrelson, as Haymitch, and Lenny Kravitz, as Cinna.
     Obviously, one of the big draws of the book is to talk about the major stars of the film. This section discusses how actors were selected, gives us comments from the actors, views of the director, producers, and others, and shows us amazing glossy, beautiful photographs of the actors.

     Section three is an extensive section that relates concepts like how locations portray "power and might and authority" (p.49) or how a forest area was selected because it had hardwood trees instead of coniferous trees, to convey the feeling of a "uniquely American" location. (p.59) Also, considerations of colors, for example, the Capitol, food and clothes, to be vibrant in "Blues, oranges, greens...but not any pastels, not any earth tones, Nothing brown." (p.81) This is a huge section of the book that covers a lot of material, and the importance of some themes in the movie--like food. Everything from how several pigs were roasted and how the apple was placed in its mouth for Katniss to shoot, to the importance of bread and the types of different rolls, their color, and symbolism.
     Section Four, not only shows photographs of the costumes of the actors, but actually goes into how the "look of the characters," came about. (p.88) Makeup artists, colorists, and costume designers had their work cut out for them.

     Personally, I found Section Five to be the most interesting section in the book. The author states that one of the very most important things about adapting the book into a movie is "to convey the immediacy, the first-person point of view that the book has." The author, Kate Egan, explains that in adapting the book to the movie, they wanted to make sure that wherever possible, they kept Katniss Everdeen's point of view--as did the book! (p. 138)

     The final section, although the shortest, covers some of the most important material. The author speaks to the timeliness of the book's/movie's themes, and Director Gary Ross explains how people were manipulated into participation in The Hunger Games. He says that by getting people involved in that horrendous contest, they become invested in the contestants. They begin "rooting for their favorites,"
which is more effective than attempting to subjugate them. The end result is people participate "in our system." (p.154).

One page from Kate Egan's book shows the beginning
of a scene. This is pages 66 & 67 in the book. This scene
shows Peeta and Katniss (actors Jennifer Lawrence and
Josh Hutcherson.). Thank you to my husband, Carl, for
holding the book for me while I took the picture.
     Reiterating part of Section Five, the author, again, speaks to the importance of addressing contro- versial themes, but takes that notion a step further, addressing the importance of readers questioning the relevance of elements of books in their own lives. I agree with this idea and have addressed this concept in other blog posts. Books are so very important and can expand a person's thinking and reasoning skills if the reader asks pertinent questions about the book.

CONCLUSION OF MOVIE GUIDE:
[16]
     I really enjoyed this movie companion to The Hunger Games. The background information on the actors was fun, but more important was how the book was adapted to fit the big screen and still keep the integrity of the book. It is always a dicey thing to adapt a book to another media, such as big screen, so I enjoyed looking at how the movie makers approached this huge task. I also really enjoyed the discussions about the controversial themes, and how the author and movie makers addressed this big problem. I give this guide 4.0 stars out of 5.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING FOR HUNGER GAMES:
[17]
     --Recommendations: It is difficult to avoid the fact that the movie is full of violence, death, fighting, and graphic images. MPAA has rated the movie as PG-13 for "intense violent thematic material and disturb- ing images - all involving teens." [12] I would, likewise advise those under that age and parents of children to guide your children in selecting and reading the book--I advise that all young and sensitive persons consider the material before selecting it as reading material. All others, especially teens of the recommended age, will, undoubtedly enjoy the book (and movie).

[18]
     --Rating: Even with the minor criticisms stated, above, I thought the book was amazing. So...given all the reasons I have stated, above, I rate this book 4.5 stars out of 5. When I first read the book, back when it first came out, I enjoyed it. I reread it, again, in preparation for doing this blog post and book review of the novel. I enjoyed it just as much as I did on my very first reading. Suzanne Collins has done a wonderful job in putting this exciting story together and sharing with us thrilling exploits of Katniss Everdeen and her friends, enemies, and those she loves. I would highly recommend this book to all within the target audience.

     Thank you for taking time to read this book review, today, and for your consideration of the information I have given you. Please join me, again, next week as we look at Book 2 of The Hunger Games Trilogy: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I hope you are looking forward to that book review as I am. So, until next week, please take a little time to do some reading--be good to yourself.

Until next time...
This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [19]
...many happy pages of reading!

All my love,

Sharon.








________________________________________________________
REFERENCES/SOURCES
[1] "The Hunger Games: Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1." amazon.com. Retrieved 11-01-14.
[2] "Katniss and Gale." gossipcenter.com. Retrieved 11-11-14.
[3] "Peeta." fanpop.com. Retrieved 11-11-14.
[4] "Redhead-girls." pinterest.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[5] "Random Girl Hiding Under Covers." flickr.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[6] "How to Smoke A Turkey." grillingcompanion.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[7] "All the Things I Didn't Get When I Read The Giver As A Kid." [by Eliza Berman] slate.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[8] "Dystopian." trophyw.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[9] "The Dystopian Society." dystopia-11engadv.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[10] "Immediacy." what-is-this.net. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[11] "Haymitch Abernathy." thehungergames.wikia.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[12] "The Hunger Games (2012)." [movie] imdb.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[13] "The Hunger Games, Tyranny, and American Civil Rights." gunssavelife.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[14] "The New Hunger Games Trailer Official 2012 [HD]--Jennifer Lawrence." youtube.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[15] "The Hunger Games: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion." amazon.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[16] "RE: View: Community: Season 1." dudemeisterblogs.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[17] "PG-13." clipartbest.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[18] "Gallery Images for 4.5 Stars out of 5." imgarcade.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.
[19] "Pictures From My Garden." sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 11-12-14.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand--This Book-to-Movie Comes to U.S. Theaters Christmas Day, 12-25-14!

[1]
Book Review by:
Sharon Powers.
_______________________
This post is dedicated to LOUIS ZAMPERINI who passed away July 2, 2014, just four short months ago. 
_______________________

     Adolph Hitler looked on as the last lap of the 5,000 meter Olympic race was being run. He saw a young American run the last lap of the race in a scorching 56 seconds. Later, Adolph Hitler requested to meet that young man. Astonished, Louis was brought to Hitler and introduced. Hitler shook Louis's hand and said, "Ah, you're the boy with the fast finish." [2]

     Unclear, is whether Hitler knew that Louis Zamperini shared a room at the 1936 Olympics with Jesse Owens. [3] Or...that after meeting Hitler, Louis was reported as saying, " I was pretty naive about world politics...and thought he looked funny, like something out of a Laurel and Hardy film, especially the way he stamped his feet and slapped his thighs." [2]

[5]
     I suppose young (19 yrs.) Louis thought the Fuhrer was a funny enough guy that he asked some skinny guy to take a picture of him with Hitler. The skinny guy turned out to be Joseph Goebbels. [2] It is, also, not known if Hitler found out that Louis, after meeting him at the Olympics, climbed up a flagpole and stole Hitler's own personal flag. Louis Zamperini kept Hitler's flag and a few years ago was photographed holding the "memento" stolen from right in front of the Fuhrer's nose.  [4] 

     Little did Zamperini know the irony involved in the act, because soon after the Olympics, Zamperini found himself enlisted and flying as a bombardier against Axis forces. Before we delve further into Louis's remarkable life, let's take a look at the synopsis of the book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, REsilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand--the book I am reviewing, today.

A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK:
Louis (left) and Pete (right) Zamperini
brothers. [6]
     Most biographies you read begin with the story of the person's childhood, and so does Louis Zamperini's. Laura Hillenbrand tells of Louis's wild exploits in his childhood and the unique variety of ways he could get himself into trouble. Hillenbrand relates that Louis's older brother got him interested in running in an effort to steer him away from a profligate life. Louis began running and never stopped. Eventually, going to the Olympics in 1936 as a wild-eyed teenage boy, Zamperini, even there, engaged in theft--that of Hitler's personal flag, for a momento.

[7]
     As WW II ramped up, Louis found himself flying as a bombardier, one of the riskier jobs of the war. His number was up when he was called to fly a search mission in The Green Hornet, little more than a bucket of bolts; a plane that had been used for replacement parts for other planes--no one even knew if the critical parts were all there--that, and the plane had a notorious history of trouble. The Green Hornet went down killing all on board except Zamperini and two others.

Louis Zamperini authored
Devil at my Heels, one of
two autobiographies. [8]
     Flinging themselves into two small inflatable life rafts, the three men faced thirst, starvation, shark-infested waters, Japanese aircraft that strafed the rafts, fierce weather, and the eventual death of one of the three men, only to be rescued from death and starvation after forty-seven days on the raft [8], at the hands of the enemy. Ironically, after his internment in a POW camp, Zamperini faced torture and starvation at the hands of his Japanese captors. Zamperini had to call upon his deepest strengths in facing the limits of his endurance. The worst of it, Zamperini reported, was the dehumanazing treatment given POWs. Through it all, Zamperini refused to be broken.

MY FAVORITE PASSAGE:
     The only thing you need to know before you read the following passage is that the "children" referred to are wild and troubled boys (like Louie had been as a youth).
[9]
On a May day in 2008, a car pulled to a stop before Pete's house in San Clemente, and Louie stepped out. He had come to say good-bye to his brother; Pete had melanoma, and it had spread to his brain. Their younger sister Virginia had died a few weeks before; Sylvia and Payton Jordan would follow months later. Cynthia [Louie's wife]...had succumbed to cancer in 2001, drifting off as Louie pressed his face to hers, whispering, "I love you." Louie [saying good-bye to Pete] spoke of what a feral boy he had once been, and all that Pete had done to rescue him. He told of the cascade of good things that had followed Pete's acts of devotion, and the bountiful lives that he and Pete had found in guiding children. All of those kids, Louie said, "are part of you, Pete." Pete's eyes opened and, with sudden clarity, rested on the face of his little brother for the last time. He couldn't speak, but he was beaming. (p. 389)     
[10]
     I chose this passage, first, because it is one of the very few places in the book that is emotive. Obviously, Louis Zamperini had dealt with death and seen it close up throughout his life, and knew how to handle the emotions that would come up because of the loss of someone you would know. Even here, with the deaths of people he loved, he was able to deal with their deaths with dignity and equanimity, respect, and love. This passage made me cry, even after having read all that Louis Zamperini had gone through during his remarkable life.

     I also found that Louis, in recognizing Pete's remarkable gifts to him, would allow Pete to know just how much Louis loved and appreciated Pete and valued what Pete had done for him. Louis was able, in the end, to be the wind beneath Pete's wings, just as Pete had always been for Louis...just so beautiful.

[11]
     Also, it is remarkable that after all the horrible things Louis went through, and all the deaths he had seen, that he was not a hardened man at the end. Louis was gentle, respectful, and caring for those who died in his arms. To me Louis Zamperini will be a great man just for this one simple and caring thing he did for those he saw through death.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND BIOGRAPHY:
     Perhaps you don't get biography and autobiography mixed up, but I've spoken with people who do. They've asked me to give them a good definition so they will be better able to understand the difference. The biggest problem are the two different terms, themselves, biography and autobiography. Both words contain "biography," so it is understandable why the mix up.

     An autobiography is what most people think of when they hear either one of the two terms. Looking at the info graphic, here, on the left, you can see the definition laid out for you.If you can remember that "auto" means "self, you have it made. The story you are reading (or writing) is a story by you about your life, OR a story by the author about themselves. [12]

     A few very famous autobiographies are as follows: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank; Meditations by Marcus Aurelius; The Autobiography of St. Theresa of Avila by Theresa of Avila; The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou; The Greatest: My Own Story by Muhammed Ali; and Night by Eli Wiesel. Many, many more autobiographies exist. These few came from the List of Autobiographies, [13] but you can find new autobiographies in virtually every bookstore or online marketplace.

[14]
     The definition of biography can be seen in the info graphic on the right. A biography is still a story about a person's life, but it is not written by the person themselves, it is written by someone else.

     Famous biographies are as follows: The Perfect Hostage: The Life of Aung San Suu Kyi by Justin Wintle; Gandhi: His Life and Message for the World by Louis Fischer; Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King by Lisa Rogak; and Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. [15] Again, many, many more really good biographies are out there and can be read for free, in many cases, or the newer biographies can be purchased at any book dealer or on-line book purveyor.

     The book I review, today, Unbroken... is a biography, since it is about Louis Zamperini and written by someone else, Laura Hillenbrand. However, Louis Zamperini also wrote about himself in two separate autobiographies; I mentioned one of them, above, Devil at My Heels by Louis Zamperini. So, here is a perfect example of both genres of books on the same subject matter!

THE MOVIE:
     Unbroken, the movie, will open on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014. Directing credits go to Angelina Jolie; writing credits go to Laura Hillenbrand (book), Joel Cohen and Ethen Cohen (screenplay), Richard LaGravenesse, and William Nicholson (screenplay). Starring in the feature will be Jack O'Connell as Louis Zamperini, Alex Russell as Louis's brother Pete Zamperini, Domhnall Gleeson as Phil Phillips, Morgan Griffin as Cynthia Applewhite and numerous other actors and actresses. [*] Please enjoy this trailer courtesy of YouTube. [**]

WHAT I THINK OF THIS BOOK:
     WHAT WORKED:
[16]
     Probably the most wonderful part of the book is the obvious amount of research Laura Hillenbrand put into getting the book together. Not content with paper and on-line information, Hillenbrand often spoke with Louis Zamperini to confirm information, clarify it, or just to have him expand upon it. She was exemplary in her detailed work about Louis Zamperini's life story.

[17]
     In the back of her book, Hillenbrand writes: "I found his story in the memories of Olympians, former POWs and airmen, Japanese veterans, and the family and friends...in diaries, letters, essays, and telegrams...in military documents and hazy photographs; in unpublished memoirs buried in desk drawers; in deep stacks of affidavits and war-crimes trial records; in forgotten papers in archives as far-flung as Oslo and Canberra." Probably no higher praise of her detailed research can be said than by Louis Zamperini, himself: "When I want to know what happened to me in Japan...I call Laura." [Kindle location 6381 of 8669]

[18]
     Additionally, the story is engaging and the subject matter dramatic (Although it cannot be credited to Hillenbrand, but rather to Zamperini and his remarkable life.) Hillenbrand recognized a good story when she saw it--I'll certainly give her credit for that. The story itself is unbelievable! How can one man have gone through so much? I'll never know...suffice to say, the story is extremely remarkable for by the very fact that it really happened.

     Hillenbrand's writing style flows easily on the page and is emminently readable. She logically takes the reader chronologically through the story with no back and forward time shifts--a good writing choice for this biography.

     WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME:
[16]
     This book has been around for a while--since 11-16-10--and has received many positive reviews. Many rate the book at 5 stars out of 5 and averages around a 4.5 average for book reviews. So...I am reluctant to lambaste this book. But if I am to be honest, and give a balanced book review, I must do so. I mean, isn't that the point of doing independent, honest book reviews? So, I will give it my best shot. Here we go:

     Writing in the third person did allow the author some unique perspectives, but left the reader feeling a lack of intimacy with the reading material. First Person Narrative would definitely made the story more compelling and INTIMATE. Perhaps Hillenbrand thought distancing the reader would be best given the horrific nature of many of the events of Zamperini's life. Nonetheless, I found the characters to be rather flat and the reading dry in many places due to the narrative perspective.

[19]
     I also had trouble with Louis's conversion near the end of the book. Hillenbrand describes how Zamperini went to see Billy Graham and eventually underwent a conversion. It is all seen as a third person observer--from a distance. And that's the problem. Here, we need to know Zamperini's thoughts, be privy to his feelings, have access to what moved him to give up alcohol, cigarettes, and turn to serving God.

     The difference between hearing someone talking about being a born again Christian and, instead, hearing the personal story of how they were moved, inside themselves, to change the way they see the world, God, and themselves, is HUGE! These kind of conversions are very personal and need intimacy, and we generally only get that with first person narrative.

[20]
     Without intimacy, Louis's conversion seems like so much dialog on the nightly news. So, whether Hillenbrand shied away from feelings because she's not comfortable with them, or because she didn't or couldn't get Zamperini to give them up, or even because she is uncomfortable with religion, doesn't matter. The reader just doesn't get what they need at that point of the book.

[8]
     I found that the Louis Zamperini book, Devil at My Heels to be much more interesting and definitely more personal and intimate than Hillenbrand's book. No, I am not reviewing Louis Zamperini's autobiography, here, today--this is just a simple comparison. Also, the difference in pages is striking; about 175 pages longer is Hillenbrand's book. Why? Zamperini tells the same story in only 322 pages while Hillenbrand's book is nearly 500. I definitely liked Devil at My Heels better than Hillenbrand's book. But, hey!, Hillenbrand was able to parley her story into one that will hit the big screen soon. So...I guess, good for her.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING:
[21]
     Given the nature of the book, WWII and the suffering, torture, and imprisonment of men, I would recommend parental guidance, and I think we can take the movie rating as a guide, here. Since Unbroken is rated PG-13 for war violence including intense sequences of brutality and brief language, parents please go by this guide. Also, I would suggest anyone who is sensitive think about the movie rating before reading the book.

     Given the reasons I have enunciated, above, I rate this book 4.0 stars out of 5.0 stars. The book is a good read and I am not sorry I read it. I did enjoy, Devil at My Heels better than Unbroken, however. In and of itself, I would read the book before seeing the movie. Also, gaining knowledge of this amazing man, Louis Zamparini, and his unbelievable life story is a must for anyone who values knowing more about history, WWII, and how to live a life well.

[22]
     Thank you for joining me today as we looked at an interesting book, the subject, a great man with a remarkable life history. Join me next week as we look at a new book. Please remember to read a little bit every day, and this week I highly recommend reading Unbroken and Devil at My Heels.

Until next time...
This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [23]
...many happy pages of reading!

All my love,

Sharon.









________________________________________________________
REFERENCES/SOURCES
[1] "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption." [By Laura Hillenbrand] amazon.com Retrieved 11-05-14.
[3] "Louis Zamperini--June, 2011." garycohenrunning.com. Retrieved 11-04-14.
[5] "Louis Zamperini Lives to Talk About Horrific Plane Crash, 47 Days Lost at Sea and POW Camp."  vcstar.com. Retrieved 11-04-14.
[6] "Pete and Louis Zamperini." awesomestories.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[7] "The Flying Coffin." stimulatedboredom.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[8] "Devil at My Heels." [(p.134) by Louis Zampirini] amazon.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[9] "What We Mean When We Say, 'I Love You.'" [Feb. 14, 2011 by Tom Matlack] goodmenproject.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[10] "Death." [Don death ft major metre b] imagarcade.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[11] "Respect." wiganwarriors.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[12] "Autobiography." slideshare.net. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[13] "List of Autobiographies." wikipedia.org. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[14] "Animal Research-Part 10 & Biography Genre Focus." lifein4b.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[15] "Shelves>Biography Famous People>Popular Biography Famous People Books." goodreads.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[16] "What Worked." justjessamy.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[17] "His Story." portorangehighlands.org. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[18] "Unbelievable." absentmindedguru.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[19] "About Billy Graham."  thankyoubilly.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[20] "Point of View Flow Chart."  libertybellrockinreading.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[21] "The History of the PG-13 Rating."  motleyvision.org. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[22] "Movie Review: Planes (2013)." strongchurch.org. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[23] "Pictures From My Garden." sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[*] "Unbroken." [IMDb] imdb.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.
[**] "Unbroken." [movie trailer] youtube.com. Retrieved 11-05-14.