Magazines
Although they may not be as popular as they once were, teens still read magazines, especially those with niche interests.
Yoga Journal (1975-present)
Publisher: Active Interest Media
Frequency: 9 issues per year
Age: All
Format: Print, Digital, Website
Plot Summary:
Each issue features tips on yoga practice and meditation, as well as recommended items for purchase. Issues relevant to yoga practitioners both new and advanced are included, such as nutrition, other recommended forms of exercise, new trends, and how-to guides. The magazine focuses on not only physical health, but emotional, mental, and spiritual health as well.
Critical Evaluation:
The focus of the magazine is on photographs and eye-catching spreads; one example are Ayurvedic-inspired soups that range from red - purple in a rainbow. Other photographs include featured interviewees, and many, many yoga poses performed by experts. Articles and pieces include things like gift-giving guides based on the chakras, poses to help with certain types of pain, and Ayurveda.
The tone is more serious and not as “hip,” but still easy to read. Although likely aimed at millennials, teens can still enjoy the tips and products recommended, and try out the recommended recipes.
Reader’s Annotation:
Looking to relax? Looking to advance your yoga practice, or even begin? Read Yoga Journal, which is full of tips and articles on the popular exercise.
Author Biography:
For 40 years, Yoga Journal has been the #1 authority on yoga and the yoga lifestyle. Founded in 1975 by members of the California Yoga Teachers Association, Yoga Journal offers all practitioners—from beginners to masters—expert information on how to live a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life both on and off the mat. Every day, Yoga Journal engages its print, online and live audience with top teacher insights and in-depth reporting on poses, breathing, meditation, nutrition, health, trends and more. Always informative and inspiring, the magazine’s welcoming, inclusive point of view puts every reader in front of the world’s best teachers. With 12 international editions spanning 28 countries, and 5 national live events annually, Yoga Journal is the world’s largest and most influential yoga brand.
Our award-winning, flagship platform provides authoritative information and insights about yoga and the yoga lifestyle, including accessible asana instruction, anatomy and philosophy lessons, food and nutrition advice, news and trend updates, travel and natural beauty tips, and more, all from the leading teachers and experts in the field. Yoga Journal’s mission is to meet readers wherever they are on the mat and offer the latest updates from the yogasphere, while honoring the traditions and authenticity of this powerful, 5,000 year old practice.
Genre:
Health/Wellness/Lifestyle/Yoga
Curriculum Ties:
N/A
Booktalk Ideas:
What would a magazine based on your interests look like? Would it feature news, items to buy, articles, pictures, advertising?
Show easy, accessible yoga poses.
Discuss health benefits of meditation and yoga, and recommend this magazine along with other resources, such as YouTube channels for home practice.
Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
This magazine may be challenged for the following:
N/A
Defense File:
Collection Development Policy
Have readily available
Have staff be familiar with the document
Have staff know and be trained on how to use the policy in a conversation about a challenged book
Have staff be familiar with the process of reporting challenged books
ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
ALA Document on the First Amendment & Censorship
ALA: How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
Professional reviews, as published by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus
Staff should be familiar with these sites, and be able to explain why librarians use them
Rating and information found on Commonsense Media
Any applicable awards for the title or author
Why Included:
Yoga is a popular exercise and form of meditation that is being increasingly being adopted by people of all ages. This magazine, with both its print and digital access, can appeal to teens who have an interest in the practice. It would be good to recommend to teens who enjoy yoga podcasts or videos.
Automobile (1986-present)
Publisher: Motor Trend Group
Frequency: Monthly
Age: All
Format: Print, Digital, Website
Plot Summary:
Each issue has features on new automobiles written by experts with entertaining commentary. While meant for those with knowledge of the interest, those with less familiarity can still appreciate the article and pictures, and enjoy learning about the subject, and some of the most interesting people in the industry. The magazine also includes longer pieces about cars and culture, which can be enjoyed by all.
Critical Evaluation:
It was very surprising to read the thoughtful pieces in this magazine — it had seemed like simply a catalog for cars, but there were gorgeous photo essays paired with interesting and reflective pieces on culture. One interesting piece involved the car company Infiniti sponsoring an expedition to the Gobi Desert, featuring the cars navigating the terrain. The article, like others in the magazine, discussed cars and vehicles, but also touched on other topics, such as the area, fossils, and archaeology and history.
Compared to Seventeen, the magazine seemed much less like a way to sell items; there were still advertisements, and readers were pushed to consider the best new cars, but the focus was not so blatant. The articles and features were informative and engaging, and the photography alone was worth looking the magazine. Even if teens did not read the longer pieces, they could still satisfy their curiosity about cars and enjoy remarkable, professional pictures.
Reader’s Annotation:
Vroom Vroom! Learn all about the best and most interesting cars in this magazine, with amazing shots and well-written pieces on the cars you care about.
Author Biography:
Automobile offers a rich and varied examination of the automotive universe in all its forms – delivered by our stable of first-class editors and freelance contributors and illustrated with vibrant photography. Our aim is to drive new cars in new and interesting ways and celebrate the automotive lifestyle and its personalities, past and present. We also deliver the latest automotive news and offer insights into emerging trends in the automotive industry, whatever the medium – be it magazine, digital, social, video, mobile, and whatever comes next.
Genre:
Interest/Lifestyle/Shopping/Automobiles
Curriculum Ties:
N/A
Booktalk Ideas:
What would a magazine based on your interests look like? Would it feature news, items to buy, articles, pictures, advertising?
Show videos of currently popular cars, and pair with magazine.
Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
This magazine may be challenged for the following:
N/A
Defense File:
Collection Development Policy
Have readily available
Have staff be familiar with the document
Have staff know and be trained on how to use the policy in a conversation about a challenged book
Have staff be familiar with the process of reporting challenged books
ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
ALA Document on the First Amendment & Censorship
ALA: How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
Professional reviews, as published by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus
Staff should be familiar with these sites, and be able to explain why librarians use them
Rating and information found on Commonsense Media
Any applicable awards for the title or author
Why Included:
Cars are still a very popular interest with teens, and this magazine is one of the essentials for that interest.
Seventeen (1944-present)
Publisher: Active Interest Media
Frequency: Bimonthly (last print issue was released for December/January 2018)
Age: 13+
Format: Standalone Print Issues, Website/App
Plot Summary:
The magazine features makeup, fashion, lifestyle, home, and pop culture-themed products for purchase, and tips for using them. There are quick pieces on trying new styles or products (such as gifting for fans of various TV shows), as well as short articles on issues relevant to teens. Fashion spreads feature glossy models, and there are longer pieces about the cover models and more serious issues relevant to teens. It also comes with the standard embarrassing moments, reader feedback (Instagram comments), and horoscopes.
Critical Evaluation:
The magazine primarily feels like a vehicle for selling products to girls and young women; in fact, on virtually every page is a barcode one can scan to add items to an Amazon cart. The magazine even tells teens a way to have Amazon send a message to their parents to approve the purchase/add it to their own cart. Certainly, magazines have also been about advertising, but it felt more pronounced in this magazine, although this may be the case for most magazines nowadays. However, teens do look to resources like this to find new things to try, so many teens either will not notice or will not mind the consumerism.
The magazine features a lot of diverse voices, and often includes feminist-lite analyses; it’s not Teen Vogue, but it still does try to reach teens who are interested in social justice. One feature touches on some of the influential girls of the year (all famous), and includes girls who are active in immigration rights, the gun control debate, fighting against sexual assault, and representation of people of color. If the magazine must be so focused on selling to these influential teens, at least the content is responsible and thoughtful.
Reader’s Annotation:
Need to unwind with make up tips or celebrity gossip, or explore issues relevant to your life? Read Seventeen!
Author Biography:
Seventeen (www.seventeen.com) is the largest monthly teen media brand, reaching more than 15 million readers in print and online every month. For over 70 years, Seventeen has helped generations of girls navigate the tricky terrain of adolescence, giving them the confidence they need to become strong, self-assured young women. Never losing sight of the importance of delivering her world her way, Seventeenis a leader on the digital front with Seventeen.com – the largest teen magazine website, the Seventeen Now app for her iPhone and Droid as well as with the monthly edition of the magazine across all platforms. Seventeen continues the conversation on social platforms, connecting with millions of girls via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. In addition to its U.S. flagship, Seventeen publishes seven editions around the world. Seventeen is published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation, one of the nation's largest diversified media and information companies. With 20 titles in the U.S., Hearst is the leading publisher of monthly magazines in terms of total paid circulation (AAM 2H 2014), reaching 78 million readers (Spring 2015 MRI gfk) and 54 million site visitors each month (comScore).
Genre:
Lifestyle/Celebrity/Advice/Shopping
Curriculum Ties:
Booktalk Ideas:
What would a magazine based on your interests look like? Would it feature news, items to buy, articles, pictures, advertising?
Have teens take sample quizzes from the website.
Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
This magazine deals with many issues and experiences teens can relate to that may be challenged, including:
-violence
-eating disorders
-teen sexuality/sexual health
-dating/love
-politics
-reproductive issues
Defense File:
Collection Development Policy
Have readily available
Have staff be familiar with the document
Have staff know and be trained on how to use the policy in a conversation about a challenged book
Have staff be familiar with the process of reporting challenged books
ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
ALA Document on the First Amendment & Censorship
ALA: How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
Professional reviews, as published by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus
Staff should be familiar with these sites, and be able to explain why librarians use them
Rating and information found on Commonsense Media
Any applicable awards for the title or author
Why Included:
Although it will be transitioning to digital/website only, this magazine has been essential to collections in the past because it covers so many issues relevant to teens, especially teen girls.