The new season of “Phineas and Ferb” follows the inventive stepbrothers as they tackle another 104 days of summer. Candace is more determined than ever to finally bust her little brothers while their pet platypus, Perry, continues to lead a double life as the suave Agent P whose sole mission is to thwart Dr. Doofenshmirtz from taking over the Tri-State area.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic IvyJoy C., comments, “I absolutely love Phineas And Ferb because it brings back so many memories. Phineas and Ferb’s silly antics give me the thrill I have been looking for, and I always find it funny when Phineas and Ferb’s inventions disappear when Candace is about to show her mom.” Junior R adds, “This outrageous and wacky show is perfect for summer viewing… What I really love about Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 is how it keeps getting cooler with every episode. Phineas is always full of excitement and ideas; and Ferb is quiet but super smart and helpful.” Mark S. wraps it up with, “Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 is hilarious and made me laugh a lot. I love that they still do the running joke of Candace trying to bust her brothers, but it fails every time in a very funny way, and they continue the main plot from previous seasons.” See their full reviews and IvyJoy’s talent interviews below.

Phineas And Ferb: Season 5
By IvyJoy C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I absolutely love Phineas And Ferb because it brings back so many memories. Phineas and Ferb’s silly antics give me the thrill I have been looking for, and I always find it funny when Phineas and Ferb’s inventions disappear when Candace is about to show her mom.

This exciting new season continues to follow the creative brothers as they tackle another 104 days of summer vacation. The dastardly Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Dan Povenmire) is back at it again with his silly “-inators,” only to be thwarted by Perry the Platypus (Dee Bradley Baker). Candice (Ashley Tisdale) is determined to bust them finally. In the process of Candice trying to bust her brothers, both terrible and wonderful things happen.

Phineas and Ferb is one of my all-time favorite shows and seeing it return after all this time had me jumping for joy. After 10 years, Phineas and Ferb is back and better than ever! In this new season, Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (Daved Errigo Jr.) are just as inventive, creative, and outside the box as they were in previous seasons. I love how they continue to make so many whimsical and wacky inventions; each one better than the last. Kudos to Dan Povenmire and Jeff Marsh. Not only do they continue to voice character such as Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz and Major Francis Monogram, but they also continue to create this series. I really like how the animators keep the same style of animation. I love the acting of Alyson Stoner, Maulik Pancholy, and Bobby Gaylor, as Isabella, Baljeet, and Buford. After all these years, they keep their bullying, nerdy, and lovable personalities. I love how they keep their fun style of music. My favorite part, as always, is when Candace is about to show evidence to her mom, but then it disappears.

This season teaches us a few lessons. It teaches that love conquers all, and reminds us that with determination and focus you can do anything. Note that there is mild violence between Perry the platypus and Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Phineas And Ferb: Season 5 gets5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The new season launches the Disney Channel and Disney XD on June 5, 2025 and on Disney+ the next day.

Phineas and Ferb: Season 5

By Mark S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 is a great show that is funny and entertaining! The show has great visuals and graphics. The episodes are easy to follow and understand, and the songs are great too.

My favorite episode from Season 5 is Episode 2, Cloudy with a Chance of Mom, where Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) have to save Mom (Caroline Rhea), who has been vaporized and turned into a cloud while saving the tri-state area. Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Dan Povenmire) has an evil plan to make Mom cloud into a Mom STORM.Candace (Ashley Tisdale) and Perry the Platypus (Dee Bradley Baker) help the brothers in saving the day in ways that made me laugh a lot.

Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 is hilarious and made me laugh a lot. I love that they still do the running joke of Candace trying to bust her brothers, but it fails every time in a very funny way, and they continue the main plot from previous seasons. The dad seems so goofy that he really stands out and is really entertaining. The jokes are very easy for young kids to get and laugh at, and also are funny to adults and older kids. The show has a very unique type of visuals in how the characters look that makes the story easy to follow. It also has very rich colors that make it look nice and clean to the eye.

Like the previous seasons, Season 5 is a funny kid’s show with an underlying message that you can always count on family to be there for you. Also, it’s a reminder to not mess with platypuses.

I give Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 a solid 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. The new season launches the Disney Channel and Disney XD on June 5, 2025 and on Disney+ the next day.

Phineas and Ferb: Season 5

By Junior R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Hey, guess what? There’s another 104 days of summer vacation and Phineas and Ferb are back for more fun in Season 5! This outrageous and wacky show is perfect for summer viewing.

Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 is 20 animated episodes full of fun, inventions, and crazy summer adventures. Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (David Errigo Jr) come up with awesome ideas every day, like building gecko gear and driveable carnival games, while their sister Candace (Ashley Tisdale) tries, and fails, to bust them. Meanwhile, their pet platypus Perry is secretly Agent P (Dee Bradley Baker), who fights the goofy evil scientist Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Dan Povenmire). The episodes are fast, funny, and filled with songs that made me want to sing along.

The animation is really colorful and detailed, and I love how the music is different in every episode—it’s catchy and fun, like a mini-concert! What I really love about Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 is how it keeps getting cooler with every episode. Phineas is always full of excitement and ideas; and Ferb is quiet but super smart and helpful. Candace is so hilarious because she always thinks she’s about to finally bust her brothers, but something always happens to stop her. My favorite character is Perry because his entrances to the office get wilder each time he visits, and they always have me guessing. My favorite part is when the gang take on Phineas and Ferb’s mom.  It is a true Mom Storm. Every episode makes me wish summer vacation could be that cool in real life.

This season offers great messages about the power of teamwork, the importance of using your imagination, and making the most of every moment. It maintains a family-friendly tone throughout.

Phineas and Ferb: Season 5 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. The new season launches the Disney Channel and Disney XD on June 5, 2025 and on Disney+ the next day.

Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mikella G. comments, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is an outstanding film that I really like. It is packed with action and adventure, all while being so suspenseful and compelling. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire movie, and was completely engaged the whole time.” Charlotte L. adds, “…filled with all we expect from a Mission: Impossible movie — crazy plans that somehow manage to work, constant danger, incredible stunts, and suspenseful scenes… all the more impressive when you realize that Tom Cruise does his own stunts, which are found in abundance in this movie. Katherine S. wraps it up with, “… an absolutely action-packed movie, taking a more serious and grave tone than the previous installments of the series. It’s full of constant high-tension and emotional moments, and insane stunts, as always. It is definitely long but has a solid way to end the entity’s storyline (maybe?). See their full reviews below.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Mikella G, KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, age 19

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is an outstanding film that I really like. It is packed with action and adventure, all while being so suspenseful and compelling. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire movie, and was completely engaged the whole time.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning brings us right back into this world, where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) must complete one final mission. This time though, the weight of the world is ultimately in his hands. He has a very small amount of time to find the Entity and, if he is unsuccessful, humanity as we know it will be destroyed.

The suspenseful storyline is its biggest standout. It’s incredible how even after seven movies, the eighth and final one is still so entertaining. I was completely immersed in this film. Almost every single scene feels like a big drop on a roller coaster. Even though it is almost 3 hours long, it certainly doesn’t feel that long. There was never a moment when I got bored, or tired of it. On the contrary, the non-stop excitement fills the room. Watching it in the theater also felt very special, because it was almost as if the entire audience was on the journey together. We gasped and laughed together. It’s very special for a film to bring a group of people together who have never met before, to have a cathartic experience, and that is the effect that this movie had on my audience. Another major standout is Tom Cruise’s stunt abilities. In every movie of this franchise, Cruise proves himself time and time again, and for this final film he pulls out all the stops. Everything is real; no green screens were used. From plane chases to falling from the sky, it always amazes me at the limits he pushes to get the perfect shot. This film has a lot of underwater work. I learned that Cruise trained to be able to hold his breath for long amounts of time – his dedication is truly inspiring. Additionally, the cinematography is another aspect that is top notch. The underwater scenes are particularly captivating. The audience really gets a feel for how deep and dark the ocean is. I could almost feel the stillness and quietness of the ocean. Lastly, the sound effects really enhance this movie. In every scene I could hear every sound as if I was actually there – from the wind, to the submarine sounds, to the heavy breathing and gunshots, everything is accounted for. When you sit down to watch this movie, be prepared to be completely consumed into the Mission: Impossible franchise.

The film’s message is to live life without regrets and remember that no singular action defines who we are. Be aware that there are many fight scenes, and violent weapons used.

I give Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning releases in theaters May 23, 2025.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

By Charlotte L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, age 14

I really like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning because the storyline drew me in; the story combines the old and the new, and the acting is really well played. .

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning continues the storyline of the previous Mission: Impossible films. It follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team including some of our favorite returning characters such as Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), and Grace (Hayley Atwell). Once again, Hunt and his team find themselves on a daring mission to save the world.

The storyline of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is paramount — continuing the story of previous films with a short recap of part one of this story. It is filled with all we expect from a Mission: Impossible movie — crazy plans that somehow manage to work, constant danger, incredible stunts, and suspenseful scenes. This seems all the more impressive when you realize that Tom Cruise does his own stunts, which are found in abundance in this movie. Examples of stunts worth looking forward to are Ethan Hunt hanging off a plane and parachuting out of the sky. The suspenseful scene makes you nervous because, even though it’s Tom Cruise, so you know he’ll be okay, you can’t help but feel scared for him. The music, acting, and lightning contribute to this and make it seem as if Hunt is truly in danger. This movie combines old and new characters also; the new characters and aspects of the plot blend so well together that it seems almost like real life. The acting is spectacular! Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt so well and Simon Pegg, as Benji, plays a comedic, yet loyal and determined character incredibly well. This movie is packed with humorous remarks, not only from Benji, but from all the characters. Another notable performance is by Ving Rhames who plays Luther. Although Luther doesn’t play as big of a role in this film as he has in previous ones, he definitely enhances this film.

The message of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is that your choices can affect others more than you expect.

I give Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on May 23, 2025.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is an absolutely action-packed movie, taking a more serious and grave tone than the previous installments of the series. It’s full of constant high-tension and emotional moments, and insane stunts, as always. It is definitely long but has a solid way to end the entity’s storyline (maybe?).

Now that Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has retrieved the cruciform key, the next step in destroying the rogue AI – “The Entity” – is finding the Podkova, which contains the original code of the AI and is at an unknown location at the bottom of the sea. So, Ethan and his team must travel the globe and find the Podkova before The Entity gains control of every nuclear arsenal and launches them, annihilating the world. It’s a cautionary tale about AI and offers a scary view into the future of artificial intelligence’s power.

If you haven’t watched Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 you should do so because it is the first part of this movie, but you don’t need to watch any of the other earlier ones to understand the story, but long-time fans  will enjoy all the references to past movies in this one. Even though this is the eighth film in the Mission: Impossible franchise, running at just under three hours – the longest Mission: Impossible movie yet – and has the word “final” in the title, it’s unknown whether this will be the last assignment for Ethan Hunt after almost 30 years of missions. Almost all of the stunts in the Mission: Impossible movies are performed by Tom Cruise and always seem to outdo each other, but the stunts in this movie are so crazy that even professionals said they were impossible, but Tom Cruise was able to make them happen. There’s a wing-walking stunt between two planes in this film – this isn’t the first time Cruise has done stunts with planes, but in this particular situation, the original stunt teams said his vision was not possible. However, Cruise defied the odds and was able to do an extremely dangerous and extremely impressive wing-walking stunt. Along with all of these action-packed and impressive stunts, there’s also a lot of fast-moving images and flashbacks to past movies, so I would advise you to be cautious while watching this movie if you are photosensitive. Ethan Hunt and his team, Benji (Simon Pegg), Grace (Hayley Atwell), Paris (Pom Klemenieff) and Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis), have such good chemistry and, despite being so different, they work so well together. Ethan spends a lot of time apart from his team, but his care for these people is so apparent. Some of these characters are on opposite sides of the original conflict, so it is very interesting to see their bonds grow through everything they encounter in this movie.

The film’s message is that teamwork and determination can make the impossible possible. Be forewarned that there is some profanity, intense fighting scenes, very gruesome situations and death. I do not recommend this movie for photosensitive or sound-sensitive viewers, as well as people who are sensitive to violent scenes.

I give Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This movie releases in theaters on May 23, 2025.

Wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rayce S. comments, “The Phoenician Scheme delivers great set designs, expressive performances, and a funny story that perfectly matches the tone. The film starts off with bang, immediately setting you into the situation Korda is currently in, and the urgency for him to set up his family’s wealth for future generations, even if it means putting himself in dangerous situations. I love how the color pops in the set designs, but that’s nothing new for director Wes Anderson.” See his full review below.

The Phoenician Scheme By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Phoenician Scheme delivers great set designs, expressive performances, and a funny story that perfectly matches the tone. Some things about this Wes Anderson film surprised me.

The storyline follows wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro) who appoints his only daughter, Liesl, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new business adventure to make his family’s fortune, he becomes a target for scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins. During their travels, father and daughter meet a string of eccentric investors — played by Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, and Benedict Cumberbatch — as they try to secure their family’s legacy.

The film starts off with bang, immediately setting you into the situation Korda is currently in, and the urgency for him to set up his family’s wealth for future generations, even if it means putting himself in dangerous situations. I love how the color pops in the set designs, but that’s nothing new for director Wes Anderson. Now the humor and, whether it is funny, will vary from person to person — in my theater everyone laughed a lot, but I personally didn’t find the film to be all that funny. Mia Threapleton is quite funny in her role as Liesl and Michael Cera definitely is humorous as Bjorn, mainly for his dynamic with the nun. Reagen (Bryan Cranston) was very enjoyable in his small basketball scene, but even with all these positives there were some negatives. The film starts to feel like a slog as you wait for the next thing to happen, especially because of how the film is edited. It builds up to one major event which lasts give minutes perhaps. As a viewer I found these events unsatisfying compared to what I anticipated. I also felt the film a bit soulless, not so much the cinematography, acting or set design, but in the story aspect itself, which I found to be just like other Wes Anderson films. If you are a Wes Anderson fan you will enjoy this, but even if you are not, I think you will find it interesting.

The film addresses the pursuit of wealth and what it can do to you, as well as what you have to sacrifice in order to achieve wealth for the long term. We see this by Korda’s focus on money.

I give The Phoenician Scheme 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters on June 6, 2025.

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, defies centuries of traditional dragon-fighting practice when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Madeleine H.K. comments, “This film grabbed my attention and held it from the get go – the action and suspense of the battle scenes, the trials of flight and the intense training to be dragon slayer are all intense.” Charlotte L. adds, “I enjoyed this remake of the original movie into a live-action version, turning the animated characters into live action characters.” Emma O. adds, “How to train Your Dragon reminds us to be true to ourselves, to build friendships through discovery and that first impressions are not always what they seem.” Selene W. adds, “For those of us who already love the characters in this epic adventure, I am pleased that the live action version is faithful to the original…” Eva M. adds, “The film’s message is about empathy, courage, and challenging the ideas we are taught.” Ruhi K. wraps it up with, “How To Train Your Dragon is a rip-roaring fantasy film packed with intricate special effects, a powerful musical score, and plenty of emotion.” See their full reviews below.

How to Train Your Dragon

By Madeleine H. K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I love the new, live action How to Train Your Dragon. It is funny and action packed. This film made me sit on the edge of my seat while making me laugh.

How to Train Your Dragon is centered around a Viking boy named Hiccup (Mason Thames ) who wants to fit in with the others and go through training so he can help his village kill the dragons that attack them. When Hiccup is finally allowed to go through training he is just trying to survive the ordeal along with his classmates. At the same time, he is keeping his secret of the dragon, which he found and rescued in the woods, safe and hidden from the dragon slayers. This rescue includes inventing and building devices to befriend the dragon and learning to fly it.

This film grabbed my attention and held it from the get go – the action and suspense of the battle scenes, the trials of flight and the intense training to be dragon slayer are all intense.  Every character is lovable, from Hiccup, who is just the right amount of dorky and funny, to Astrid (Nico Parker), who is a total girl boss and one hundred percent ready to fight anyone that prevents her from becoming number one. The supporting characters all have endearing qualities such as Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), who knows every fact and detail about dragons and can’t wait to share it all — even if it means his hair is burnt-off; to the twins, Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn) and Ruffnut (Bronwen James), who boast more than they should and constantly bicker.  The eternal approval-seeking Snotlought (Gabriel Howell) strives for his father’s attention, as well as, winning over Astrid to numerous hilarious outcomes. The chief Viking (Gerard Butler) portrays the protective, yet disappointed dad of Hiccup and the fierce leader of the Viking tribe. The landscapes are incredible and no detail is missed from the straw roofs of the village houses to the cove where Hiccup befriends and trains the dragon he names Toothless. The rustic, yet beautiful costumes, feature soft animal pelts, smooth leathers and detailed horned metal helmets.  The music kept my heart thumping with its sharp crescendos and beats that signal action; every note enhances the film, especially the battle scenes. The CGI in this movie is amazing — you can see each and every scale that seems to reflect the light off the dragons along with every stroke of the color of toothless iris.

How to Train Your Dragon sends a message of peace and kindness to all living creatures; we are not our history and, with a little understanding, we can make friends with the fiercest beasts. Be aware that the film has bright lights, jump scares and loud sounds that may be overwhelming to some people

I give How to Train Your Dragon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. How to Train Your Dragon releases in theaters June 13, 2025.

How to Train Your Dragon

By Charlotte L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, age 14

I like this live action re-adaptation of the original How to Train Your Dragon and how it combines action and humor.

The storyline follows a Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) who has always felt out of place. At first he wants to join the fight against the Vikings and the dragons, until he captures one of the deadliest dragons, a Night Fury, and finds he can’t kill it. He names the dragon Toothless and bonds with it, realizing that he has to stop this feud against the dragons and the Vikings.

I enjoyed this remake of the original movie into a live-action version, turning the animated characters into live action characters. They kept all the important parts of the story and only slightly changed things to accommodate the live action format. There are beautiful landscape shots – my favorite is a view from the sky watching Hiccup ride Toothless. The flying is so realistic looking. Hiccup is competing in a dragon training competition while the main plot takes place. His competitors, Astrid (Nico Parker), Ruffnut (Bronwyn James), Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn), Snotlout (Gabriel Howell) and Fishlegs (Julian Dennsion) bring humor to the film, and also provide action scenes for our enjoyment. They look down on Hiccup and are shocked when he performs so well, in a comedic and arrogant way. The costumes are also detailed and realistic looking. The characters look like true Vikings with fur clothes, Viking helmets, and weapons strapped all over.

The film’s message is that, even when you’re looked down on by others, you can still make a huge difference in their lives.

I give How to Train Your Dragon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. It releases in theaters on June 13, 2025.

How to Train Your Dragon

Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Animation comes to life in this remake of How to Train Your Dragon. I loved revisiting this story. This was a favorite of mine on its initial release as an animated feature, and Director Dean DeBlois crafts a renewed magical experience in this live action version.  Filled with visual imagery and character reenactment, this film refreshes the world of dragons for everyone.

How to Train Your Dragon is set on the mythical isle of Berk. For ages, this village of Vikings has battled dragons to sustain life. When a young man, Hiccup (Mason Thames) struggles to contribute to this life of dragon slaying, he discovers his own purpose and talents through an unexpected bond with a dragon named Toothless. The friendship forges a path to a new way of life for the entire community.

I love how this film keeps the original storyline and brings the animated characters to life through amazing videography and costume design. The comic characters of Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyon) and Snotlout (Gabriel Howell) are so well cast; it’s like they emerged from the animated film in human form. The imagery when Toothless flies over mountains and dramatically plummets and twirls through the air made me feel as if I was riding the dragon myself. The heartfelt bonding moments between Toothless and Hiccup are created through imagery and sound – we hear the growls and groans of Toothless as he expresses himself. The groans and facial expression show us how trust and friendship forms. Sound creates amazing moments throughout the film. One can hear the wisp of the dragon tail opening to the flap of a dragon wing in flight. Sound creates a space that suspends reality in this mystical space. Actor Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup, gets a special shoutout for interacting with Toothless, the mythical creature who isn’t there. That’s acting!

How to train Your Dragon reminds us to be true to ourselves, to build friendships through discovery and that first impressions are not always what they seem. Parents should be aware there are motion sensory segments, flashes, and explosive noises.

I give How to Train Your Dragon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus parents. How to Train Your Dragon releases in theatres June 13, 2025.

How to Train Your Dragon

By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

How to Train Your Dragon is the must-see family film of this summer as it not only enchants but SOARS across the big screen!  For those of us who already love the characters in this epic adventure, I am pleased that the live action version is faithful to the original and does not try to re-imagine this world or story.  Not only will this film thrill existing fans but it is a wondrous introduction to a brand new family audience who will want to explore the isle of Berk again and again.

How to Train Your Dragon is a story about a young Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) who lives on an island but doesn’t fit the ideals of his Viking village.  He is the son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler) and he desperately wants his father’s attention and approval as well as inclusion among his peers in village society.  Berk has been in a war of survival against the dragons for centuries; and Hiccup defies tradition when, after injuring a dragon, he chooses not to kill it, but rather to heal the terrifying Night Fury dragon he names Toothless.  Their developing friendship and undeniable bond highlights their strength when they work together.   Through their teamwork, Hiccup and Toothless are able to forge a strengthened alliance and future for the Vikings and dragons.

The isle of Berk and the cast of characters richly come to life under the guidance of Dean DeBlois who is the writer, director and an executive producer of this film.  The immersive quality and visual effects in this film are as important as any of the characters.  The cast is notably talented and the story has many delightful characters and humorous situations.  In particular, Gerard Butler, who reprises his voice role from the animated film and really embodies the Viking village culture — I enjoyed his performance immensely.  My favorite character, Astrid (Nico Parker), is fierce, ambitious, and loyal and brings a new dimension to this important role. I have to mention the great performance of the village blacksmith, Gobber (Nick Frost), who is Hiccup’s mentor as he brings such humor, insight and compassion to his role.  Cinematographer Bill Pope brings this amazing world to life along with fantastic costume design, production design, sound, animation and, of course, the visual and special effects throughout the film.  I am thrilled that composer John Powell also reprised his role in creating the soundtrack for this live action adventure of How to Train Your Dragon. The film has an impressive website https://www.welcometoberk.com  that offers an amazing way to explore the isle of Berk and experience the immersive visuals.

The film’s message is that you shouldn’t pretend to be someone that you’re not.  Hiccup makes his journey of self-discovery through his bond with Toothless and together they come to learn that friendship can overcome many obstacles.  They both defy the expectations of their social norms and learn to challenge and change those norms together.  United they both accomplish things that would have been impossible alone.  Be aware that younger children might be frightened by some of the scenes.

I rate How to Train Your Dragon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.  It releases in theaters June 13, 2025. Definitely don’t miss the opportunity to experience this epic adventure on the big screen.

How to Train Your Dragon

By Eva M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

I absolutely love How to Train Your Dragon! It is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film that drew me in from the start. This live-action remake takes the heart of the original story and builds on it with strong performances, breathtaking visuals, and a moving musical score. I especially love the bond between Hiccup and Toothless and how it shows the beauty of friendship and trust.

The story takes place in Berk, a Viking village where dragons are seen as dangerous enemies. Hiccup (Mason Thames), the chief’s son, is more thoughtful and inventive than the other Viking teens. When he injures a Night Fury dragon and decides to set it free instead of killing it, everything changes. He secretly builds a friendship with the dragon that he names Toothless, and soon begins to question everything his people believe about dragons.

What stands out most in this film is how real and emotional it feels. Mason Thames gives a heartfelt performance as Hiccup, capturing his awkwardness, intelligence, and bravery. Toothless is brought to life through amazing CGI and his expressions, movements, and personality make him feel like a real creature that I could easily empathize with. The connection between Hiccup and Toothless is powerful, and I felt no gap between the real people and the CGI world. Gerard Butler returns as Stoick, Hiccup’s father, and brings extra strength to the character. I could clearly see his emotions deepen and mature as the story progressed. Nico Parker plays Astrid with confidence and charms, making her feel like more than just a secondary character. The flying scenes are absolutely breathtaking, especially when paired with John Powell’s sweeping musical score. The visuals — shot in Northern Ireland — add to the epic, adventurous feeling of the story. One of my favorite scenes is Hiccup and Toothless’s first flight together. It’s magical, filled with wonder, and shows just how much they trust each other.

The film’s message is about empathy, courage, and challenging the ideas we are taught. It reminds us that, just because something has always been done a certain way, doesn’t that mean it’s right. The film promotes positive behavior and strong values without feeling overly intentional. There is some action and fighting, but nothing is too intense or inappropriate for kids.

I give How to Train Your Dragon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on June 13, 2025. This is one movie you won’t want to miss!

How To Train Your Dragon
By Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

How To Train Your Dragon is a rip-roaring fantasy film packed with intricate special effects, a powerful musical score, and plenty of emotion. Twice as thrilling as its animated predecessor, this movie is definitely worth the wait – it had me holding my breath and marveling at the breathtaking sets and scenery. 

The film follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young Viking eager to prove himself as a dragon fighter. In the midst of a brutal clash between the people of Berk and the dragons, Hiccup receives the chance of a lifetime – capturing a highly-coveted Night Fury named Toothless. But everything changes when he decides to free the dragon. Hiccup soon finds himself deeply conflicted, forced to choose between staying loyal to his family and saving his new friend.

Among the most commendable components of this film are the sets. They are beautifully constructed and bring immense artistic value to the film. For the most part, the set designers have stayed true to the original animated film, and I adored seeing the beloved town of Berk come to life. The cinematography, which involves quite a bit of motion, comes together with the already-magnificent scenery of Ireland and a moving musical score to produce a masterpiece of fantasy cinema. The precision of the casting by Lucy Bevan is also worth mentioning. Most of the actors, such as Mason Thames, Harry Trevaldwyn and Gabriel Howell, bear a striking resemblance to the animated characters they portray. Additionally, Bevan has cast actors who look almost exactly like older versions of the leads to play their parents. Especially notable are the parents of Astrid (Nico Parker) and Snotlout (Gabriel Howell). All the actors in the film flawlessly exhibit complex emotions and seem almost perfect for their roles, reflecting great casting. Mason Thames’s acting is phenomenal as Hiccup who is an unusually multi-layered character for a children’s film, struggling with the death of his mother, the desire to please a girl who dislikes him, and his wish to impress his father which conflicts with what he believes is the right thing to do. I appreciate Thames’s grace in acknowledging all aspects of his character and his ability to display Hiccup’s growth throughout the film. 

How To Train Your Dragon is a reminder that we aren’t defined by what other people think of us. Your destiny belongs to you and can’t be dictated by anyone else. Hiccup’s journey demonstrates the importance of following your instincts, doing the right thing and staying true to what you believe. Following your moral compass, even when it could lead to personal loss, like Hiccup does by saving Toothless, will lead you right where you need to be. 

I give How To Train Your Dragon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The movie comes to theaters on June 13, 2025.  TRAILER:

Karate Kid: Legends unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tia O. comments, “Karate Kid: Legends is a fast-paced adventurous drama that I believe is one of the breakout movies of the year. Some key highlights are the witty humor, incredible acting, and great production values.” Sydney S. adds, “The cast delivers strong performances filed with lots of humor. The comedy in this film really brings it together. The humor is scattered throughout in random, unexpected moments, which keeps the audience engaged and entertained.” Avalynn G. wraps it up with, “The film’s message is about finding strength, balance and never giving up. No matter what the challenge is, Li always gets around it and even when he is knocked down he gets back up. Be forewarned that the film contains some profanity and violent scenes.” See their full reviews below.

Karate Kid: Legends

By Tia O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

Karate Kid: Legends is a fast-paced adventurous drama that I believe is one of the breakout movies of the year. Some key highlights are the witty humor, incredible acting, and great production values.

After his mom gets a new job in New York City, Li Fong (Ben Wang) is forced to leave China and karate behind. However, once he makes it to the Big Apple, Li catches the eye of a local karate champion for all the wrong reasons. With the help of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li enters into an ultimate karate competition and embarks on an adventurous journey. 

The humor in this movie really stands out – line delivery and physical humor from the pizza shop owner, Victor Lipani (Joshua Jackson), Li’s math tutor (Wyatt Oleff), and Mr.Han (Jackie Chan) are really entertaining to watch. All the actors bring their characters to life and made me laugh out loud. The acting throughout the movie is good, particularly Ben Wang who gives Li depth and personality. Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprise their former roles so well. However, Sadie Stanley, Li’s friend in the film, comes off as a bit forced at times. The production really ties this whole film together with cool transitions, terrific graphic design elements, great background music and sound effects, and unique camera angles that make the viewer feel completely immersed and bring every fight scene to life. I give a huge shout out to the design, editing, and production team as well as executive producers Jenny Hinkey and Ralph Macchio.

This film’s message is: when life knocks you down, remember to always get back up. This message is explored when Li confronts his past and doesn’t let that affect his future. Be forewarned that it has mild cursing and violence.

I give Karate Kid: Legends 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.

It releases in theaters May 30, 2025.

Karate Kid: Legends

By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Karate Kid: Legends is a heartfelt and exciting addition to the Karate Kid franchise. It mixes adventure and humor with both new characters and some favorite returning characters! However, some parts are a bit repetitive, especially the constant focus on the two branches of martial arts.

The story follows a young martial artist that moves across the globe and is forced into starting a new life, this time without fighting. However, that doesn’t stop him from continuing to pursue his passion. With the help of friends, both new and old, he learns to merge two types of martial arts in order to win a competition.

The main characters are Li Fong (Ben Wang), Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio), Victor (Joshua Jackson), and Mia (Sadie Stanley). The cast delivers strong performances filed with lots of humor. The comedy in this film really brings it together. The humor is scattered throughout in random, unexpected moments, which keeps the audience engaged and entertained. I also really enjoyed the action scenes — they are well-executed, which definitely add suspension to the fighting. For instance, when Victor and Li are surrounded in a dark alley, the fight scenes are performed beautifully. A heartbeat sound effect adds another level of reality to the scene. Due to the length of the film, it’s hard to grasp the background of each character, making it difficult to understand their motivations. I found it difficult to empathize with the characters for the most part. However, the cinematography is wonderful and it nicely captures the emotions and interactions between characters. For example, when Li is training with Mr. Han and Daniel Larusso and they throw Li around, literally. However, the idea of the two types of martial arts is repetitive. Mr. Han’s kung fu and Daniel Larusso’s karate teaching methods clash. This exact situation happens in the series Cobra Kai, when Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence wrestle over which style of karate is better. The concept has been overused and it seems as if the creators are stretching it in this film a bit too much. My favorite part is the championship match. It’s set on top of a skyscraper, which is a neat addition. Without spoiling, the championship is thrilling and filled with anticipation. 

The film’s message is to never give up on yourself. Li struggles to remind himself of this, and in the end he states that he is doing the competition for himself. It also reminds us of the challenge of change as Li experiences when he moves to a new country and has to find himself again. Please be aware there is violence and mild cursing throughout the film. 

I give Karate Kid: Legends 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters May 30, 2025. 

Karate Kid: Legends

By Avalynn G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Karate Kid: Legends is an incredible film that showcases action and bravery. I love how the setting changes from a beautiful quiet city to a loud and big city. It shows how much of a change it is for the characters.

The storyline follows a boy named Li Fong (Ben Wang) who used to live in Beijing, China and did Kung Fu all the time but he moves to New York City. He has to adjust to living there and even makes a friend. Li enters a karate competition and goes against a crazy person who wants to kill him. Li is helped by a sensei that helps him learn karate and he goes to the competition to hopefully win.

My favorite part of Karate Kid: Legends is when Li walks into a pizza shop In New York City and asks for stuffed crust pizza. Everyone that works there starts to mess with him because they don’t sell stuffed crust. After that happens, the people that worked there call him “stuffed crust” and his fighting name is Li Fong Stuffed Crust. Another favorite part is when Li is teaching Victor (Joshua Jackson) how to do Kung Fu and to box so he could win a boxing match. Li and Victor need to win so they can keep the pizza shop open and, in the process, they become good friends. I love how friendship is shown in this film — all of the friends stick together, no matter what. Though they might have their ups and downs, in the end everything works out and they are all friends again.

The film’s message is about finding strength, balance and never giving up. No matter what the challenge is, Li always gets around it and even when he is knocked down he gets back up. Be forewarned that the film contains some profanity and violent scenes.

I give Karate Kid: Legends 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters May 30, 2025.

The wait is over for Dune fans! Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, in partnership with HBO and Legendary Entertainment, is bringing the highly anticipated HBO Original drama series DUNE: PROPHECY: The Complete First Season to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 13, 2025. The series is co-produced by HBO and Legendary Television. Get ready to binge all 6 episodes from the epic sci-fi adventure, along with over an hour of bonus content including 5 extended featurettes and an all-new, never-before-seen featurette exclusive to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD. Pre-order your copy today.

DUNE: PROPHECY: The Complete First Season is also available now to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, YouTube, Fandango at Home, and more.

From the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, DUNE: PROPHECY follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit. DUNE: PROPHECY is inspired by the novel SISTERHOOD OF DUNE, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. 

DUNE: PROPHECY stars Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Camilla Beeput, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, Yerin Ha, and Barbara Marten.

Alison Schapker serves as showrunner and executive producer. Diane Ademu-John co-developed the series and serves as executive producer. Anna Foerster executive produced and directed multiple episodes including the first. Jordan Goldberg, Mark Tobey, John Cameron, Matthew King, Scott Z. Burns, and Jon Spaihts executive produce with New York Times bestselling author Brian Herbert, along with Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert as executive producers for the Frank Herbert estate. New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson serves as co-producer. The series is co-produced by HBO and Legendary Television with Legendary also producing the film franchise that has released two installments to critical acclaim, the first of which garnered six Academy Awards®. 

Across Max territories, the first episode of DUNE: PROPHECY has amassed approximately 15 million viewers. The series has been renewed for a second season at HBO.

SERIES INFORMATION:

DUNE: PROPHECY: The Complete First Season

Includes all 6 episodes from the first season, plus over an hour of bonus content including 5 extended featurettes and one all-new bonus feature exclusive to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD.

PRODUCT:                                           

4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, & Digital                  

Audio: English SDH

Subtitles: English

Running Time: 6 hours 30 minutes which includes bonus content

Rated: TV-MA

Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels. WBDHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.

Teenage inventor Miles Fletcher unlocks the lost secret to limitless energy, catching the attention of Luxos Energy, a corporation posing as heroes. Just as he perfects his invention, they betray him—stealing his work and shutting him out. With nowhere to turn, Miles must decide—give up or trust his friends and fight back. In a high-stakes battle of ingenuity vs. industry, he races to stop Luxos before they turn his discovery into a weapon.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “The Lightning Code is a thrilling and heartfelt adventure that blends science, friendship, and courage into a family-friendly sci-fi film that sparks your imagination! With high-stakes action, lovable characters, and a meaningful message about innovation and integrity, this film is a standout in the genre.” Braedyn M. adds, “The Lightning Code is not your standard issue sci-fi film.  A complex plot with multiple layers, mystery at every turn, and the trust and chemistry of friendship set the stage to prove that the future is truly what we make it.” Isabella V. wraps it up with, “The Lightning Code has such distinctive ideas and uses very interesting concepts to create a captivating story. The concepts and ideas for technology in this film are phenomenal – not only are they remarkable, but they are especially well designed and executed.” See their full reviews and Ashleigh’s interview with producer Joel Edwards below.

The Lightning Code
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 20

The Lightning Code is a thrilling and heartfelt adventure that blends science, friendship, and courage into a family-friendly sci-fi film that sparks your imagination! With high-stakes action, lovable characters, and a meaningful message about innovation and integrity, this film is a standout in the genre.

What I love most about The Lightning Code is how it balances big ideas, like clean energy and corporate corruption, with genuine emotional moments and exciting twists. The film is packed with action and mystery, but it never loses sight of the heart at the center of the story — a boy trying to honor his mother’s legacy and do the right thing.

The story follows teen inventor Miles Fletcher (Andrew Reid), who finally cracks his late mother’s code, an invention based on Nikola Tesla’s dream of limitless energy. When a powerful corporation called Luxos Energy steps in with promises to help, Miles believes he’s found a way to change the world. But Luxos has its own sinister agenda. With the help of his best friend Piper, her hilarious younger brother Jamie, and his loyal robot companion Newt, Miles must outsmart a tech giant and unlock the truth about his invention and himself. Andrew Reid brings charm and conviction to the role of Miles, making him both relatable and inspiring. Piper is a standout character too, fierce, loyal, and smart. The chemistry among the young cast is fun to watch, and Newt the robot adds humor and heart to the team. The visual effects are impressive, especially during the high-voltage scenes involving Miles’ invention. The film feels both futuristic and grounded, thanks to its sleek design and real-world themes. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Miles and Piper break into Luxos to retrieve the missing blueprints; it’s full of suspense, clever thinking, and showcases their strong friendship. The film also excels in building emotional stakes, especially in scenes that connect Miles to his mother’s memory and mission.

The Lightning Code carries a powerful message — young people can lead big changes, especially when guided by integrity, teamwork, and curiosity. It promotes perseverance, critical thinking, and trust in the face of deception. There’s no inappropriate content or bad language, making it a great pick for families.

I give The Lightning Code 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults who enjoy fast-paced family films with a message. It opens in select theaters on May 9, 2025. It’s a jolt of fun you won’t want to miss!

The Lightning Code
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Lightning Code is not your standard issue sci-fi film.  A complex plot with multiple layers, mystery at every turn, and the trust and chemistry of friendship set the stage to prove that the future is truly what we make it.

Meet Miles Fletcher (Andrew Reid).  He’s a teenager like any other, except for the fact he has found the secret to perpetual energy.  Hoping to bring his invention to the world, he reaches out to Luxos Energy with the hope they support his project.  Unknown to him, Luxos is up to more than just clean energy, and it’s only a matter of time before Miles finds out.  With the help of his friends Piper (Sienna Ribeirio) and Jamie (Ryder Khatiwala), he must figure out how to stop this corporation giant, before the world is changed forever.

It might seem like this feature is pretty straightforward, but there are more twists and turns than I expected.  Multiple elusive storylines create an air of mystery, and how the parallel adventures from multiple times come together, through code, is fun to see.  There are times when Miles might feel stuck, only to find a phrase or a sequence from years before that shows the way through a challenge.  My favorite scene is actually one such instance.  After Miles learns the truth behind Luxos, he’s not sure where to turn next.  All seems lost until a saved childhood artifact reveals the code he must crack for him to keep going.  Now any good movie has laughter, and The Lightning Code is no exception.  This movie finds its own in Newt, a robot with a wicked sense of dry humor.  Built to help Miles’ endeavors, Newt always is there to provide a new side to the argument with hilarious and often sarcastic comments.  Of course Miles has more friends than just a realist robot.  The chemistry between Piper, Jamie, and Miles is clear as day, and brings the movie further into reality.  Director Kali Bailey wonderfully captures the spirit of teamwork as the friends work through the difficulties Luxos throws their way. 

This film’s message is that there is always another way.  Though Luxos proves to be a serious threat, Miles and his pals find a way through the dark, in order to light up the world.

I give The Lightning Code 5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it to ages 12 to 18 plus adults. The Lightning Code releases in select theaters on May 9, 2025.

The Lightning Code
By Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The Lightning Code is such a unique movie with incredible visuals and ideas. It’s unlike anything I have ever seen, and the mysteries and puzzles always had me invested thanks to their distinctiveness. 

The movie follows Miles Fletcher (Andrew Reid) as he attempts to finish his mother’s work and discovers how to harness energy through lightning. However, due to this discovery, Luxos Energy, a company searching for the same thing, attempts to stop Miles from helping the world with his machine.

The Lightning Code has such distinctive ideas and uses very interesting concepts to create a captivating story. The concepts and ideas for technology in this film are phenomenal – not only are they remarkable, but they are especially well designed and executed. For example, the machine for power is so special and cool looking, and I love how the way it works is well explained. The story is very well-written, with noteworthy plot points and characters such as the protagonist, Miles Fletcher. His character arc is extremely well-developed, and his actions and reactions are all believable as a result of our following his reasoning as it occurs. However, some earlier scenes suffer from a lack of buildup, leading to them to make less of an impact than later scenes, despite their importance. These scenes are helped by the impeccable camera work by Diego Cacho which highlights the emotions of the characters through the visuals. On the whole, the visuals are extraordinary – the sets help tell the story and the bigger effects, such as the explosions, all leave their mark. The music choices add a lot, especially in the montages, such as when “The Spark” is used when Miles is inventing – they help tell the story through the lyrics.

The film’s message is to put trust in the people that you care about, and trust that they care about you. Be warned that there are guns and violence is shown in parts of the movie.

I give The Lightning Code 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. It releases in select theaters on May 9, 2025.

They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?

Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. But the book club has their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove Michael’s been framed, while romance reader Arthur believes there’s a mystery woman involved, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play. 

While trying to locate Michael, solve the murder and recover the stolen money, each of them has their own secrets to protect. But despite the danger closing in, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and gotten everyone safe at home with a book, where they belong.

This is a real fun Summer read!

About the Author

Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and executive producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British royal family as well as a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied history at Cambridge University and in 2018 was short-listed for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children, and an antisocial cat.

Sofia has had enough of everyone thinking she’s sooo nice. “Sweet,” “innocent,” and “goody two-shoes” are how her classmates would describe her, but there’s more to her than that. She wants everyone—especially her forever crush, Mark Chen—to see that she has other sides.

To help her level up to Official Cool Girl, Sofia enlists trendy and confident Holden—the guy who everyone else has written off as a total player and a first-class jerk. Under Holden’s guidance, Sofia learns to revamp her style, ride a skateboard, and stand up for herself. At the same time, Holden learns that when he’s alone with Sofia, it’s safe to drop the cool guy act and just be himself.

When their efforts start to pay off, Sofia is faced with a choice. Should she stick with the plan—and risk losing herself in the process—or take a chance on the person everyone says will break her heart?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

G. F. Miller absolutely insists on a happy ending. Everything else is negotiable. She is living her Happily Ever After with the love of her life, three kids, two puppies, and some chickens. She cries at random times. She makes faces at herself in the mirror. She believes in the Oxford comma. And she’s always here for a dance party.

Arriel Vinson’s debut novel in verse, Under the Neon Lights (on sale June 3), is a sparkling and heartfelt story that follows a young Black girl as she navigates the complexities of first love, the path to self-discovery, the gentrification of her Black neighborhood, and the empowering world of roller skating. Through Vinson’s lyrical and evocative verse, readers are invited into a vibrant and dynamic world where neon lights illuminate the struggles and triumphs of adolescence.

Happy Summer reading!

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this featured book post. Images were also provided.