Juno directed by Jason Reitman

• Plot summary: Juno is a young woman in high school who is casually dating her best friend, Pauly Bleeker. When the two become intimate for the first time, it results in Juno getting pregnant. Juno attempts to have an abortion, but at the clinic she can't go through with it and decides that she will put the child up for adoption instead. The movie chronicles Juno dealing with pregnancy in high school, which involves meeting her child's future parents, dealing with her feelings for Pauly Bleeker and her disappointment when he dates other girls, and various doctor appointments. When Juno finds out the parents of her child are getting a divorce, she feels that the world she has created for herself and her child is crumbling. Will Juno be able to let go of her child now that the parents have split up, and what will become of her friendship with Pauly Bleeker?
• Critical evaluation: In Juno, the audience is given the opportunity to follow this quirky teenage girl as she tries to handle more than most people her age have to deal with. Juno doesn't particularly seem interested in school or her future. Instead, she prefers to play music and hang out with her friends. The responsibility of being pregnant is hard enough, but the constant disapproval of her lifestyle by her family and Pauly's family weighs heavily on Juno as she tries to make light of her situation. The serious subject matter accompanied with the lighthearted nature of Juno herself allows the audience to judge for themselves what they think of Juno's situation and how she handles it. I think the unbiased view of Juno throughout the film is an excellent opportunity for a young person to be able to feel empathy for a someone their age, though her choices may be different from their own.
• Reader's annotation: Juno has always been different, most so now than ever.
• About the director: Jason Reitman is a Canadian film director whose work includes episodes of The Office, Thank You for Smoking, and Up in the Air.
• Genre: Comedy/Drama
• Curriculum ties, if any: None.
• Reading level/interest age: This film is rated PG-13, but I think even younger people might enjoy this film.
• Challenge issues: Sexuality, profanity
• Why was this item included? Juno was and still is a popular film among young adults today.