BOOK VS FILM! There's Someone Inside Your House

The Trial: There's Someone Inside Your House: Book vs. Film 

Disclaimer:  spoilers ahead.

Bailiff: The Teen Book Guild Court with the Honorable Judge Rayna .S, is now in session. 

Today’s case regards the title, There’s Someone Inside Your House:  Perkins (author) v.  Brice (director).

Essential Information 

There’s Someone Inside Your House, written by Stephanie Perkins, follows Makani Young, a teenage girl who has recently moved to Osborne, Nebraska. But as students at Osborne High School are murdered by a mysterious killer, she starts to feel her dreadful past will come crawling back into her life. It is a title that will get your heart pumping from the thrill and action, but swooning from the romance and comedy bits. 

The movie adaptation, directed by Patrick Brice, can be found on Netflix. Now, the book and the movie in my--the amazing honorable judge, Rayna S.'s--opinion are very different, even though they follow the same plotline?! So let’s get into today’s case and find out which version, book or movie, is best.

The Book 

The book has WAY more detail than the movie; each murder that took place evoked a feeling inside me. Every time a death happened, the reader would be in the victim's POV, giving them an insight into what the victims were feeling before their death. Whatever emotion the victim, it can be 100% guaranteed that the reader felt that exact same. Throughout the book, the murders became more personal and gruesome so that sometimes I found myself going crazy:  "Come on, fight them!" "Get up!" "This is just sick!” or "NOOOOO!" (Side note: My mom came into my room with a concerned look on her face multiple times.) 

Also, Perkins beautifully mixes the romance between Makani and Ollie, with the thriller and action part of the book: the relationship did not overshadow the plot. I found myself enjoying the little moments between the two teens. Plus, this allowed for Perkins to really dive into the personal issues of each character.  

The only negative about the book is that it got really unrealistic and undescriptive around the last two chapters. Like it took the real out of realistic fiction, but just in those two chapters.

The Film

Click here to see the trailer

On the other hand, Brice’s movie did not evoke the same emotion; it was very underwhelming. In the first fifteen minutes, I thought the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were overly harsh, but then after those few minutes I started to understand what people were saying. Unlike the book, I did not feel the need to scream at the television or even feel scared. 

The overall casting of the movie was decent, except for the character who played Ollie. In the book, Ollie had pink hair and piercings which contributed to his awkward and outsider vibes, but in the movie, Ollie looked and acted like a regular guy;  there was nothing physically extraordinary about him. Also, the dialogue made ALL the characters seem whiny and foolish. 

The filmmakers also made unnecessary changes to the book for the movie. First, they changed the motive of the killer, which made no sense (but I don't wanna spoil it). Second, none of the deaths besides one took place in a victim's house! This is completely against the title, There's Someone Inside Your House. 

Verdict 

In the case of Perkins (author) v.  Brice (director), I found that Perkins provided the best experience when it comes to the title, There’s Someone Inside Your House. The book provided so much necessary detail leaving me on the edge of my seat! In this case, the book is awarded the victory.

Now, we know what the honorable Judge Rayna, thinks, but what does the rest of the public decide?

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

Reviewed by Grace H.
Grade 11

Six friends, but only five will survive. Five Survive was written by Holly Jackson, the bestselling author of the very popular trilogy, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. If you enjoyed that series, you will certainly enjoy this fast-paced, action-packed mystery.

This thrilling story follows high school senior Red Kenny, who is travelling in a borrowed RV to a notorious party town in New Orleans for spring break with five of her friends. The only problem is, Red and her friends never make it to New Orleans. Somewhere along the road, the RV is caught in an ambush, with all four tires shot out. The six teenagers are trapped in the confined space of the RV with a sniper outside. The sniper reveals through a planted walkie-talkie that he is after one thing and one thing only: a secret. Someone in the RV has a secret worth the highest price imaginable: a life. 

Red and her friends must discover which of them holds the secret that the sniper is after. Many escape plans are foiled as the characters realize that the sniper is more prepared than they originally believed. They start to question if there is a mole in their midst, someone who is secretly working with the sniper. Emotions run high in the tight setting of the RV, and the trapped victims become increasingly frantic as dawn approaches. After all, only five will survive until morning.

This novel was extremely fast-paced and easy to read. I tore through it in one sitting; the quick storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was dying to know what happened next. The story is written in third person, but follows Red, and it took a few chapters to get used to the way that she narrates, as she is a forgetful and easily-distracted narrator. 

The characters were written well, especially Red and Oliver (the oldest and self-appointed leader of the friend group). The juxtaposition of the two of them was fascinating, with Oliver's over-confidence seeming very amplified in contrast with Red's timid and nonconfrontational manner. The author uses a lot of dialogue in the book, and this contributed to the fast-paced feel of the story, as well as making the reader feel connected to the characters and what they were thinking. The fear that all six of them felt was palpable, and was transferred to the reader, making the story truly riveting. The last few chapters of the book are action-packed but wrap up nicely in the end, with just enough mystery to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries and thrillers. The plot twists and intriguing dialogue will keep you on your toes throughout the story, and the ending will leave you reeling. The fast-paced writing style is also perfect for anyone who loves a quick read; you'll be tempted to finish it in one sitting! 

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

Reviewed by Yusmibel L.
Grade 10

Hell Followed With Us is an unapologetically queer story that tells a tale of lost religion, betrayal, and finding family. Andrew Joseph White weaves a gorgeous dystopian tale of humanity's last stand in a lawless land of corruption and sickness. It is there he twists biology to redefine what it means to be a monster.

The story opens in the midst of an action-packed escape from the religious stronghold of New Nazareth. Benji, a young trans teen is fighting everything he’s ever known. With his escape he’s going to have to find a new home in the desolate ruins of the world left by the flood. Taken in by the ALC, a Queer Youth Group, he slowly learns to make a new life. However, New Nazareth won’t let him go so easily and secrets and betrayal threaten to destroy everything he’s built.

Hell Followed With Us creates vivid imagery in its descriptions, though there are moments where the images and metaphors were lost on me. Throughout the book several times there is a depicted field with trees and scattered corpses from the Flood. It was difficult to tell if these were dream sequences or memories due to the fact that there seemed to be a metaphor involved that popped up at random points, for example after a fight scene but also after Benji goes to sleep he recalls the field. No other character seems to mention it, but it seems significant because Benji has a final revelation there towards the end. However, every other aspect of the book is incredibly detailed, from the monsters and church to the easily distinguishable characters.

Consistently throughout the book there were no parts that stood out, because as a whole it was a delightful read. It delivers exactly what it promises. It's definitely worth a read. Andrew Joseph White promises a loudly queer novel with monsters, apocalypse, and religious trauma and he delivers just that.

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake

Reviewed by Anna M.
Grade 10

expected publication: September 2021

The premise of Kendare Blake’s All These Bodies was AMAZING. The mysterious atmosphere. The murders. The setting. The characters. Consequently, I cannot explain why it didn’t catch me. “Sometimes the truth is as hard to believe as it is to find.” Even the summary on the back of the book was enthralling. Regardless, All These Bodies was not the best book.

In 1958, seventeen-year-old Michael Jensen, a journalist wannabe, is growing up in Black Deer Falls, Minnesota. However, his life has taken a change for the worse. Everyone’s has. All throughout the Midwest, murders are taking place, and in every instance, the victims’ blood has been drained completely. In small-town Black Deer Falls, the murderer claimed the lives of Bob and Sarah Carlson and their son, Steven. The sheriff, Michael’s dad, found fifteen-year-old Marie Hale at the scene of the crime…covered in blood.  Michael wasn’t even friends with Steve, but he knew him, and the death hits him hard. And for some strange reason, Marie refuses to tell anyone what happened besides Michael. For Michael, this is a chance of a lifetime. A chance to hear what EVERY journalist in the country wants to know. Why? How? Nevertheless, this chance could bring more damage than opportunity. Is it worth it? Could such a young girl truly be guilty of such a big crime?

As you can see, the plot was incredible. I’m still trying to pinpoint why I didn’t enjoy it. It may have been the author’s writing technique. Then again, it could have been the deep and dramatic changes that unfolded throughout the novel. I appreciate a good murder mystery every now and then, but books start to lose me once they get into nasty, blood-drinking stuff.

Though most of all, it was that All These Bodies did not leave me feeling fulfilled. It left me a little sad and kind of defeated. I realize the author set the book up for a sequel; therefore, the ending of the novel was NOT the ending of the story. But even then, the book didn’t leave me craving more. I never say never, but I seriously doubt I’ll want to read the sequel.

In order for me to recommend this book, I would have to know who I was recommending it to. I know some people love depressing murder mysteries, while I know others who cry when they watch Bambi. It all depends on taste, and every individual is unique. This novel wasn’t my cup of tea; still, it could be yours. I appreciate books with an encouraging message and a happy ending. Therefore, this wasn’t for me. However, if you are into murder mysteries with a dash of horror, look no further. 

Also by Kendare Blake - Anna Dressed in Blood

Spoiler Alert Mini-Review: Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics

Daughters Unto Devils
Coming soon to WPPL

When sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner's family decides to move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, she hopes it is her chance for a fresh start. She can leave behind the memory of the past winter; of her sickly ma giving birth to a baby sister who cries endlessly; of the terrifying visions she saw as her sanity began to slip, the victim of cabin fever; and most of all, the memories of the boy she has been secretly meeting with as a distraction from her pain. The boy whose baby she now carries.

When the Verners arrive at their new home, a large cabin abandoned by its previous owners, they discover the inside covered in blood. And as the days pass, it is obvious to Amanda that something isn't right on the prairie. She's heard stories of lands being tainted by evil, of men losing their minds and killing their families, and there is something strange about the doctor and his son who live in the woods on the edge of the prairie. But with the guilt and shame of her sins weighing on her, Amanda can't be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or deep within her soul.





Spoiler Alert reviewer: Victoria
1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 5
How vivid was the setting? 2
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 4
How well did the book hold your interest? 5
How well did the author's language add to the book? 3
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 5

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 5
How readable was this book? 5
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 5

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 5
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 5
How memorable was this book? 5
How did you feel about the ending? 3
How creative was this book? 5

Marketing
How well does the cover match the story? (ARC did not include final cover)
Rank the jacket blurb. 5
Rank the title. 5
How well does the title match the story? 5
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Horrific

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: More knowledge of the demons and how Amanda fought them

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Intense, scary, sisterly, demonic

Spoiler Alert Mini-Review: The Falconer by Elizabeth May

The Falconer by Elizabeth May (coming in May 2014)
Spoiler Alert Reviewer: Victoria

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 3
How vivid was the setting? 2
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 4
How well did the book hold your interest? 4
How well did the author's language add to the book? 4
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 5

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 5
How readable was this book? 5
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 5

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 4
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 3
How memorable was this book? 4
How did you feel about the ending? 5
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 2

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released).
How well does the cover match the story? 3
Rank the jacket blurb. 3
Rank the title. 5
How well does the title match the story? 5
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Intense

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: Needs to show more steampunk and be more descriptive of people.

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Emotional, aggressive, strong, girl power

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Reviewed by Kady D.
Grade 8


When most kids think of disaster, they imagine their best friend moving away, getting a failing grade on a test or even just having a bad hair day. Not for these kids who live in central England in a post-apocalypse world. Their daily life consists of killing zombie adults and making sure they don't get eaten alive. Sounds like fun doesn't it?

Can you imagine what life would be like without parents? For these kids, their families have either died or been turned into zombies. A terrifying disease has struck anyone over the age of 16, and these children are scared. They live in an old grocery store called Waitrose. Every day, the kids must venture off into their old neighborhoods to gather food and supplies for themselves and the smaller children. A dangerous fate awaits though who take too much however. In abandoned town shops and subway stations, adults turned zombie wait to strike the Waitrose kids. If they can manage to fend off the adults, they live to see another day. If not, the pain and misery of having no food and barely any water ends. At least for a little while. On an ordinary night like any other, a huge horde of zombies crash into the front doors of the building, clawing and scratching. The teens inside Waitrose manage to kill the zombies. In the ruins they find a teen much like themselves. This teen offers them a chance to live in the once grand Buckingham Palace, where no adults ever venture to. Excited at leaving the terrible live conditions, they venture off with this teen, who is called The Joker, and another group of kids. These kids are from another grocery store called Morrisons. . The teens encounter many problems along the way to Buckingham Palace and many of the die. After a long six mile walk to the palace, they finally arrive. Is the Buckingham Palace the sanctuary and nirvana they all dreamed of? Or is it worse than their old home?

I very much enjoyed the setting of this book .I thought the author did a very nice job describing the way the city looked after the Disease had struck. In some scenes, I felt I was actually standing next to the Waitrose kids, hoping that zombies wouldn’t come out and attack me. For instance, the author says, “On his next strike the ax head sunk deep into a big father’s ribs and stuck there. The father twisted and writhed, churning the water and tearing the ax from Freak’s grasp.” At that moment, I felt as if I was a mouse watching the scene from a little hole in the wall.

I would DEFINITELY recommend The Enemy to anyone who enjoys horror, suspense, and humor. The author writes in alternate chapters. He writes from the viewpoint of the Waitrose/Morrison’s kids, a child who was captured at the beginning of the book and a kid they left at Waitrose. Therefore, you get the full experience of what it was like to live during this time period. I really enjoyed this book and plan to get the sequel when it comes out.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

reviewed by Lisa B.

Jace and Clary should have had their happy ending. City of Fallen Angels marks the fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, a series that was originally planned as a trilogy. Fans of the series wanted it. Publishers were salivating over it. Clare was willing to write it. But was it really necessary to put these two lovebirds through fresh hell?

In this latest entry readers learn of how Simon is adjusting to life as a vampire while still trying desperately to cling to his humanity and the world he’s always known. Meanwhile, something sinister is brewing with Jace, something that threatens his one-of-a-kind love for Clary. And to top it all off, something or someone is killing Shadowhunters in New York. Each new body is found in different Downworlder territory, be it werewolf, fey or vampire. Is someone attempting to break the fragile peace between Downworlders and Shadowhunters? And what, if anything, does all this have to do with Jace’s increasingly violent dreams about harming Clary?

Jace has always been what the cool kids are calling “emo.” And in this book, he manages to crank it up a notch to UBER emo. Instead of discussing his disturbing dreams with Clary, for example, he decides that a better solution would be to distance himself entirely from her—a perfectly healthy choice in a loving relationship, right? There is, however, an intriguing addition to the ensemble cast of characters. Kyle is the newest member of Simon’s band, but it becomes clear that there’s more to him that meets the eye, and he’s not entirely unknown to one of the characters we already know. There is promise in this character, his relationship with someone from his past, and the mission to which he’s committed.

Fangirls (and boys) of the first three books in the series will clamor for this new entry, but those satisfied with the ending of City of Glass should probably stop with that one. This new volume seems more financially motivated than story inspired. And the “I desperately love you, now go away” riff that sets the tone for Jace and Clary’s relationship seems like a complete rehash of what we’ve already read in the first three books. Sometimes too much of a good thing turns the good thing into a bad thing. Quality over quantity is the key. Jace and Clary should have had their happy ending.

Also available in CD audiobook form!