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The acting is also strong—most notably that of Jake Richardson (The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys) as Ian. The only sore spot is, frankly, Peretti. Playing an eccentric professor, Peretti uses every over-acting trick in of the book: fake lisp, goofy glances, and Barney Fife bumbling. He's obviously designed to be comic relief, but feels like Christopher Lloyd's Back to the Future character crammed into an X-Files episode.

In the end, the film does keep viewers' attention, has some shining scenes, and will interest young teens. But it might also leave readers wondering how a pretty good book ended up as a not-so-great movie.

Talk About It

(May contain plot spoilers)

1. In what ways does Rogers High remind you of your own school? In what ways is it different?
   
   
2. Do you identify with any of the characters? Who and why? How did the movie make you feel about relating to that character?
   
   
3. What does the film tell you about accepting others and respecting differences? Do you agree with that?
   
4. Do you think the kind of judging and bullying shown in the movie occurs in adulthood outside high school?
   
5. How did you see God present in the lives of any characters?

The Family Corner

Violence is limited to the hanging of Abel Frye (although the camera pans away and shows only a shadow); three instances of bullying; an undercover cop scene where a character holds a shotgun to someone's face; and a scary scene in which a masked bad guy surprises then chases a girl. There's also an undercover sting operation when a kid gets busted for methylamines, but no drug use is shown. There are also depictions of witchcraft (including pagan symbols and skulls).

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