Dangerous Woman, by Ariana Grande

Album Image:

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Dangerous Woman

Artist: Ariana Grande

Label: Universal Records

Released: 2016

Reader’s Annotation:

An album with a big sound, from a strong woman.

Summary:

This is the third album Ariana Grande has released 11 different tracks.  The album features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Macy Gray, and Nicki Minaj.  The album debuted at #2 in the United States, and several tracks from the album were released as singles.

Critical Evaluation:

Ariana Grande is clearly a talented performer.  The album has a high quality sound.  The tracks are crisp sounding, well recorded, and deftly mixed.  While there is some use of musical effects, like echo, autotune, and distortion, Grande’s natural ability shines through as well.

One of the things that stood out to me the most about this album is the versatility of sounds incorporated into the tracks.  Musical influences range from 90s pop to reggae, disco to soul.  Many of the tracks have a sultry sound to them, but there are several upbeat dance numbers as well, such as the track “Greedy”.

Author Biography:

Not applicable

Genre(s): 

Music

Curriculum Ties:

Not applicable

Booktalk Ideas:

You could do a booktalk where teens talk about one of the tracks that features a guest artist

A general discussion on how teen artists get trapped in their teen image, and use albums to declare their independence.

          

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

13 and up

Challenge Issues: Could potentially be challenged due to sexually suggestive lyrics and adult language- there is a label of explicit on this album.

  If this item 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 item selected:

This is one of those areas where my taste is completely different from that of teens.  Personally, I do not care for Ariana Grande, either as an artist or as a person.  However, many of the teens in my library love this album.  Part of Grande’s appeal to teens is her past affiliation with Nickelodeon, and the fact that she recently acted in a teen focused show on Fox, called “Scream Queens”.  It is clear to me that she is trying to assert her adult independence in this CD.  I included this item in my collection because this is the type of items my teens ask for.  As a librarian, it is my duty to meet patron needs, even when I personally do not care for the material.  

Hoopla, by Midwest Tape

Database Image:

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Hoopla

Author: Various

Vendor: Midwest Tape

Reader’s Annotation:

Music, movies, and more, with no waitlists.

Summary:

This paid database allows teens to access ebooks, audiobooks, comics, music, television shows, and movies for free as a part of their library membership.  Each user has a limited number of items they can check out per month.  Depending on the item being borrowed, it may be available for streaming, or for downloading on a mobile device.  There are no wait lists, with all patrons having access to each item at any time.

Critical Evaluation:

Because there are six different types of materials available in this database, the setup is somewhat complicated, because each material is in a different area.  However, once you know what material type you are seeking, the process is fairly intuitive.  There are main categories and subcategories allowing users to browse results and narrow them.  You can also filter your results, or search for a specific material.  You can easily switch between material type using a menu at the top of the page.

The setup of the database is visually appealing.  While each page contains a lot of visual information, such as book or album covers depending on what material you are searching, there is ample white space on the page to prevent users from getting overwhelmed.  Similarly, the database seems to be intended for mostly visual browsing.  Very little title information appears on the search results pages.  You can, however, click on a title to get additional information.

One thing I found troublesome is the browsing results pages do not see to display how many total results there are; for example, when browsing documentaries, each page shows 50 items, so the header may say something like “Showing 1-50” but you cannot tell if that is out of 100, 1000, or 51. 

Author Biography:

Not applicable

Genre(s): 

Database, Fiction, Nonfiction, Movies, Series, Comics

Curriculum Ties:

Pennsylvania State Standard CC.1.3.9-10.K

Read and comprehend literary fiction on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.

Booktalk Ideas:

Book talk on a specific title, particularly one where the book and film versions are both available on Hoopla

A general booktalk on how digital resources benefit patrons, the library, and even the environment

          

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

13 and up

Challenge Issues: Because teens would also have access to "mature" materials  in this database, there could be challenges based on adult language, sexuality or nudity, violence, and substance use represented.

  If this database, or any items it contained, 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 database selected:

I am including Hoopla as a database because teens are able to access so many additional materials using this database.  The libraries I work at do not have this database as a resource, but another library I belong to does.  I imagine Hoopla is a costly database for libraries, but given the number of different materials available through it, I think it is a worthwhile investment.  Teens can access ebooks, audiobooks, movies, television shows, comics, and music.  Of all those areas, all but music have teen specific categories, making it easier to search for age appropriate materials.  Offering resources such as these allows libraries to stay relevant and competitive in the age of personal technology. 

Blurryface CD, by Twenty One Pilots

Album Image:

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Blurryface

Artist: Twenty One Pilots

Label: Fueled by Ramen

Released: 2015

Reader’s Annotation:

Catchy alterative pop album

Summary:

The fourth album released by the band Twenty One Pilots, this CD contains 14 different tracks.  Several tracks were released as singles.  The album went double platinum in the United States.

Critical Evaluation:

The album contains songs with a variety of sounds.  The majority of the songs are quick in tempo, and serve as update dance tracks.  One such track, “Stressed Out”, starts mellow with a slight rap, but also contains a very melodic, somewhat electronic sounding hook and chorus.  The record feels fairly light, and slightly boisterous.

The sound quality on the record is excellent.  It is free from extraneous noise on the tracks.  Various musical effects are used on tracks, including what sounds like autotune and other forms of distortion, which leads to the songs having a distinct sound, but that sound is still very clean.  It was clear this was recorded in a professional studio, and the result is a CD that sounds great.

Author Biography:

Not applicable

Genre(s): 

Music

Curriculum Ties:

Not applicable

Booktalk Ideas:

You could do a booktalk where teens discuss their favorite track from the album

A general discussion on the types of music that influenced the sound of this album.

          

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

13 and up

Challenge Issues: Could potentially be challenged due to lyrics alluding to guns or violence, and materialism.

  If this item 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 item selected:

When I asked teens who some of the hot new artists are, the most popular answer I got, hands down, was Twenty One Pilots.  One of their songs was featured in the “Suicide Squad” movie and on the films soundtrack, so I think more and more teens are discovering the band.  The album has a very catchy sound, and I have heard several of the singles on the radio, so clearly this is a popular CD.