Review of Degrassi Generations by Kathryn Ellis

Title-Degrassi Generations
Author-Kathryn Ellis (Introduction by Kevin Smith)
Publisher-Pocket Books
Release Date-September 20th, 2005

Degrassi Generations by Kathryn Ellis is the most complete Degrassi book ever. It should be considered the official Degrassi encyclopedia. Every aspect of the Degrassi shows was addressed in this book.

Although the title of the book is Degrassi Generations, don’t make the mistake and assume this book is only about Degrassi The Next Generation. This book provides remarkable in depth information about all of the shows in the 25 history of Degrassi. Shows discussed in the book include-The Kids of Degrassi Street,Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and Degrassi The Next Generation. Leaving no stone left unturned, the author also introduced behind the scenes information about the Degrassi specials “Degrassi Talks,” and the movie “Schools Out.”

Kathryn Ellis is a Degrassi historian. She has been involved with the show since the early 80’s. She worked with “Degrassi Classic” (in the book the 80’s shows are referred to as Degrassi Classic) and is married to Degrassi writer Yan Moore. The book is absolutely fabulous. The full color book boasts that it features over 700 pictures.

The book is so awesome I don’t want to spoil the fun by telling everything included in the book but here are some of the main features-

*Then and now pictures and bios for cast members of Degrassi Junior High
*Extended 1-2 full page bios for cast members of Degrassi The Next Generation
*Storyline and script guidelines for “Degrassi Classic” and Degrassi The Next Generation.
*A day in the life of a Degrassi cast member
*Crew information
*Chapter on the music of Degrassi
*Complete episode guides for all of the shows in the Degrassi series
*Much more behind the scenes information about the show

This is a really great Degrassi book and fans of any one of the series should be proud of this book. One of the most amazing things about the Degrassi history is the actress Stacey Mistysyn. She is the only young actor on the show to have roles with major story lines in all of the Degrassi shows. She was one of the actors on the Kids of Degrassi Street who transitioned to Degrassi Junior High and she continues to be a part of the Degrassi family as she appears on the latest show Degrassi The Next Generation as Joey Jermiah’s on again off again love interest.