Jane by Design

Jane by Design – Season One

Network:  ABC Family

Format: Television Show

Genre: Fiction

This show is for Ages: 12 up

Subjects/Themes: Growing Up, Fashion

Plot Summary:   Jane Quimby is a teenager in high school.  Jane applies for an internship at a local design house and through a clerical error is interviewed and hired as an executive assistant.  Jane keeps the two worlds separate and tells no one of her new job.  Jane enlists the help of her best friend and manages to travel to Paris, and Beverly Hills, launch a dress design at a fashion show, and design a wedding gown for a high profile client.  

Review:   If you like fashion then you will love Jane by Design.  The show is fun and flirty with lots of great fashion.  The characters are typical but engaging.  There are lots of cameos by fashion industry celebrities.  Jane by Design is in no way realistic and that makes it fun.  It is pure fantasy wrapped in pink tulle with a funky little black boot to make it edgy.

Secret Life of the American Teenager

Secret Life of the American Teenager - Season One

Network:  ABC Family

Format: Television Show

Genre: Realistic/Fiction

This show is for Ages: 13 up

Subjects/Themes: Sex, Parenting Identity

Plot Summary:  Amy Juergens, a 15-year-old band member, is pregnant as a result of her first sexual encounter with an older boy, Ricky, at summer band camp.  Amy, her family and friends must come to terms with her pregnancy.  She is faced with the difficult decision of choosing adoption, abortion or raising the baby.   Her parents are separating because of her father’s infidelity.  Other high school characters in the show struggle with complicated issues including promiscuity, sexual abuse and abstinence.  The show deals candidly with these issues and offers advice for parents and teens to talk candidly to each other about sex and pregnancy.  

Review:   Unfortunately the physical changes, difficulties of childbirth and responsibilities of a new baby are not realistically portrayed.  During labor right before having the baby Amy eats a hamburger.  The show has a place as a vehicle to promote conversation between parents and children about difficult topics and is entertaining.  Some young viewers may accept the ease and glossiness of the way networks handle teen pregnancy and fail to understand the reality of such a difficult situation.  I recommend this show for show for older teens but every family is different and parents are encouraged to watch the show with their children and evaluate it based on their values. 

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg 
by Rodman Pilbrick

Text from video: Welcome everyone.  This video is about the Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg,  written by Rodman Philbrick.  Homer and his older brother, Harold, are orphans under the care of their rotten Uncle Squinton Leach.  When Harold stops Uncle Squint from beating Homer, Uncle Squint sells Harold to the Union Army where he must serve three years or until he dies.  Homer knows that it was wrong to sell Harold because Harold is only seventeen, and not old enough to be sworn into the army. Homer is worried about Harold and wants to rescue Harold before he is killed in the war.  Homer leaves Uncle Squints farm and travels through Maine.  Where he meets slave catchers and scoundrels who steal his horse and make him stop at a house on the Underground Railroad.  Homer tricks the scoundrels and helps the slaves continue on their journey to freedom.    Mr. Brewster rewards Homer with a trip on a steamship to New York so he can find Harold.  While on the steamship Homer’s guardian is bamboozled and Homer is locked in the steerage with pigs.  Once in New York, Homer joins a traveling medicine show that follows the Union wagon trains.  Homer has one adventure after another and even ends up on a hot air balloon that takes him to a battle where he meets Coronel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.   Will Homer ever find Harold?  Will they serve the union army well?  Find out by reading The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Title:   The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Author:  Rodman Philbrick

Publisher: Scholastic  

Year: 2011 c 2009

ISBN:  978-0-439-66821-7

Genre: Fiction/Adventure/Historic

This book is for Ages: 9-14

Awards: Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Book.

AR Points: 7.0           

Subjects/Themes: Runaways, Orphans, Brother, Self Reliance, Family, Civil War

Plot Summary:  12-year-old Homer P. Figg runs away from his horrible uncle to rescue his brother Harold.  Harold was tricked into joining the union army.  Homer travels from Maine to Gettysburg hoping to free his brother and protect him from the dangers of war.  As Homer travels he meets, bandits, a Quaker, thieves and spies. The book is dedicated “To everyone whoever lied and found their way back to the truth”.  Homer is a boy like any other but his experiences are amazing. 

Review:  This book is a wild ride from beginning to end.  Homer’s tale will make you laugh.  It is an excellent read-aloud story you won’t want to put down. Homer struggles with right, wrong and telling the truth.  His story deals with serious issues like war and slavery from the point of view of a child.  Homer understands the dangers of war and is determined to save his brother.  Philbrick’s detailed descriptions bring this story to life.  I will miss Homer and his adventures.  I liked that the book includes a special section at the back with a recipe for Union hard tack and trivia about the Civil War.   

If you like this book you may also like:  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. 

Kingdom Keepers, by Ridley Pearson

Kingdom Keepers

Author:  Ridley Pearson

Publisher: Disney Editions    Year: 2005

ISBN:  0-7868-5444-8

Genre: Fiction/Adventure

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points: 9.0

Subjects/Themes: Magic Good and Evil

Finn was hired so Disney Hologram Imaging could use his likeness as a Disney Host Interactive.  The Imagineers created a holographic tour guide using him and 4 other kids as models.  Lately Finn has been having bad dreams and one night he wakes up in Disney World and meets a mysterious man who tells him that it is the responsibility of all the DHIs to save from the Overtakers.  Finn gets shot at by pirates explores the magic kingdom at night and with the four other DHIs tries to solve the mystery of the stonecutters quill. 

I really like Disney, the parks the movies, all of it.  I have Disney purses, and jewelry and I go to the park several times a year, I got to the premieres, and events.  That being said, I was very disappointed with this book.  The characters were flat and the only one I had any feelings for was Dillard who plays a less than minor role in the book. I finished the book because I wanted to include it in my digital record.  Kingdom Keepers feels like a story that was patched together to market all things Disney.  It is even less substantial than a hologram. Ridley Pearson has some incredible material and the opportunity to use Disney’s characters is amazing.  So my question is really, “Wow, how did that happen?”

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride

Publisher:  Metro Goldwyn Mayer     

Year: 1987

Media: Motion Picture

Rating: PG

Genre:  Adventure

Subjects/Themes:  Pirates, Courage, True Love,

Wesley the farm boy is in love with the beautiful Buttercup.  When he realizes she loves him too, he leaves the farm to make his fortune.  When he returns they will marry.   Unfortunately Buttercup hears that Wesley’s ship has been attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, who never takes prisoners.  Believing Wesley dead, a heart-broken Buttercup is engaged to marry Prince Humperdinck.  Just after the engagement Buttercup is kidnapped by Inigo, Vizzini and Fezzik.  A mysterious man in black chases Buttercup and her captors but it is not Prince Humperdink.  It is the Dread Pirate Roberts. 

Review: Remarkably well-written, this film is a classic.    It is “inconceivable” to imagine this film being any better.  The actors are well cast and truly shine under Rob Reiner’s direction.  The film is a hilarious action adventure epic romance.   Where true love really does conquer all.

If you like this Film you may also like: The Princess Bride by William Goldman or the film Ever After (1998).

Mates, Dates & Inflatable Bras by Cathy Hopkins

Mates,  Dates & Inflatable Bras

Author:  Cathy Hopkins

Publisher:  Bolinda Audio     Year:  2002

ISBN:  1740931351 - Audiobook

Genre: Fiction/ Realistic

This book is for Ages: 12 up

AR Points: 4.0

Subjects/Themes: Friends; Growing Up

Plot Summary: Lucy is lost.  She really looks more like a child than a 14-year-old.  When beautiful Nesta comes to her school, Lucy must share her best friend Izzy.  All while looking for a handsome mysterious boy and trying to decide what she wants to do with her life. 

Review:   This is a fun story about growing up and making friends.   Lucy has a lot to learn about herself.  She like most teens underestimates her talents and potential.  She has a bit to learn about and what it means to be a good friend.  This story is stylish witty and funny.  Amanda Hulme does a great job of bringing Lucy’s voice to life.

If you like this book you may also like other books by Cathy Hopkins in the Mates Dates series.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Calvin & Hobbes
By Bill Watterson

Text from video:  Welcome everyone.  The book I am going to tell you about today is called Calvin and Hobbes.  It is written by Bill Watterson.  The book is a collection of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that was published in the late 1980s.  Calvin and Hobbes are best friends who get into all kinds of scrapes both at school and at home.  It doesn’t matter that Hobbes is a stuffed tiger and only Calvin sees him as real.  Together they explore the world and create more mischief than Calvin’s parents, and teacher can sometimes handle.   

Calvin caught Hobbes in a tiger trap rigged with a tuna fish sandwich.  Sometimes the pair are in school working on math problems like 7 +3, which is seventy-three according to Hobbes. Sometimes they are wondering what the mystery food is at the dinner table as it transforms into alien life forms.     Calvin even has an alter ego, the valiant Spaceman Spiff, who battles aliens with his neutralizer gun.  The imagination and creativity of these two characters is limitless.

Calvin has a frienemy at school named Susie.  Calvin is not on his best behavior with Susie and although he sends her a valentine, it is not very nice.  Susie gets Calvin back with a snowball. 

Calvin and Hobbes is a funny book you can read little bits at a time.   It is super imaginative and the best thing about it is that the fun continues in Bill Watterson’s 18 other books including Something Under the Bed is Drooling and Yukon Ho.  

Title:   Calvin and Hobbes

Author:  Bill Watterson

Publisher: Andrews and McMeel

Year:  c 1987

ISBN:  0-8362-2088-9

Genre: Fiction/Comics

This book is for Ages:  8 and up

Subjects/Themes:  Humor, Imagination

Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

Dark Hills Divide

Author:  Patrick Carman

Narrator: Aasne Vigesaa

Publisher: Brilliance Audio              

Year:  2005

ASIN: B001IV0FBE

Genre: Fiction/Adventure

This book is for Ages:  8-12

AR Points:      10.0

Subjects/Themes:  Magic, Safety

Plot Summary:  12-year-old Alexa is spending the summer with her father in the walled city of Bridewell.  For years she has longed to know what lies outside its walls.   Alexa discovers a secret door that takes her to the forest where she learns of the suffering of the animals since the walls went up and of a dark plot to invade Bridewell.    Can Alexa and her new friends save the city?

Review:   Patrick Carman writes a magical story that starts out a little slowly.  Alexa is smart but she follows directions far too easily while in the forest.  Much of the story is told as a narrative by other characters.  This book could have been more interesting but it is still worth reading.  The woodland creatures that help her are intriguing and funny.   The pool in the novel is well-crafted.   I would read the next book in the series because Dark Hills Divide is an intriguing story and I want to know what happens next.

If you like this book you may also like:  The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and the other Land of Elyon books.

Cubee Craft

Cubee Craft   URL:  http://www.cubeecraft.com/

Check out Cubee Craft for fun mini creatures you can make using your color printer, cardstock, scissors and a craft knife.   I made R2D2 and Harry Potter including his wand.  They are super cute and fairly easy to make.  Making a Cubee Craft  does require fine motor skills.  It is important to take extra care when using the craft knife to make sure you do not cut yourself.  Once you are done you have a cute figurine you can play or decorate your desk with.  Check it out.  You can make characters from Star Wars, Family Guy, Spiderman, Princess Bride, Pokemon, Batman  and many, many more.

The Secret of the Old Clock By Carolyn Keene

The Secret of the Old Clock

Author:  Carolyn Keene

Publisher:  Grosset & Dunlap

Year:  2001

ISBN:  978-0-448-09501-7

Genre: Fiction/ Mystery

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points:      5.0

Subjects/Themes:  Mystery

In her new dark blue convertible, 18-year-old Nancy Drew uncovers a mystery, stops a gang of thieves and saves the day for several families who are struggling after a beloved family member’s will unexpectedly leaves them empty handed.  Fun references to charity balls and white gloves will remind readers that this book was originally written in the 1930s.  The first book  in the classic Nancy Drew series it introduces Nancy, Her father, Carson Drew the well-respected lawyer and the family housekeeper Hannah Gruen.  This is a great series for young readers who like mysteries and want insight in to what their parents and grand-parents may have enjoyed reading at their age.  Nancy is a courageous teenager with an adventurous streak.

If you like this book you may also like:  More books in  Nancy Drew Series or  Nancy Drew’s Guide to Life.

The Field Guide Book 1 of the Spiderwick Chronicles

The Field Guide Book 1 of the Spiderwick Chronicles

Author:  Tony  Di Terlizzi and Holly Black

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers  Year:  2003

ISBN:  978-0-689-85936-8

Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points:      1.0

Subjects/Themes: Family Life, Fairies

Plot Summary:  After their father leaves the family, the Grace Children Jared, Simon and Mallory and their mother move from New York City to the old Aunt Lucinda’s house.  The old Victorian house is falling apart and there are creatures living in the walls.  Soon the children discover a dumb waiter, a secret room and a curious field guide written by Lucinda’s father. The field guide is all about fairies, brownies boggarts and other magical creatures.  The field guide says they are all real.

Review: Filled with color and black and white illustrations that bring the story to life The Field Guide is a great book.  The characters are intriguing, the family dynamics are believable.  The idea of interacting with fairies is engaging as these creatures are quite mischievous.This is a series that could get you hooked.

If you like this book you may also like:  More books in The Spiderwick Chronicles or the movie Fairy Tale: A True Story, Rated PG (1997). 

The Hunger Games Motion Picture

Title:  The Hunger Games

Publisher:  Lionsgate Films  

Year: 2012

Media: Film     

Rating: PG13

Ages: 10 and up

Genre:  Science Fiction/Fantasy

Subjects/Themes: Government, Death, Survival

Plot Summary from the novel: 16 year-old Katniss Everdeen has been providing for her family since her father died five years ago.  She breaks the laws of the government of Panem everyday by hunting with her bow for fresh meat, and gathering fruits and vegetable in the woods.  When Katniss’ 12-year old sister Prim is chosen for the Hunger Games, a government-sponsored reality television competition where 12 boys and girls compete to the death, Katniss takes her place.  She and Peeta, the kind baker’s son, must travel to the Capitol and compete for their lives against others who are stronger and more cunning.  Can Katniss win the Hunger Games?  What about the others?  She likes, Peeta and even Rue the young competitor who reminds her so much of Prim.  Can she bring herself to fight them for her life?

The Hunger Games film follows the story of Katniss Everdeen as told in the novel.  The film has an omniscient viewpoint and allows for a deeper understanding of the government's role in the games and the oppression of the people of the 12 Districts.  The film deals with death and violence in a responsible manner while staying true to the story.   The film is very good.  Although a stronger film could have been made with an R rating the balance struck by Director Ross conveys the essence of the novel in a format that will please parents, children and adult fans of the novel.  The Hunger Games is a delicately crafted, thought provoking film. 

Here there be Monsters

Here there be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the GIANT SQUID

Author:  HP Newquist

Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin           

Year:  2010

ISBN:  978-0-547-07678-2

Genre: Non Fiction

This book is for Ages: 10 up

AR Points:  3.0

Subjects/Themes: Giant Squid

Gorgeous illustrations, images, and photographs support the connection between the myths of the kraken and modern day study of the giant squid.   A fantastic book for young naturalists.  The book recounts tales of  sea serpents described as “a fish with huge eyes surrounded by horns that looked like tree roots” (p.11). This book may inspire exploration of fictional works like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

What Made the Wild West Wild

What Made the Wild West Wild

Author:  Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin

Publisher:  My Report Links.com Books       

Year:  2006

ISBN:  159845-016-6

Genre: Non Fiction American History

This book is for Ages: 8 up

Subjects/Themes: U.S. History

“Wild Bill” Hickok, “Calamity” Jane, Davy Crockett, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody these heroes of the old west and the dime novels and stories that made them great are examined and compared with reality.  This book includes a helpful website with links to information to use for creating book reports and biographical reports.  Covering the 19^th century U.S. history of Indians, pioneers, gold rush, cowboys outlaws and lawmen, What made the Wild West Wild is an engaging overview with photos, maps and illustrations that bring the wild west to life.  

If you like this book you may also like:  Pony Express Riders of the Wild West by Jeff Savage.

American Presidents

American Presidents

Publisher:  Disney Educational Productions 2010

Genre: Non-Fiction American History

This DVD is for Ages: 8 - 14
ASIN: B0035CP4O2

Subjects/Themes:  American Presidents 1754-1861

Short Biographies of the first 11 American Presidents including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and James K Polk are offered in an appealing and hip way.  The DVD includes interactive content to test your knowledge of the first 11 presidents, and their political philosophies.  This is a great resource to share with teachers.  This is a entertaining and informative dvd.

Ultra Maniac

Title:   Ultra Maniac Volume 1

Genre: Fiction/Manga

This DVD is for Ages: 8 up

Subjects/Themes: Fantasy Magic

Plot Summary: Nina is a witch in training. She comes to school in our realm because she was having trouble in hers.  She meets Ayu and the two become good friends.  Nina uses her magic to help Ayu whenever she can but since Nina is not a very good witch the outcome is usually not quite what she intends.  This set is funny, adorable, cute and full of laughs.  A great manga set for younger fans who like magic, and manga.