Movies to See Before You Graduate From High School is a comprehensive list of 60 movies that should be on every high schooler’s list. There are movies that span the past few decades, and they are organized into a variety of categories. Although it is a fun idea, this book seems a bit unnecessary in my opinion.
Title: Movies to See Before You Graduate From High SchoolAuthor: Michael Howarth
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Genres: Non-Fiction
Publication Date: December 4, 2019
Rating:
Most teens love to watch movies-whether a young adult fantasy or the latest comic-book-to-screen adaptation. Alongside the usual summer blockbusters, though, are more down to earth fare, movies that best define what it means to be an adolescent. Such films provide insight and depth into the challenges and issues that many teens experience as they move from childhood into adulthood. In Movies to See before You Graduate from High School, Michael Howarth examines sixty coming-of-age films that are essential viewing for teenagers. Whether serious or silly, scary or profound, the films discussed here comment on the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Each entry provides a plot summary, identifies key themes, and includes other useful details such as running time and MPAA rating. Most important in each entry is the "gist" section-a relaxed and informal discussion of the film's merits and why teens should add it to their viewing list. The films discussed here span five decades, but many of the titles are recent features that contemporary teens will appreciate-from Easy A and Edge of Seventeen to Lady Bird and Love, Simon. The films also represent a range of genres, including comedy, horror, animation, and drama. Additional elements include classic lines of dialogue, "double feature" suggestions, and more than 30 photos. And with five dozen titles to choose from, some teens will want to catch up as soon as possible! Movies to See before You Graduate from High School is the guide to some of the best films for young adult audiences.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Movies to See Before You Graduate From High School
The beginning of this guide has a really interesting reflection on the influence of film and pop culture on society. Howarth makes some great points, and they add some depth to this book of lists. Personally, I would have preferred it if the entire book had been more analytical.
❀ Unnecessary format
While I really love all of the movie ideas that the author suggests to see before you graduate from high school, this really could be condensed into a list of movies featured in a blog post. I don’t see the value in providing a published book of lists in this era of googleable information.
❀ Potential spoilers
Movies to See Before You Graduate High School by Michael Howarth completely summarizes each movie , which may be aggravating for some readers. If you haven’t yet seen the movie, the plot is pretty much spoiled. While I love discovering films that might be of interest, this is one book that has some potential. That being said, it would be better as a post featured on a blog or website.
About Michael Howarth
Michael Howarth is associate professor of English at Missouri Southern State University. He is the author of Under the Bed, Creeping: Psychoanalyzing the Gothic in Children’s Literature ( 2014) and a work of fiction for young adults, Fair Weather Ninjas: A Novel (2016).
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
LOL. I’m laughing because I honestly thought this was going to be a list YOU made of what to watch before you graduate. It didn’t even occur to me that it would be a book. It just seems exactly like what you said it should be, a list on a blog or website somewhere. Great review!
HA! I thought that might be the case! There are some great suggestions in the book, but yeah it’s better off sitting in a corner of the internet. 😉
HAHA! Great review. I also thought it was a list you made not a book. Not something I would buy personally.
Thanks, Dana! Yup! I totally agree. 🙂
Like the others, I thought this was YOUR blog post about movies teens should see. I was so eager to check the boxes in my mind. Haha!
While this isn’t a book I’d buy, it’s definitely a topic I’d Google (and have done.)
Dianna recently posted…Customized jewelry — rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces #HGG2019
I am always googling these types of lists as well. I suppose it is something that a lot of us search for.
This sounds really cool. Thanks.
I’m curious about the list as we didn’t have that many movies that were pertinent when I was a teen.
Laura Thomas recently posted…The Twelve Days Of Christmas ~ Redemption Cafe ~ Spotlight and Giveaway
Well, maybe it is a book for you! If you check it out, I would love to know your thoughts. 🙂
I agree that this seems more like a topic for an article than a book.
Right?! It has a great title for a blog post. 😉
This one sounds eh for me. Like you said, it’s information I can find online without having to read through a book.
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters recently posted…Betwitching Rom-Com: Gilded Lily by Staci Hart
I agree with you on that.
I thought it’s going to be a blog post with a movie list 😂
Nope! I will keep it in mind, though! lol