Joly Herman

Ann Arbor

Reviewer at Common Sense Media

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Articles

Tear This Down Book Review

1 week ago | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

age 10+ Activism plays major role in lively book with bold tweens. Parents need to know that Barbara Dee's Tear This Down is an quick-moving novel about a tween activist who discovers that her town's namesake and hero didn't believe that females should have the right to vote. Moved by her feelings of injustice, Freya is motivated to learn more about local women who boldly broke barriers.
Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers: Gabby Torres, Book 1 Book Review

3 weeks ago | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

age 7+ Spirited graphic novel is info-rich, culturally relevant. Parents need to know that Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers is a delightful graphic novel by award-winning author Angela Dominguez. This book is loosely connected to her Stella Diaz series, with main character Gabby, a fourth grader who starts a socila media page for a club she's joined and faces online bullies.
Take it from the Top Book Review

Dec 16, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

age 9+ Theatre camp story has Wicked tie-ins and friendship drama. Parents need to know that Take it from the Top by Claire Swinarski is a coming-of-age story about two friends who have attended the same performing arts camp for six years. The musical Wicked is a major theme in this book, echoing the conflict between two former best friends. One friend, named Eowyn, lost her mother to cancer when she was younger.
The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon’s Eggs: Gumluck the Wizard, Book 2 Book Review

Dec 5, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

age 6+ Sequel to cute wizard story has more peril, fewer lessons. Parents need to know that The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon's Eggs is the illustrated sequel to The Story of Gumluck by veteran author-illustrator Adam Rex.
When the Phone Rings TV Review

Nov 24, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

age 13+ Intriguing Korean thriller has threat, some language. Parents need to know When the Phone Rings is a South Korean drama in which a politician, who's in a marriage of convenience with a disabled woman, receives threats concerning her safety. Themes of kidnapping, threat of stabbing and death, reckless driving to frighten passengers, cruelty toward disabled people.
The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky Book Review

Nov 6, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

By Joly Herman , based on child development research. How do we rate? age 14+ Brilliant story about bulimia has language and self-harm. Parents Need to Know Why Age 14+? Any Positive Content? a lot Lots of language in text and dialogue among teens. Heavy rotation of "f--k," and its derivatives. "S--t," "damn," "hell," "bitch," "c--t," "t-ts," "Christ," "d--k," "Jesus," "pissed," "hella," etc...
Into the Uncut Grass Book Review

Oct 21, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

By Joly Herman , based on child development research. How do we rate? age 6+ Touching parable seeks new ways to resolve conflict. Parents Need to Know Why Age 6+? Any Positive Content? very little Slight peril when the boy and his teddy bear seem to tussle with an unknown animal. It's a vague moment in the book illustrated by a big puff of dust with yellow eyes.
Matlock (2024) TV Review

Sep 22, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

By Joly Herman , based on child development research. How do we rate? age 13+ Likeable reboot of folksy '80's legal drama has language. Parents Need to Know Why Age 13+? Any Positive Content? a little Descriptions of sex include acts using the "clitoris" (Matlock says she never told her husband to "move a little to the left and go twice as fast"). Sex workers call themselves "hos" in a comic way.
Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood with My Father TV Review

Sep 9, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

By Joly Herman , based on child development research. How do we rate? age 15+ Lewd jokes, language as comic explores family with his dad. Parents Need to Know Why Age 15+? Any Positive Content? some Some of the lewd jokes played for comic effect involve a mannequin replica of a woman's vagina.
A-List to Playlist TV Review

Sep 2, 2024 | commonsensemedia.org | Joly Herman

By Joly Herman , based on child development research. How do we rate? age 12+ K-drama star works on an album in sunny reality show. Parents Need to Know Why Age 12+? Any Positive Content? some Lots of reference to South Korean pop-stars and their music, as well as K-drama actors and their shows.