Handpicked by Our Editors

True Jackson, VP
Age 8+
3

True Jackson, VP

Why We Recommend It

The aptly named heroine of this show demonstrates how to overcome obstacles by staying true to yourself.

Read our full review
How can I find good family TV? TV ratings confuse me.

TV ratings aren't much help when kids want to see more “grown-up” shows. The TV ratings reflect sex, violence, and language concerns, but they don't talk about role models and content that profoundly influence tweens.

Try this: Check our TV reviews for in-depth information about message and content and for age-appropriate recommendations. Your kids learn from what they see on TV, so don't let confusing or incomplete ratings keep you from good family TV decisions.

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New TV Reviews for Preteens (ages 9-11)

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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
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Platinum Babies (WE)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series follows soon-to-be parents who spend extraordinary amounts of money on high-end baby products and services. The moms- and dads-to-be clearly love their babies, but the show's focus is really on how much they're spending ... read more

Age 10+
Platinum Babies
2
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Flowers Uncut (TLC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is one of many series in a long line of reality shows that focus on ultra high-end services. Star/floral designer Jeff Leatham spares no expense when he designs flowers for an event ... but that's what his customers are paying ... read more

Age 11+
Flowers Uncut
3
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Naruto Shippuden (Disney XD)
Parents Need to Know...

that this compelling anime series about the adventures of a teenage apprentice ninja and his friends picks up two years after the popular Naruto series left off. There’s plenty of action, though it’s not excessive, and some ... read more

Age 11+
Naruto Shippuden
4
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Head Games (Science Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this humor-laced game show -- which tests contestants’ grasp of scientific facts and concepts -- is filled with content that's both intriguing and educational. The series shows a variety of experiments in action and challenges ... read more

Age 10+
Head Games
4
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Lobstermen (Discovery Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series, like The Deadliest Catch and Lobster Wars before it, offers a candid look into the lives of professional New England fishermen. Like its sister shows, it highlights the many real-life challenges associated with off-shore ... read more

Age 11+
Lobstermen
3
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The 100-Mile Challenge (Planet Green)
Parents Need to Know...

that this green-themed docu-series -- which challenges Candian families to follow a diet limited to locally produced foods -- is full of interesting information, recipes, and tips. But it also heavily promotes the commercially successful ... read more

Age 10+
The 100-Mile Challenge
3
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I'm Alive (Animal Planet)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series features real people sharing their stories about life-or-death situations. Since the survivors are telling their own tales, there’s little doubt about the outcome -- though the details of these harrowing ... read more

Age 11+
I'm Alive
2
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Re:Evolution of Sports (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that in addition to highlighting the mental and physical challenges associated with extreme sports (as well as what inspires athletes to participate in them), this stunt-heavy series frequently shows athletes falling and getting hurt ... read more

Age 11+
Re:Evolution of Sports
3
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10 Count (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that this countdown series features extreme sports. Enthusiastic fans of these events should be reminded that these stunts should not be tried without proper supervision and training. The overall show is pretty mild, and features people ... read more

Age 11+
10 Count
3
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Wedded to Perfection (TLC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this wedding-centric reality series is about excess and fancy parties, with no expense spared. Perfection is the goal, with less attention paid to the featured couples' actual marriages than to the events celebrating them. Few people ... read more

Age 10+
Wedded to Perfection
2
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King of the Crown (TLC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this beauty pageant reality series is focused on winning at all costs and judging women based on their looks. Contestants are sometimes mercilessly harrassed to lose weight (even when they're clearly not fat); others end up feeling ... read more

Age 11+
King of the Crown
2
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MysteryQuest (History)
Parents Need to Know...

that because many of history's mysteries involve issues related to war, violence, and other less-than-happy subjects, some of the scenes in this series might be disturbing for sensitive or younger viewers. That said, the re-enactments ... read more

Age 11+
MysteryQuest
2
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Shreducation (Disney XD)
Parents Need to Know...

that this kid-targeted reality series about a group of young (some are just 13) aspiring pro snowboarders is very tween friendly. There’s no swearing, drinking, sex, or other iffy behavior aside from a few potentially dangerous sports ... read more

Age 9+
Shreducation
2
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Mega Beasts (Discovery Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series’ focus on ferocious prehistoric beasts means that there are lots of confrontations between the computer-generated images of the predators and their prey, whom they bite and disembody -- usually with plenty of bloody ... read more

Age 10+
Mega Beasts
3
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Planet Mechanics (Planet Green)
Parents Need to Know...

that this British series about engineers who help people find ways to use eco-friendly power sources is pretty tame overall. Expect a few mild insults (like “idiot”), some talk of possibly getting hurt if/when a mechanical device ... read more

Age 9+
Planet Mechanics
3
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Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World (Travel Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series -- in which host Andrew Zimmern partakes in unusual (by American standards) dietary choices like jungle rats and raw pig brains-- isn’t for the faint of heart ... or stomach. It's a little more intense than Zimmern's ... read more

Age 9+
Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World
4
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Ultimate Cake Off (TLC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this cake decorating reality competition includes a fair bit of strong language, often uttered in the heat of the moment or when things go wrong (as in one case when a thumb was cut accidentally). The choicest words are bleeped, but ... read more

Age 10+
Ultimate Cake Off
3
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All Jacked Up (CMT)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series about quirky stunts -- like racing ostriches and blowing up things with a military tank -- is lighthearted, but the featured activities (some of which started out on YouTube) are potentially very dangerous. They're ... read more

Age 11+
All Jacked Up
3
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Bobb'e Says (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that although tweens will probably find this show funny, the teenage host’s repetitive use of phrases like "If you want to be as cool as Bobb’e, you have to do what Bobb’e says" will rub parents the wrong way in light of ... read more

Age 9+
Bobb'e Says
2
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Dude, What Would Happen (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this series misses a great opportunity to demonstrate some of the practical applications of science, it will still get viewers’ gears turning about the way things work. The teens on the show sometimes use potentially ... read more

Age 9+
Dude, What Would Happen
3

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About Our Reviews

Common Sense Media's tv reviews and ratings for preteens are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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