Someone’s Hiding on Alcatraz Island – Eve Bunting

This young adult suspense novel was really creepy—but in a good way. That is, if creepy can be good . . . Danny is a fourteen-year-old boy with some larger than average problems. A gang at his school, known as the Outlaws, has targeted him. He witnessed a mugging and turned the attacker in, not knowing he was the brother of one of the Outlaws, and they have vowed to make him pay. And when they say “pay,” they really mean it – these boys have committed assault and battery on many of the kids at school. Tired of being … Continue reading

West Side Story (1961)

“West Side Story” is one of the most acclaimed plays and films ever made. A musical, it’s not all about sweetness and light – in fact, it’s the most gritty musical I’ve ever seen, a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Our plot revolves around two street gangs in New York City – the anglo Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Tony (Richard Beymer) is the former leader of the Jets, but he has turned from his gang life and is trying to go clean. Riff (Russ Tamblyn) has taken over the leadership role, but he admits that he’s … Continue reading