Reading list limbo

A young reader scouring the pages of the "Percy Jackson" series by Rick Riordan encounters two things: On the surface it's a fantastic and thrilling story. But beneath the book's inconsequential guise is a lesson in Greek mythology.

Zac Efron's ghost tale is a bust

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures , Charlie Tahan stars as Sam St. Cloud and Zac Efron stars as Charlie St. Cloud in Universal Pictures' "Charlie St. Cloud."

Fighting the good fight on Witch Mountain

Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, West Vancouver’s Alexander Ludwig and Dwayne Johnson star in the new Disney thriller Race to Witch Mountain. The film opens today at Empire Esplanade 6 Cinemas.

Welcome the grey

AT a recent creative writing workshop I facilitated, a participant was dismayed when she realised that I didn’t think children’s books had to have happy endings. “But why would you want to upset children?” she asked. “Isn’t life hard enough without exposing them to even more negativity?”

Coterie Theatre’s 2010-11 season offers something for everyone

The Coterie Theatre has announced an eclectic mix of material for its 33rd season, including a new version of a Broadway musical, a science-fiction classic and an original vampire musical. Opening the season will be “Science Fiction Triple Feature,” an anthology of classic sci-fi tales conceived by Jeff Church, the Coterie’s artistic director.