Queen Sized

Title: Queen Sized
Starring: Nikki Blonsky
Production Company: Lifetime Movies
DVD Release Date: August 2008

Queen Sized is about an overweight girl named Maggie Baker who is nominated to be Homecoming Queen and goes on  to win the crown.  But this isn't your typical high school story and Maggie is far from your typical homecoming queen.  She's overweight.  In fact, she's so big that no one, not even herself, thinks she is pretty enough to be crowned.

The journey she takes to the throne is filled with strife and discordance.  She's harassed, bullies tamper with the election process, she's constantly at odds with her widowed mom, and she even manages to alienate her best friends.  In the end, however, Maggie becomes the her school's celebrated queen and learns a lot about self-acceptance.

Queen Sized features teenage characters, but deals with topics that are painfully understood by younger tweens too.  Bucking many stereotypes, Maggie's self-awareness and awareness of others, gives voice to many unspoken truths about weight and weight discrimination sending a message that beauty doesn't come in a one-size-fits-all package.  Though it shows that big girls are pretty, it isn't solely about being big and pretty.

Queen Sized also contains subtext of health and weight management.  Maggie turns to food to fix her feelings.  She eats compulsively and she chooses to eat foods that are bad for her health.  Obesity killed her father and her mother worries that she will suffer poor health as a result of her diet.   While this movie does not encourage dieting, in the end Maggie does choose to eliminate her secret stores of junk food. 

The last issue broached by this movie is bullying.  The bullies in this film are relentless and they seem determined to break Maggie's heart.  However, each step of the way, the bullies are stymied by their own hatred.  In a simplistic manner, the film shows that bullying doesn't pay off and paints the bullies in a negative light.  The example of how Maggie, and her mom stand up against bullying might help other kids, as will the inclusion of disparate teen voices throughout the film.   An entertaining film based on a true story that is sure to raise awareness to many important issues.

The Pluto Files

Title: The Pluto Files
Producer: PBS NOVA
DVD Release Date: June 2010

Dr. Neal deGrasse Tyson hosts this entertaining film documenting the history of Pluto and the controversy that occurred when it was demoted from planet to dwarf planet in 2006.  For many years, the tiny celestial being known as Pluto was regarded as the ninth planet in the Solar System. However, when scientists found Eris, a larger body orbiting the sun from further away, scientists across the world started to question whether Pluto miniature size could really count it as a planet.  Combining science, history, popular culture, and humor, this film is informative and accessible for tweens.  An ALA Best Film, it is recommended to any library serving youth or adults.

The Muppets Movie

Title: The Muppet Movie Producer: Jim Henson

Release Date: 1979

Meet the Muppets!  In this hilarious movie full of fun, puns, and muppets, Froggie takes a road trip from his swamp on the East Coast to Hollywood to become a famous frog.  However, trouble follows him in the form of a wicked business man named Mr. Durning who wants Kermit to promote his frog legs restaurant chain.  Thankfully, Kermit makes a gang of friends along the way including Fozzy Bear,  Ms. Piggie, Gonzo and Camilla, and Animal's rock band.  They drive across country, singing, persevering, and having a wild time!  An excellent film for tweens, teens, kids, and adults!