This Book is Not Yet Rated

March 11, 2019
In this film-centric YA novel, Ethan, a teen cinephile, works at a Minneapolis art house cinema that’s in danger of being closed and replaced with a luxury development. Ethan developed his love of film with his recently deceased father, a film professor, so his passion for the Green Street Cinema is personal, familial, and tied up in his grief. Reenter teen movie star Raina, Ethan’s former best friend and first crush. After abandoning her latest film set, she has returned home, and Ethan suddenly finds himself with a famous advocate at his side as he tries to save his beloved theater. The cast of characters, especially Green Street’s workers, add humor and madcap antics to Ethan’s quest, while the relationship between Ethan and Raina—both its past and newly kindled present—injects friendship and romantic tension into Ethan’s reflections about film, his family, and the movie house. Young film buffs will appreciate the extensive knowledge of film terminology and movies of all kinds that Bognanni (Things I’m Seeing Without You) exhibits in this sweet love story with a quest at its heart. Ages 14–up.