Government Leaders, Senior Policy Makers, Domestic Violence Experts Discuss Most Effective Ways to Stop Dating Violence Among Middle School Youth at Capitol Hill Event

        Domestic violence is a pervasive problem throughout all socioeconomic groups in American society. This article identifies the value of targeting middle school youth to end the cycle of violence.  Teen dating violence is the beginning of the perpetuation of domestic violence. One of the goals of the groups and individuals mentioned was to educate the public “about the debilitating problem of dating violence among our young people.”  This group (tweens) are at the beginning of their explorations of dating and romantic relationships and it is at this time in their lives where the most effective change in their perception of dating/family violence can be implemented. The article states, “Middle school is an important time in the development of an adolescent’s view of what a healthy relationship should be.  The importance of teaching healthy relationship skills early on is integral in the prevention of teen dating violence, which is far too prevalent and prevents far too many students from being able to focus on their education.” Tweens are given resources and support to identify signs of abuse and to get help. 

This effort has support from many diverse groups and political ideologies. A partial lists of the participants who are commonly aligned to end the violence include; The Family Violence Prevention Fund, Jewish Women International, Republican AND Democratic congressmen and senators, Department of Education, Department of Justice, MTV, Liz Claiborne Inc., and the Los Angeles Unified School District.  The Robert Wood Johnson foundation and Blue Shield of California Foundation have invested $18 million to support this cause. 

It had not occurred to me that dating violence is an issue among tweens.  It seems more obvious to me now that there is a direct connection between this and the more “visible” domestic violence issue. I am encouraged that so many diverse groups have joined together to raise the “visibility” of and begin an attempt to bring an end to dating violence.  Wouldn’t this be a great topic for a tween program in a school or public library?

Government Leaders, Senior Policy Makers, Domestic Violence Experts Discuss Most     

       Effective Ways to Stop Dating Violence Among Middle School Youth at Capitol Hill   

       Event. (2011, February 10). Targeted News Service. Retrieved from ProQuest  

       Newsstand. (Document ID: 2264263281).

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

The Incredible Journey.  by Sheila Burnford.  Illustrated by Carl Burger.  A Yearling Book, 1960.  148 pages.

Plot: Set in the Canadian wilderness, The Incredible Journey tells the story of three amazing animals who forge through difficult terrain and challenges of the road to get back to their human family.  It is the tale of Tao, the rather irreverent Siamese, Bodger, the ever-amusing bull terrier, and the ever-loyal Luath (a Labrador retriever), the young leader of the trio who longs for the companionship of his human friend Jim Hunter.  The trio set off from their temporary home, as they have been watched over by John Longridge, a friend of Jim’s.  The Hunters have been in England but are returning and though the animals have grown attached to John, there is,  especially in Luath’s heart, the desire to get back home. This trio faces the challenges of bears, a porcupine, a few unkind humans, the search for food, and the difficulty of surviving in an unrelenting terrain; they also experience the acceptance and kindness of strangers, humans who take them in, if only temporarily, to restore this trio to health, so they can once again move towards home.  What captures the heart of the reader is the absolute loyalty that this trio has for one another and the heartwarming connection they share with their human counterparts.  Watch this trio as they travel their incredible journey.

Review/Personal thoughts:  The Incredible Journey is a classic.  Burnford’s narrative description, with accompanying illustrations throughout the text, draws the reader in from the first chapter. The story is directed by the ever present commitment to the ideas of loyalty, love, companionship, friendship, and the simple desire “to be home”.  Tweens will be drawn into this story as many understand the love they have for their own animal companion – therein lies the tie that binds the reader to the story.  What exists at the core of this novel is the appreciation that we must all embrace:  animals simply make our lives better and hopefully, we do the same in return for them.  There is deep wisdom in the souls of this loyal trio and each reader will be reminded of how an animal has more than likely changed their life.

Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: 6.5  Interest level: Ages 10 and up.

Awards:  Young Reader's Choice Award, 1964 Winner

Rango

Rango: Film, 2011 Studio: Nickelodeon Movies Director: Gore Verbinski Run time: 107 minutes.

Plot: Rango is a chameleon who gets dropped in the Mojave desert and sets off on a wild west adventure that reveals a cast of characters including a cactus mouse, iguana, armadillo, desert tortoise, rabbit, rattlesnake, mole and a gila monster among others.  The “townsfolk” of Dirt are parched and desperate as the precious water supply is dwindling and foul play is suspected.  Rango takes on a persona that gives hope to the citizens that a hero has arrived and he is named sheriff, but his persona is all an act.  Gunfights, posses, bank robberies and a corrupt mayor all play into the story.  Rango uncovers that the mayor has secretly been diverting the town’s water supply for his own greed and profit.  The mayor calls in Rattlesnake Jake, the meanest, toughest, and most notorious gunslinger to get rid of Rango.  Jake reveals Rango as a fraud who has lied to the townsfolk and is run out of town in humiliation.  Rango has an encounter with the “Spirit of the West”, realizes his destiny is back in Dirt and returns for one more attempt to win back the trust of the citizens and save the town.

Review/Personal thoughts: This computer animated film is a winner. There is non-stop action, humor, adventure, heroism and realism from a bunch of critters living out the old wild west life. The visuals and animation are remarkable and will capture and hold the attention of viewers.  And many human themes are explored in Rango: finding oneself, courage, corruption, defending the defenseless, justice and the power of working together. The female character Beans is actually a great role model for girls as she shows strength, courage and intelligence.  It is amazing to me how an animated film can be so entertaining and the same time provide valuable themes.  This film is not out on DVD yet but tweens will love the theater experience of Rango... Two thumbs up!

Rated: PG

Interest Level: Ages 9 and up

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games.  By Suzanne Collins. Scholastic Press, 2008.  384 pages.

Plot: The novel’s setting is in the territory of Panem, formerly the United States, and a dozen districts that make up this country. This postapocalyptic setting is one filled with struggle and strife.  The Capitol, the controlling entity of this setting, has created a competition each year called the Hunger Games, to pit territory against territory, a fight to the death.  What comes to be understood is that these games are a product of the Capitol attempting to “still” the past actions of those who spoke against the “powers” that be.  It appears the Hunger Games might well be  a “reminder” to all participants and residents of who has control.  As the story begins, we meet our young female protagonist, Katniss, who has decided to take the place of her younger sister and place herself in the arena of competition instead.  The plot throws the reader into the center of the action as we follow Katniss through the dangerous competition where the struggle to survive is a minute by minute challenge.  Inserted into this storyline is the character of Peeta, a sensitive young man, also representing the same territory as Katniss.  The Hunger Games are a bloody event televised for the voyeuristic curiosity of territorial audiences.  As the games continue, Katniss is faced with challenge after challenge, barely surviving, yet calling upon the memories of home and the powers of her mind and heart, to beat the Capitol at their own game. Will she succeed?  Will she come to understand the confusions of her own heart?  Will she find renewed strength through the relentless challenges placed in front of her? Who, in the end, has control?  Let the games begin.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This novel’s gripping plot grabs you from the first page as you find yourself in the midst of Katniss’ struggles.  The story is layered with commentary on social hierarchies, the “haves” and “have-nots”, the challenge of poverty, the desire to rebel in a world that silences you, the resiliency of spirit, the desire to remain loyal and true to one’s convictions, and the power of love.  It is also a novel loaded with contradiction as the reader, while following the action of the games, is well aware that this is bloody entertainment to keep the people “in their place”.  The tragedy is that the games exist at all, pitting territory against territory, human vs. human, who have no say in the existence of such a brutal competition.  The question constantly exists of “why is this even happening?”, “why are people forced to be in such a blood bath?”  And yet, in the midst of this contradiction, the reader is rooting for Katniss and Peeta to survive in a battle you wish would never exist at all.  This is an excellent novel that tweens are sharing with one another. There is a commitment to Katniss and her journey, a desire to watch this powerful young protagonist take on any challenge placed in front of her. As each page is read, Katniss has an ally in the reader.  

Genre: Science Fiction

Reading Level: 5.3  Interest level: Ages 11 and up

Awards: ALA 2009 Best Books for Young Adults

Best Tween Books 2008

Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominees 2011: Tween Books

Disney Channel Playlist - Various Artists

Album: Disney Channel Playlist Artist: Various Record Label: Walt Disney Records, 2009

Review:  I have to remember that I am an adult listening to an album of music designed, targeted and marketed to tweens.  I say that because this album doesn’t move me personally, however I’m sure young tweens will love it.  It is a collection of various artists who all already have successful recordings on their own.  This album is like the greatest hits of the all-stars of tween pop music.  The Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and The Cheetah Girls all have songs on this album.  Younger tweens will know these artists and love the music.  Themes are growing up, parties, friendship, believing in oneself, following your heart, self-confidence and self-discovery.   By far, the most popular song on the album is a duet with Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato called “One and the Same.”  Wanting the audience to identify with them, they sing “You rock out in your room, I rock a world premiere, We're more alike than, Anybody could ever tell.” The Jonas Brothers rock the playlist with “Live to Party” singing “You gotta live to party, bust your move, Everybody’s in the groove, Tell the DJ to play my song, Are you ready to rock and roll?”  Not my kind of lyrics, but it works for the young tweens.  Hannah Montana is singing “Let’s Get Crazy” in a pounding dance beat and she inspires her audience to “Just be courageous, this style’s contagious, Everyone can rock out like a superstar.”  The Cheetah Girls are not to be outdone as they join in the party and invite the listener to “Dance Me if You Can.”  Young tweens will probably learn their first dance moves with this album and then look back five years later and wonder what they were thinking. 

Genre: Pop rock, Pop

Interest Level: Ages 8 and up.

Breakout - Miley Cyrus

Album: Breakout Artist: Miley Cyrus Record Label: Hollywood Records, 2008

Review:  Perhaps wanting to distance herself from her Disney Channel role of Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus cranks it up on this album.  I appreciate the fact that Cyrus co-wrote eight of the twelve songs on this album. Tweens may be inspired by the creative expression demonstrated by this young performer (sixteen when she released this album). Typical teen themes run through the songs; school, romance, emotions, growing up. The song “Wake Up America” encourages tweens to take responsibility and explore environmental issues; “Wake up America, We're all in this together, It's our home so let's take care of it, And everything you do matters.”  Sounding a little “edgy” and similar to Brittany Spears on the hit single "Fly On The Wall", Miley sings, “A little communication, Well that'll go a long way, You're getting misinformation, Too much hearsay, hearsay” will have tweens identifying with gossip which too often swirls in the tween world.  Another hit single is “7 Things”.  This song captures tween romantic relationships and the emotional, contradictory feelings. She sings, “The 7 things I hate about you, You're vain, your games, you're insecure, You love me, you like her

You make me laugh, you make me cry” and then in the same song, “The 7 things I like about you, Your hair, your eyes, your old Levi's, When we kiss,You make me laugh, you make me cry, Your hand in mine.”  Tweens have already embraced Miley Cyrus in great numbers.  These songs would get tweens moving at the middle school dance. This is another artist that I would not normally seek out, but I am impressed with her talent and recommend “Breakout”.

Genre: Pop rock, Pop

Interest Level: Ages 8 and up.

My Dog Skip

My Dog Skip: Film, 2000  Studio: Warner Bros. Director: Jay Russell Run time: 95 minutes.

Plot: The story is set in Mississippi in 1942. Willie is a 9-year old only child who is not very good at sports, has trouble making friends (gets bullied) and longs for a dog.  On his ninth birthday his mother gives him Skip, a Jack Russell terrier puppy.  The bond between boy and dog is immediate and sets the stage for the story. Skip and Willie are inseparable and through Skip, Willie’s life begins to change. Everyone in town knows the pair, Willie makes friends, gets to hold hands with the prettiest girl and becomes part of a baseball team with real uniforms.  There is a scene where Willie loses his temper with Skip, slaps him and then the dog disappears. Willie is in tears as he recruits the citizens of Yazoo City to help him find his beloved dog. Skip is missing for days and is located later trapped in a cemetery. Skip is injured and may not live leading to a poignant exchange between Willie and Skip in the animal hospital. I usually try not to spoil an ending yet the final words of the narrator are a powerful reflection, “They buried him out under the elm tree, they said. That wasn't totally true. For he really lay buried in my heart."

Review/Personal thoughts: This movie described as both heart wrenching and heart warming.  It is a coming of age story baed on the a memoir of Willie Morris. There are many themes revealed in this story including friendship, bullying, courage, forgiveness, parenting, and of course the connection between humans and animals.  I was especially moved by the scene where Willie slaps Skip and immediately feels regret. With Skip missing, we identify with Willie’s grief and remorse and wonder if Skip will ever be  found so that healing can occur. Willie pours out his heart to Skip who is unconscious on the operating table, expressing his sorrow and great love. 46.3 million U.S households have dogs as pets.  My bet is that everyone of them will love this film. (And many who don’t will also...)

Rated: PG

Interest Level: Ages 8 and up

Awards:  Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, Critics Choice Award, Best Family Film, 2001