My Worlds Acoustic - Justin Bieber

Album: My Worlds Acoustic Artist: Justin Bieber Record Label: Island, RBMG, 2010

Review:  I had to go out of my comfort zone for this music.  I specifically sought out an artist/album who appeals to the younger tweens.  I had not listened to Bieber’s music prior to this album, but I had certainly heard of “Bieber Fever.”  I have to acknowledge, after listening, the young man (17 years old) has talent. This particular album is a compilation of songs from his previous two albums and is featuring Justin playing acoustic guitar on all of the 10 songs.  My understanding is that when an artist releases an “acoustic” album, all of the instruments are acoustic.  This is not the case with this album, there are plenty of electric instruments being played, but they do not hinder the performance.  All of the songs are extremely listenable - good beat, good rhythm, good pace, excellent vocals.  Lyrics are always important to me (and probably are to parents of tweens) and should be to the tweens listening as well.  The lyrics in this album match the clean cut “teen heart throb” image that Justin has (not incorrectly) been labeled with. He is listed as a co-writer on 7 of the 10 songs. The first three songs on the album are love songs which is predictable, but the are hopeful and positive and I imagine igniting dreams in many tween girls.  “down to Earth” appears to be a positive appeal to mend the stress of parent-child conflicts. (What tween hasn’t experienced that?) ”So it's up to you and it's up to me That we meet in the middle on our way back down to Earth” Songs 5 through 8 are more songs where Justin declares his adoration for, comparisons to Romeo and Juliet and sadness over loss of his girl.  “Never Say Never” is the theme song from the movie “The Karate Kid” and encourages us to never give up, face challenges with courage, find yourself, and fight for what you believe in.  In the final song “Pray” Justin expands his themes to world hunger, homelessness and war. It seems sincere when he sings “I close my eyes and I can see a better day, I close my eyes and pray, Oh, I got a vision to make a difference. And it's starting today.”  Great positive messages, dreams of first love, and good music gets my high recommendation.

Genre: Pop, R&B

Interest Level: Ages 7 and up.

Mad Hot Ballroom

Mad Hot Ballroom: Film, 2005  Studio: Paramount Classics Director: Marilyn Agrelo 

Run time: 105 minutes.

Plot: This documentary follows three public schools (fourth and fifth graders) in the New York City area and the children involved in the school ballroom dance program.  The film moves between the three schools as the audience gets to know some of these young people as they practice for dance competitions (and don’t always win or move on to the next competition) culminating in the city championship occurring at the end of the film. As dances are learned so are life lessons. The documentary captures not only long hours of practice but also conversations that the young dancers have with one another whether that be about their family life, love, friendships, school, competition, or life dreams.  There is great wisdom in the words of these students if one really stops to listen to their souls and their hearts.  The audience member is drawn into the story and lives of these children, and finds that whether it be about life or dance, it’s about taking steps. But the question is…who will win the coveted trophy?

Review/Personal thoughts:  This is a film that captures the essence of youth and the joy these children find through dance.  The viewer witnesses students turning into young ladies and gentlemen who learn the power of self-confidence, sensitivity, teamwork, commitment and resiliency.  Personalities shine through as these fourth and fifth graders remind each of us how to win or lose graciously, how to smile through the frustration, how to look each other in the eyes (and that’s not only when we dance), and how to simply relish in the joy of life.  This movie reacquaints adults with the wonder of their youth and speaks to tweens who might well hear their own feelings and thoughts reflected in the words and actions of these young dancers. 

Rated: PG

Interest Level: Ages 8 and up

Awards:  Philadelphia Film Festival Audience Award, Best Documentary 2005

Satellite Award,Outstanding Documentary DVD, 2005

Young Artist Awards: Jackie Coogan Award, Outstanding youth feature documentary, 2006

TWEENS ONLINE: Kids rule.

         This article begins with the statement, “Today’s pre-teenagers are the next generation of consumers and they already know what online experiences they want.”  This is another acknowledgment of the market power tweens hold.  They flock to the web and want fun, friendship and education.  The major players, Disney, Viacom/MTV (Nickelodeon), Habbo, Stardoll and Turner Broadcasting are keenly aware of the potential earnings from tweens and are giving them what they want; gaming, video and the beginnings of social media experiences.  Astounding is the precise focus on several specific age subgroups within the standard 8 to 12 year old tween definition.  Disney has developed Disney XD for boys aged 6 to 14 years old. Turner relaunched its Cartoon Network website for 7 to 11 year olds. Nickelodeon also focuses on 7 to 11 year olds. Teen Nick was specifically developed for 10 to 13 year old girls. Habbo looks to market to a group beginning with 11 and 12 year olds. 

The article states, “Tweens may not have the spending power and influence of teenager, but... is just a few years away from being able to put their consumption habits into action.”  This doesn’t seem to account for the dollar amounts reported in the article included in this collection “How to Hype-proof your Tween” which reported tweens spending $50 billion dollars a year of their own money and $170 billion dollars spent on them by others. $220 billion dollars spent on/by tweens in one year does not equate to “not having the spending power.”  If, in fact, this is what the New Media Age staff believe, then it would have been helpful for them to provide a dollar amount that their comparison group (teenagers) spend annually. One other significant fact reported in the article is that 87% of 8 to 12 year olds go online at home or at school.

TWEENS ONLINE: Kids rule.  Feb 11, 2010 p19New Media Age, p.19. Retrieved April       

       25, 2011, from Academic OneFile via Gale.

Holes

Holes: Film, 1982 Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Director: Andrew Davis Run time: 

117 minutes.

Plot: Stanley Yelnats is a young man sent off to Camp Green Lake to “serve time” for stealing sneakers (falsely accused but the truth is revealed later). Life at the “lake” is directed by all the boys being awakened in the pre-dawn hours to be transported out to the desert to dig holes all day in order to “build character”.  But is this truly the reason why these boys are digging these god-forsaken holes?  Stanley finds himself surrounded by a cast of characters who dismiss him at first but then slowly bring him into the fold.  One character establishes himself early on as the truest outsider – a young boy named “Zero”. “Zero” and Stanley become fast friends and as challenges present themselves, these two friends discover what it really means to have each other’s back.  The story is enhanced by flashbacks to the ancestral past as well as legends that inform this particular region.  An escape from camp, the constant fear of the yellow-spotted lizard, the terror of the dangerous and greedy warden, the legend of a “kissing bandit” and buried treasure/money, as well as friendships discovered, will inform the characters’ journeys.  Watch what is “unearthed” in this enjoyable film for tweens.

Review/Personal thoughts: Holes is a film that immediately brings you into the world of the “underdog”. The motley crew of boys who are serving time become a kind of family and want nothing more than to stop digging these holes.  The film captures the importance of family, connections to the past, the loyalty of friendship, and the ever-present battle of greed vs. doing what is right.  It is a film about being true to yourself as well as loyalty to one another.  Holes is a film that speaks to the importance of stories in our lives as well as the ties the bind.  Tweens will most certainly be drawn into this film and find themselves rooting for these boys as they build friendships and discover truths about themselves as well as so much more.

Rated: PG

Interest Level: Ages 10 and up

Awards:  Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards, Sierra Award, Best Family Film, 2004.