Ballet Shoes

Goldbacher, S. (2008). Ballet Shoes. DVD, Koch Vision.
ASIN: B0019OP0GU
$24.98

Viewer's Annotation: Three orphan girls train for the stage in 1930's London, to help their beloved guardian raise money for their household.

Summary:Based on the book by Noel Streatfield, this is the story of three orphan girls who are raised together as sisters. The girls are brought together by Great Uncle Matthew, an adventurer who collects both fossils and orphaned babies. They are raised by Sylvia, or Garnie, and Nana in a house in 1930's London. Garnie has to take in boarders to raise money to keep the house and support the girls. The boarders they take in introduce the Fossil sisters to life in training to be child stars. Posy's mother left her with nothing but a pair of pointe shoes, and she has a natural gift for ballet. Pauline (played by Emma Watson, or Hermione from the Harry Potter movies) has a talent for acting. Petrova cares nothing for singing, dancing or acting, but would rather fly an airplane. Together the girls work to help Garnie manage the household expenses, and to put their name in the history books, because it is theirs and theirs alone.

Genre: movie, fiction, siblings, historical fiction, coming of age

Series : Though there are no other movies in this series, Noel Streetfield did write many other "Shoes" books.

Evaluation: One of my favorite books of all times has been made into a beautiful movie, about working hard to support your family and achieve your dreams. Really lovely.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This movie will appeal to tweens for probably one of three reasons. 1) They want to watch another movie with "Hermione" in it. 2) They've read the classic novel. or 3) They have ambitions of becoming a ballet dancer. Any of the three reasons are good ones for adding it to a tween collection.

Watchalikes :

• Ice Princess
• Molly: An American Girl on the Homefront
  

Other Useful Info:

• IMDB page for Ballet Shoes
• Information about Noel Streatfield
• Trailer:
  
  
  

Reviews:
Amazon.com
Based on the Noel Streatfeild novel Ballet Shoes, this is not the 1976 film starring Angela Thorne and Barbara Lott, but a 2007 BBC Northern Ireland production starring Eileen Atkins, Peter Bowles, Richard Griffiths, Gemma Jones, and Harriet Walter. The Fossils are an unconventional British family living in 1930's London. Orphans Pauline (Emma Watson), Petrova (Yasmin Paige), and Posy (Lucy Boynton) are being raised by an elder sister Sylvia (Emilia Fox) and her Nana (Victoria Wood) in the absence of their eccentric great uncle Matthew (Richard Griffiths). As Sylvia struggles to educate and support her three charges on very limited funds, she is forced to let rooms and enroll the girls in the Academy of Dance and Stage Training in hopes of furthering their education and preparing them to earn a comfortable living. While at the academy, each of the three ambitious girls discovers her own personal calling and labors intensively to achieve her dreams: Pauline studies to become a star on the stage, Petrova gravitates toward a career in aviation, and Posy trains to become a great classical ballerina. Their paths are difficult and full of adversity, but the sisters' steadfast support of one another and common resolve to earn a place in the history books based on their own merits propels each of them toward individual success. A compelling and inspirational film that encourages young women to strive for their dreams, Ballet Shoes is most appealing to ages 9 and older. --Tami Horiuchi

The Clique

Lembeck, M. (2008). The Clique. DVD, Warner Home Video.

ASIN: B001H1I8KK
$27.98

Viewer's Annotation: Claire and Massie struggle to share the same house, school and friends.

Summary: Following the same basic plot as the first book of the Clique series by Lisi Harrison, the DVD begins with Claire moving into Massie's parent's guest house. Massie is the leader of the most popular clique at her school and Claire lacks the popularity prowess to keep up. Massie treats Claire badly and Claire eventually stoops pretty low to get her back. By the end, each has been kinder to the other than they might have thought possible.

Genre: movie, popularity, friends, new school, family, fiction,

Series : So far, only the first book of the series has been made into a movie.

Evaluation: An enjoyable flick, but not as good as the book.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: The Clique books are huge and though their content isn't enlightening or redeeming, a tween librarian will want to have them on the shelves. The same can be said of the movie version.

Watchalikes :

• Mean Girls
  
• High School Musical
  

Other Useful Info:

• Clique Movie Website
• Trailer:

Reviews:
from Amazon:

Amazon.com
Based on the popular The Clique Book series by Lisi Harrison, The Clique is an entertaining, if somewhat familiar film about a 12-year-old girl whose need to fit in threatens to overshadow her inherent sense of self. Massie (Elizabeth McLaughlin) is the undisputed leader of a clique dubbed "The Pretty Committee" and she and her fellow clique-mates Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen are completely obsessed by high fashion and being the most popular girls in the exclusive Octavian Country Day School for girls. Florida transplant Claire Lyons (Ellen Marlow) is the ultimate in fashion don'ts and when she moves into Massie's guest house and enrolls in her school, it quickly becomes apparent that Massie will stop at nothing to prove her own superiority and make Claire's life miserable. Claire wants nothing more than to fit in and be accepted at her new school, so when befriending Massie doesn't work, she turns to scheming and playing the four friends against one another in an effort to supersede Massie as the queen of popularity. The problem is, Claire's efforts to displace Massie have some very negative effects on Alicia, Dylan, Kristen, her relationship with her mother, and even Claire's ability to like herself. In the end, Claire realizes the importance of being true to oneself and there's the slightest glimmer of hope that even Massie might just consider changing her ways--or not. Something of a The Devil Wears Prada for kids meets Mean Girls, The Clique is a surprisingly likeable film that features a scrumptious palate of tween-sized high couture; healthy doses of insecurity, attitude, and angst; good acting; and an important message about believing in oneself. Bonus features include a featurette on casting the movie with executive producer Tyra Banks and director Michael Lembeck, interviews with the main characters and author Lisi Harrison, a 9-minute exploration of tween couture with Tyra Banks, casting contest winners, gag reel, and Clique Girlz in the studio recording "Here With Me Now." (Ages 7 to 14) --

So Totally Emily Ebbers by Lisa Yee

Yee, L. (2007). So Totally Emily Ebers. (p. 304). Arthur A. Levine Books.

ISBN:0439838479

Price :$16.99 hardback

Reader's Annotation: Emily makes friends at her new school, some of whom are worth keeping, and others that aren't so great.

Summary: Everything is new in Emily's life. She and her mom have moved across country, without her dad. She's started volleyball, which she wasn't at all interested in. Her dad sent her a credit card, for "emergency uses." With her new-found spending power, Emily's making new friends at her school, but she's also getting into trouble with her card. There is a girl on her volleyball team, Millicent, who also doesn't want to be there, and she might be a good friend, but she sure has some secrets. And then there is Stanford Wong, a cute boy who catches Emily's eye. All in all, life is turned around for Emily, but maybe, maybe something good will come out of it.

Genre: book, family, friends, fiction, identity, new school, popularity, series

Series : This book is part of a trilogy. The other two books are Millicent Min Girl Genius and Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time. All three stories retell the same events from the perspectives of each character, so they can be read in any order.

Evaluation: This is a great choice for tweens. Emily is a perfect example of tweendom, sometimes shockingly wise, and other times glaringly dense.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: New school drama, popularity concerns, crushes, and plenty of fashion talk make this a tween staple. Two things I liked about Emily: 1) everyone admits she has a great sense of style, but she's not instantly popular for it. 2) She talks about wearing a double digit dress size, and she's fine with it. Great role model.

Readalikes :

• A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
  
• Allie Finkel's Rules for Girls books by Meg Cabot
  

Other Useful Info:

• Lisa Yee's Website

Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Grade 5–7—It's Emily Ebers's turn to tell about the summer she meets Millicent Min and Stanford Wong, each of whom has charmed readers in earlier books. Emily, who is effervescent and enthusiastic, has her own story to tell. She's just moved to Rancho Rosetta, CA, from New Jersey after her parents' divorce. She directs a lot of anger and unhappiness against her mom, who is also reeling from the change. She writes down her thoughts and feelings in a journal for her dad, who is on the road with a revival tour of his old rock band and has sent the 12-year-old a credit card for her birthday. Emily befriends Millicent at a girls' summer volleyball league where they're the worst players. The rapport between the girls is delightful, as Millie shares her idiosyncratic take on her hometown. Emily meets Stanford and assumes that he is tutoring Millie. When she finds out that her new friends have misled her about the situation, her disappointment is palpable. As in Millicent Min, Girl Genius (2003) and Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time (2005, both Scholastic), family is vitally important. In the end, Emily patches things up with her mom and realizes that some changes can be good, even though they may not work out as expected. It's a good message for preteens, as is Emily's insistence on treating others with kindness. Although this book stands on its own, kids will get more pleasure if they read the other two first. With a baby sister on the way for Millicent Min, dare we hope for another sequel?—Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Tan, S. (2007). The Arrival. (p. 128). Arthur A. Levine Books.

ISBN: 0439895294

$19.99 Hardback

Reader's Annotation: A father leaves his family for a foreign land in hopes of creating a better life.

Summary: The Arrival is an immigration story. The protagonist leaves his family behind to forge a better life for them in a strange, downright fantastical, new land. There are no words in this story, only a foreign alphabet, which gives the reader an idea of what it would be like to struggle in a place where you didn't speak the language. The protagonist finds a job in a massive factory and begins to make new friends, though he obviously misses his family very much. Though the sepia toned pictures that seem to come from an old family album, the reader understands how much struggling goes into setting up a life in a new place.

Genre: adventure, family, fantasy, fiction, graphic novel, friends, identity

Series : This graphic novel is not part of a series.

Evaluation: This is a lovely example of a compelling story with absolutely no words. Beautifully executed, and this book will make readers cry.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This immigration story is one that will be familiar to most readers but it is told in a way that is unlike any other book. Tan's graphic novel is a stunning example of visual storytelling, and thus a fantastic choice for reluctant readers. There is nothing "easy" about this rich and complex story, but the lack of words makes it perfect for those who struggle with reading.

Readalikes :

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
  
• The Absolutely True Diaries of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
  

Other Useful Info:
Shaun Tan's Webpage

Reviews:

from Booklist
*Starred Review* Recipient of numerous awards and nominations in Australia, The Arrival proves a beautiful, compelling piece of art, in both content and form. Tan (The Lost Thing, 2004) has previously produced a small body of off-kilter, frequently haunting stories of children trapped in surreal industrial landscapes. Here, he has distilled his themes and aesthetic into a silent, fantastical masterpiece. A lone immigrant leaves his family and journeys to a new world, both bizarre and awesome, finding struggle and dehumanizing industry but also friendship and a new life. Tan infuses this simple, universal narrative with vibrant, resonating life through confident mastery of sequential art forms and conventions. Strong visual metaphors convey personal longing, political suppression, and totalitarian control; imaginative use of panel size and shape powerfully depicts sensations and ideas as diverse as interminable waiting, awe-inspiring majesty, and forlorn memories; delicate alterations in light and color saturate the pages with a sense of time and place. Soft brushstrokes and grand Art Deco–style architecture evoke a time long ago, but the story's immediacy and fantasy elements will appeal even to readers younger than the target audience, though they may miss many of the complexities. Filled with subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form. Karp, Jesse

Sports Illustrated for Kids

Sports Illustrated Kids. The Time Inc. Magazine Company.

ISSN:1042-394X

Price :$47.88 for 12 issues

Reader's Annotation: Sports Illustrated Kids has sports news for kids ages 7-12.

Summary: Sports Illustrated Kids has just what you'd expect : sports news for kids. Unlike the adult version of the magazine, though, it's a pretty clean version of sports news. There is analysis of teams and leagues and players, but no talk of which big sports star got into trouble with the law for doing something foolish. The news is positive and encouraging. The magazine has plenty of stories of kids athleticism as well, and does a fairly good job of covering both men's and women's teams. I wouldn't be surprised to see a tween girl reading this mag, but it does still generally strike me as being a "boys read." On the downside, there are plenty of ads in the magazine, but on the plus side, at least some of them are for books. There are also articles about sports in the wider world. For example, in the December issue there was a story about Jewish and Muslim kids in Jerusalem playing on the same soccer teams.

Genre: magazine, environment, friends, identity, sports,

Series : --

Evaluation: This is a great choice for a tween section (though it would be an easier sell if it wasn't called Sports Illustrated KIDS.) Athletes, both boys and girls, will find something interesting for their reading pleasure.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Magazines, and particularly sports magazines, are going to speak to a particular segment of reluctant readers. For these readers, Sports Illustrated Kids will be a great find.

Readalikes :

• Boy's Life
  
• Youth Runner
  

Other Useful Info:

• Sports Illustrated Kids Website

Reviews:

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (p. 240). Little, Brown Young Readers.

ISBN:0316013684

Price :$16.99 hardback

Reader's Annotation: Arnold Spirit decides to attend the white school instead of the reservation school and has to live with the reactions of his friends and family.

Summary: Life on the rez was pretty straightforward for Arnold Spirit. He played basketball with his good friend Rowdy, drew cartoons, went to school, and dealt with his family. When a teacher at his school encouraged him to dream bigger, to try harder, Arnold decided to change schools, and to travel long distances every day to attend the white kid school outside the reservations boundaries. Now, at school, he's an outcast, because he's the only Indian there. Worse, at home, he's also sort of an outcast, because it seems like he betrayed his people to go to the white school. Things get even more complicated with his family situtation, but ultimately, Arnold has to find a way to balance his Indian heritage with the desire to have a better life.

Genre: book, coming of age, family, fiction, friends, identity, new school

Series : This book is not part of a series.

Evaluation: This book is heartbreaking at times but impossible to put down.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: Being a tween is about being stuck between two worlds, and Arnold's story will speak to that. The drawings make the book more appealing to struggling readers, and the humor makes the pathos more palatable.

Readalikes :

• The Arrival by Shaun Tan
  
• The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
  

Other Useful Info:

• Sherman Alexi's Website

Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 7–10—Exploring Indian identity, both self and tribal, Alexie's first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian from Wellpinit, WA. The bright 14-year-old was born with water on the brain, is regularly the target of bullies, and loves to draw. He says, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to the rich, white school in Reardan, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Meeting his old classmates on the court, Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one's community, identity, and tribe. The daily struggles of reservation life and the tragic deaths of the protagonist's grandmother, dog, and older sister would be all but unbearable without the humor and resilience of spirit with which Junior faces the world. The many characters, on and off the rez, with whom he has dealings are portrayed with compassion and verve, particularly the adults in his extended family. Forney's simple pencil cartoons fit perfectly within the story and reflect the burgeoning artist within Junior. Reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney's illustrations. The teen's determination to both improve himself and overcome poverty, despite the handicaps of birth, circumstances, and race, delivers a positive message in a low-key manner. Alexie's tale of self-discovery is a first purchase for all libraries.—Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

Discovery Girls

Discovery Girls. Discovery Girls Inc.

ISSN:1535-3230

Price :$27.00 for 6 issues/year

Reader's Annotation: Discovery Girls is created by and for girls ages 7-12.

Summary: Discovery Girls has articles about middle school, friends, celebrities, hairstyles, contests, quizzes and advice columns. Much of the content is informative and education, but there are also some articles about fashion trends and celebrities. Each issue features "Discovery Girls" from a particular state. This is a diverse group of girls that have been selected to help develop the content of the issue and have a photo shoot adventure with the magazine's adult staff.

Genre: magazine, friends, family, identity, siblings, popularity

Series : This magazine is published by the Discovery group folks.

Evaluation: A solid choice for tween readers, I actually enjoyed it more than American Girl, just because when I sit down with a magazine, I do like a few hairstyling tips. They could put hairstyling tips in National Geographic, and I'd think the magazine was better for it.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This is a magazine that tweens enjoy reading. It has some info on Miley Cyrus mixed in with book reviews and suggestions on volunteering in your community. It's a good compromise for parents and tween girls.

Readalikes :

• New Moon
  
• American Girls
  

Other Useful Info:

• Discovery Girs Website

Reviews:

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American Girl Magazine

American Girl. Pleasant Company.

ISSN:1062-7812

Price :$27.00 for 6 issues

Reader's Annotation: Created just for tweens, American Girl is an age-appropriate alternative to teen magazines.

Summary: American Girl magazine has all the same stuff teen magazines have, but with the content dialed down to be appropriate for tween readers. There are feature stories, quizzes, advice columns, games and crafts, and content developed by readers. Each issue is organized around a central theme, such as "pets" or "save the Earth," and has 40-70 pages of ad-free content. The articles are upbeat and focus on girls developing their self-esteem, without being overly preachy.

Genre: magazine, friends, family, identity, siblings

Series : This magazine is published by the American Girl folks, but it doesn't connect with their historical fiction series in any way.

Evaluation: A solid choice for tween readers, and I don't mind flipping through one on my lunch hour either.

Why it belongs in a Tween Collection: This is a magazine that tweens enjoy reading (all the issues at my library are falling apart they've been read so often) and the most parents will get behind as a reading option. The articles are smart and positive.

Readalikes :

• New Moon
  
• Discovery Girls
  

Other Useful Info:

• American Girl Website

Reviews:

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