Karate Kid

The Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, directed by Harald Zwart.

Dre Parker and his mom move to Bejing when his mom gets a promotion. Unhappy with the move, Dre tries to adjust and make some friends. Unfortunately, he's immediately confronted by some bullies led by Cheng, who have violent kung fu tactics. Mr. Han, a maintenance man who prefers to keep to himself, comes to Dre's rescue when several boys are beating up Dre. Mr. Han's amazing kung fu skills are revealed as he defeats the boys and protects Dre. The fight choreagraphy in this scene is entertaining and clever, as Mr. Han maneuver's his opponents in such a way that they extend blows to each other. Mr. Han shows more of his skills by mending Dre's wounds with fire cupping; magically curing Dre.
After trying to make peace with Cheng's kung fu teacher, Mr. Han takes Dre under wing to teach him kung fu. Mr. Han has entered Dre into a tournament, where Cheng and his friends wil be fighting. As in the original Karate Kid movie, training begins slow with a seeming unrelated, repetitive task. Gradually, Mr. Han brings to light the significance of the drill and the trainings expand.

The story follows Dre through his perserverance and Mr. Han's enlightening teaching, as well as their growing fondness and respect. Dre's sweet friendship with a classmate, Mei Ying, is threatened when he brings 'shame' to Mei Ying's family. Dre enlists Mr. Han to remedy this. Dre learns life lessons through learning Kung Fu. The movie culminates with the tournament.

Karate Kid shows a typical kid dealing with realistic situations of leaving the home he knows, moving and adjusting to a new location and dealing with bullies. Beyond this scenario, the viewer must suspend belief - instantly healing fire cups, quickly acquired karate skills, effectively employing the reflection technique.

Scenes provide a glimpse into live in Bejing, although I imagine there is more traffic than was in the movie. Breath-taking scenery when Dre and Mr. Han visit the Wudang mountains.

The movie is has an appealing story line, providing insight into the kung fu world. The dramatics provoking different emotions from sad to happy, touching to cringing (some of the fight seens are violent). Good modern-day remake of the original 1984 film; appropriate for 10 to 13 year olds.

Visit The Karate Kid website.

The Bully

The Bully (2002) by Paul Langan. New York: Scholastic. 190 pages.
ISBN: 13: 978-0-439-86546-3

Shortly after Darrell began ninth grade in Philadelphia, he has to move with his mom to California; he has to leave his neighborhood and his friends, especially Malik who protected him from unsavory people. Being short and skinny, Darrell has handled dealing with people's comments and taunts.

Darrell and his mom move into an apartment next to his uncle, who has two children. Darrell's uncle makes mocking comments and his cousins are constantly fighting.

Before starting school Darrell meets Tyray, who bullies him, Darrell nervous to start school. Darrell finds ways to avoid Tyray, who extorts his lunch money. At school, Darrell deals with being ignored, eating lunch alone and humiliations from Tyray.

Eventually, Darrell finds his way at school- a teacher reaches out to him, he meets a friend and he decides to join the wrestling team. Wrestling develops his confidence, and increases his strength and weight. Darrell develops friendships, stands up to his uncle, and intervenes when bullying occurs in his own family. Does Darrell's confidence and new skills help him deal with Tyray?

The story takes place in an urban setting, with characters who are African-American. The drama is realistic; addressing ssues of bullying and confidence. These features will be attractive to youth who want to see themselves in the literature. This is a high interest read for 11 to 14 year olds.

The Bully is fifth in the Bluford High series, but the story can be read as a stand-alone.

Book trailer for The Bully and another Bluford series book, Summer of Secrets.
Townsend Press - Full Bluford series