Pokémon: Talent Showdown Adapted by Tracey West

Rating: Not for me

Reading level: Early Elementary

I can see how relative to a lot of the literature out there, some families may be excited about the creativity & imagination in the Pokémon books. I was hoping that being about a talent show might make this one a bit more stomachable. But we still came across some concerns:

• Psychic/Mind Control. Psychic-type Pokémon battle each other with mind control.
• Hot-headedness. The kids are hot-headed; quick to fight instead of working things out with grace and understanding.
• Short (!!!) skirts. A villain named Jessie is dressed inappropriately (see below).
• Unloving behaviors/lack of appropriate teamwork. Jessie bops her co-conspirator, James, on the head with a flute.

All in all, I’m not excited about these books, and this one is no exception.  I might have colored on the picture of Jessie to try to leave a little more to the imagination. (Please don’t tattle on me to the library authorities; my heart was in the right place.)

Not all are the same; be sure to check out reviews of other Pokemon books.