Rebecca Goes To The Movies (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
Rather unrealistic story in which Rebecca gets to achieve her dream of acting in a movie at the age of ten and one day. There was a potential conflict between Rebecca's traditional Jewish upbringing and the faster world of movie making, but Rebecca comes off as both naive and preachy. Not the best in the series. However, as always the author's note at the end gives some historical context, in this case about the early silent movie industry as well as some notes on Jewish family life in 1914. This will help in making the book appropriate for classroom use. The Lexile measure is 750 L. This review is from the point of view of a mother. I'm reading the Rebecca series to decide when they will be appropriate for my daughter. This book required quite a bit of suspension of adult disbelief. spoiler ahead:The handling of the fact that Rebecca's birthday occurs during a high holiday was well-done, but the idea that her conservative family would allow the family scape-grace to take their daughter out to a movie set, and she would get a walk-on part to a silent film required a bit more suspension of disbelief than I could manage. And the fact that Rebecca knew it would upset her family enough that she didn't tell them, was definitely not cool from a parental aspect, especially since she isn't found out and there are no ramifications for disobedience and lying by omission.The Looking Back section about early motion pictures was interesting, and I'm sure it makes for more interesting and unique doll items to sell.While I haven't rated any one particular book of Rebecca's very high, I think the stories as a whole are timeless and relevant to the target audience - they deal with teasing, accepting someone who is different, judging others, celebrating your heritage/faith/traditions, and I think Rebecca grows throughout the series. I like the emphasis on Rebecca's emotions as she grapples with issues - this is a well-rounded series, and even exceeds some of the earlier AG historical series.
What do You think about Rebecca Goes To The Movies (2009)?
I think this is a good series for girls of all ages
—doonaday
This book is a really good one in the series.
—megan
