New Reviews & Advice for You

Movies in Theaters & Coming Soon

twilight_saga_new_moon.jpg
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that the second installment in the hugely popular Twilight saga is darker and a bit more violent than the first movie, but not enough to make it inappropriate for teens, especially those who've read the books. That said, the relationship ... read more

Age 13+
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
3
planet_fifty_one.jpg
Planet 51 (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that this animated alien comedy earns its PG rating with a fair bit of sexualized humor -- including jokes about anal probing and penises which may go over younger kids' head (though middle schoolers won't be duped -- in fact, they'll ... read more

Age 7+
Planet 51
2
fantastic_mr_fox.jpg
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that director Wes Anderson's dry, offbeat adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's story Fantastic Mr. Fox is fine for most grade-schoolers but also has some themes and humor that will go over kids' head. The story features a lot of ... read more

Age 7+
Fantastic Mr. Fox
4
More movie reviews

Hot New Games

New_Super_Mario_Bros._Wii_-_BOX.jpg
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

that New Super Mario Bros. Wii offers fun cooperative gaming for players of all ages. While this "E-rated" game has some light cartoon violence, it is of the jump-on-top-of-baddies variety. The game encourages group play on the ... read more

Age 7+
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
5
ItzaZoobox.jpg
ItzaZoo (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that ItzaZoo software is a great way to get kids interested in reading. By playing with charming zoo animals who communicate with you via talk bubbles that can be read aloud, kids join in adventures by creating their own artwork for the ... read more

Age 4+
ItzaZoo
5
Assassins_Creed_II_-_a.JPG
Assassin's Creed II (Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
Parents Need to Know...

Assassin's Creed II is very violent and definitely not for children. Players assume the role of a deadly assassin who uses weapons such as knives, swords, and daggers to kill human targets. Deaths -- both those resulting from the player ... read more

No Kids
Assassin's Creed II
5
More game reviews

Website Reviews for Kids

watchknow.jpg
WatchKnow
Parents Need to Know...

that this nonprofit "YouTube for kids" is safe and educational. Launched by Larry Sanger, a cofounder of Wikipedia, it aims to collect all the educational videos on the Web that are suitable for kids in one convenient place. ... read more

Age 13+
WatchKnow
5
160x153woods.jpg
A Walk in the Woods
Parents Need to Know...

that this low-tech site is designed to engage young children (and even some older ones) in the beauty and fun of nature. Specially targeted to newbie explorers, this site covers all the basic safety and ecology rules (leave only ... read more

Age 6+
A Walk in the Woods
4
businessdirectory-bam-body-and-mind.jpg
BAM! Body and Mind
Parents Need to Know...

that this government-run site is commercial free and doesn't accept any advertising. The site covers all the health advice that parents are always trying to impart to kids, like the importance of hand-washing before eating, but in a ... read more

Age 9+
BAM! Body and Mind
4
More web site reviews

New on TV

skyrunners_tv.jpg
Skyrunners (Disney XD)
Parents Need to Know...

that this made-for-TV alien-invasion adventure about two brothers who stumble upon a UFO is equal parts sci-fi action and high school drama, with older brother Nick trying to win a date with the girl of his dreams while defending younger ... read more

Age 9+
Skyrunners
3
garfield_show_tv.jpg
The Garfield Show (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that this CGI-animated series based on the long-running comic strip by Jim Davis offers more of the same exaggerated antics that viewers have come to expect from the infamously greedy orange tabby. Garfield is a model of irksome behavior, ... read more

Age 6+
The Garfield Show
3
Wanda_White-Singles_366_lyF.jpg
The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox)
Parents Need to Know...

that this comedy/variety/talk series includes sharp political commentary that reflects host Wanda Sykes’ strongly anti-conservative point of view. There's also some racially motivated humor (like references to “white folks” and ... read more

Age 15+
The Wanda Sykes Show
2
More TV reviews

Great New Reads

Claudette_Colvin_book.png
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose
Parents Need to Know...

that amidst this award-nominated, inspirational history lesson there are mentions of upsetting violence: stories of women being raped by men in the segregated South; several teens are arrested; a girl becomes pregnant by a much older, ... read more

Age 13+
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
5
the_mitten_20th_anniversary_edition.jpg
The Mitten (20th Anniversary Edition) by Jan Brett
Parents Need to Know...

that this 20th anniversary edition is a beautiful book, and one to be treasured, both for the sweetness of the story and the detailed artwork that illustrates it.  read more

Age 4+
The Mitten (20th Anniversary Edition)
5
Leviathan_book.jpg
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Parents Need to Know...

that for a fast paced adventure story set during WWI there is surprisingly little violence. There are some battles that culminate in deaths and injuries, but there is very little blood and no gore. Genetically engineered fighting ... read more

Age 12+
Leviathan
5
More book reviews

Download This Music

twilight-saga-new-moon-soundtrack.jpg
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack by Various Artists
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some haunting sounds on this CD, full of melancholy and woe, but nothing that would pose an issue for teens or even tweens for that matter. This soundtrack is in fact more suitable for younger kids than either the Twilight ... read more

Age 10+
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack
5
justinbieber1.JPG
"Favorite Girl" (CD single) by Justin Bieber
Parents Need to Know...

that this is another clean release from Justin Bieber, containing nothing more than one boy’s innocuous expressions of affection for his girlfriend. read more

Age 10+
"Favorite Girl" (CD single)
3
gllevol1.jpg
Glee: The Music, Vol. 1 by Glee Cast
Parents Need to Know...

that while the TV show Glee includes some eyebrow-raising moments, this soundtrack of cover songs from the show is a shade cleaner, offering no foul language or heavy references to adult themes like sex and drugs. read more

Age 10+
Glee: The Music, Vol. 1
4
More music reviews
Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.