Kazumi Reads

Sommers, S. (Director). (n.d.). G.I. Joe: Rise of the of Cobra [Motion picture on DVD]. USA: Paramount.

Growing up in the 80's, I was never a huge fan of G.I. Joe. Actually, I was too much of a girl so I spend most of my time with Cabbage Patch and  My Little Pony. As an adult, and watching this movie, all I can really say is...awesome! This movie is perfect for any 'tween boy looking for some great action and awesome gadgets. With today's technology, Stuart Beattie and David Elliott literally brought G.I. Joe to life with a bang!
In this movie, Col. Duke inadvertently becomes involved in a heist of nuclear weapons that literally destroy anything in its sight. Little does he know, this plan was concocted by a man whose ancestor sold weapons to warring countries and has decided to take finally take his revenge by setting elaborate warheads free all over the world. With this knowledge, an elite team of soldiers called "G.I. Joe" are on the case to find out who stole these weapons and what they are to be used for. With old favorites like Dr. Mindbender, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, Heavy, and Cobra Commander, several stories are brought to life, including the fact that Col. Duke's ex-fiance, the Baroness (aka. Anna), is the one leading the hijacking of the nuclear weapons.

Although this movie didn't get the greatest reviews, I give it a thumbs up because the fighting, blowing up of things, and the all the gear, make this movie pretty cool. This movie is definitely face-paced, loud, and full of twists and turns, 'tween boys will definitely get a kick out of this classic cartoon. Who knows, maybe boys will start watching the 80's animation and pick-up their G.I. Joe figurines again. :D

Genre: Action, Adventure, Military Drama
Rating: PG-13

Cover from Amazon.com

Plot Summary:
Life for Soren started out so wonderful. He has parents who loved him and a little owl sister who adored him. All of that changed when he fell out of his nest and was brought to an orphanage called Saint Aggie. Saint Aggie is far from an orphange--in fact, it is a prison where young owlets were snatched from their nests and indoctrinated. The motto at Saint Aggy's is "When Truth is Found, Purpose is Revealed." The only truth that Soren finds is that St. Aggie's, and her leaders, are not at all interested in finding truth. The more Soren fights against the cruel routines of Skench, Spoorn, Jutt, Jat, and Suntie, the more he realizes that he, and the rest of his friends, are in more danger then he could ever imagine.

With his best friend, Gylfie, Soren fights to hold onto his identity and mind by fighting against the system that is plotting a revolution that will change the owl world forever.Is the legend of Ga'Hoole really a legend or will the guardians come to save all owl-kind.

Genre(s):
Tween Adventure

Reading Level/ Reading Interest:
Grades 4 & up

Books similar to The Capture:

•  The Warriors Series by Erin Hunter
• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Product Information:

Anderson, S. B. (2007). Childhood Left Behind. In Serving young teens and 'tweens (pp. 6-8). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Normal Adolescent Development Part I. (2001, June). American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved September 04, 2010, from http://www.aacap.org/page.ww?section=Facts for Families&name=Normal Adolescent Development Part I

 In chapter one, of Sheila B. Anderson's Serving Young 'Tween and Young Teens, entitled Childhood Left Behind, Anderson discusses the physiological, emotional, and cognitive development of 'tweens and young teens.  Although there is no proper definition of a "tween," Anderson focuses on young people, 'tweens, and young teens, between the ages of  ten and fourteen (2007, p. xxii). The chapter is broken down into several sections focusing on: defining the ages of young teens and 'tweens, adolescent development, demographics, and service considerations. The evidence Anderson provides, especially in regards to development, in, my opinion, is utterly mind blowing. I always know puberty could be a pain, but I understand why by digging further into the issue as to why adolescent development has to occur and how it is necessary for parents, teachers, and librarians to be understanding and aware of this exciting and, sometimes, traumatizing transformation.

One section that stood out the most in my mind was Anderson's introduction of Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development.  I am not familiar with Piaget, but, after reading Anderson's findings of 'tween and young teens cognitive development, I now fully understand how 'tweens and young teens develop critical thinking skills. Anderson (2006) states "[a]ccording top Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development, young people ages eleven or older are in a stage of  "formal operations" meant that they are able to develop abstract and hypothetical  reasoning. Unlike children, who are typically limited to thinking about what is real, 'tween and young teens are able to begin thinking about what is possible"(p.6).

Looking back on my own adolescent development, I remember sitting in my seventh grade English class talking about The Outsiders. My teachers asked us a question as to why Johnny and Pony Boy had to run away and hide. Obviously, they got into a situation where fear and violence intermingled, but, I started to wonder that is has to go beyond just the fighting...what were the events that led up to the tragedy and the characters really have any choices or control over the situation? Little did I know, those questions in my head were sure fire signs that I was developing my very own critical thinking skills!

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) created a Facts for Family study, entitled Normal Adolescent Development, that informs parents of several developmental factors that will affect their 'twee and/or young teens behavior such as: Movement Towards Independence, Future Interests and Cognitive Changes, Sexuality, and Morals, Values, and Self-Direction. Reflecting on my own experience, and possibly the experience of other 'tweens and young teens, I was developing my ability to recognize that we, as human beings, are capable of making our own choices and realizing that their are consequences to each action. Johnny and Pony Boy were simply victims of circumstance, but, given their involvement with the Greasers and fraternizing with Soc girls, Johnny committed an action that sent both their worlds into chaos.

Adolescent development is truly a remarkable process despite the havoc and joy it causes a 'tween and young teens. This moment in time, although short, is quite exciting because, as Librarians, we can help them get through this process by providing resources and programs that will allow them to express themselves and find comfort in their own skin. More importantly, by working with group of adolescents, we also have the opportunity to evolve as professionals by creating new methods of library service such as more relaxed reference interviews and innovative PR to get 'tweens and teens into the library. The sky is the limit when working with young people so it is definitely a good thing that we have the Jean Piaget's and S.E Hinton's making the lives of parents, teachers, librarians, 'tween, and young teens a little bit better.