Media Matters

 Book by Kate Stradling. This was a delightful fantasy, very loosely based on Beowulf, and it is full of magic, mystery, and romance. It was completely clean, great for teens as well as adults. (Mature content Note: There is an odious character who owns a brothel and threatens to force the girls into his service.)

 This 2022 movie is charming! It explores themes of grief, courage, and sacrifice in an engaging plot with endearing characters. Recommended age 8+ for scary situations. “The purpose of a lighthouse is not to keep ships safe. If we wanted to keep them safe, we wouldn’t let them leave the harbor. The purpose of a lighthouse is to guide them on their journey.” “We don’t always give you what you want. But we always give you what you need.”

 Book by Heather Dixon. A YA retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses. It has romance (clean), strong family relationships, and a creepy villain to root against. You could definitely have some good conversations with your teen about relationship red flags/green flags as you read.

 Book by M.T. Anderson. This middle grade fantasy felt original and imaginative with strong themes. 9-12 year olds would enjoy it.

 The animated movie and the live action movie are quite similar and definitely worth watching! Lots of great themes to discuss! Note: there is a series of books by the same title, and although the movie is very loosely based on the books, the plot and tone are quite different. I personally much preferred the movies, as the books contained a decent amount of potty humor.

 Book by T. Kingfisher This was a delightful surprise! A fantasy, murder mystery, political intrigue, war strategy, humorous tale that was thoroughly entertaining without resorting to sex, profanity, or virtue-signaling. This would work as a family road trip listen, as ages 9-adult would be entertained.

 Book by G.Z. Schmidt  An original and fun middle grade fantasy loosely based in Chinese folklore. Some quotes: “I am not worried,” Grandpa replied with a smile. “His will be but one opinion in the end. You should remember, Mei and Yun, that not even the most powerful person in the world can diminish your true value.” “Throughout history, there have always been people who were not deterred by fear of punishment, because a greater purpose called. Follow the greater purpose.” “That’s the funny thing about confidence. Your situation, if you look at it, is oftentimes the exact same as before. The only things that have really changed are your own thoughts on the matter.” “Ignorance, Mei and Yun, is often bliss—but it is the easy way out. Truth is difficult.”

 Book by Andy Weir. I am admittedly not very knowledgeable nor interested in science, and this book is chock full of detailed scientific descriptions. This bogged me down a bit. However, at its heart this is a story about friendship and courage and determination, and I loved it! The friendship between Ryland and Rocky, the way they bridged language and culture barriers, was nothing short of inspiring. Note: there are a few expletives and odd mentions of sex, but pretty tame for a novel aimed at adults. Older teens would be fine reading it.

 Book by Eiko Kadono  Charming story of a young witch leaving home to make her way in the world. Kiki wants to help people with her broom riding abilities, but first she must contend with the fear and prejudice the townspeople harbor against witches. The plot is more episodic than overarching. Appropriate for all ages.

 Book by Brandon Sanderson  This was an utterly charming fantasy/adventure that reminded me a lot of The Princess Bride. I plowed through the audiobook in just two days, listening every chance I could! My only complaint is that I wish it were slightly more standalone, rather than assuming the reader is already familiar with Hoid. However, even without that background knowledge, I believe the book would have widespread appeal. Recommended Age 13+

 Book by Edith Pattau. This book is set in 16th century Norway and is based on the Norwegian fairy tale “East of the Sun and West of the Moon.” It was a quick read, told from the point of view of multiple characters, and I really enjoyed it! This would be a good family read-aloud, as there is no objectionable content and the story would appeal to a wide age range. A few quotes: “Magic lets you skip over the steps of things. That is what makes it so appealing. But … the steps of things are where life is truly found, in doing the day-to-day tasks.” “…. Going on one of my long exploring walks, having a blister come up on my heel but at the same time stumbling upon a fox den and catching a brief glimpse of a mother fox nursing a brand-new litter of kits. And though I might have wished away the blister, slowing down to favor the pain in my heel was part of how I came to see the kits.”

 Movie (2023) This was a fabulous feel-good movie musical! It is a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it captures Roald Dahl’s style and tone well. The villains are over-the-top, and evil is overcome by love. Note: there is a scene where an evil oaf tries to flirt by wearing short shorts and wiggling his behind.

 Book by Grace Lin. I absolutely loved this fantasy interwoven with aspects of chinese fairy tales! There were themes of family, sacrifice, faith, gratitude, selflessness, and contentment. It would be a magical read-aloud for children ages 6-11. Also highly recommended is the sequel: When the Sky Turned to Silver. A fantastical sequel that interweaves traditional Chinese folklore into a brand new story. Perhaps not quite as strong thematically as the first book, it is nevertheless a beautiful story sparkling with imagination.

 Book by Brandon Sanderson. This was a thoroughly original premise, executed with Sanderson’s trademark humor, moral quandaries,  and character growth. Despite its thickness, it was a quick read. The illustrations were delightful. Note: there was some mild swearing and some violence. Aimed at teens and adults, not children.

 Book by Shannon Messenger A fun fantasy series about a twelve year old girl who was raised by humans but discovers she is an elf with magical powers. I have only read the first book so far, but I have high hopes for the rest of the series.

 Book by Kate DiCamillo. This is a charming fantasy involving a host of characters who begin broken but end up whole. There are themes of forgiveness, hope vs. despair, being seen, belonging, the importance of real intent, honesty, and love. Could be enjoyed by the whole family. A few quotes: “It is important that you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak words that matter.” “Looking out over the city, Peter decided that it was a terrible and complicated thing to hope, and that it might be easier, instead, to despair.” “Deep within herself, the elephant said this name, her name, over and over again. She was working to remind herself of who she was. She was working to remember that, somewhere, in another place entirely, she was known and loved.” “What are we to make of a world where stars shine bright in the midst of so much darkness and gloom?” “He said it with the profound hope that it would well and truly work, and with the knowledge, too, that there was onl...

 Book by Jonathan Auxier. This Victorian ghost story is fantastic! Just the right amount of spookiness and real threat, plus surprising thematic depth. An amazing cautionary tale about being wary of someone or something that gives you what you want and tells you what you want to hear rather than giving you what you need and telling you what you need to hear. Makes you consider who or what in your life leaves you empty and feeling like you’re never enough, and who or what leaves you better and feeling more content and confident? Are any of the things you want costing you a piece of your soul? The biblical allusion to the tree branches being snakelike adds an additional, spiritual dimension of meaning. Recommended for age 10+, depending on the level of spookiness your child is comfortable with. Three unlikeable side characters die with very little description of the deaths.

 Book by Kelly Barnhill. This was a fun read, with clever writing, interesting characters, and important ideas to discuss: Do we believe what the word says about us? (ie. the label “The Wrong Boy”) How do we deal with grief? What voices are we listening to? (The voices of the magic could certainly be equated with the voice of the natural man or temptations to be selfish.) How do we resist temptation? (Have a firm will, mind, and heart) How much control do we have over ourselves? Forgiveness, redemption, coming to yourself The satisfaction of hard work, growth, problem-solving, and self-reliance. The power of words and voices The danger of seeking power, influence, etc The magic-bearer as a type of Christ, an intercessor who vicariously experiences the pain of others The word “yet” can either be hopeful or fear-inducing, depending on what you are focusing on. Recognizing that choices have Consequences. Note: there are a few mild swears and instances of taking the Lord’s name in vain...

 Book by Brandon Sanderson. Aside from a few plot holes and a slightly confusing start, this book sucked me in and made me think. Rather than simply telling a fun story, Sanderson has a knack for delving into complex issues and themes. I particularly loved Raoden’s optimism and understanding of the roles meaningful work and purpose have in bringing hope to people. The content has mature themes and a bit of violence, so I would recommend for ages 15+. There were a lot of fantastic quotes: “The first step in taking control of a nation is the simplest. You find someone to hate… You will find that hate can unify people more quickly and more fervently than devotion ever could.” “hard times make people willing to accept a man who preaches change.” “As was often the case, the most outspoken man was the least discerning.” “These people are dead because they have given up, not because their hearts no longer beat.” “Nobility is in one’s bearing as much as it is in one’s breeding.” “Something...

 Novel by Terry Pratchett. This was clever and darkly humorous, with an interesting lesson about being in control of your own mind and rising above the natural man (or rat or cat). Teens and adults will enjoy this most, but non-squeamish tweens could listen in. It is a bit creepy in the reality of rats eating other rats. I listened to the audiobook and it was pretty good, but I imagine the book would be great too.