Fusenews: Harry Potter Split in Two, Trixie Belden, and My New Favorite Teen Title
Have you noticed more tidbits lately? I’m upping the tidbit quotient on this blog to do a bunch every day. Looking at old postings on my old site makes me feel like a sloth. To unslothment!
-
Well, it’s been a while since we’ve had some Harry Potter news. And yet it seems that the L.A. Times has broke the story that the final Harry Potter book will be split into two movies. Quote: "The films will be titled, simply, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II,’ according to producer David Heyman. Director David Yates, who returned for his second tour of Potter duty with ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ and is quite popular with the cast, will direct both ‘Deathly Hallows’ films, which will be filmed concurrently." I’m actually in favor of this. Part I is gonna be dee-pressing, though. "Let’s watch Harry and friends mope around the woods for two hours!"
-
I’m usually not too keen on adult writers crossing over into the teen or child lit world. But when you see a title like I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President, how do you not bite? Apparently it’s from the pen of Daily Show executive producer Josh Lieb. New York Magazine’s Vulture Blog has the scoop, though it was really Monica Edinger at Educating Alice who sniffed this one out. Thanks, Monica!
-
Ever wanted to write a book for yoothie youth? Then obey your monkey. More specifically, obey Evil Monkey’s Guide to Creative Writing: Tips for Beginners. I’m fond of the advice to read books you don’t like. It’s a tip that doesn’t get mentioned half as often as it should. Thanks to Shaken & Stirred for the link.
-
And finally, I somehow missed Candice Ransom’s tribute to Trixie Belden on The Edge of the Forest this month. For those of you unfamiliar with Ms. Belden, she was basically Nancy Drew with balls (not literally). A short haired kid who called her mother "Moms" and cracked cases with her best friend Honey. My best friend and I grew up with these books. We actually organized this complicated borrowing ring amongst the other kids on our block, finding the rare out-of-print Beldens and passing them along. My best friend later became a lesbian and I couldn’t help but see parallels in the Trixie books, but I’ll let Worth the Trip tackle that little question regarding Trixie and Honey’s "friendship". In any case, check out Candice’s piece. I, in the meantime, will be saving up money with which to bribe Leila Roy into reviewing these books the way she did the Nancy Drew series. Hm, maybe if I win her a Dalek . . . .
Filed under: Fusenews
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Kirkus, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on BlueSky at: @fuse8.bsky.social
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SLJ Blog Network
You’re A Superhero! | News
From Policy Ask to Public Voice: Five Layers of Writing to Advance School Library Policy
Not Just Greta: True stories of youth acting to fight the climate crisis, a guest post by Meera Subramanian
Jasmine Warga Visits The Yarn!
ADVERTISEMENT
Of all the books I read in my childhood, Trixie, particularly the first four books, were my absolute favorites. I became a children’s writer because of these books. Thanks for reading my column!
Loved loved LOVED Trixie Belden as a kid. I didn’t run across my first one till 6th grade, but then promptly had to seek out and consume every last one. I actually still have almost the entire series in paperback from the mid 80’s. Not sure if my 2yearold son will be into Trixie though, so I might have to have a girl next.
Interesting about Harry Potter’s last movie. I hope they aren’t released too far apart!
I adored Trixie! My best friend and I shared the series (she had 1, 3, 5, etc. and I had 2, 4, 6, etc.). I finally added book 1 and gave my set to my sister for a foster child and she passed it on to another family. I do hope that those books are still bringing joy and hope for tomboys everywhere (especially those with red hair)!
I finished re-reading the new version of Trixie Beldon just last night. I still have most of the originals. My first ?16 were in hardcover except for one title which had to be paperback. I never got over the horror of a mixed collection. The later add-ons are all in paperback and still here with me. I kept waiting for a daughter to share them with. I couldn’t find any other teacher in my building who’d read them so I’m so excited to hear from all of you. Come on, tell me, how many of you practiced the Bob-White whistle?
Hello Just read thru everyone’s comments on Trixie Belde!! I am 47 yrs old and am reading thru these wonderful wholesome books again!! My 14 yr old son actually likes them too, and some times I read out loud to him!!!But what new book are you talking about?? Is there a new one past 39!!! Hope against hope/??
I think it was a reference to the rereleased Trixie’s with new covers. Not new books persay.
Does anyone know if there are plans to make a Trixie movie? Do any of the studios own the film rights?
Mind … boggling … at … thought. For some reason the idea of a teen girl with short curly hair starring in a movie in this day and age seems like the most impossible thing in the world. Can you imagine a Hayley Mills circa Parent Trap doo on a teen lady today? It’s odd, but you can’t can you? Unless they can leap that particular hurdle, I don’t know if I want to see Trixie thrown up on the big screen quite so soon.
I’m a kid and LOVE Trixie Belden! I’m reading through them, and I sooo wish to see her on the big screen! Trixie Belden Books are the best books EVER!!!!