Top 10

See

THE WILD THORNBERRYS

Based on the popular Nickelodeon TV show, this flick has 12-year-old Eliza touring Africa with her folks. During her journey, Eliza discovers she has this incredible ability to talk to animals. "The whole movie is from Eliza's perspective about her responsibility and the gift she's been given," says Lacey Chabert, voice of Eliza. Using her gift, Eliza must stop poachers from killing an elephant herd.

MAID IN MANHATTAN

Jennifer Lopez stars as a single mom who makes a living changing linens and scrubbing toilets in a posh New York hotel. She meets a rich politician, falls in love and lives the glamorous fairytale life. What's the prob? She has to hide the fact she cleans his suite. What a Cinderella story!

TWO WEEKS NOTICE

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is a dependable but exhausted lawyer. She's spent five years slaving away for her millionaire real estate tycoon tyrant of a boss-- and she's sick of it! So she quits. But the bossman won't let her go until she hires a perfect replacement. Lucy sends in a new girl, who quickly sets her sights on Mr. Big Whig...and Lucy realizes she too has eyes for him.

PINOCCHIO

The perfect holiday movie stars the fun-loving Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) as everyone's favorite wooden puppet. We don't believe anybody but Roberto could bring magic and fun to Pinocchio's misadventures in this classic tale. No lie.

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Our Little Corner of the World, Music from Gilmore Girls

OK, so it's a bit pricey at $19, but this CD packs an eclectic mix of 24 songs--from a punk rock rendition of "What a Wonderful World" by Joey Ramone to the soft sounds of the title song by Yo La Tengo. In between, you'll find songs as varied as PJ Harvey's "One Line," John Lennon's "Oh My Love," Bjork's "Human Behavior," The Shins' "Know Your Onion!" and a 'newly recorded version of the show's theme song "Where You Lead I Will Follow" by (appropriately) mother-daughter duo Carole King and Louise Goffin.

Christmas, Plus One

What more could you want for Christmas than peace and harmony? This cutie quintet-- Jason, Nate, Jeremy, Nathan and Gabe-- serve up soothing, soulful seasonal standards, like "What Child Is This" and "Silent Night," with their own signature singing style. So how did they get into the holiday spirit while recording the CD in July? "A friend of ours brought a whole batch of Christmas cookies to the studio!" says Nathan.

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AMERICAN IDOL!

If you just can't get enough of AJ, now there's a CD-Rom version. Pretend you're Kelly Clarkson by competing against other contestants as you dance and sing your way to stardom. First, design your rock star image with cool hair and accessories. Then, choose dance moves and special effects to design a funky music vid. Finally, record by using the included mic and post on a Web site where an online winner will be chosen. Yes, this game even comes complete with two hosts and three judges. Let's just hope one of them isn't Simon....

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BOOK BAG

Organizing from the Inside Out For Teens

by Julie Morgenstern and Jessi Morgenstern-Colon, Owl, $15

Ever wish you had more time for the stuff you want to do? Dream of actually finding what you need to get ready in the morning? Getting organized is the key. And it's not as hard as you think. This mother/daughter team has the perfect solution to all of your "organizational roadblocks."

The Book of Lists for Teens

by Sandra and Harry Choron, Houghton Mifflin, $12

Keep this page-flipper with you at all times! Devour more than 300 pages of lists that include inane info, as well as facts you need to know...or should know. Do you know the 21 things that you can do to make life better for your grandparents? Can you name the 10 most requested Karaoke songs? The top 10 ways to tell if someone's crushing on you? From the top...

Winter

by John Marsden, Scholastic, $17

"Willful. Headstrong. Won't take 'no' for an answer. Perhaps spoiled and selfish?" These are words Winter uses to describe herself. Which is why, at 16, she has quit school and returned to her roots to reclaim her heritage and explore memories that have haunted her for years. What she finds is an aunt she never knew. What you'll find is a suspenseful mystery that grabs you from the very first page.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Monarch Avalon, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group