Product Details

• Actors: Joanne Baron, Timothy Bottoms, Annabeth Gish, Michael Learned, Jennifer Tilly
• Directors: Martha Coolidge
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• DVD Release Date: January 6, 2009
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001FCD252
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #806 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Movies & TV > Television > HBO > HBO Family
  #3 in	Movies & TV > Kids & Family > Characters & Series > American Girl
  #25 in	Movies & TV > Kids & Family > Drama

• This is item 5 in The American Girl Movie Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Even in the best of circumstances, being the new kid in school isn't easy--and it's doubly hard when you're the victim of bullying. When Chrissa (Sammi Hanratty) and her family move in with her recently widowed grandmother (Michael Learned), Chrissa is forced to leave her old school (and best friend) and start at a new school in the middle of the school year. An established clique of three girls, dubbed the Mean Bees, welcomes Chrissa by putting her down on her very first day, and their bullying only increases as the days progress. Chrissa suffers in silence as the girls steal her permission slip for swimming club, spread rumors about her having an infectious skin disease, and post inflammatory pictures that dub her the "loser llama girl." Though Chrissa tries hard to make new friends, her efforts are rebuffed even by fellow student Gwen (Kaitlyn Dever), who really seems like she could use a good friend. What Chrissa learns from her experience is that by speaking up, she can protect herself and make a huge difference at her school. Best of all, Chrissa finds some true friends in the process. An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong is a quality film about a timely subject that will entertain as well as edify young girls ages 6 and older. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

Meet Chrissa Maxwell. She and her family have just moved, and she has to start at a new school mid-year. Will she fit in? Can she find new friends? On her very first day, Chrissa is seated with three girls who greet her with teasing and tricks. The Mean Bees really know how to stingthey bully her in class, on the bus, online, and even at swim club. Chrissa cant seem to make any new friends; not even with the girl who seems to need a friend the most. When the biggest bully becomes Chrissa's swimming rival, the taunting finally goes too far. Now its up to Chrissa. Will she find a way to stand strong and stop the bullying?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW This is a film for all to see., January 6, 2009

By	Queen Robinhood (New York) - See all my reviews

Last night on HBO I watched the premiere of this American Girl movie. I enjoyed the Kit movie from last year, they are really on a roll now I have to say!! This movie is a MUST see for students from 3rd or 4th grade and up. The movie is about a 5th grade girl who is new to a school and is soon bullied by a click of 3 girls, one in particular named Tara. This is not a sugar coated movie and you see Chrissa's situation go from bad to worse as she struggles to handle it by herself.

I figured this movie would be like every other typical Disney-style movie where Chrissa will eventually get revenge on the "bad guy", you know with some plot where say she makes some elaborate contraption which will embarrass the heck out of Tara and spill green paint on her or whatever and everyone will laugh at Tara and Chrissa will be the hero. That is NOT how this story goes at all, and I am very impressed American Girl (who is in the DOLL business) did not fantasy candy-coat the story. Rather, as you will see, it is shown with much more realism and makes you think about what you would do if you were in Chrissa's (or her parents') situation.

I actually have someone who has been bullying my 10 year old daughter over the past few months and ironically I got a few pointers from this movie last night, it made me think a little different about how to approach the situation. It also reinforced some of my beliefs on what makes someone a bully as well as providing some tips on ways to keep Chrissa staying strong.

Like other viewers, I bet you will be curious to see what bully Tara's parents look like - in every other movie (e.g. Camp Rock) the snobby/mean girl's mother is usually some self-centered witch who is nasty with her daughter and thus the chain continues....in this movie, you never get to see her parents. I think that is a good thing because it really let me focus on the rest of the story. I am seriously considering buying a copy for my local school and/or library to donate it, it was that good. The acting was fantastic and Chrissa is absolutely charming, I would love to have a friend like her for myself or my daughter!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great American Girl Movie, January 11, 2009

By	My Kids Mom - See all my reviews

I normally don't write reviews, but was so disappointed to see a negative review on this movie, I had to write. My daughter has seen ALL of the American Girl movies and this is by far her favorite! She has had it for a week, since it came out, and has watched it 3 times already. As much as she loved the other movies, I think this one proved to be more realistic, more timely for young girls, and taught valuable lessons. I definitely recommend this movie, and think it is well worth the money. Even I enjoyed it with her.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Attention Moms! Must See for any little girl & her parents! Should be required to watch in school!, January 12, 2009

By	Mommyrh1 "Mommyrh1" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

Absolutely a wonderful movie. If you have a school age child, any age, you must see this movie. It perfectly portrays the dangers & emotions of school bullies. Great to open a dialogue with your child after watching this movie. Wonderfully written, easy for children to understand at any age. Cannot say enough good things about this great American Girl movie. This should be required viewing in school!!!!!