11. Seventeen (Magazine) Ann Shoket, editor-in-chief

1. Bibliographic Information
Shoket, A. (Ed.). (April 2010). Seventeen, 69(4).

178 pages
Subscription of Orange County Public Library: Brea Public Library
#0175260945/54

2. Plot Summary
The April edition of Seventeen is organized into categories: fashion, beauty, health, love life, and your life. The fashion articles focus on clothing that is now in style including bleached denim, full ensembles for less, finding clothes that fit your body type, swimwear, and tips from people in the business like Lauren Conrad. In the beauty section, the magazine offers advice all about hair: from hairstyles that fit every face shape, to Prom updos. In health, there are examples of diets to try, going green, tips for girls’ health, and how to get flat abs. Love life offers teens an example of how and how not to flirt, the magazine’s latest celebrity crushes, and the ability to determine if your boyfriend is cheating on you. Lastly, your life focuses more on human interest stories. One article looks at a teenager’s addiction to shoplifting, while others are more based upon experiences like being a Tyra Banks intern, what really goes on at college parties, and how to help Haiti. There is also a miscellaneous section in the back of the magazine which focuses on celebrity interviews, more clothes, and an article on what to do if your mom is a “cougar.”

3. Critical Evaluation
This magazine is very similar to the majority of the magazines for teens as well as the magazines previously reviewed. Most of the articles are based upon pop culture and what is considered to be “in.” Additionally, while some of the articles might answer some questions, the majority of the articles are more fluff than actual content. For example, even the article about teenagers who are tired of their moms trying to date younger men becomes a means to show how celebrities and television shows perpetuate the issue. Thus, reinforcing current popular television shows as well as actresses and socialites. While only two readers are actually allowed to weigh in on how moms like these can affect them, the article does not really provide sound advice for teens that do face this “issue.” Nevertheless, there are some positive aspects of the magazine. There does seem to be a more balanced representation of cultures among the models for the fashion pages. Furthermore, it does provide teens the ability to feel connected both with today’s culture and other teens. Ultimately, Seventeen is a light magazine that provides teens the ability to relax with mindless entertainment.

4. Reader’s Annotation
Know the current fashion trends, beauty and health secrets, and love for teens in Seventeen.

5. Information about the Author
Ann Shoket became editor in chief of Seventeen in 2007. Before being employed at Seventeen she has worked for CosmoGirl, and senior editor with Parade’s teen news magazine, React. She also created the independent Web magazine Tag and was a reporter with Steven Brill’s The American Lawyer.

6. Genre
Magazine: Teen Life, Fashion, Beauty, Pop Culture

7. Curriculum Ties
N/A

8. Booktalking Ideas
- Do you feel that this magazine accurately portrays a teen’s life?
- How does popular culture and style affect the content of the magazine?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I would recommend this magazine to mostly teen girls aged 15-18.

10. Challenge Issues
The only possible challenges I could see occurring in this issue might have to do with moral dilemmas, such as the magazine telling teens that sometimes it might be okay to keep quiet about cheating on your boyfriend/girlfriend. Ultimately, though I do not see this magazine as being challenged. Nevertheless, if a challenge did occur I would recommend people to the ALA’s website on challenge guidelines and forms found at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

11. Why was it Selected?
I wanted to include a magazine that focused on teen lives rather than just fashion or sports.

12. Citations

Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Huffington Post.com. (2010). Ann Shoket. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-shoket

Magazine.org. (n.d.). Ann Shoket, editor-in-chief: Seventeen. Retrieved from http://www.magazine.org/ASSETS/EDC3850D6DAF4AC9B572E9F7D9C72EFD/Shoket_Ann.pdf

Picture
Blue, T. (2010). Nina Dobrev covers seventeen magazine. Retrieved from http://tengossip.com/2010/03/03/nina-dobrev-covers-seventeen-magazine/

13. Awards
None known at present, however according to the Huffington Post, Seventeen is the highest selling teen magazine since 2003.

17. Transworld Skateboarding (March 2010) Edited by Skim Phillips

1. Bibliographic Information
Phillips, S. (Ed.). (March 2010). Transworld Skateboarding, 28(3).
162 pages
Barcode: 7482008839

2. Plot Summary
Transworld Skateboarding focuses on highlighting professional and amateur skateboarders, their likes, their dislikes, and any other quirky information the interviewer can find. These interviews are sometimes in depth, focusing on video footage, tricks, or experiences. While others are relatively light writing on random facts about the skateboarders including favorite movies, bands, and people you like with the same first name as you (See “Top 5 with Omar Salazar”). Much of the magazine is filled with skateboarding advertisements for skateboard parts, attire, new videos, and other accessories. The magazine also focuses on the culture of skateboarding listing songs which were influenced by skateboarding, seen in the article, “10 Rapping Debuts Caught on Video” by Dan Watson. The magazine also publishes readers’ questions; however, the author’s introduction to the segment tells readers to beware of Tony Trujillo’s direct approach to answering the mail. What is most prevalent, though are still-shots of skateboarders’ moves.

3. Critical Evaluation
Like many other teen magazines, Transworld seems to have many purposes. However, contradictory messages seem to plague this magazine. The articles speak of keeping the sport of skateboarding “real,” yet advertisements for mainstream companies (Vans, Nike, etc.) are littered throughout its pages. Letters to the editor speak about wanting to legitimize skateboarding as a true sport to the American public, yet articles about evading the police are also included (“Escape a Ticket with Jason Hernandez”). Nevertheless, Transworld magazine does provide teenagers with an outlet to see what other amateur and professional skateboarders are doing within the sport. Still-frame shots allow readers to see the complexities of moves and tricks, providing the means of replication. Additionally, pictures and articles push the boundaries of where skateboarding tricks can be completed. The article, “Quick and the Dead,” writes about the Quicksilver team’s trip to Israel, emphasizing the need to use skateboarding as a means to connect with other cultures. As with any sports culture, the magazine does help to define what is important to skateboarding, and while not all aspects are entirely considered acceptable, Transworld does provide readers with some redeeming values.

4. Reader’s Annotation
Read about today’s current skateboarders and their moves in Transworld Skateboarding magazine.

5. Information about the Author
Not much could be found about the Editor, Skin Phillips. From Wikipedia, Skin currently oversees the webpage and magazine for Transworld. However, nothing further is mentioned in regards to when he became editor, or his past experiences, qualifications, or education.

6. Genre
Sports Magazine

7. Curriculum Ties
N/A

8. Booktalking Ideas
-How do advertisements affect the magazine?
-Since many of the advertisements include pictures of skateboarders do you feel that it detracts from the magazine?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this magazine would most appeal to skateboarders aged 15-18, although this magazine could be read by adults as well.

10. Challenge Issues
Some people might take offense to some of the language used in this magazine, as well as articles on how to avoid a ticket. Additionally, skateboarding can be viewed as destructive, as the wax, wheels, and trucks used for skateboarding can scratch, stain or otherwise damage property. If someone wished to challenge the inclusion of this magazine in a library collection I would refer patrons to the ALA’s website regarding the guidelines and forms to submit a challenge for library materials found at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

11. Why was it Selected?
I wanted to include an example of a sports magazine for teens.

12. Citations

Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Wikipedia.org. (2010). Transworld skateboarding. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transworld_Skateboarding

Picture From

(February 15, 2010). Transworld skateboarding Mars 2010: Matt Miller et Lizard King Pro Spotlight. Retrieved from http://magazines.le-site-du-skateboard.com/magazine-skateboard/transworld-skateboarding-mars-2010-matt-miller-et-lizard-king-pro-spotlight/

13. Awards
No awards currently known.

18. Teen Vogue (February 2010) Amy Astley, Editor-in-Chief

1. Bibliographic Information
Astley, A. (Ed.). (February 2010). Teen Vogue.
116 pages
Barcode: 0-757356-9
Magazine #08455

2. Plot Summary
On the cover, this edition of Teen Vogue emphasizes articles on Gossip Girl’s Jessica Sozhr, Valentine’s Day, skin care, clothing and room makeovers. Within the magazine there are numerous examples of advertisements for clothing and accessories, make-up, feminine products, perfume, and movies. The articles focus on current trends in fashion, showing pictures of celebrities wearing designer clothing and models with this season’s new collections. Authors write blogs on fashion, style, music, as well as up-and-coming designers. Additionally, some articles look at “steals” that readers can find to emulate some of the ideas shown within the magazine’s pages. The magazine also looks at teen popular culture, examining new movies, music, diets, and human interest stories from some of United States’ Olympic Athletes. Lastly, there is also an article written by a Teen Vogue intern, who has dedicated herself to educating teens about the dangers of binge drinking after her brother’s death from alcohol poisoning.

3. Critical Evaluation
Ultimately, Teen Vogue is a magazine aimed at teenagers who are interested in clothing and fashion trends. Predominantly written for a female audience, the magazine focuses on achieving looks to help teens distinguish themselves. In some ways this could be seen as a means for teenagers to establish an identity based upon the clothing and styles they wear as well as make-up and accessories. The magazine is very materialistic and based upon a consumer lifestyle which may not necessarily be practical for teens. Teen Vogue emphasizes designer clothing that would seem to be too expensive for a teenager to buy. Nevertheless, teens who are interested in fashion might find this magazine useful for inspiration of ideas of style, clothing, and thus, identity. While such an emphasis on clothes and consumerism might be somewhat misleading to a teenager in terms of more adult priorities and responsibilities, it is a nice change from popular magazines which tend to focus on the personal lives of celebrities.

4. Reader’s Annotation
Look at today’s trends in fashion, style, make-up, and clothing in the current issue of Teen Vogue.

5. Information about the Author
Amy Astley graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in English Literature. She began working for Vogue magazine in 1993. She was elected to act as editor in chief for Teen Vogue since its inception in 2003.

6. Genre
Fashion Magazine

7. Curriculum Ties
I could see this magazine being used in a Home Economics/Clothing Design Elective class for inspiration on style and fashion.

8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does Teen Vogue emphasize consumerism and materialism?
-Do you think that magazines like Teen Vogue might give teens a positive or negative sense of self?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this magazine would predominantly appeal to teen girls aged 15-18.

10. Challenge Issues
I do not feel that this magazine would be challenged, as long as the readers were within the appropriate age range. The magazine simply focuses on clothing and style, but none of them appear to be risqué or inappropriate for high school teens. If a person did wish to challenge the magazine’s inclusion in a library, I would refer them to the ALA’s guidelines and challenge form found at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

11. Why was it Selected?

I wanted to include a magazine geared towards teen girls.

12. Citations

(May 2006). Biography: Amy Astley editor-in-chief. Retrieved from http://www.magazine.org/content/files/astley,%20amy.pdf

Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Picture from
Teen Vogue. (2010).Teen vogue cover gallery. Retrieved from http://www.teenvogue.com/magazine/covers#slide=2

13. Awards
The American Society of Magazine Editors nominated Teen Vogue for a 2003 General Excellence Award in the 250,000-500,000 circulation category.

Teen Vogue was named Adweek Magazines' 2004 Startup of the Year.