Pizza Toast – A YA Books and Media Podcast

In the Disney+ “Stargirl” sequel “Hollywood Stargirl” they throw the book out the window and do their own story. And you know what? Probably a smart choice. It’s a star-packed sizzle reel of goodness(?) with “Hollywood Stargirl!”

Seven years after the success of “Stargirl” Jerry Spinelli decided to answer a few questions: what was Stargirl going through during all of this? What happened in the year afterwards? Does she fall for a white-hot street urchin? The answers to all of these questions will be answered as Phil and Christy take a look […]

After the euphoric highs of our “Stargirl” discussion, let’s transition into the drastic lows of our “Stargirl” discussion as Christy and Phil attempt to say something, anything, nice about the Disney+ adaptation of “Stargirl” from 2020.

She’s not a Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She’s Stargirl! Christy was so correct to suggest Jerry Spinelli’s “Stargirl” for our next episode because this books RIPS. It’s so good, our episode is pretty short because we talk SO FAST! It’s just a really good book, y’all. It’s “Stargirl!”

In 2021, Netflix and Amy Poehler adapted “Moxie” into a motion picture event. How did it end up? Pretty good! It’s “Moxie” the movie!

Moxie girls fight back! That’s what we say a lot in this episode as we take a look at a book that tells the same basic story as “Radio Rebel” but mixes it up by being good. It’s Jennifer Mathieu’s “Moxie!”

What do you get when you take “Shrinking Violet” and completely alter the second half of the story and change all the character motivations and turn it into a vehicle for a rising Disney star? You get “Radio Rebel!”

This episode, Christy and Phil are taking a look at the first of a new batch of books with “Shrinking Violet” by Danielle Joseph. Are we a bit hard on this book? Maybe. Is there a single likable character in the entire novel? Perhaps. Is Christy angry at having read the whole book? Definitely. It’s […]

When was the last time you really *thought* about Austin Powers? How about Rom and Jule? Izzy’s Koala World? Well, brother? That’s too long. Also, we talk about “Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me?” and it’s the final Georgia Nicolson book!

In which I explain why there’s no episode this week.

Listeners, we cried. We are not ashamed to admit, this book made us cry. Why? Was it Massimo getting jealous? Dave getting ugly? Jas getting the role of Juliet? No, no and no. It’s much much worse. Find out what happens in “Stop In The Name Of Pants!”

Let’s go to camp! In this, the first book of the final phase of the Fab Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, the Ace Gane goes into the woods, Masimo and Georgia have a secret rendezvous, Jas gets prickly, Robbie acts like a gentleman, and Dave the Laugh… is a laugh! It’s “Luuurve Is A Many Trousered […]

We’ve crested the top of the Georgia Nicolson wave and are entering the third act of the Fab Confessions! But first, “Startled By His Furry Shorts” puts in the work to move all of our characters into position to have a satisfying(?) conclusion in a few books time. How does it end? You’ll never see […]

This week we discuss the accuracy of the title “Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers.” Also, America: what’s that all about. Georgia’s mom has some nice insight; Georgia grows a tiny bit more; and the kids make me angry by not taking Shakespeare seriously!

This week, we’re all about “Tall Girl!” She’s such a tall girl! Also, Jesus, James Bond, Macbeth, Heidi and MOSIMO! It’s “…And That’s When It Fell Off In My Hand” Orrrrrr! “Away Laughing On A Fast Camel!”

This week, everything is très bon and fab and filled with awesomeosity as Georgia and the Aces take a trip to Paris, Georgia struggles with her red bottomosity, Jas develops a conscience, Ellen pines for Dave the Laugh and Angus… has kittens? Plus, Georgia doing the right thing? It’s “Dancing In My Nuddy-Pants!” https://ia801504.us.archive.org/23/items/pizza-toast-s-06-e-08...

This week, Louise Rennison cranks things up a notch with CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! And REGRET! It’s “Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas” and it gets surprisingly… I hesitate to use the word “deep” so let’s say self-reflective. It’s self-reflective! And that’s progress!

This week, we’re taking a look at Gurinder Chada’s 2008 adaptation “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging!” Is it fab? Is it fabbity fab? Let’s find out! https://ia601409.us.archive.org/29/items/pizza-toast-s-06-e-06/PizzaToast-S06E06.mp3

This week, it’s two Two TWO titles in ONE! Georgia and Jas and Wet Lindsay and the SG are back in “It’s OK, I’m Wearing Really Big Knickers” OR “On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God” depending on where you’re at. But, we also get to meet Dave THE LAUGH […]

Okay! OKAY! It’s another book and it’s about a girl and it’s a little bit SPICY. But, we’re okay with that. This week, Phil and Christy talk about Louise Rennison’s borderline sociopathic heroine(?) Georgia Nicolson in the first of her many adventures “Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging” and, you know what? We just might do […]

Hoo boy. When is a movie not a movie? When it’s just an excuse for Garry Marshall to put his grandkids on screen. Also, the Breslins. Also, Paul Williams. Also, Stan Lee? Also, what even is this movie supposed to be about? It’s “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement!”

This week, Christy and Phil ramble about puppets and Schwartzmans and sexy moms. It’s “The Princess Diaries: The Movie!” It gave us so many things. But, is it any good? Let’s find out!

With the Baby-Sitters in our rearview mirror, it’s time to look at some other books that feature young women as protagonists and have been adapted into major media franchises. And, what better place to start than with “The Princess Diaries” by Meg Cabot! It’s… it certainly is a book!

Well, it’s over. And Christy and Phil take a few minutes to reflect on Season 2 and prep the listeners for what’s in store! Again. Because we had to rerecord the entire episode.

This is it! We’re finishing out the Netflix “The Baby-sitters Club” season 2 with what may very well be the strongest episode yet. Surprised? We sure as heck were! It’s “Kristy and the Baby Parade” and we get CATHARSIS. We get YELLING! We get TEARS! And the episode is pretty good too! Join us for […]