Smart Stuff: Our Essential Gift Guide
Our panel of teachers, parents, curriculum specialists (and of course kids!) put hundreds of products through their paces to come up with our favorites. Here are our top picks:
Mindstorms NXT
R2D2 move over! The coolest robot on the block doesn't come from a galaxy far far away. And he can be built in thirty minutes flat. With Lego Mindstorms NXT and a computer, kids can design and program a robot to do their bidding. This hunk of gears, wires, and plastic comes hopped up with a 32-bit microprocessor for a brain. The kit includes 517 Lego pieces and 18 challenges to get a beginner's feet wet, or inspire an old hand. Once kids have the basics down, they can move on from building simple vehicles, to building a more complicated humanoid robot. An ultrasonic sensor can be added, allowing the robot to detect distances from walls and objects. Light, sound, and touch sensors are also included. Kids discover engineering principals and develop logic as they play, and creativity is added to the mix once they toss the instructions, and start building on their own. (Lego, $249.99)
Bubble Guitar
Musical genius has to start somewhere, and this electric guitar might be just the string. Don't let the cute looks fool you. Underneath its playful print, this instrument's got an ash wood body capable of some serious resonance. A rosewood fret, multiple dials, a slider, strap, picks, a stand, and a cable complete the picture. And did we mention it can be personalized with a name or monogram? Studies show that kids who learn to play music receive higher test scores, do better in math, and gain self confidence. Rock on! (Pottery Barn Kids, guitar $179.00, amp $69.00)
iLife
Tired of consumption? Inspire creation! This suite of software includes an array of artistic tools that will flex your kid's right brain and kick-start her imagination. Inside the box you'll find iMovie (for video), iPhoto (for photos), GarageBand (for music), iDVD (for DVD burning) and iWeb (for web design). For middle schoolers dreaming of becoming the next Spielberg or Scorsese, the new iMovie is just right. iWeb is just as super-speedy, allowing kids to begin with one of many templates and then customize their web page. GarageBand allows the musically inclined to create songs from scratch using provided "instruments", or do multi-take recordings of their own music and then mix to their heart's desire. And iDVD allows for sharing, just in time for the holidays. (Apple, $79.00)
Kiva.org Gift Certificate
Looking for a way to help kids give back during a season of get? Slip this in their stockings to give a hands-on lesson in fighting global poverty, by using one of their favorite tools...the Internet. Introducing Kiva.org, which works with micro-finance centers worldwide to distribute small loans in $50 increments, to small business owners and other members of the working poor. Whether it's an apricot farmer in Afghanistan wanting to plant more trees, or a Kenyan nurse hoping to replenish her medical supplies, Kiva.org provides profiles of each candidate and their reason for requesting a loan-- putting a human face on poverty. Loans, unlike donations, are paid back in full over a period of 6-12 months, so kids can keep reinvesting their money again and again. A priceless experience in social consciousness, this is a gift that keeps on giving. (www.kiva.org)
Magic With Cards
Cross a deck of cards with a wide-eyed, wise-mouthed middle schooler, add this delightful collection of "113 Easy-to-Perform Miracles" and you've got Magic with Cards, a how-to book that should keep your kid enthralled for hours at a stretch. Under the capable guidance of authors Garcia and Schindler "best friends who run the School for Magicians in New York City" kids learn about "Houdini's Card," "JackRo Batics ," and a host of other ways to leave a gullible audience stupefied. Math teachers like the way card tricks support developing skills in probability and logical thinking. (Barnes & Noble Books, $4.95)
Taboo
Everyone knows what a birthday party is. But can your child explain it without using the words "celebration," "presents," "balloons," and "cake"? In Taboo, players must describe something without using the accompanying "taboo" words. Creative thinking, as well as knowing your teammates, go far in this verbal sprint. Synonyms come to life, vocabulary is put to the test, and players of all ages learn to take their descriptive skills to the next level. (Hasbro, 4 or more players, $24.99)
iPod Nano
Thin is in, especially when it comes to electronics. But this year, the iPod Nano got a major makeover, and in exchange for a little girth, it now has video. Kids will focus on the fact that they can watch movies and TV on the go, but this little guy also comes in handy for podcasts and audio books. From Scholastic newscasts specifically written for kids, to podcasts straight from NASA, vocabulary building, to Shakespeare come-to-life, this is a great way to expand your middle schooler's mind, in a format he'll love. (Apple, 4MB version $149; 8MB $199).
Meade Telescope
If your knowledge of astronomy begins and ends with finding the Big Dipper, but you want to spur your child on to greater heights, never fear. This 80 mm-telescope is easy to put together. The instruction manual explains how to use each feature of the telescope to get your child up close and personal with the universe. The 9-mm and 25-mm eyepieces allows for a birds-eye view of more than 10,000 celestial objects including planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae. It also includes a red dot viewfinder, diagonal mirror, and adjustable aluminum tripod. This is a learning opportunity that's out of this world. (Meade, $199.95)
Draw the Marvel Heroes
Turn your child's love of comic books into a sweet art lesson. This book features the inside scoop on drawing Spider-Man, Wolverine, Rogue and other Marvel heroes. But unlike a regular tracing book, it takes things a step further by actually teaching kids how to draw the same features on their own. The text is funny, introducing readers to the real superheroes: the Pencil, the Eraser, the Markers (also included in the kit), and then taking budding artists through the process of making a cool character jump off the page. Kids will first master drawing action stick and pipe figures. Then they'll learn how to add curves and overlines in order to turn those lines into hulky heroes. (Klutz, $16.95)
Palm Z22
If getting your adolescent to keep track of his homework assignments feels like splitting the atom, you may want to consider luring him into organizational utopia with this little wonder. This compact, high-tech organizer holds appointments, addresses, to-do lists, and notes--all in an easy-to-read format. Although it's for people of all ages, it's simple enough for your middle schooler, and the price is right. Your kid will likely love the "grown-up" feel of having a Palm tucked in her backpack. And in addition to keeping track of homework, she can download her photos and show them off on the way to school. Organization is key to middle school success. Who knew it could be so hip? (Palm, $99)
A Starter Set: Jazz
Can't seem to get your teen to listen to anything other than hip hop? Perhaps he should know that his favorite music got its free-styling form and syncopated beats from its musical ancestor: Jazz. An introduction to jazz can serve as a lesson in history, culture and raw creativity. Although jazz is a constantly evolving genre, it's best to start your adolescent off with the legends, including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. Here are 5 CD's to get your child started: Louis Armstrong: Live at the 1958 Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey Jazz Fest), The Essential Masters of Jazz: Billie Holiday (Proper UK Boxed Sets), Duke Ellington--Greatest Hits (Columbia/Legacy), Dizzy Gillespie: Live at Massey Hall (Debut), and Charlie Parker with Strings (Polygram Records).
RipStik Caster Board
This new toy is all the rage at skate parks around the country. Sure it looks a little odd, with its rotating deck and wheels that turn 360 degrees. But unlike its skateboard cousins, this means kids don't need to push off to keep this baby rolling; a twisting motion with shoulders and hips is all that's needed to maintain momentum. Similar to the motion needed for carving down slopes on a snowboard, or riding the waves of a surfboard-- the RipStik is perfect training for those activities. While skateboards will always rock, the caster board requires more balance and muscular control, and because of the steep learning curve, this gift encourages a high degree of diligence and patience. Note: Encourage helmet, knee and elbow pads, and make sure bolts and wheels are tight. (RipStik, $129.99)
Hit or Miss
In this game of quick thinking and social strategy, players have forty-five seconds to come up with as many words as possible to fit a stated category. For example, "Fruits" might prompt a grocery list of apples, oranges, and pears. But who will also come up with loquat, plantain, and lingonberry? Think hard, because when time's up, whoever rolls the dice will also guess which items on their notepad also appear on other people's lists, and which items are shared by no one. This game combines quick, creative thinking with the ability to read your opponent. (Gamewright, 3-8 players, $19.99)
10 Days in Africa
Can you get from Mauritania to Madagascar in just ten days? If you're game. Board game, that is! In 10 Days in Africa, players must "travel" by plane, truck, or foot. Using a big board, but no pieces, and plenty of geography and strategy, players arrange country and travel cards to chart a course through the politically complex African continent. This game provides the perfect opportunity to discuss and learn, bringing African geography, history and politics to life. (Out of the Box, 2-4 players, $24.99)
The Thief Lord
Mix the magic of Harry Potter with a taste of Oliver Twist, and you'll have some notion of the yarn that awaits young readers with this book. Two orphaned brothers arrive in Venice, attempting to escape from the nasty couple who want to adopt them. They're sheltered by a band of young urchins and their fearless leader, "The Thief Lord". Filled with memorable characters and a galloping plot, this book will have kids under the covers with a flashlight, racing to the end. (Scholastic, $6.99)
Haroun and the Sea of Stories
Haroun's father, a famous storyteller, regularly performs for huge standing-room-only crowds. Until he loses his gift for gab. This fantastic fable is a father-son quest through magical lands in an attempt to regain his inspiration. Just under the surface of all this fun and adventure, it hints at the dangers of politics and the importance of freedom of speech. An inspirational book for a budding writer, but absolutely accessible for any child. (Penguin, $14.00)
His Dark Materials
This epic trilogy has all the trappings of a young adult fantasy series, while delving into some very adult themes and ideas. In the books, 12-year-old tomboy Lyra and her animal daemon travel through interconnecting realities, filled with enough ghostly wraiths, shape-shifting creatures and flying witches to keep fantasy fanatics satisfied. However, Lyra's worlds are grounded in multifaceted characters and real metaphysical questions. This trilogy hits the mark for eighth graders ready to explore the challenges of growing up in a complex world. (Knopf, paperback boxed set, $35.85)
The Seems: The Glitch in Sleep
12-year-old Becker Drane works as a "Fixer" in The Seems, the world behind our world that is responsible for existence as we know it. A glitch in the Department of Sleep is keeping everyone up at night, and Becker is called in to remedy the problem. But, this is no routine mission and he will have to rely on all of his training and intellect to fix the problem and save the world. The book's premise serves as a great jumping off point for talking about responsibility and loyalty. Plus, it's the first book in a series, so for readers who like it, there's more to come. An especially great read for a sixth grader. (Bloomsbury, $16.95)
Or Give Me Death: A Novel of Patrick Henry's Family
Students know Patrick Henry as one of our founding fathers. But to his kids, he was just dad. This book tells the story of Henry's family from the perspective of his two eldest daughters, growing with an absent father and a mentally ill mom. Although fiction, the text is grounded in historical fact. Patrick Henry's wife Sarah did suffer from postpartum depression. Rinaldi's suggestion that it was actually Sarah Henry who first uttered "Give me liberty or give me death" from her confines in the cellar is evocative, and encourages kids to delve beyond the traditional accounts in history books. This is an especially great read for an eighth grader. (Gulliver Books, $17)
Howl's Moving Castle
This novel was made into a movie. Which means that most kids will skip it. That's a shame, because the book packs a potent punch of wonderful characters, outrageous plot twists, and dry humor. Sophie Hatter is a bookworm, and she knows from her reading that as the eldest of 3 daughters, she's bound for a boring life. Fate intervenes, though, when The Wicked Witch of the Waste turns her into an old crone. So starts a great tale of invisible cloaks, twenty league boots, and a floating castle owned by a flaky wizard named Howl. A nice choice for sixth and seventh graders. (Eos, $6.99)
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 "Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp are book enthusiasts who spent months investigating what kids love to read for their book The Kids' Book Club Book. Here are their top picks for middle school readers/high school readers." |
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Al Capone Does My Shirts
When twelve-year-old Moose’s father takes a job as a prison guard on Alcatraz island, he and his family, including his sister who has autism, relocate to Alcatraz. Set in the 1930s, this novel explores how people with autism were once regarded, and at the same time paints a vivid picture of what life might have been for a child living at a prison during the era of famed gangster Al Capone.
Stuck in Neutral
Told from the perspective of a fourteen-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who cannot communicate, but has a rich inner life, this is a riveting novel that explores how mentally and/or physically disabled people view the world, and the relationship between a child with special needs and his family.
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Ender's Game
With aliens poised to attack Earth for the third time, military commanders hope six year-old genius Ender Wiggin can learn the skills he needs to lead the human race to victory. But can he survive the training? And what kind of person will he become? This futuristic tale keeps readers riveted - with hearts pounding - until the final battle.
Flipped
This story of friendship (and more) between Juli and Bryce spans second grade through eighth, and is told from the perspective of each friend. Funny and poignant, Flipped illustrates how contrasting viewpoints can lead to misunderstanding, and the way feelings and perspectives can "flip" over time.
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