Club Penguin. (2009). Disney Online Studios Canada Inc. Online Game.
· Plot Summary
Children and tweens create penguin avatars to explore this virtual environment. Costumes, houses, pets, etc available to members, and earn special items by playing games. Paid account members receive even more to chose from, and can attend events designed for others like them. High degree of social interaction, despite the online format, due to monitored and pop-up chat function.
· Critical Evaluation
The need to purchase a membership for some items in the game can become expensive, and there is a possibility of tweens becoming addicted. Members may become banned for using inappropriate language or references, and other players are encouraged to report activity of this type.
· Reader’s Annotation
Online gaming for younger tweens. Suitable for all types of children, but creative tweens will thrive with options.
· Genre
Games, Online Gaming
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5-9/10-13
· Challenge Issues
Online addiction-parental monitoring will prevent tweens from spending too much time online
Cheating-use as a tool for explaining why cheating is not a good idea; ties to schoolwork
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
Daughter and her friends are avid users, but I still retained some doubts. Reviewing the policies and precautions reassured me that this game is suitable for my daughter's age group.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Aquamarine (DVD)
Allen, E. (Released June 13, 2006). Aquamarine. [Motion picture]. United States: 20th Century Fox Studios.
· Plot Summary
Hilary and Claire are lifelong friends, but at the end of the Summer, Hailey finds out that her mother plans to move away from their beloved Florida. The girls make a wish that will enable them not to be separated, a tropical storm hits the region, and fills the swimming pool at the hotel owned by Hilary's grandparents. When the girls discover that the storm has landed a real mermaid in the pool, they resort to keeping her a secret. Aquamarine has legs everyday until sundown, except on those occasions when she is in the water, and eventually falls literally head over heels for local hunk, Raymond. Finally, Aquamarine returns to her oceanic home, but grants her friend's wish in a way that will allow all three girls to be reunited in the future.
· Critical Evaluation
A quirky romp suitable for girls in the early tweens years. A good resolution to the dilemma faced by all three girls. Suffers some by lack of acting experience on the parts of some of the thespians, but probably not sufficiently to keep tweens from being amused.
· Reader’s Annotation
Based on information gained about the novel, this adaptation does not seem true to the original source material. If the reader of Hoffman's novel is hoping for a true version, they will not find it in this film.
· Genre
Fiction, Fantasy
· Booktalking Ideas
Mermaids and other sea creatures in myth and legend.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-6/Ages 9-11
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
This was a DVD my daughter owned, but I had been previously disappointed by the adaption of Hoffman's novel, Practical Magic, so I was in no rush to see this when it came out. From what I can determine, Hoffman's novel may again be far removed from this version, in that Aquamarine begins to die from her time outside the ocean, and must be moved about in a wheelchair.
· Plot Summary
Hilary and Claire are lifelong friends, but at the end of the Summer, Hailey finds out that her mother plans to move away from their beloved Florida. The girls make a wish that will enable them not to be separated, a tropical storm hits the region, and fills the swimming pool at the hotel owned by Hilary's grandparents. When the girls discover that the storm has landed a real mermaid in the pool, they resort to keeping her a secret. Aquamarine has legs everyday until sundown, except on those occasions when she is in the water, and eventually falls literally head over heels for local hunk, Raymond. Finally, Aquamarine returns to her oceanic home, but grants her friend's wish in a way that will allow all three girls to be reunited in the future.
· Critical Evaluation
A quirky romp suitable for girls in the early tweens years. A good resolution to the dilemma faced by all three girls. Suffers some by lack of acting experience on the parts of some of the thespians, but probably not sufficiently to keep tweens from being amused.
· Reader’s Annotation
Based on information gained about the novel, this adaptation does not seem true to the original source material. If the reader of Hoffman's novel is hoping for a true version, they will not find it in this film.
· Genre
Fiction, Fantasy
· Booktalking Ideas
Mermaids and other sea creatures in myth and legend.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-6/Ages 9-11
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
This was a DVD my daughter owned, but I had been previously disappointed by the adaption of Hoffman's novel, Practical Magic, so I was in no rush to see this when it came out. From what I can determine, Hoffman's novel may again be far removed from this version, in that Aquamarine begins to die from her time outside the ocean, and must be moved about in a wheelchair.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Kittens in the Kitchen
Baglio, B.M. (1994). Kittens in the Kitchen: Animal Ark Series. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN: 9780590187497
· Plot Summary
The Animal Ark is a veterinary clinic in Yorkshire, owned by Adam and Emily Hope. In this first novel of the series, we are introduced to these characters, but are primarily entertained by the antics of their adopted daughter, thirteen year-old Mandy. As the story opens, Mandy has been assisted by her best friend (James) in taking care of a pregnant cat Mandy has named Walton, after their school. When Walton spurns the papers Mandy has given her for birthing her kittens, and ends up in the school janitor's laundry basket instead, Mr. Williams only gives Mandy one week to find homes for them-or else. After a series of near-misses, and solemn moments, Mandy manages to find homes for each of the four kittens. Mr. Williams relents, and allows Walton to remain, as his wife has become attached to the cat.
· Critical Evaluation
Best suited for early tweens and those with reading difficulties. This novel highlights a thirteen year-old heroine, but the content would more than likely bore someone of that age. A series of somewhat simplistic, and ungratifying, plot twists provide circumstances so that all of the kittens are adopted. The sentence structure is simple, and the characters are not well developed. It does contain some good messages regarding the care and ownership of animals, but they are often lost in the overly dramatic exhuberance/anger of the lead character (Mandy).
· Reader’s Annotation
Recommended for ages 9-12 on Amazon, but unlikely anyone over age 10 would enjoy this book unless they have learning difficulties or they're just very fond of animals stories.
· Genre
Fiction
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-5/Ages 9-10
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
This was a book purchased used for my daughter, because she was going away for the Summer, and I thought she might actually read a book if it was along simpler lines.
· Plot Summary
The Animal Ark is a veterinary clinic in Yorkshire, owned by Adam and Emily Hope. In this first novel of the series, we are introduced to these characters, but are primarily entertained by the antics of their adopted daughter, thirteen year-old Mandy. As the story opens, Mandy has been assisted by her best friend (James) in taking care of a pregnant cat Mandy has named Walton, after their school. When Walton spurns the papers Mandy has given her for birthing her kittens, and ends up in the school janitor's laundry basket instead, Mr. Williams only gives Mandy one week to find homes for them-or else. After a series of near-misses, and solemn moments, Mandy manages to find homes for each of the four kittens. Mr. Williams relents, and allows Walton to remain, as his wife has become attached to the cat.
· Critical Evaluation
Best suited for early tweens and those with reading difficulties. This novel highlights a thirteen year-old heroine, but the content would more than likely bore someone of that age. A series of somewhat simplistic, and ungratifying, plot twists provide circumstances so that all of the kittens are adopted. The sentence structure is simple, and the characters are not well developed. It does contain some good messages regarding the care and ownership of animals, but they are often lost in the overly dramatic exhuberance/anger of the lead character (Mandy).
· Reader’s Annotation
Recommended for ages 9-12 on Amazon, but unlikely anyone over age 10 would enjoy this book unless they have learning difficulties or they're just very fond of animals stories.
· Genre
Fiction
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-5/Ages 9-10
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
This was a book purchased used for my daughter, because she was going away for the Summer, and I thought she might actually read a book if it was along simpler lines.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Vampire Night: Volume One
Hino, M. (2005). Vampire Knight: Volume One. Tokyo, Japan: Hakusensha. ISBN: 9781421508221
· Plot Summary
Yuki Cross has been living at the Cross Academy since the night she was rescued from a vampire by the mysterious Kaname Kuran, leader of the Academy's Night Class. Her adopted father, Kaien Cross, has made it his lifelong mission to see humans and vampires living together peaceably, and along with her adopted brother (Zero), Yuki is in charge of keeping the Day and Night Classes separated from one another. Yuki has no memory of her life before she was rescued, and in this first volume is intent on discovering the truth of the Night Class. It comes to light that Zero is in fact succumbing to being a vampire, and this sets the stage for the next installment.
· Critical Evaluation
A popular series for this age group, the plot is more engaging than many of the others in this genre, and more time is spent in its revealing than is often seen. The amount of violence is minimal, and Yuki makes for an entertaining heroine. For future installments of the series, parents may wish to review first.
· Reader’s Annotation
The first in a series of manga revolving around the characters Yuki Cross, Kanane Kuren, and Zero Kiryu.
· Information about the author
Born in the city of Sapporo, Matsuri Hino made her debut in the manga genre with a single title called Ko no Yume ga Same Tara, in a 1995 edition of LaLa DX Magazine. To date, she has written three manga series, and is considered one of the shining stars of the genre.
· Genre
Manga
· Booktalking Ideas
Vampire and human relationships in literature.
Manga characters in popular fiction.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-9/Ages 11-14
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
Just as the semester began, my daughter introduced me to this series. My birthday fell during the first week of classes, and hers was two weeks later, so we were strolling through Border's looking for possible gift ideas. She picked up this series as one that was popular among her friends at school, so I decided to read it too.
· Plot Summary
Yuki Cross has been living at the Cross Academy since the night she was rescued from a vampire by the mysterious Kaname Kuran, leader of the Academy's Night Class. Her adopted father, Kaien Cross, has made it his lifelong mission to see humans and vampires living together peaceably, and along with her adopted brother (Zero), Yuki is in charge of keeping the Day and Night Classes separated from one another. Yuki has no memory of her life before she was rescued, and in this first volume is intent on discovering the truth of the Night Class. It comes to light that Zero is in fact succumbing to being a vampire, and this sets the stage for the next installment.
· Critical Evaluation
A popular series for this age group, the plot is more engaging than many of the others in this genre, and more time is spent in its revealing than is often seen. The amount of violence is minimal, and Yuki makes for an entertaining heroine. For future installments of the series, parents may wish to review first.
· Reader’s Annotation
The first in a series of manga revolving around the characters Yuki Cross, Kanane Kuren, and Zero Kiryu.
· Information about the author
Born in the city of Sapporo, Matsuri Hino made her debut in the manga genre with a single title called Ko no Yume ga Same Tara, in a 1995 edition of LaLa DX Magazine. To date, she has written three manga series, and is considered one of the shining stars of the genre.
· Genre
Manga
· Booktalking Ideas
Vampire and human relationships in literature.
Manga characters in popular fiction.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-9/Ages 11-14
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
Just as the semester began, my daughter introduced me to this series. My birthday fell during the first week of classes, and hers was two weeks later, so we were strolling through Border's looking for possible gift ideas. She picked up this series as one that was popular among her friends at school, so I decided to read it too.
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