Seventeen Magazine, edited by Michelle Tan (editor in chief)

Cover:

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Seventeen

Editor in Chief: Michelle Tan

ASIN:  B01M126MM7

Publisher: Hearst Magazines

Copyright: 2016

Reader’s Annotation:

Your one stop shop for the hottest trends, the best advice, and the latest on your favorite celebrities.

Plot Summary:

Seventeen Magazine is a monthly publication aimed primarily at teen females.  The magazine covers a variety of topics related to beauty and fashion; relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners; the newest releases in films, music and books; tips for improving or maintaining your health; and assorted feature stories.  Issues often feature quizzes for readers to complete, horoscopes, contests, and funny stories from readers.

Critical Evaluation:

This magazine has a wide variety of topics covered each month, but tends to devote a lot of page spaced to style related articles and photos.  There is a good balance of articles and photo spreads focusing on style.  For example, in this October issue, there was a multipage spread on young trend setters, giving readers tips on how to enhance their own personal style, while featuring the style stories of 4 teenagers and having multiple pictures of each teen.

There is a fair amount of focus on "beauty" in the magazine as well.  There are pages devoted to make up tips, product reviews, and self esteem.  For example, this issue had an article devoted to how to improve they way you look in your selfies, just by adjusting your lighting, angles, and facial expressions.  However, there is also a lot of advertisement in the magazine focusing on beauty products, so it is important that teens are informed consumers and realize to an extent this magazine is trying to get them to purchase these products.

Author Biography:
Not applicable

Genre(s): 

Magazine

Curriculum Ties:

Not applicable

Booktalk Ideas:

A discussion of health and beauty from a wholistic perspective

A discussion on what personal style means, and how teens can show their own personal style.

          

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

14 and up

Challenge Issues: Could be challenged based discussion of teen sexuality in some articles

  If this magazine were challenged I would:

·         Listen to the concerns of the person raising the challenge

·         Consult the library’s collection development policy

·         Explain how this work meets a library need based on the collection development policy 

·         Consult YALSA’s Dealing with Challenges to Young Adult Materials

·         Consult reviews on VOYA, Amazon, Common Sense Media, and Kirkus

·         Discuss any awards or notable commendations the book received

·         Explain the library’s commitment to intellectual freedom as discussed in the ALA Library Bill of Rights

·         Give the patron the procedure for a formal challenge should they seek to pursue it

Why was this magazine selected:

Magazines are an important part of a well rounded young adult collection.  Seventeen magazine is a long standing iconic magazine, primarily aimed at teen girls, so I felt it was appropriate to include it in my collection.  This is a magazine I read regularly when I was a teenager.  While less teens may be reading magazines now compared to when I was a teen, I think this magazine stands the test of time.  Additionally, it has a good companion website, to help appeal to modern teens.