Totally Spies! Season One: Top-Secret Missions

Gr 6–9—A mix of old-style 80s cartoons (think Jem) combined with newer anime-like action sequences and a sprinkling of pretty cool girlie gadgetry (freeze-spray hairspray anyone?) make this a fun, light-hearted choice for middle school girls. Originally a French Canadian television series, the show centers around three Beverly Hills' high school students who, after solving a mystery at a shopping mall, were drafted to work for WOOHP (the World Organization of Human Protection). Sam, Alex, and Clover find themselves on adventures spanning the globe and time as they are called on to save the world from an assortment of super evil geniuses. But while the themes of teen relationships and friendship may appeal to preteen girls, the impossibly thin and beautiful Spies may actually serve to perpetuate some unhealthy stereotypes despite the continued references by the characters to beauty being only skin deep. Lines like "Don't worry Clover, I'll buy you a non-fat latte after school," and an episode where Clover has a weight problem (due to an addiction to Passion Patties, a suspiciously familiar sounding scout-like cookie) demonstrate a lack of understanding of healthy food choices and problems with body image. But with likeable characters, colorful and fast-paced action, plus some seriously catchy theme music, this series could still be a good choice for conscientious librarians who know their students.—Chani Craig. Turners Falls High School/Great Falls Middle School, Gil-Montague, MA