The Most Wonderful Movie in the World [Hardcover]

Barbara Ford (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Wishing to see Gone With the Wind, a movie that is based on her favorite book, Moira, a Catholic, is unable to see the show as it has been declared objectionable by the church and struggles with coming of age during the second World War.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?Moira Flynn, 11, can't get her nose out of her favorite book, Gone with the Wind. When news comes that the movie will have a limited engagement at the local theater, her only desire is to see it. However, the film has been rated B, "Objectionable in part for all," by the Catholic Church. No one is allowed to see B movies, and while her parents are empathetic (her mother is just as big a Scarlett fan as Moira is), they never waver. In addition to mulling over the fiery consequences of disobeying, Moira struggles to find her niche at her parochial school. Her life is full of changes?her best friend is suddenly distracted by the boys next door, America is on the brink of World War II, and a new parish priest challenges the class to think beyond rote catechism recitation. It is he who finally guides Moira to see the difference between blindly following rules and doing what's right for one's self. Today's adolescent may find it a stretch to connect with Moira, who skips and plays with paper dolls. The restrictive world of the Catholic school, complete with ruler-wielding nuns, will also seem foreign to most. However, Ford has created a believable character and setting, and Moira's yearnings to belong and grow will be familiar, even if her lifestyle is not. Unfortunately, the story does not have the easy humor or spirited pace of Ford's The Eagle's Child (Macmillan, 1990; o.p.).?Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. It's 1941, and the movie Gone with the Wind is finally coming to the Lebanon Theater in her hometown. But Moira Flynn won't be seeing it because it is on the Catholic Church's Legion of Decency list--"Objectionable in Part for All." The GWTW movie and book, and even the paper dolls, provide a framework for 11-year-old Moira's coming-of-age story, in which art, boys, and the ability to make up one's own mind all play important parts. This is one of those stories that remind adults how much things have changed--and how they have stayed the same. There probably are not too many 11-year-olds playing with paper dolls today, and readers may find Moira a bit babyish. On the other hand, her difficulty in making friends and her tentative response to the most troublesome boy in the class (who looks a lot like Ashley Wilkes) transcend the decades. What works best of all is Moira's tussle with her conscience as she tries to decide what sin means to her. A surprise ending to her struggle adds to the pleasure of a book that already has warmth and humor--and a terrific jacket illustration. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525454551
• ISBN-13: 978-0525454557
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,587,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Most wonderful movie in the world?, June 16, 2000

By 

SMF "smf_2001" (Portales NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Most Wonderful Movie in the World (Hardcover)

While this book is enchanting in that it deals with a young girl wanting to see a movie that the world has told her is "wonderful" (which is debatable) it is disturbing to see people making it cute to try and ignore the teachings of the Church (founded by Jesus Christ) and decide for themselves (they think -- they are really putting the world ahead of Jesus) -- in other words we are supposed to find it cute that this girl can at this young age bludgeon the teachings of her faith to compromise with the world. Fine -- and what got us in our current mess? This book is OK for secular audiences but Christians of both branches should ignore it. There are better books out there.