Linda Williams Aber

The Barbie and Friends Book Club series comprises of four different categories; careers, every day adventures, mysteries and imagination/fantasy reads. Each book picks one of those ideas and runs with it crafting a positive feel good read for young girls. The series tackles a wide range of concerns including bullying, body image, jealousy and self-worth and some of these issues are rather confronting for readers - and while realistic, could perhaps be taken negatively in some readers. That show more said, each book does end with a conclusive positive message encouraging kindness and support.

Little Sisters Keep Out falls into the every day adventures category and tackles sibling relationships, friendship and jealousy. This one surprised me. For a short book (about 50 odd pages with pictures), it packs a big punch. It was more entertaining than I had expected (considering I'm not the target age and all) and the message was one I could really relate to as a big sister.

Stacie and her friends start a Best Friends Club and plan to run a charity toy drive but her friends keep getting distracted by her little sister, Kelly and Stacie feels jealous and left out. The talks of clubs reminded me a bit of the Babysitter's Club books which I loved as a kid. I liked Stacie. For all that Stacie is jealous, she's pretty mature as well. I mean she feels jealous and angry and sad but when Kelly hurts herself while they're at the park and then wants to go home instead of going shopping, she doesn't throw a tantrum - she's just disappointed. A talk with Barbie sets her straight. Barbie explains that everyone gets jealous at times but it's important to keep it in perspective. There's good and bad bits to being an older sibling. It sucks you're not the youngest but being the oldest comes with other benefits. And of course for Stacie, she will still always be Barbie's little sister - even if she's not the youngest.

It was well written with some good advice for younger readers and so far the best I've read in the series. Definitely recommended for younger readers. My rating for this adventure would be 3 stars, maybe 3.5. But younger readers will likely find it a 4/4.5 stars. show less

The Barbie and Friends Book Club series comprises of four different categories; careers, every day adventures, mysteries and imagination/fantasy reads. Each book picks one of those ideas and runs with it crafting a positive feel good read for young girls. The series tackles a wide range of concerns including bullying, body image, jealousy and self-worth and some of these issues are rather confronting for readers - and while realistic, could perhaps be taken negatively in some readers. That show more said, each book does end with a conclusive positive message encouraging kindness and support.

D is for Different falls under the every day adventures category and addresses learning difficulties. Danni is a terrific pianist but she struggles with spelling. Her struggle is made even worse every time her teacher holds the class spelling bee competition where great speller, Alice, makes fun of her for messing up. Honestly I could relate - except in my case it was a times table challenge - I was always in the bottom three (sometimes I got lucky) and I always hated having to get up and mess up in front of my classmates. I've grown out of caring but man it sucked at the time. I felt very sorry for Danni. Thankfully, I didn't have anyone mocking me for it like Alice does.

Anyway, Barbie is a writer and comes to speak to the class. Danni is mortified that Barbie is there to witness her misspell patience but it gets worse when she's asked to come up with a trick for solving a jigsaw puzzle and everyone laughs (she suggested turn the pieces over to not get distracted by the picture). Barbie follows her when she runs and brings up the issue of learning difficulties and the fact that there are tricks to help. She's referred to the learning specialist and is tested and life starts to improve.

Then the piano recital comes up and Alice's duet partner has to pull out. Mr Gordon suggests Danni to replace her. Danni quickly realises Alice struggles with music and stops defending herself when she realises Alice is lashing out because she feels ashamed of this. That said, Danni is genuinely nice. On recital night, she realises Alice is dreading it, like she dreaded spelling bees and she feels sorry for her. When Alice screws up the piece twice, Danni throws her a lifeline - offering to play both parts and let her pretend to play. Afterwards Alice is apologetic for being mean to Danni having apparently realised how she felt about the spelling bees. It was a nice resolution, but I don't know that I believe it was very realistic. It all happened way too fast - I don't know that anyone backtracks that fast. Still, it was a nice message - everyone is good at different things and being different is not a bad thing - a positive message for everybody - kids or not.

Overall I liked Danni and the plot was decent. 4 stars for the target audience, maybe 4.5. My own rating would be 3. A kids book would have to really wow me to get me to rate higher. show less

Barbie is a reporter in this series and in the midst of her assigned jobs, finds a mystery.

In this one, Barbie attends the premiere of the new play, The Masked Stranger - both to write a review for her editor and to support her friend Kira who is part of the production crew - never let it be said Barbie doesn't know how to multi-task. The highlight of the play is the use of a gorgeous jeweled mask that is valued at over a $100 million dollars. Unfortunately someone steals it when the lights show more go out. But Barbie is on the case.

This one is the best I've read of the series I think. I enjoyed the mystery - it wasn't too obvious - there were a few red herrings which was nice. I liked Barbie's plan to get the thief she writes an article that the mask that was stolen was a fake and the real one would be worn by a special guest (her obviously) at the planned masquerade. When the lights go out, Barbie is prepared and grabs the thief. it wasn't anything new as such but it was a good plan.

It's a short sweet easy mystery for young readers. Highly recommended for young girls. Similar style to the Babysitter's Club Mysteries. Or Emily Rodda's Teen Power Inc. My rating 3.5 stars. Target audience 4.5 stars, rounded to 4. show less

The Barbie and Friends Book Club series comprises of four different categories; careers, every day adventures, mysteries and imagination/fantasy reads. Each book picks one of those ideas and runs with it crafting a positive feel good read for young girls. The series tackles a wide range of concerns including bullying, body image, jealousy and self-worth and some of these issues are rather confronting for readers - and while realistic, could perhaps be taken negatively in some readers. That show more said, each book does end with a conclusive positive message encouraging kindness and support.

A Special Ballerina falls into the careers category and addresses body image/confidence and bullying. Katie loves to dance but when she doesn't want to participate in The Nutcracker Barbie finds out why. Katie is concerned about her weight and look and abilities and is worried she isn't cut out to be a ballerina. The source of conflict - body image was harped on more than it probably should for the target age - but I also think it's important to address these issues with kids as well - to encourage them to be healthy and strong and happy with themselves.

The conflict goes on for quite a while but it does redeem itself with the message and advice it gives. Barbie tells Katie that Nicky (the boy calling her names) is not the problem, the problem is Katie because she doesn't like herself. Barbie says everyone is different and special and if she takes care of herself by eating right and getting lots of sleep and exercising she will feel better about herself. She goes onto say Katie is special and that she should just be herself. Katie follows her advice and eats vegetables and fruit instead of cookies and practises her ballet routine and gets to sleep early and feels better about herself. Her friends are all really supportive and understanding which was nice.

It's not a perfect book - the idea of a what 10 year old? depriving herself of food and not wanting to look at herself in the mirror or get changed in front of other girls is confronting - but to be fair - it is pretty realistic. Honestly this book is probably for an older audience but it's too simplistic to interest them. 2 stars because the content is for an older audience - while I agree these issues should be addressed in a young audience - I don't think giving them ideas about depriving themselves of food is appropriate. show less