KidLit Anonymous

Just how different are writing a novel and screenwriting for a movie? From what we know, they're extremely different, but has John August figured out how to do both?

Molly and Brandon switch things up a bit this week, leading off with Yay's and Boo's, reading Reviews, and sharing their own personal experiences with camping (or staying inside where it's cozy for one of us).

If you've listened to John August's podcast, Launch, then you know a big topic surrounding Arlo Finch is how it compares to a certain book about everyone's favorite boy wizard. This means only one thing- it's time to play 'Is it Harry Potter?!"

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What makes a classic? Does it have to be an old-timey book that instills written in a nearly outdated syntax, or can it simply be a story that imparts good morals? For once, Molly and Brandon disagree...

This week we play 'Is it a Classic?', discuss possibly the most abused and worthless character we've ever come across, consider how much a girl's looks really determine her worthiness as a princess, and ponder how dark a children's book can be before it crosses the line. Oh, and this coming from a book assigned mostly in 4th or 5th grade classes.

Still, could this be a good book?

https://kidlitanonymous.com/giveaway/

Think the boy stuck in the well trope is boring and overdone (I'm looking at you Tikki Tikki Tembo...)? Think again. With a unique view on diversity, strong protagonists, and a sense that there are no coincidences in the universe, this book won the Newbery for a reason. Even so, find out why so many of the reviews online are negative?!

https://kidlitanonymous.com/giveaway/

Cats! Lots and lots of cats! Clans battling over territory, secret alliances, unlikely heroes, unlikely deaths... If you love Game of Thrones, then you may just love this book. This time we consider themes such as: allegiance to your clan vs sticking to your morals, finding your identity, and the importance of elders in our community. Thank goodness Erin Hunter writes more quickly than George R.R. Martin, but that may be because Erin isn't even a real person...

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This week we dive into the wondrous Nevermoor. Just how much like Harry Potter is it? (Answer: quite a bit). Learn how Brandon and Molly would tackle the four Trials of the book as they discuss: their strategies, greatest fears, not so amazing talents, and how they would get killed by zombies, eaten by sharks, and face an existential crisis all in the same day! Finally we examine illegal immigration and how Steve Jobs would have made a great evil villain for the book.

https://kidlitanonymous.com/giveaway/

A girl from India forced to live with a hunchback. A hundred room mansion and a mysterious voice that cries out in the night. A garden that's been locked away for ten years, the door hidden and the key buried... It sounds mysterious and exciting! Or so we were lead to believe... Join us as we strive to figure out why this book is one of the most beloved children's books of all time.

Also, let us know your thoughts to win a copy of the book here!

https://kidlitanonymous.com/giveaway/

Another cute and cuddly book about animals? Nope! This week we examine the best and worst of humanity as we dive into our relationship with animals. For such a short children's book, this one hits hard with themes such as: identity and how we view ourselves, physical and mental cages, how memories shape our present selves, permanent good-byes, hope in dark times, and solving problems your own way.

Also, let us know your thoughts to win a copy of the book here! (aka, what do you think of the length of our episodes?):

https://kidlitanonymous.com/giveaway/

What we thought would be a cute book about a girl and her magical pet turns out to be an anti-religious response to another well-known novel! This time we discuss light and fun topics like: experimentation on children, Original Sin, Free Will versus Destiny, and having your father represent the Devil. Thankgoodness for armored polar bears and magical, shapeshifting animals for adding some depth to this podcast…

https://kidlitanonymous.com/giveaway/

We'd never have guessed that a book about a girl who buries dead people for a living could be poetic, hopeful, and down right magical. This episode we get into how and why this book's strong female protagonists kick butt, how having friends can make all the difference, funny animal powers and magical settings, a surprisingly gory death scene, and (not so surprisingly) how washing dead people would suck…

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How can a five-year-old boy be one of the coolest parts of a book about travelling through time and space? Find out this and other interesting things like: why Meg is annoying, how religion beats Communism, why Meg is annoying, that bad guys not only have brains but can be an actual brain, and why Meg is annoying, as we dive into our first children's classic novel.

We also chat about the cast and visual effects (explosions!) for the upcoming movie.

https://kidlitanonymous.com/giveaway/