Common Sense Media Review
By Erin Brereton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Safe, fairly fun book-based site pushes brand.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
What's It About?
The Beacon Street Girls books and BEACONSTREETGIRLS.COM were created to give preteen girls positive role models. Centered around five fictional 12-year-old girls, the site extends the Beacon Street Girls literary experience with quizzes, descriptions of the neighborhood featured in the book, and character-centric sections that include diaries, puzzles, and more. The site has several user activities, including printable birthday cards and dress-up games. Girls who have registered for the free Club BSG can post comments on book reviews, submit questions for interviews with teen-friendly celebs, and enter contests to write songs or win a sleepover at a hotel.
Is It Any Good?
Make no mistake: This site exists to promote the line of Beacon books, which it does by offering book-centric items including reviews, sample chapters, book cover posters, and a downloadable timer that counts down the days, minutes, hours, and even seconds until the next Beacon Street Girls book release. BeaconStreetGirls.com also conveniently features an extensive online store where girls can buy character-themed, $30 body care product sets and a $78 "sleepover special" kit containing a bag, backpack, door pillow, and journal. But, once you sift through the ads and products, there is some fun, creative stuff -- especially the online movie making game, which lets users craft a cartoon-like short film by picking backgrounds, characters, and music.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why it's important to have people's comments reviewed before they're posted live on a Web site. What would not be OK to post? What information is fine to share?
Website Details
- Genre : Brand Sites
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : June 19, 2019
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