Review of Cricket Magazine

Cricket Magazine. 9 issues/year. $33.95. www.CricketMag.com/Cricket.

This magazine has been around for thirty years, providing 9-14 year olds with a literary-style magazine. From fractured fairy tales to historical and science fiction stories that often come in installments, this magazine offers something for most readers. The magazine is also heavily illustrated, and different artists lend their stylings for each issue. The “Letters” section is filled with readers’ comments, mostly about how much they like the magazine, but does also subtly offer different viewpoints from the readers themselves. For example, one child wrote in about how she’s learning new spells, wants to become a witch, and loves Harry Potter. In the next letter, a reader wrote in about how she believes the Harry Potter books influence people to become Satanists (February 2008). The menagerie of cartoon bugs offer commentaries, definitions, and keep a consistent, light tone throughout. The editorial board includes author heavyweights, such as Katherine Paterson and Linda Sue Park. While some children might be intimidated by the relative thickness of each issue, if they give Cricket a chance, they might find treasure inside.