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Friday, October 9, 2015
Saturday, December 5, 2009
American Born Chinese [graphic novel] by Gene Luen Yang
“Wei-Chen: But talking is more than he has ever done. Because he is a little cowardly turtle. Jin: Shut Up. I’ve talked to her before. Suzy: You know, I could be wrong – but I don’t think dropping your books in front of her and then giggling to yourself counts as conversation.” p. 94
Reader's Annotation
Meet a supernatural monkey with grandiose dreams, an awkward middle-school student, and a popular high school basketball player. What could they possibly have in common? In this funny and thoughtful graphic novel, Gene Luen Yang reveals the answer…and also why public bathroom powdered soap should not be used as deodorant on a first date.
About the Author
Gene Luen Yang began publishing comics in 1996. The next year, he received a Xeric Grant to create Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks. His American Born Chinese became the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award, as well as the first to win a Printz Award.
Summary
This graphic novel is actually made up of three different stories. One involves Monkey King, a figure of ancient Chinese legend who was born to rule over all the monkeys of the world. He is a master of martial arts and is loved by his subjects, but he has greater aspirations: he wants to be a god. The second story involves the middle school experience of Jin Wang, a boy who moves with his family to a new neighborhood, where he is the only Chinese-American at his predominantly white new school. He is teased and picked on quite a bit by some of the other students, but does have a best friend, Wei-Chen. Jin develops a crush on a classmate named Amelia, but just can’t get up the courage to ask her out. The protagonist of the third story is Danny, a very popular boy at his high school. Unfortunately, as happens every year, his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee, who seems to specialize in inadvertently publicly embarrassing Danny, has come to visit. In previous years Danny has actually had to transfer schools because of Chin-Kee’s behavior. And this year, if anything, Chin-Kee is even more mortifying.
Critical Evaluation
Yang has put his novel together in a very interesting way, alternating back and forth between the three stories. In this way he is able to drop subtle hints about their interconnectedness, which is not revealed until a few very surprising and hilarious plot twists in the final few pages. Yang’s drawings are bold and colorful, and he is able to convey much emotion with just a few simple lines on a character’s face. While the scenes of the Monkey King story are action-packed, the scenes of Danny and Jin’s stories are not as fast-paced, and instead focus more on conversations between characters. In these latter two stories, Yang comments on subjects such as friendship, first romance, discrimination, and the self-consciousness that most tweens and teens feel at times. In the Monkey King story, Yang addresses the subjects of father-son relationships, the damage that conceit and blind ambition can cause, and appreciating what one has.
Booktalking Ideas
• Give a character talk as Jin, when he decides that to get Amelia’s attention, he should perm his hair.
• Give an episode booktalk of Danny’s discovery of Chin-Kee dancing on the table at the library.
Curriculum Ideas
• Literature/History: Students read a few of the Monkey King fables.
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree [sound recording], by Lauren Tarshis
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree [sound recording], by Lauren Tarshis. Read by Mamie Gummer. New York: Random House/Listening Library, 2007. 3 CDs/3 hrs. 4 min. ISBN-13: 9780739351222
“In fact, she believed that one was unlikely to find a finer group of young people than the 103 boys and 98 girls with whom she spent her school days. But their behavior was often irrational. And as a result, their lives were messy. Emma-Jean disliked disorder of any kind, and had thus made it her habit to keep herself separate, to observe from afar.” p. 4 (print version)
Reader's Annotation
Emma-Jean is all logic, and Colleen is all heart. When these two opposites meet by chance one day in the school bathroom, their lives will never be the same again.
About the Author
Lauren Tarshis grew up near New York City. As a child, she had a learning disability which made reading very challenging. Through approaching reading in a different way, however, she surmounted this difficulty and became a voracious reader. She has now written two “Emma-Jean” novels, the second being Emma-Jean Fell in Love. She is the editor of Storyworks, a literature magazine for 4th-6th graders. Tarshis lives in Connecticut, with her husband and four children. In her spare time she likes to bake chocolate cakes, draw, make collages, and explore new cities.
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Age
9-11 years
Plot Summary
The protagonist of this novel is 7th-grader Emma-Jean Lazarus, who is extremely intelligent and very logical. Emma-Jean’s father passed away two years before the novel starts, and she cannot get used to the idea of her mother ever falling in love with another man. At school, Emma-Jean has remained a bit aloof from the other students, because she considers their behavior to be irrational, and does not want to be drawn into the same kinds of emotional messes in which they often find themselves. This all changes one day, however, when she happens to encounter Colleen Pomerantz crying in the bathroom. Colleen’s personality is perhaps the polar opposite to Emma-Jean’s. Colleen is too concerned with what other people think of her, and frets all the time over whether she may have mistreated someone, or whether something about her appearance doesn’t look right. When she meets Emma-Jean, her current crisis involves another girl trying to steal her best friend. But Emma-Jean believes she can use her logic to help Colleen out.
Series Note
The sequel to this novel is Emma-Jean Fell in Love (2007).
Critical Evaluation
Emma Jean is a very unique character unlike most others that tween readers will likely have encountered. And finding out some of the possible reasons for her behavior is half the fun of reading the book. Another interesting aspect about this novel is that while much of it is told from Emma-Jean’s perspective, portions are told from Colleen’s perspective. The novel is fairly slow-paced, although the girls do have some adventures surrounding Emma-Jean’s new interest in helping people solve their problems, sometimes by any means necessary. Emma-Jean’s feeling that her mother should never love another man again -- even though Emma-Jeans’s father passed away two years earlier – is very realistic. This also leads to one of the very comedic moments in the novel, as Emma-Jean finds herself writing a letter to her mother’s suitor in India. And overall, the novel is quite humorous. Mamie Gummer reads the novel very expressively in this audio version. I highly recommend this very insightful novel to tweens.
Booktalking Ideas
Give a booktalk about Emma-Jean and Colleen’s first meeting in the bathroom.
Curriculum Ideas
Literature: Students study the poet for whom Emma-Jean Lazarus is named: Emma Lazarus, who wrote the poem on the Statue of Liberty.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this book, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the book’s content to promote its literary merits.
• Refer to library’s collection development policy.
• Refer to book reviews from authoritative sources such as ALA, School Library Journal, etc.
• Obtain book reviews from tweens who have read it.
Why I Chose This Book
I thought that Emma-Jean’s personality and love of order sounded so unusual for someone her age, making her an intriguing character.
“In fact, she believed that one was unlikely to find a finer group of young people than the 103 boys and 98 girls with whom she spent her school days. But their behavior was often irrational. And as a result, their lives were messy. Emma-Jean disliked disorder of any kind, and had thus made it her habit to keep herself separate, to observe from afar.” p. 4 (print version)
Reader's Annotation
Emma-Jean is all logic, and Colleen is all heart. When these two opposites meet by chance one day in the school bathroom, their lives will never be the same again.
About the Author
Lauren Tarshis grew up near New York City. As a child, she had a learning disability which made reading very challenging. Through approaching reading in a different way, however, she surmounted this difficulty and became a voracious reader. She has now written two “Emma-Jean” novels, the second being Emma-Jean Fell in Love. She is the editor of Storyworks, a literature magazine for 4th-6th graders. Tarshis lives in Connecticut, with her husband and four children. In her spare time she likes to bake chocolate cakes, draw, make collages, and explore new cities.
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Age
9-11 years
Plot Summary
The protagonist of this novel is 7th-grader Emma-Jean Lazarus, who is extremely intelligent and very logical. Emma-Jean’s father passed away two years before the novel starts, and she cannot get used to the idea of her mother ever falling in love with another man. At school, Emma-Jean has remained a bit aloof from the other students, because she considers their behavior to be irrational, and does not want to be drawn into the same kinds of emotional messes in which they often find themselves. This all changes one day, however, when she happens to encounter Colleen Pomerantz crying in the bathroom. Colleen’s personality is perhaps the polar opposite to Emma-Jean’s. Colleen is too concerned with what other people think of her, and frets all the time over whether she may have mistreated someone, or whether something about her appearance doesn’t look right. When she meets Emma-Jean, her current crisis involves another girl trying to steal her best friend. But Emma-Jean believes she can use her logic to help Colleen out.
Series Note
The sequel to this novel is Emma-Jean Fell in Love (2007).
Critical Evaluation
Emma Jean is a very unique character unlike most others that tween readers will likely have encountered. And finding out some of the possible reasons for her behavior is half the fun of reading the book. Another interesting aspect about this novel is that while much of it is told from Emma-Jean’s perspective, portions are told from Colleen’s perspective. The novel is fairly slow-paced, although the girls do have some adventures surrounding Emma-Jean’s new interest in helping people solve their problems, sometimes by any means necessary. Emma-Jean’s feeling that her mother should never love another man again -- even though Emma-Jeans’s father passed away two years earlier – is very realistic. This also leads to one of the very comedic moments in the novel, as Emma-Jean finds herself writing a letter to her mother’s suitor in India. And overall, the novel is quite humorous. Mamie Gummer reads the novel very expressively in this audio version. I highly recommend this very insightful novel to tweens.
Booktalking Ideas
Give a booktalk about Emma-Jean and Colleen’s first meeting in the bathroom.
Curriculum Ideas
Literature: Students study the poet for whom Emma-Jean Lazarus is named: Emma Lazarus, who wrote the poem on the Statue of Liberty.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this book, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the book’s content to promote its literary merits.
• Refer to library’s collection development policy.
• Refer to book reviews from authoritative sources such as ALA, School Library Journal, etc.
• Obtain book reviews from tweens who have read it.
Why I Chose This Book
I thought that Emma-Jean’s personality and love of order sounded so unusual for someone her age, making her an intriguing character.
Stuck in the Middle: Seventeen Comics from an Unpleasant Age. Editor Ariel Schrag.
Stuck in the Middle: Seventeen Comics from an Unpleasant Age. Editor Ariel Schrag. New York: Viking, 2007. 210 pp. ISBN-13: 9780670062218
“I can remember feeling like I was constantly on radar, only to learn in later years that virtually everyone was experiencing similar feelings of insecurity.” - Jace Smith, p. 70
Reader's Annotation
Middle school is not always easy! Come read some comics by artists who’ve been there…and lived to tell the tale.
About the Editor
Ariel Schrag was born in Berkeley, California in 1979. She graduated from Columbia University in 2003 with a degree in literature. In 2004 she began teaching a workshop on graphic novels at The New School. Schrag is the author of the autobiographical graphic novels Awkward, Definition, Potential, and Likewise, which discuss her high school experience. Potential was nominated for an Eisner Award. She wrote for two seasons of the Showtime series, The L Word. Schrag’s illustrations and comics have appeared in publications such as The San Francisco Chronicle, Jane, Paper, and The Village Voice. She lives in both Los Angeles and New York.
Genre
Comic Collection
Reading Level/Interest Age
12-14 years
Content of Book
Stuck in the Middle was selected for New York Public Library's “Books for the Teen Age” list in 2008. It is a collection of black and white comics by 17 artists, which all focus on the challenges of the middle school experience. The artists included are: Vanessa Davis, Joe Matt, Tania Schrag, Eric Enright, Ariel Schrag, Jace Smith, Daniel Clowes, Cole Johnson, Nick Eliopulos, Gabrielle Bell, Dash Shaw, Lauren Weinstein, Jim Hoover, Robyn Chapman, Ariel Bordeaux, and Aaron Renier. A sample of the topics addressed in the comics are: the ups and downs of close friendships, as in Ariel Schrag’s “Plan on the Number Seven Bus;” self-consciousness, such as in Dash Shaw’s “Crater Face;” child abuse and first love, such as in Robyn Chapman’s “Never Go Home;” and a survival guide, as in Jace Smith’s entertaining “Tips for Surviving Middle School.” The styles of the comics are diverse, from the fairly simple line drawings of Eric Enright, to the more detailed 1970s style of Gabrielle Bell, to Dash Shaw’s mingling of various styles in one comic.
Critical Evaluation
This is an excellent collection of comics which really hits the mark in its depiction of the anxieties of the middle school years. We can all remember those embarrassing moments, and these 17 artists capture them with complete honesty, and a lot of humor. I also think that the great variance in styles in this book will demonstrate to aspiring tween artists that there is no set of rules that one must follow in order to create art. Although the themes of this collection are varied, a common feeling that the protagonists of many of the comics express is a sense of being misunderstood or alone. Often, though, a turn of events shows that the other tweens around them also feel the same way, or the protagonist ends up finding a friend when or where they least expect. I highly recommend this collection of comics to tweens -- extremely funny and perceptive!
Booktalking Ideas
Share the opening pages of some of the comics, showing different styles of drawing and different perspectives on the middle school experience.
Curriculum Ideas
Have a class discussion with students about the book – could they identify with any of the characters in the comics and/or what other issues are important to them?
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this book, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the book’s content to promote its literary merits.
• Refer to library’s collection development policy.
• Refer to book reviews from authoritative sources such as ALA, School Library Journal, etc.
• Obtain book reviews from tweens who have read it.
Why I Chose This Book
I loved the fact that this is a collection of new comics, and that they all focus on the middle school experience.
“I can remember feeling like I was constantly on radar, only to learn in later years that virtually everyone was experiencing similar feelings of insecurity.” - Jace Smith, p. 70
Reader's Annotation
Middle school is not always easy! Come read some comics by artists who’ve been there…and lived to tell the tale.
About the Editor
Ariel Schrag was born in Berkeley, California in 1979. She graduated from Columbia University in 2003 with a degree in literature. In 2004 she began teaching a workshop on graphic novels at The New School. Schrag is the author of the autobiographical graphic novels Awkward, Definition, Potential, and Likewise, which discuss her high school experience. Potential was nominated for an Eisner Award. She wrote for two seasons of the Showtime series, The L Word. Schrag’s illustrations and comics have appeared in publications such as The San Francisco Chronicle, Jane, Paper, and The Village Voice. She lives in both Los Angeles and New York.
Genre
Comic Collection
Reading Level/Interest Age
12-14 years
Content of Book
Stuck in the Middle was selected for New York Public Library's “Books for the Teen Age” list in 2008. It is a collection of black and white comics by 17 artists, which all focus on the challenges of the middle school experience. The artists included are: Vanessa Davis, Joe Matt, Tania Schrag, Eric Enright, Ariel Schrag, Jace Smith, Daniel Clowes, Cole Johnson, Nick Eliopulos, Gabrielle Bell, Dash Shaw, Lauren Weinstein, Jim Hoover, Robyn Chapman, Ariel Bordeaux, and Aaron Renier. A sample of the topics addressed in the comics are: the ups and downs of close friendships, as in Ariel Schrag’s “Plan on the Number Seven Bus;” self-consciousness, such as in Dash Shaw’s “Crater Face;” child abuse and first love, such as in Robyn Chapman’s “Never Go Home;” and a survival guide, as in Jace Smith’s entertaining “Tips for Surviving Middle School.” The styles of the comics are diverse, from the fairly simple line drawings of Eric Enright, to the more detailed 1970s style of Gabrielle Bell, to Dash Shaw’s mingling of various styles in one comic.
Critical Evaluation
This is an excellent collection of comics which really hits the mark in its depiction of the anxieties of the middle school years. We can all remember those embarrassing moments, and these 17 artists capture them with complete honesty, and a lot of humor. I also think that the great variance in styles in this book will demonstrate to aspiring tween artists that there is no set of rules that one must follow in order to create art. Although the themes of this collection are varied, a common feeling that the protagonists of many of the comics express is a sense of being misunderstood or alone. Often, though, a turn of events shows that the other tweens around them also feel the same way, or the protagonist ends up finding a friend when or where they least expect. I highly recommend this collection of comics to tweens -- extremely funny and perceptive!
Booktalking Ideas
Share the opening pages of some of the comics, showing different styles of drawing and different perspectives on the middle school experience.
Curriculum Ideas
Have a class discussion with students about the book – could they identify with any of the characters in the comics and/or what other issues are important to them?
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this book, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the book’s content to promote its literary merits.
• Refer to library’s collection development policy.
• Refer to book reviews from authoritative sources such as ALA, School Library Journal, etc.
• Obtain book reviews from tweens who have read it.
Why I Chose This Book
I loved the fact that this is a collection of new comics, and that they all focus on the middle school experience.
Friday, December 4, 2009
American Girl Online Games, by American Girl, LLC
American Girls Online Games, by American Girl, LLC, 2009. http://www.americangirl.com/fun/index.php?section=games
“We hope our stories, characters, and more speak to girls everywhere, helping them become all that they can be.” - American Girl: Our Company
Player's Annotation
From playing mancala with Addy, to escaping from enemies with Kaya, to starting a business with Kit, come have some fun with games at American Girl!
About the Creator
The American Girl brand was founded as Pleasant Company, in 1986, the same year that the first doll catalog appeared. Pleasant Company was acquired by Mattel, Inc. in 1998. American Girl products now include: the American Girl characters, the Bitty Baby line, the Just Like You dolls, and the American Girl magazines and books. I could not find information concerning the creation of the American Girl Web site or online games, other than the copyright on the American Girl homepage of “American Girl, LLC.”
Genre
Games: Historical Girl Characters
Interest Age
9-11 years
Playing the Game
The American Girl Web site in its entirety receives 52 million visits per year. The site includes many features, including 70+ games (a few of the games are actually two or more activities under one game heading). The games range in level of difficulty. On the simpler end are games like “Pet Sledding,” which involves maneuvering one’s pet down a snowy slope while trying to avoid rocks and picking up presents at the same time. A more complex game is “Kit’s Money Matters” which involves setting up an egg-selling business, strategizing new approaches when customers are not buying, as well as deciding whether to spend profits on fun items or those which may increase business. But a common feature of all the games is that users do not have to register or download anything in order to play them. Each game is played in a decent size pop-up box (almost 5” x 7” on my laptop screen) larger than those on many other game sites. Also, there are no advertisements around most of the games (see “Doll’s Journey” games below, however) other than the fairly unobtrusive links to other parts of the site.
Critical Evaluation
This is a very well-organized game site, allowing users to sort the games into categories, such as those involving historical characters, those involving pets, etc. I especially liked the games in the “Doll’s Journey” category, as they contain links to educational information on the country in which the game takes place. However, the downside is that they also contain a link to create a travel diary for your doll, so there’s a bit of commercial pressure on those girls who don’t own one. A helpful feature of the site is the detailed instructions that are provided for the more involved games. And a stand-out aspect of these games is their musical accompaniment – each game’s is quite distinct, and the pieces are actually quite atmospheric and interesting, unlike the repetitive refrains on other game sites. It is fairly easy to maneuver objects in the games -- the objects on the screen respond fairly instantaneously to one’s touch on the keyboard. The tone of the games is upbeat, and even those involving escape or some form of danger are not what I would call dark. I would recommend this game site to tween girls who want to have a little fun, and I think certain games such as “Kit’s Money Matters” could even be used as educational tools.
Talking Up the Game
Talk about the fact that there are a variety of levels of difficulty, both between games and within games.
Curriculum Ideas
History: Students study the historical time periods connected with the games.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this game, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the game’s content to promote its merits.
• Refer to library’s Internet and gaming policies.
• Refer to game reviews from authoritative sources.
• Obtain game reviews from tweens who have played it.
Why I Chose This Game
I wanted to review a couple games which do not require players to register on the game site or on a social networking site, etc. And I know that the American Girl brand is popular with tweens, so I thought I’d check out their offerings.
“We hope our stories, characters, and more speak to girls everywhere, helping them become all that they can be.” - American Girl: Our Company
Player's Annotation
From playing mancala with Addy, to escaping from enemies with Kaya, to starting a business with Kit, come have some fun with games at American Girl!
About the Creator
The American Girl brand was founded as Pleasant Company, in 1986, the same year that the first doll catalog appeared. Pleasant Company was acquired by Mattel, Inc. in 1998. American Girl products now include: the American Girl characters, the Bitty Baby line, the Just Like You dolls, and the American Girl magazines and books. I could not find information concerning the creation of the American Girl Web site or online games, other than the copyright on the American Girl homepage of “American Girl, LLC.”
Genre
Games: Historical Girl Characters
Interest Age
9-11 years
Playing the Game
The American Girl Web site in its entirety receives 52 million visits per year. The site includes many features, including 70+ games (a few of the games are actually two or more activities under one game heading). The games range in level of difficulty. On the simpler end are games like “Pet Sledding,” which involves maneuvering one’s pet down a snowy slope while trying to avoid rocks and picking up presents at the same time. A more complex game is “Kit’s Money Matters” which involves setting up an egg-selling business, strategizing new approaches when customers are not buying, as well as deciding whether to spend profits on fun items or those which may increase business. But a common feature of all the games is that users do not have to register or download anything in order to play them. Each game is played in a decent size pop-up box (almost 5” x 7” on my laptop screen) larger than those on many other game sites. Also, there are no advertisements around most of the games (see “Doll’s Journey” games below, however) other than the fairly unobtrusive links to other parts of the site.
Critical Evaluation
This is a very well-organized game site, allowing users to sort the games into categories, such as those involving historical characters, those involving pets, etc. I especially liked the games in the “Doll’s Journey” category, as they contain links to educational information on the country in which the game takes place. However, the downside is that they also contain a link to create a travel diary for your doll, so there’s a bit of commercial pressure on those girls who don’t own one. A helpful feature of the site is the detailed instructions that are provided for the more involved games. And a stand-out aspect of these games is their musical accompaniment – each game’s is quite distinct, and the pieces are actually quite atmospheric and interesting, unlike the repetitive refrains on other game sites. It is fairly easy to maneuver objects in the games -- the objects on the screen respond fairly instantaneously to one’s touch on the keyboard. The tone of the games is upbeat, and even those involving escape or some form of danger are not what I would call dark. I would recommend this game site to tween girls who want to have a little fun, and I think certain games such as “Kit’s Money Matters” could even be used as educational tools.
Talking Up the Game
Talk about the fact that there are a variety of levels of difficulty, both between games and within games.
Curriculum Ideas
History: Students study the historical time periods connected with the games.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this game, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the game’s content to promote its merits.
• Refer to library’s Internet and gaming policies.
• Refer to game reviews from authoritative sources.
• Obtain game reviews from tweens who have played it.
Why I Chose This Game
I wanted to review a couple games which do not require players to register on the game site or on a social networking site, etc. And I know that the American Girl brand is popular with tweens, so I thought I’d check out their offerings.
Tween Tribune: News For Kids & News By Kids, by TweenTribune
Tween Tribune: News For Kids & News By Kids, by TweenTribune, 2009. http://tweentribune.com/
“Our democracy depends upon a well-informed public, so it's important to foster a daily news-reading habit at an early age.” - About Us: tweentribune.com
Reader's Annotation
Learn about everything from world events to simply weird events on this news site…and submit your stories and comments as well!
About the Author
Tween Tribune is produced by Tweentribune.com, whose managing editor is Alan Jacobson. Jacobson has worked in the communications industry as a photographer, designer, and editor. He has received honors from the Society for News Design, and is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art. He's the father of two tweens himself, and the president of BrassTacksDesign, which provides editorial, advertising and technical support to newspapers.
Genre
Web site: daily news
Interest Age
10-14 years
Content of Site
This is a news site for tweens, and claims to be the only such site for tweens which updates its news on a daily basis. Based on the vocabulary level and short length of the articles, this site could be used by ages 10 and up. The homepage indicates that the principal news stories posted are selected by tweens working with professional journalists. Tweens can also submit content to the site, such as links to news stories that they find interesting, stories they have written themselves, book reviews, and comments on the stories posted. The site is free to use, but students must register in conjunction with their teacher. This is a nice feature which should hopefully prevent adults from registering and misrepresenting themselves as tweens. Additionally, students are never contacted by the site’s creators. There are several handy features for teachers, including the ability to moderate their students’ comments. The site generates a homepage for each student, as well as one for the class. The site is well organized, with news stories on the left, and a list of subject categories and tweens’ comments on the right.
Critical Evaluation
What I love most about this site is how well it integrates “hard news” of domestic and international events, celebrity updates, and strange-but-true stories into one package. Tweens will enjoy giggling at the news of the odd, and hopefully then notice the “serious” news piece above or below it. The inclusion of tweens’ comments after the articles (at least 10,400+ comments posted since 2008) is another great feature which I think will further persuade tweens that this site – and keeping up on the news in general – is relevant to them. And the fact that tweens are involved in selection of the principal articles gives the site even more “tween credibility”. However, the way in which tweens are involved in the selection process is not explained in enough detail. Another omission is that the news articles written by adults do not include authors’ names. A strong point of the site is the lack of advertisements. Overall, a great site for tweens, which so many seem to be enjoying already.
Talking Up the Site
• Read a couple of the more entertaining news stories aloud, including tweens’ comments.
• Show students examples of some of the ways that they can contribute to the site.
Curriculum Ideas
Language Arts: Students write and submit stories to the site themselves.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this site, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the site’s content to promote its merits.
• Refer to library’s Internet policies.
• Refer to site reviews from authoritative sources.
• Obtain site reviews from tweens who have used it.
Why I Chose This Site
I learned of this site through Common Sense Media, which reviews and estimates age ratings for all forms of children’s media.
“Our democracy depends upon a well-informed public, so it's important to foster a daily news-reading habit at an early age.” - About Us: tweentribune.com
Reader's Annotation
Learn about everything from world events to simply weird events on this news site…and submit your stories and comments as well!
About the Author
Tween Tribune is produced by Tweentribune.com, whose managing editor is Alan Jacobson. Jacobson has worked in the communications industry as a photographer, designer, and editor. He has received honors from the Society for News Design, and is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art. He's the father of two tweens himself, and the president of BrassTacksDesign, which provides editorial, advertising and technical support to newspapers.
Genre
Web site: daily news
Interest Age
10-14 years
Content of Site
This is a news site for tweens, and claims to be the only such site for tweens which updates its news on a daily basis. Based on the vocabulary level and short length of the articles, this site could be used by ages 10 and up. The homepage indicates that the principal news stories posted are selected by tweens working with professional journalists. Tweens can also submit content to the site, such as links to news stories that they find interesting, stories they have written themselves, book reviews, and comments on the stories posted. The site is free to use, but students must register in conjunction with their teacher. This is a nice feature which should hopefully prevent adults from registering and misrepresenting themselves as tweens. Additionally, students are never contacted by the site’s creators. There are several handy features for teachers, including the ability to moderate their students’ comments. The site generates a homepage for each student, as well as one for the class. The site is well organized, with news stories on the left, and a list of subject categories and tweens’ comments on the right.
Critical Evaluation
What I love most about this site is how well it integrates “hard news” of domestic and international events, celebrity updates, and strange-but-true stories into one package. Tweens will enjoy giggling at the news of the odd, and hopefully then notice the “serious” news piece above or below it. The inclusion of tweens’ comments after the articles (at least 10,400+ comments posted since 2008) is another great feature which I think will further persuade tweens that this site – and keeping up on the news in general – is relevant to them. And the fact that tweens are involved in selection of the principal articles gives the site even more “tween credibility”. However, the way in which tweens are involved in the selection process is not explained in enough detail. Another omission is that the news articles written by adults do not include authors’ names. A strong point of the site is the lack of advertisements. Overall, a great site for tweens, which so many seem to be enjoying already.
Talking Up the Site
• Read a couple of the more entertaining news stories aloud, including tweens’ comments.
• Show students examples of some of the ways that they can contribute to the site.
Curriculum Ideas
Language Arts: Students write and submit stories to the site themselves.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this site, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the site’s content to promote its merits.
• Refer to library’s Internet policies.
• Refer to site reviews from authoritative sources.
• Obtain site reviews from tweens who have used it.
Why I Chose This Site
I learned of this site through Common Sense Media, which reviews and estimates age ratings for all forms of children’s media.
The GREENS [Web site], by WGBH Educational Foundation
The GREENS [Web site], by WGBH Educational Foundation, 2009. http://www.meetthegreens.org/
“Izz’s Dad:Izz is something of a campaigner herself. Her most recent campaign was entitled ‘Save Wales.’ ‘Save Wales’ was, truth be told, a clerical mistake; her spell-checker failed to catch the ‘whales’ typo before the posters went up at her school.” - The GREENS: Izz
User's Annotation
Come hang out with The GREENS, and learn how to make instruments out of vegetables, create your own wrapping paper, and even play some green games. Join middle school students and cousins Izz and Dex as they learn about taking care of the environment!
About the Site’s Creator
The GREENS Web site is produced by Boston’s WGBH, which is PBS’s single largest producer of public media content for television and the Web. WGBH was formed in 1951, and is also a local broadcaster of several television and radio stations in New England. The TED community and photographer Edward Burtynsky were involved in the genesis of The GREENS Web site, and The GREENS Executive Producer is Bill Schribman of WGBH's Interactive Kids Group.
Genre
Web Site: environmental sustainability
Interest Age
9-11 years
Site Content
The goal of the award-winning GREENS site is to encourage kids to consider the environment and how they can live in it in a more sustainable manner, as well as to spark interest in recycling, water conservation, and green living in general. A principal feature of the site is a series of animated episodes which focus on topics such as electricity, landfills, reducing consumption, pet-related environmental issues, and several others. These episodes feature two main characters, middle school cousins Izz and Dex. The other characters on the site are Izz’s mom and dad, Dex’s mom and her boyfriend, Granny, the pet cat, neighbor Jolie and her friend Hector, neighbor Mrs. Greener, and CJ, a researcher from the local aquarium. Each character has written an entertaining bio of themselves or another character. The site also contains a “blog”, which is actually a posting of educational information, readers’ book reviews and ideas, and links to new episodes. There are 7-10 postings each month, which are “commented on” by Izz and Dex. However, it is not an actual blog where users can comment. There are additionally some simple but enjoyable games, which present environmental information while the user plays.
Critical Evaluation
Kudos to the site’s creators for making green living so much fun – once I arrived at The GREENS, I did not want to leave! This is one of the most engaging resources that I have reviewed this semester, and I very highly recommend it to both tweens and young teens. The graphics are beautifully done (including characters’ skin tones in shades of green and purple, etc.) and very in tune with pop culture, and as such are the perfect vehicle for the educational content. The characters are very likeable and upbeat, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I think tweens will catch their excitement for environmental consciousness. There is a good dose of humor in the animation, but it is not goofy. The site is very easy to navigate, but you may also want to check the site map -- which organizes content by episode -- to make sure you don’t miss anything. For a fairly new site, it has a lot of great content. However, I would suggest that its creators increase its interactivity. Users can currently submit ideas and book reviews, as well as vote on environmental questions, but hopefully in the future there will also be a true blog/comment area where users can contribute in greater numbers. But, overall, an amazing and very creative site.
Talking Up the Site
• Give a character talk as either Izz or Dex, the main characters of the site.
• Show an episode or two of the site’s animated show, or let tweens explore the games.
Curriculum Ideas
• Ecology: As a class, begin composting.
• Music: Each student creates an edible instrument , such as a carrot strummer or an eggplant clapper.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this site, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the site’s content to promote its merits.
• Refer to library’s Internet policies.
• Refer to site reviews from authoritative sources.
• Obtain site reviews from tweens who have used it.
Why I Chose This Site
I learned of this site through Common Sense Media, which reviews and estimates age ratings for all forms of children’s media.
“Izz’s Dad:Izz is something of a campaigner herself. Her most recent campaign was entitled ‘Save Wales.’ ‘Save Wales’ was, truth be told, a clerical mistake; her spell-checker failed to catch the ‘whales’ typo before the posters went up at her school.” - The GREENS: Izz
User's Annotation
Come hang out with The GREENS, and learn how to make instruments out of vegetables, create your own wrapping paper, and even play some green games. Join middle school students and cousins Izz and Dex as they learn about taking care of the environment!
About the Site’s Creator
The GREENS Web site is produced by Boston’s WGBH, which is PBS’s single largest producer of public media content for television and the Web. WGBH was formed in 1951, and is also a local broadcaster of several television and radio stations in New England. The TED community and photographer Edward Burtynsky were involved in the genesis of The GREENS Web site, and The GREENS Executive Producer is Bill Schribman of WGBH's Interactive Kids Group.
Genre
Web Site: environmental sustainability
Interest Age
9-11 years
Site Content
The goal of the award-winning GREENS site is to encourage kids to consider the environment and how they can live in it in a more sustainable manner, as well as to spark interest in recycling, water conservation, and green living in general. A principal feature of the site is a series of animated episodes which focus on topics such as electricity, landfills, reducing consumption, pet-related environmental issues, and several others. These episodes feature two main characters, middle school cousins Izz and Dex. The other characters on the site are Izz’s mom and dad, Dex’s mom and her boyfriend, Granny, the pet cat, neighbor Jolie and her friend Hector, neighbor Mrs. Greener, and CJ, a researcher from the local aquarium. Each character has written an entertaining bio of themselves or another character. The site also contains a “blog”, which is actually a posting of educational information, readers’ book reviews and ideas, and links to new episodes. There are 7-10 postings each month, which are “commented on” by Izz and Dex. However, it is not an actual blog where users can comment. There are additionally some simple but enjoyable games, which present environmental information while the user plays.
Critical Evaluation
Kudos to the site’s creators for making green living so much fun – once I arrived at The GREENS, I did not want to leave! This is one of the most engaging resources that I have reviewed this semester, and I very highly recommend it to both tweens and young teens. The graphics are beautifully done (including characters’ skin tones in shades of green and purple, etc.) and very in tune with pop culture, and as such are the perfect vehicle for the educational content. The characters are very likeable and upbeat, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I think tweens will catch their excitement for environmental consciousness. There is a good dose of humor in the animation, but it is not goofy. The site is very easy to navigate, but you may also want to check the site map -- which organizes content by episode -- to make sure you don’t miss anything. For a fairly new site, it has a lot of great content. However, I would suggest that its creators increase its interactivity. Users can currently submit ideas and book reviews, as well as vote on environmental questions, but hopefully in the future there will also be a true blog/comment area where users can contribute in greater numbers. But, overall, an amazing and very creative site.
Talking Up the Site
• Give a character talk as either Izz or Dex, the main characters of the site.
• Show an episode or two of the site’s animated show, or let tweens explore the games.
Curriculum Ideas
• Ecology: As a class, begin composting.
• Music: Each student creates an edible instrument , such as a carrot strummer or an eggplant clapper.
Potential Challenge Issues & Defense
I do not foresee any challenges to this site, but if any were to arise, the following steps could be taken in defense:
• Become familiar enough with the site’s content to promote its merits.
• Refer to library’s Internet policies.
• Refer to site reviews from authoritative sources.
• Obtain site reviews from tweens who have used it.
Why I Chose This Site
I learned of this site through Common Sense Media, which reviews and estimates age ratings for all forms of children’s media.
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