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Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost: Navigation

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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that the main character in this kid-paced mystery is a young girl who acts more like a teenager than a 9-year-old. She's opinionated, strong-willed, and bossy, especially around her best friend, a 12-year-old boy who usually follows her lead rather than argue with her. She also disregards the rules to follow leads on cases, and in at least one scene she actually breaks the law (she steals confidential bank documents). But on the flipside, she's determined and dedicated to what she believes is right, and she always sees things through to the end. Tweens -- especially girls -- will enjoy her adventures, and parents will be happy knowing there's little other content here to worry about.

Families can talk about solving problems. When you're faced with a tricky "mystery," what steps do you take to work it out? How do you gather information? Who do you turn to for help? Families can also discuss Roxy. Is she a believable character? Why or why not? Why do you think she disregards the rules? Is it sometimes OK to disobey your parents if it's for the greater good? Last but not least, fans of the books the movie is based on can talk about which they like better and why.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

When Roxy Hunter's (Aria Wallace) mom uproots them from their New Jersey home and moves them to the sleepy town of Serenity Falls, Roxy's anything but thrilled. If anyone bothered to ask her, she'd say that the transition is likely to stunt her social growth and deprive her of the urban perks she's come to love.

Unfortunately, no one did bother to ask her, which is why the precocious, outspoken 9-year-old finds herself on her way to a dreaded small-town existence with her mom (Robin Brule) and her best friend, Max (Demetrius Joyette), a 12-year-old boy genius who's staying with the family while his archaeologist parents work abroad.

Roxy's feelings change at the sight of their new home, a towering historic mansion with enough intrigue to satisfy her imagination and sense of drama. And when she hears rumors that the house is haunted, she throws herself into the task of learning the ghost's identity.

Her sleuthing skills uncover plenty of secrets about the house -- and surprises abut its past and present residents -- but they also immerse her in a secret plot to destroy her new home. With Max by her side, Roxy sets out to find the culprits behind the plan and stop them before it's too late. In the process, she also manages to re-ignite a love affair that transcends time and space and learns that it's OK to let go of the past and move on with life after a tragic loss.

ROXY HUNTER AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MOODY GHOST (based on the novel by Tracey West) is the first installment in what promises to be a good TV mystery series for tweens -- especially girls, who will be attracted to the precocious star's spunky attitude and knack for connecting the dots to outwit the bad guys.

For the most part, the movie is well suited for its target age group, but some parents may take issue with young Roxy's domineering (often to the point of bossiness) relationship with Max, who usually follows her lead despite his better judgment. She assumes same know-it-all attitude with adults -- both strangers and acquaintances -- who often back down and give her what she wants.

Plus, she easily justifies disregarding her mother's instructions (and societal rules) when there's a mystery to be solved. For example, in one scene, she walks to town alone despite her mom's warning to stay close to home; in another, she steals confidential bank documents.

That said, there's a lot to like about this young go-getter and her brainy sidekick, and tweens are sure to enjoy her adventures and the movie's multiple plot twists.

Fans may also enjoy Harriet the Spy, Nancy Drew, and The Baby Sitters Club.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content A 9-year-old girl refers to a tween as her "fiancé."
Violence In one scene, a gunshot is heard, followed by a woman's scream, and a man is shown holding a shotgun that has punctured a hole in the ceiling. A boy is kidnapped and locked in a building; his friends are told that if they don't cooperate with the villains, he'll die. Ordinary sounds (bumps, creaks, branches hitting the window) are briefly implied to be made by ghosts.
Language No cursing, but there's sporadic name-calling among kids ("dimwit" and "pumpkinhead," for example).
Message
	Social Behavior Roxy is controlling and bossy toward her best friend (and tries to be toward adults), and she often disobeys her mother when she's wrapped up in sleuthing. She traipses through town by herself (against her mom's wishes), snoops through confidential files, and steals bank documents. But her actions are noble in spirit, as she's trying to save her home from destruction and reunite long-lost loves. Roxy also learns to accept the idea of her widowed mom dating again.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco

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