Card, Orson Scott. Ender's Game. Tor Science Fiction, 1994. ISBN: 978-0812550702
First things first: this is a great book. It thoroughly satisfies as a science fiction, as a philosophical journey, and as a well-written story.
And it is not necessarily a tween's book. Although there are many tweens who may be ready to grasp the dark concepts presented, we must remember that tweendom is that volatile stage between child and young adult, where individuals develop at different paces depending on their life experiences and natural maturation.
Like Collin's The Hunger Games, themes of violence, loss of innocence, totalitarian government, and premature death are prevalent. The reader must wrestle with ideas of religion, science, bullies and loneliness.
But, for those who can grasp abstract concepts and existential ideas, it is excellent.
And it's a lot of fun, too. What young person does not dream of being "special", a genius plucked from society and destined for greatness? Especially appealing to boys and active girls, tweens will be able to conjure up images of floating through weightless space, training for missions, and going on a fantastic journey.
Ender's Game is a wonderful contribution to young adult science fiction that should not be overlooked. I would recommend it for ages 12 and older, but only tentatively. If you are an adult, read it for yourself and decide if your tween is ready.
And since it is being made into a major motion picture in 2013, this is the perfect opportunity to enter into literary and topical discussions with your tween prior to the movie release.
Toy Story 3. Walt Disney Pictures, 2010. Starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, Directed by Lee Unkrich.
If one thing can by said about Pixar Animation Studios, the creators of the Toy Story trilogy, it is that they have proven time and again to have the uncanny ability to create stories that appeal to a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Like the rest of the Toy Story movies, this one can be enjoyed by children, tweens, teens, college students, parents and grandparents, all of which will be laughing (and perhaps shedding a tear) at various different points of the story and dialogue.
Way to go, Pixar! You did it again.
Langan, Paul. Bluford High: The Bully. Scholastic Inc., 2002. ISBN: 978-0-439-86546-3
Langan, who is also the series editor for the Bluford High series of books, tackles the issue of bullying in a very believable way, even drawing from the inspiration of another famous author, Gary Paulsen.
Darrell Mercer is small and skinny for his age. In addition to this, his mother is forced to take a new job two months into his freshmen year. He now has to attend a new school without the support of childhood friends, who had protected him in his rough Philadelphia neighborhood. Not surprisingly, he is almost instantly picked on during his first day of school.
Author Langan does a fine job of identifying with the protagonist, while not necessarily making excuses for him. Authority figures are mentioned, but the sole responsibility of overcoming the wrath of the bully is left on Darrell's shoulders. Inspired by the inner strength he reads about in Paulsen's The Hatchet, (which had been handed to him by a concerned English teacher) and taking the initiative to join the school wrestling team (even though he is the weakest and slowest new member) all attribute to his ability to overcome the bullying at school.
In a thoughtful move, Langan ends the book with a twist, and a point of view that will surprise the reader, particularly one who can identify with being bullied.
The Karate Kid. Columbia Pictures, 2010. (Feature Film) starring Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith and Taraji P. Hensen. Directed by Harald Zwart.
Fans of the original Karate Kid film will not be disappointed. Those who were NOT fans of the original film may be pleasantly surprised. Not only does this movie boast high-profile main characters (Jaden Smith, son of superstar Will Smith, and co-staring international martial arts actor Jackie Chan),but it is well-made to boot. Everything from soundtrack, cinematography and quality of acting are solid and enjoyable through-out. My one warning: not for a realist. The odds of a young boy who has never done martial arts before rising up the ranks and winning a huge tournament are slim, as are the chances of most mothers allowing their twelve year old sons to run around the streets of Beijing alone (as the mother in this movie does). But that is not the point of the movie. This movie is meant to be a feel-good story with heart.
The material and subject matter will appeal especially to tweens: first love, displacement and culture shock, loss and grief, school bullies, right and wrong, honor, and achieving goals and dreams. And, like his father, Jaden Smith has an attractive, winsome way about him that young girls and boys alike will appreciate.The soundtrack is appealing to both tweens and adults, featuring the likes of Lady Gaga, John Mayer, and Justin Beiber.
As an adult, I appreciated the attention to detail as the characters experience a foreign country for the first time, and the ability to acknowledge both the positive experiences and the challenges of moving abroad. Jakie Chan's portrayal of the reluctant martial arts instructor was surprisingly genuine and dramatic. The references to the original movie were blatant, and brought a smile of nostalgia to my face as I once again rooted for the underdog.
One slight annoyance: the title of the movie is The Karate Kid and yet, because of Jackie Chan's influence, the protagonist actually learns Kung Fu. I understand why this is done, but in 20 years it will be quite confusing to some.
