Introduction

This is a collection for class INFO 265, Young Adult Literature. The mini collection was compiled with the community I work in, in mind. That is the Northeast Los Angeles area and the Los Angeles Public Library System is the library system I am connected to.  The Northeast LA community consists of the following neighborhoods: Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Garvanza, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Hermon, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, and Mount Washington, and others. According to the American Community Survey and the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, this community holds about 243,925 residents. The racial and ethnic breakdown is Latino, 64%, White, 16.7%, Asian, 16.5%; Black, 1.8%, Native American 0.5%, Pacific Islander 0.4%, and Other, 0.8%. The median household income is $54,000. This community is very diverse some neighborhoods mostly middle class while others mostly working class. The teenage population is at around 21,000 and mostly attend the Los Angeles Unified School District (Edweek, 2019). 

There are studies that urban teens are not visiting the libraries as much and to quote work from Agosto, when interviewing young urban teens, many felt libraries were outdated institutions (Agosto et al, 2016).  As I worked on my mini blog collection, I thought also of my teen daughter (who happens to be an urban teen herself) and how the work of the librarian is to meet the teens and young adults where they are at.  To innovate  our institutions, to engage them, inviting school systems and teachers, and most especially the young adults in this endeavor, while also learning what is the work of being a trauma informed librarian. To quote Nisha Mody, meeting students where they are at and how trauma can  deeply affects everyone, which is informed by systemic and personal trauma.  (Infobase, 2021) Figuring out ways to connect more especially in these times of COVID and things changing rapidly how else we must innovate to pivot and re-engage populations that may need more support. A question also asked by Coach Nisha (who is a librarian herself), what opportunities are we giving student (young adults) to provide feedback and voice concerns? How is our library a place of social connection? How is our library a not so quiet, space?  The population I am serving is diverse therefore offering titles from different backgrounds in order for them to see themselves on the page and learn from other cultures as well is my mission, while asking myself what else must we do to re-engage in these times and with a trauma informed lens. 

Agosto et al (2016) Teens, Technology and Libraries: An Uncertain Relationship. 86(3), 248-269. https://doi.org/10/1086/686673

Demographic Profile (2017) City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning Northeast Los Angeles Change  Retrived from  Demographic Profile 

Riser-Kositsky, M. (2019)Education Statistics: Facts About American Schools. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/education-statistics-facts-about-american-schools/2019/01

Infobase (2021) Trauma Informed Librarianship: Interview with Healing Coach Nisha Mody, Retrieved from  https://www.infobase.com/blog/featured/trauma-informed-librarianship-interview-with-healing-coach-nisha-mody/

Learning English

Title: VOA Learning English

Format: Database

Creator: VOA Learning English

Site: Learning English 




Summary:

Learning English is VOA’s multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide.

Learning English began as Special English, which Voice of America launched in 1959. Special English newscasts and features were a primary fixture of VOA’s international shortwave broadcasts for more than half a century. In 2014, our line of products was expanded to include more English teaching materials, and the service became known as Learning English.(about, nd)

Source: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/p/5373.html

Critical Evaluation:
Learning English has different levels to learning, there's Level 1 and Level 2 programs, with an Ask a Teacher interface. There are videos, explaining the usage the usage of words. In intermediate level there are audio programs and captioned videos. Alluded to in the site, the programs are read slower than normal reading speed, and there's an advance level where learners in this level learn idioms and expressions, with Words and Their Stories. There is many resources in this site and a pretty robust social media presence. You need to register, log in to ask a teacher, which are certified English teachers.
It's an amazing resources for English learners who are comfortable navigating online, and as for American teenagers today and for the last 15 years or so have shown us, they are the most comfortable navigating online. This website has videos, how to pronounce audio interface, English at The Movies and English in a Minute (for popular idioms), in addition to tests to see where one is in the language learning curve. It is a multi layered interface that seems to get much traffic.

Challenge Issues:
N/A

Why I Chose It
For the English learning teens, which in the US there are many, most especially in Los Angeles Unified School District where I live and work. According to the LAUSD, 2020-2021 information, there was a total of 86,410 English Language Learners enrolled in LAUS. 

Source: LAUSD Open Data, Student Demographics Retrieved from https://my.lausd.net/opendata/dashboard#

Driving Tests

 

Title: Driving Tests

Creator: Elegant E-learning 

Format: Database 

Site: https://driving-tests.org/


Summary:

Driving Tests helps users pass their driving tests by providing exam simulations, engaging practice tests, receive driver's manual, to ultimately help the users pass their driving test. (about, nd)

source: https://driving-tests.org/

Critical Evaluation:

Firstly, I learned about these sites through my teen daughter who has been taking practice driving exams online. This resource is one used by young people as they are preparing to take their driving tests, and being they are online and have such an ability to navigate online, with a user-friendly site such as this one, it has the necessary interfaces to make it one that is resourceful.

There are levels to the interface, from easy to hardest,  helping get comfortable with the parts of the exam they find most challenging.  There are quizzes that have the answers if you get a wrong, so that you may have a better chance at remembering and getting it right the next time around. The more practice, the likelier one will remember. There’s also a feedback component based on the answer/questions that user may be needing more help in. 

Challenge Issues: 

N/A

Why I Included: 

For teens learning to drive, this is a great resource and applicable to the age range, again for those interested in driving soon. 

EBSCOhost

Title EBSCOhost

Creator EBSCO Industries, Inc.

Format database

Website: www.ebsco.com

Summary

EBSCOhost is an intuitive online research platform used by thousands of institutions and millions of users worldwide. With quality databases and search features, EBSCOhost helps researchers of all kinds find the information they need fast.

Critical Evaluation

EBSCOhost has mobile access, can be customized such as search limiters and expanders, language preferences, print options, link options, citations assistance, peer review content, ability to save searches and results and access to high quality articles. It is recognized by library professionals, there's access to academic libraries, public libraries, corporations, schools, health care, and publishers reputable information. To access, one must be part of an academic institution or in a public library, or have access to the database through a library card. You must also be comfortable navigating the database and research, so in terms of access, this is in and of itself can be an inaccessible point for many. Not very accessible to many due to not knowing about it and or not being aware that having a library card, gives you access, and since many young people aren't going to libraries these days, it's not easy to make it accessible.

About the organization

EBSCO is the leading provider of research databases, e-journals, magazine subscriptions, e-books and discovery service to libraries of all kinds. For more than 70 years, we've partnered with libraries to improve research with quality content and technology.

Challenge issues

N/A

Why I chose this database
It's an important asset, and it has access to a lot of good journals and other reputable information for research. Young people who are college bound (which everyone should be if that is what they want) as they get ready for college and begin researching, this database is one that getting familiar with it and learning research tools, will prove handy to be skillful in.

Drake

Title: Take Care

Artist: Drake 

Release date: November 15, 2011

Genre: Hip hop, R & B, Pop

Label: Young Money; Cash Money: Republic

Summary:

Take Care, the second studio album by  Drake, Canadian rapper. It was released  by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. The album features guest appearances from The Weeknd, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Birdman, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and André 3000. 

Critical Evaluation: 

Drake as an artist wears his heart on his sleeve. The intimacy his songs connote, as if he's telling you his life just for you to know, from the details of time and place, moments.  Quoting, a review of his album, 10 years later, Complex shares "and if Drake’s entire catalog is a journal of his innermost thoughts, fears, and confessions, then his sophomore album, Take Care, includes some of his most honest entries." (Complex, November 15, 2021). In this album he is known for oversharing, 10 years later this album still stands strong and popular among different age ranges, including teenagers who were 5-8 years of age around the time this album came out.  

Source: https://www.complex.com/music/drake-take-care-songs-ranked/

Listener Annotation

Want to listen to classic hip hop about tenderness, sadness, money, featuring many hip hop artists? Check Take Care out. 

About the Artist

Drake first came to prominence in the teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation in the role of Jimmy Brooks, a wheelchair-bound character he played for seven years. After leaving the show he became one of the biggest rappers on the planet after signing a deal with Lil Wayne's label Young Money Entertainment. He is rarely out of the headlines, whether it’s for dating Rihanna or Jennifer Lopez, founding his own label, OVO Sound, or fronting the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as the team's global ambassador. It's no surprise that Jay Z labeled him as the Kobe Bryant of hip hop.


Born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada, Drake grew up with music in his blood. His father, Dennis Graham, was a drummer for the legendary rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis. An uncle, Larry Graham, played bass for Sly and the Family Stone. Drake says that his mother, Sandi Graham, also hails from a "very musical" family — his grandmother babysat Aretha Franklin. Drake comes from an eclectic and unique ethnic and religious background. His father is an African American Catholic and his mother is a white Canadian Jew. Speaking about his personal identity, Drake says: "At the end of the day, I consider myself a Black man because I'm more immersed in Black culture than any other. Being Jewish is kind of a cool twist. It makes me unique."


Source: https://www.biography.com/musician/drake

Why I Included the Album

Young people love him. 

Olivia Rodrigo

Title: Sour

Artist: Olivia Rodrigo

Producers:  Dan Nigro

Release Date: May 21, 2021 

Publisher/Label: Geffen Records 

Genres: Pop; Punk

Format: Compact Disc

Summary

“Sour” is an album about accepting alternate endings, and embracing who you become when you have to hot swap one idea about yourself for another all while keeping up a smile, or a career, or several. .(NYT, 2021) An album filled Gen Z specific tracks, with titles of songs such as "Hope Ur Ok" and "Good 4 U" and references to social media such as "Jealousy, Jealousy." 

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/21/arts/music/olivia-rodrigo-sour-review.html

Critical Evaluation:

Sour is Olivia Rodrigo's debut album. These are the titles of her tracks: brutal, traitor, drivers liscense, one step forward three steps back, good for u, deja vu, happier, enough for u, favorite crime, hope ur ok, and jealousy, jealousy. She was once a Disney actress in  High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Like many teen female pop stars many of the songs are about love and heartbreak.

 
From time immemorial these songs are popular in young people, teenagers specifically and those in their early 20s. As a 40 year - old this album may not be congruent to my life, priorities and worldviews but I see why it's popular among young people. She has a way of engaging her music as if she's in an intimate conversation and you're getting an in on the details. Many individuals into her music, may have very well seen her in High School Musical: The Musical, and now engaging with these now older teens, her age or a little younger with music that they can relate to, connoting social media world and multiple identities. Her cover art in Sour, as Teen Vogue puts it, is playful and Gen Z, with a "fuzzy pale pink tank top and checkered bottoms. The stars of the show (some quite literally) are undoubtedly the stickers that cover her face (Lisa Frank, who?), especially the ones placed on her sticked-out tongue reading “Sour.” (Teen Vogue, April, 14, 2021) 

Source: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/olivia-rodrigo-sour-album-tracklist-peak-storytelling

Listener Annotation: High School Musical (Nini), Olivia Rodrigo debut album on heartbreak.

About the Artist:
Olivia Isabel Rodrigo was born on February 20, 2003 in Murrieta, California. Rodrigo grew up in Temecula, California, with her parents: Jennifer, a teacher, and Chris, a family and marriage therapist. When Olivia was a child, her mother introduced her to alternative rock such as No Doubt, the White Stripes and Smashing Pumpkins.

Rodrigo showed an early affinity for music. At the age of 5, she started singing lessons; she was soon competing in local contests and talent shows. She was also writing songs at a young age. When she was 15, Rodrigo landed a starring role as Nini Salazar-Roberts on "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series." In addition to acting, she continued to write her own songs. "I Am More," which she shared on Instagram, led to the show asking her to compose a song for her "HSM:TM:TS" character.

Rodrigo performed the resulting ballad, "All I Want," when she was 16. It became a hit for "HSM:TM:TS" and also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020.

Source: https://www.biography.com/musician/olivia-rodrigo

Challenge Issues: Cursing; Sexuality

Defense: Library Bill of Rights and the Los Angeles County Library Collections Policy.

Why I Included: Olivia Rodrigo is a well known artist. My daughter told me about her and said all her classmates love her.

Taylor Swift

Title: Fearless (Taylor's Version) 

Artist: Taylor Swift

Producers:  Christopher Rowe and Taylor Swift 

Release Date: April 9, 2021 

Genre: Pop, country music, rock

Publisher/Label: Universal Republic Records 

Format: Compact Disc

Summary

Fearless is the 2nd studio album by Taylor Swift and re-recorded April 9, 2021. The rerecording of Fearless (Taylor’s Version), features 26 songs, including six previously unreleased ones. Her album Fearless won Album of the Year at the County Music Association Awards and the Academy of County Music Awards in 2009. In 2010, it won Album of the Year and Best County Album, at the Grammy. 

Fearless Youtube video: ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lLigiVgJsE

Critical Evaluation

In listening to the album, the music conjures emotional reactions with references to the past, and pulls on nostalgia and bitter sweetness. She has been vocal about artist's rights, as told in this People article. The re recording of  "You Belong With Me" "Love Story" or "Fifteen" sound basically the same. For those that have listened to Taylor Swift either in the periphery or a fan, it is a time warp/time travel, and the mention of  specific ages, connoting how time goes on, memory, and nostalgia Swift has a talent for this, pulling on nostalgia on recent events one could argue.  even when what she was nostalgic for seemed like it must have happened last week. A great question posed,  is whether she unwittingly building a time-hopping narrative around her work not unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and if so, how does Tom Hiddleston factor into all this? (Spin, 2021)

Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/taylor-swift-releases-first-re-recorded-album-fearless-4163701/

Source: https://www.spin.com/2021/04/taylor-swifts-fearless-taylors-version-review/

Listener’s Annotation

A collection of  mostly love songs, nostalgic pop/country. 

Artist Info:

Taylor Alison Swift is a multi-Grammy award-winning American singer/songwriter who, in 2010 at the age of 20, became the youngest artist in history to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. In 2011 Swift was named Billboard's Woman of the Year. She also has been named the American Music Awards Artist of the Year, as well as the Entertainer of the Year for both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, among many other accolades. As of this writing, she is also the top-selling digital artist in music history.

Source: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2357847/bio

Why I Included This In My Selection

She is loved by many in this age range

Among Us

Title: Among Us

Developed by InnerSloth

Genre: Action Game, Survival Game 

Released: 2018

Summary:

"Among Us," originally release in 2018, is an online social deduction game wherein players have to figure out who the Imposter is or else they get killed by the Imposter. When a player dies, the rest of the players get to vote in order to root out the imposter. It is described as multiplayer social deduction, "where up to 10 players run around a virtual spaceship to complete spaceship maintenance tasks. They do this and try to find out who the "Impostors" are before killing all. 

Source: https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/what-is-among-us-game

Critical Evaluation:

Although popularized on the social media platform, 'Twitch,' the game is now extremely popular with high school-aged teenagers who play at all times, both at home and at school. It apparently is an easy to understand game play making it easy to watch. There is a bit of killing going on. Although the characters are graphical, there is stabbing and communication is essential in the game, to ensure you are not killed and finding out who the "imposter" is. 

Challenge Issues:

Violence. I will defend it with Library Bill of Rights and The Los Angeles County Library Collections Policy. I also will be encouraged to do active listening, and empathy. 

Why I Chose It

It's popular among the teens. It is a good entry point to connect to them, although I'm not a fan of violent games and look down upon them. If I want to connect with the teens, I need to meet them where they are at. Even if I don't play it. My daughter loves this game. 

Fortnite

Title: Fortenite

Tim Sweeny, Epic Games and People Can Fly 

Genre : Battle Royale Video Game 

Release date: July 21, 2017

Summary:

Fortnite is a survival game.  100 players fight  each other in player versus player combat to be the last one. It is a fast-paced game, full of  action-packed,  not unlike The Hunger Games, where strategic thinking is a must in order to survive. There are an estimated 80.4 millions players on Fortnite according to Gamertweak. 

Critical Evaluation:

Tries to hook its users by selling online accessories that gamers need to continue playing successfully in the game. 'Skins', a uniform of sorts, requires gamers to pay for them and you even trade them like a  commodity with other online gamers. Although marketed for an adult audience, Fortnite is largely utilized as a cellphone game by teenagers. 

Challenge Issues:

Violence

Defense: Library Bill of Rights and Los Angeles County Library Collections Policy. 

Why I Chose It

It is really popular among teenagers. 

Minecraft

Title: Minecraft

Binding Video Game

Genre : Adventure World Building

Release date: June 17, 2016

Summary: 

Minecraft is a sandbox-adventure  game. The style is called "sandbox" being it provides creative landscape with no fixed goal and  therefore there are endless possibilities. Its blocky design is rather kid-like, too: the characters' heads are square, colors appear in chunks, and trees look like they  grew in a Lego land.  There are no instructions in Minecraft  and it is easy to pick up and play. You learn by  exploring, experimenting, and watching YouTube videos and fan-created content, there seems to be a lot of it available. Like many online video games, the more you play, you learn what to do and how to use what is there, such as  ore, redstone to make complex tools and structures.

Critical Evaluation:

  
Minecraft requires creativity and it is based in fantasy, with a competitive edge to it. According to Screenrant  it is the second most sold  video game followed by Tetris getting the number one title.

It is a rather simple appearance, pixelated characters, it is a game that speaks to all ages from kids to adults.  What is crediting its success, is that it is a game that the gamer wants it to be. It is like a canvas, sandbox game. The game supports creativity in that it makes players work within the the arena of having limited color palettes and shapes. There are community elements and purely creativity modes to the game. It has an interesting interface for those that like to play with other player,  the game can be played with friends. It is a whole worlds unto itself. 

For those that are into gaming, it can appear rather bland. And for individuals wanting to keep an eye on their online usage, it is also difficult to play in a short period of time

Source: https://screenrant.com/best-selling-video-games-most-popular/

Challenge Issues:

None 

Why the Selection

For the gamer community, it is a popular game among teenagers promoting creativity and exploration. 

Moxie

Title: Moxie (2021)

Director: Amy Poehler

Genre: Teen film

Streaming Service: Netflix

Release Date: March 3, 2021

Plot Summary
 ‘Moxie’ is based on the book of the same name by Jennifer Mathieu.  It is a coming-of-age film about  about Vivian a high school student who is is lollygagging her way in school.  A moment ignites her, opening up a different dimension in her character. It was an encounter witnessing sexist behaviors in  school and inspiration from her mother’s riot grrrl days. These moments spark something in her to propel a feminist movement at her school. Activism ignites and the administration responds and the storyline unfolds. 

Critical Evaluation

Accurate depictions of the types of situations and grievances Gen Z finds themselves in. As a teen coming-of-age film with teens being socially involved in activism. It has a greater moment than oneself, fighting for something bigger.  Films about love, romance, qualms between friends, issues of self worth, are all topics that are the most common. 

The highlight of the word, intersectionality, words such as "I'm triggered" it all spoke to the on the ground conversations that have risen in the last ten years among Gen Z.  In addition, there are young people of different races, a wonderful depiction of a teen boy that is sensitive and aware, different boy types. It is a film about how in numbers great things happen, and speaking up things get done or at least trying, as  Vivian mom's shares with her. Seeing feminist zines and learning about them is really neat to watch.  It had an entertaining sound track. It didn't' seem believable that Mitchell wins the election/scholarship although Kiera gets a huge roar when her name is called, it felt out of touch with school realities (hopeful mind here). The other big critique is that although there are many people of color in the film, they are supporting roles, and this, save the day, white person cliché gets played up. Vivian has her cute crush (mixed race of Asian descent sweet fella), Vivian gets a romantic role, and no one else does (there was a scene between Amaya and Lucy, kissing). Otherwise, this film is great and it is one that surely will keep you entertained. 

Content Warning 

Feminism.  Rape. 

Challenge Issues 

Library Bill of Rights resource and Los Angeles County Library Collection Policy. 

Why I Chose It

Activism, riot ggrl history, women of color cast members, and Amy Poehler is rad. 

To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Title: To All The Boys I've Loved Before (Based on book by Jenny Han published in 2014) 

Director: Michael Fimognari, Susan Johnson

Streaming Service: Netflix

Release Date: August 17, 2018

Summary:

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before  Lara Jean, a Korean-American girl who writes letters to boys she has an intense crush on and then locks them (letters) away in her closet.  Although she has never sent the letters, they end up in the hands of her crushes due to her little sister Kitty sending them out. She later finds this on a Monday when one of her crushes confronts her, she faints at this encounter. Things continue to unfold as other folks get the letters and she has to pretend a relationship to feel she is holding on to some sense of dignity. 

Critical Evaluation:

It has a strong flawed protagonist, Lara, who is shy and smart, and isn't insecure about her intelligence. There is strong synergy between Condor and Lara's chemistry.  A huge plus is the Asian American representation, with multidimensional characters on the screen. Lara remains true to herself and that is an important theme reflected to young people, specifically young women. 


Content Warnings:


Mild sexual language, underage drinking, 


Challenge Issue Resources:

Library Bill of Rights resource and Los Angeles County Library Collection Policy. 


Why is this movie included in our collection?

It was a very well received movie in the young adult community, the time it came out. 

13 Reasons Why

Title:13 Reasons Why (Based on a book by Jay Asher published in 2007)

Created for Television by: Brian Yorkey

Production Companies: July Moon Productions and Kicked to the Curb Productions

Network: Netflix

Series Dates: 2017-2020

Plot Summary

Clay Jensen is close to being  valedictorian and often  studies on weekends instead of going to parties. Clay’s classmate, Hannah, recently commits suicide. After Hannah’s suicide, Clay receives a package in the mail with no return address. There are seven tapes inside a shoebox containing seven two-sided audio cassettes.

In watching you learn that the tapes were recorded by Hannah before she commits suicide, sharing heart wrenching events that lead to her suicide. . Clay was not close friends with Hannah, and at first is confused why he got the tapes but as he listens further, he learns her had a place in her world/ mind. He experiences and gets a glimpse of the struggles she had.  

Critical Evaluation

"13 Reasons Why" based off of the critically acclaimed books written by Jay Asher. Based on the book, changed for the screen the characters are rich, complex and storytelling is compelling. Although the show meant to discuss suicide and the ways different people can play into someone's pain, there were many critiques how the show disregarded what is known as suicide contagion. 
There were many critiques of the show, find here and here. There are trigger warnings being there are graphic rape scenes. There women of the cast seem to objectified. The cinematography was engaging, and characters richly complex. 



Reader's Annotation

High school senior Clay receives tapes from Hannah, a classmate who recently commits suicide. 



About Jay Asher (Author)


Jay Asher is a contemporary American author who writes books in the Young Adult genre. Born on September 30, 1975 in Arcadia, California, Asher graduated from San Luis Obispo High School, went on to study at Cuesta Community College, and eventually transferred to California Polytechnic State University. While in high school, Asher wrote two children’s books for a class called Children’s Literature Appreciation. This experience sparked his passion for writing books for young readers. Years later in university, it was this passion that caused Asher to drop out during his senior year to pursue a serious career in writing.

It took Asher around twelve years to sell his first book. His debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, is critically acclaimed and on bookshelves around the globe. The novel is a gripping tale of a young girl and the catalysts that drove her to commit suicide. Asher’s inspiration for the book came from the suicide attempt of a close relative. This young woman was close to the age of Hannah Baker, the protagonist of Thirteen Reasons Why, when she made her suicide attempt, and so Asher used her state of mind and thoughts to help him craft the book

Source: https://www.gradesaver.com/author/jay-asher


Genre

Coming-of-Age; Realistic Fiction




Booktalking Ideas

This television show can be mentioned along with the book series by Jay Asher as a bonus material.


Interest Level

Grades 9-12; Ages 14-18


Selection Rationale

 13 Reasons Why. My daughter watched it, loved it and so did all her friends. There are many entry points to discuss, and curate conversations on support systems for our young adults dealing with most of the content of the series: depression, suicidal ideation, rape and bullying. 

American Teen

 

/

Title: American Teen

Executive Editor: Rachel Sokol

Frequency: Biannual

Format: Print & Online

Publisher: Ayal Korkzak

Website: https://americanteenmag.com/index.php

Subjects: entertainment, celebrities, school, lifestyle, fashion.

Summary: American Teen was first LaTeen, and was started in Lateen Magazine started in 2006 in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. It was then a bimonthly, Hispanic teen magazine that targeted second and third  generation Hispanic teens, both male and female.

It was then known as one of the only publications targeting Hispanic boys. It was started by a middle school teacher and group of students that had a goal of creating a multicultural youth centered magazine that encouraged teens to enjoy reading. 

Source: https://www.portada-online.com/hispanic-media/hispanic-newspapers/lateen-magazine-launches/

Critical Evaluation: American teen is a magazine for teenagers published by Ayal Korczak it was originally LaTeen. The magazine seems to run twice a year and has a website focusing on book reviews, relationship advice and careers among other things such as lowering stress and must have for college. They have an editorial staff. Their website is geared towards 15-18 years old, covering a myriad of topics. The website does not seem to be interactive and has dated material. Seems to get updated a few times a year. There aren't any social media handles and don't' seem to have a high frequency visit. I did pick up their latest print magazine, Spring/Summer 2021 issue. Some of their cover headlines were Pet Adoption 101, 10 Ways to Reduce Stress, Comfy Clothes that Give Back, Your Career Outlook and Role Models Who Rock. Let me wondering if young people pick it up, but I do see if there were these available for school libraries, potentially. So much of our youth are online through their phone and if the websites dont' have a mobile friendly engaging interface, I don't see it happening.

Readers Annotation:

American Teen magazine is a magazine for high school students, it it produced by their editorial staff.

Publisher Information: N/A

Genre: Magazine

Book talking Ideas: N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grade 9 - 12

Challenge Issues: N/A

Why I Chose This Magazine:

Topics are relevant to today's youth and covers are appealing to the eye. For example the Spring/Summer 2021 has the actress, Haskiri Velasquez on the cover, and a headline is 10 Ways To Reduce Stress. Topics that a young person that wants to hold a magazine, take a break from their phones, this is a nice alternative.

Thrasher Magazine Edited by Michael Burnett

Frequency: Monthly

Publisher: High-Speed Productions

Founder: Eric Swenson & Fausto Vitello

Website: Thrasher 

​
Summary

Thrasher Magazine is a skateboarding magazine.  It was founded in January 1981* by Eric Sweson and Fautor Vitello. The magazine entails skateboarding and music related articles/reviews, photography, interviews and skatepark reviews.  

Critical Evaluation

When browsing through Thrasher it was not that easy to grasp as someone that is not part of the skateboarding community. For folks that are in the skateboarding community,  one must get a sense that this magazine is exactly for you. Their website seemed to function as a community, has many videos of skateboarders doing stunts, they have an archive and a shop.  It has a DIY feel and seems like many different folks can submit to it.  For individuals that are pro skateboarders or whose passion is skateboarding, with many teens in this category, Thrasher can be a go to and learn a few things and see themselves in a print magazine, or engage with online.

Genre: Magazine

Book talking Ideas: N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grade 9 - 12 Ages 14+

Challenge Issues: N/A

Why I Chose This Magazine:

Many young people skate, this speaks to a personal interest of theirs.

Teen Vogue Editor Versha Sharma

Sharma, Versha (editor). Teen Vogue. Conde Nast, 2003.

Magazine Title: Teen Vogue

Editor in Chief: Versha Sharma

Reading Level/ Interest Level: Teen's between ages 13-18yrs

Frequency: Quarterly

Publisher: Conde Nast

First Issue: January 2003


Last Issue: December 2017 (online now only)

Summary

Teen Vogue is the child of Vogue targeting teenagers at the title suggests. It originated in 2003. Teen Vogue covers celebrity news, fashion, beauty, wellness, politics, lifestyle and entertainment. The magazine is only online and it stopped being in print in 2017. They went from high fashion to a community of activism. 


Critical Evaluation

In 2016, Teen Vogue underwent significant re-structuring, with being inclusive with their models, diversity in voices with their writers and points of views that traditionally had not been showcased. Articles covered celebrities new lines to internalize racism of famous  hip hop artists. The changes were put into effect due to the editors, Elaine Welterworth, now ex, (first Black editor in chief and youngest editor). 

There is a diverse range on topics covered and they credit this to the fact that their readers are multifaceted and not only care about beauty, but also the world. There are voices that have traditionally been excluded by media outlets, and have provided a platform to them. They are aware that the U.S is diverse, and that young people reflect this diversity. Diversity including sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

Reader's annotation

Teen's guide to fashion, beauty, style, entertainment, wellness and politics.

Author information

N/A 

Genre

Fashion ; Politics ; Wellness ; Entertainment 

Booktalking Ideas:

I would look at a current headline and check out the website. Ask them if they have checked it out. 

Reading level: Interest Age

12 years +

Challenge Issues

Sex, what are considered "left leaning politics" , LGTBQI+ points of view. I will defend with the Library Bill of Rights and Los Angeles County Library Collections Policy. 

Why I Chose This Magazine

Young people want to be informed and this magazine is encompassing of current events, and other concerns young people are interested in. An article delving into this by the Atlantic.