Rolling Stone

Format:Magazine

ASIN:B00005N7SJ

Publication Information: Wenner Media

Plot Summary: This magazine was originally geared towards music and bands, and has since switched gears to include celebrities, movies, books, pop culture and major political events. It does, however, still give a significant amount of its space to music, interviewing musicians and bands, reviewing new albums and recapping concerts and festivals. It usually has one big interview with whomever is featured on the cover, and a section to review new albums, movies, music and more. It also includes articles on some sort of current event, from the U.S.'s involvement in Afghanistan to major election coverage.

Critical Evaluation: Although not specifically focused for only teens, this is very popular among the teen set for its focus on popular music. This magazine is edgier than female teen based magazines, like Seventeen or Teen Vogue, and is not geared specifically to females, and boys and girls alike will enjoy this magazine. The magazine focuses on mainstream artists, which the majority of teens will most likely be familiar with, and will enjoy their interviews and photo spreads. Overall, this is a good mainstream magazine that will satisfy teens with a wide variety of pop culture interests, from music, movies, television, books and current events.

Reader's Annotation: Read about your favorite bands and the hot newcomers that are bursting onto the scene.

Curricular Ties: N/A

Challenge issues:N/A

Interest Age:Grades 8 and up

Why I selected this piece: Music is very important in teen culture, and this magazine covers popular music.

Seventeen

Format:Magazine

ASIN:B000LXS9PE

Publication Information:Hearst Publishing

Plot Summary: Seventeen is a smorgasbord of teen interests. It offers features on fashion, hair, health and beauty, and interviews with celebrities. It also offers more serious articles on college and career advice, and tackles issues like eating disorders, pregnancy and life changing situations. It regularly features inspiring stories about real teens who have overcome hardships. It typically features a celebrity on the cover, and has at least one article on the latest trends in hair and fashion.

Critical Evaluation: Seventeen is one of the most popular teen magazines on the market, and has been around for decades. It is like other teen magazines in the fact that it features celebrity interviews, fashion advice and teen reader horror stories, but what put Seventeen slightly above its competitors (at least in my mind) is that it address relevant issues, from body image and self confidence, to questions about colleges and SATs. The magazine also occasionally delves into more serious issues, like anorexia, teen pregnancy and illness. This magazine focuses a little on everything, from fluff pieces to inspirational stories, which places it high on the scale of teen magazines.

Reader's Annotation: Seventeen has everything that you want to read about... boys, fashion and more!

Curricular Ties: N/A

Challenge issues:N/A

Interest Age:Grades 8 and up

Why I selected this piece: Seventeen magazine has been one of the most popular teen magazines for years.

Persepolis

Author:Marjane Satrapi

ISBN:978-0375714832

Publication Information:Pantheon

Plot Summary: Persepolis is a graphic novel about Marjane Satrapi's life as a child in Iran from the ages of 6 through 14, when she lived through the war between Iran and Iraq. The child of two marxists, Satrapi was taught to question the Islamic revolution, which begins a series of discussions that are both political and religious in nature with Marjane and her friends. Using the Islmaic Revolution as a jump off point, Satrapi begins to discover other revolutions and their leaders, as well as explore different religious beliefs. Through discussions with her family, friends and teachers, she begins to learn more about her country's history, why people are fighting for what they are fighting for, and different political ideologies. Through all this, she also learns about her family's vibrant political past, and begins to develop her own political point of view. The book ends as a war begins. In the sequel, the reader finds that Marjane has been sent to go to school in Europe, to escape the war.

Critical Evaluation: Persepolis is an interesting departure from traditional graphic novels that are geared towards superheros and fantasy. Through simply drawn black and white pictures, Satrapi was able to effectively give the readers an overview of her life in Iran during a revolution, the basic ideals that each side was fighting for, and a quick history of both her family and her country's history. The graphic novel is simultaneously amusing, educational, insightful and deep. This is a particularly welcome memoir for young adult bookshelves because it provides a middle eastern perspective not often found in YA works in a very easy to digest format. Even the most reluctant readers should be able to to get through this mid sized graphic novel, and most likely, will learn a lot about Iranian history before they are through. Highly recommended, particularly if teachers can work it into a World History curriculum.

Reader's Annotation: Marjane Satrapi grew up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. This is her story of growing up during a revolution.

Author Information: Marjane Satrapi is an Iranian illustrator and writer who was born and raised in Tehran. In high school, she was sent to a boarding school in Vienna, and spent the rest of her teenage years in Europe. She eventually moved to Strasborg, where she studied illustration and became a comic book artist. She currently lives in Paris, and her illustrations are regularly featured in various periodicals. Persepolis has been translated into many languages and has won several awards. In 2007, the graphic novel was adapted into a feature length film, where it was highly regarded at the Cannes Film Festival, and nominated for an Academy Award. (Information taken from the author's agency's website http://www.barclayagency.com/satrapi.html).

Curricular Ties: World History

Genre: Graphic Novel, Memoir

Book talking ideas:

• Why did Marji admire her Uncle Anoosh so much?
• Who was your favorite character? Why?
• What did you think about Mehri's romance with the neighborhood boy?
  

Challenge issues: Violence

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age:Grades 10 and up

Why I selected this piece: This is a great graphic novel that doesn't focus on superheros, but instead on a coming of age story about a girl in Iran.

Identity Crisis

Author:Brad Meltzer

ISBN:978-1401204587

Publication Information:DC Comics

Plot Summary: All of the popular DC comic book characters are featured in this graphic novel as the reader follows them in a real life world and shows the lengths the heroes would have to take to maintain a secret identity and semblance of safety in real life society. But someone has figured out whose these superheroes are, and is launching a war against them and their loved ones. In order to protect themselves and their families, these heroes need to forget their past tensions and band together as a group to overcome their common enemy.

Critical Evaluation: What was so interesting about this graphic novel is that it takes familiar and well known characters and turns them into real people, instead of infallible superheroes. With a modern day, realistic setting instead of a typical comic book fantasy setting, it explores how superheros would live and the precautions they would have to take in today's society. Meltzer takes a hard look at the security measures that a superhero targeted by evil would need to employ in order to keep him or herself and their family safe from harm. It also explores the repercussions of past actions of these heroes when they are finally forced together to not only protect themselves and the world, but also a secret they have been hiding for many years. I great recommendation for teens who love the classic comics featuring heavy hitters like the Green Lantern, Superman, Batman and The Flash, among others.

Reader's Annotation: Follow the superheroes that you know and love as they band together to destroy their enemy against the backdrop of a modern day setting.

Author Information: Brian Meltzer is an author of works of fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels. His works have been translated into over 25 different languages and have collectively sat on the New York Times Bestseller List for almost a year. He also is the co-creator for television shows, most notably Jack and Bobby. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, and is currently a practicing attorney. He lives in Florida with his wife, who is also an attorney. (Information taken from the author's website http://www.bradmeltzer.com/brad-meltzer.aspx).

Curricular Ties: n/a

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Book talking ideas:

• If you were a superhero in today's society, would you choose to maintain a secret identity? Why or why not?
• Would you have chosen to keep the League's secret? Why or why not?
• Who was your favorite character? Why? Did this graphic novel change how you view characters you've read in other comics?
  

Challenge issues: Violence

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age:Grades 10 and up

Why I selected this piece: This is one of my husband's favorite graphic novels, so I though it was give it a read.

Secret War

Author:Brian Michael Bendis and Gabriele Dell'Otto

ISBN:978-0785142287

Publication Information:Marvel Comics

Plot Summary: Marvel gathers all of its famous comic book characters in Secret War. Super spy Nick Fury finds out about a covert group of super villains that are trying to commit terrorist attacks on American soil. After informing the government of the villains' secret plan, and getting shut down by the higher ranking officials, Fury goes rogue and recruits a group of superheros to take on the villains and save the U.S. Spiderman, Wolverine, Captain America, Daredevil and more are featured in this fast paced comic as they race against the clock to defeat a vicious group of masterminds, and save humanity in the process.

Critical Evaluation: Although similar to the DC graphic novel Identity Crisis, and not as well written, this graphic novel still packs somewhat of a punch. It is action packed and the plot races along, but the urgency just seems to be lacking. Most of the plot is conveyed through "secret government files" which are ultimately boring pages of text interspersed between the comic strips. This creates a lull in the story that makes it hard to pick up the pace. It seems like the author should have used different methods to get key pieces of information across, to not risk boring the reader. Still, it is always fun to see your favorite comic book heroes band together for a common cause, so fans of the Marvel comic book universe should still enjoy this graphic novel.

Reader's Annotation: Super spy Nick Fury uncovers a nefarious Latverian plot to destroy New York City. He must gather his superhero compatriots in order to foil Latverian's plan. But will they succeed?

Author Information: Bendis is one of the most famous contemporary comic book writers today. He has several best seller titles under his belt, including several Marvel comic book characters and his new Jinx series of comics. He also writes and contributes to motion pictures screenplays of Marvel comic books. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, daughter and dogs (information taken from the author's website http://www.jinxworld.com/bio.html).

Curricular Ties: n/a

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Book talking ideas:

• Did you like the government secret file sections? Did you think it helped or hurt the plot and pacing of the novel? Why or why not?
• What did you think of the illustrations? Does it hold up to the Marvel standard? Why of why not?
• Was there anyone not in the comic that you wish was featured? Why?
  

Challenge issues: Violence

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age:Grades 10 and up

Why I selected this piece: This graphic novel came highly recommended by a friend.

The Kite Runner

Author:Khaled Hosseini

ISBN:978-1594480003

Publication Information:Riverhead Trade

Plot Summary: Amir is the son of a rich merchant. His best friend Hassan, is the son of Amir's father's servant. They are best friends growing up in peaceful Afghanistan, but eventually pressures from the Afghani society to keep Hazara (lower class citizens) and the wealthy apart, along with a traumatic event, eventually strains their relationship. Eventually, as the Soviets begin to invade Afghanistan, Amir and his father move to America, where their economic situation is reduced from comfortable and wealthy to lower middle class. Througout Amir's tenure in America, he remembers his old friend Hassan, and feels guilt for not stopping the traumatic event that had happened many years earlier. Eventually, Amir is summoned to Pakistan, where he is told that his old friend's son is residing in an orphanage. To assuage his guilt, he must find Hassan's son, and save him from a fate worse than death.

Critical Evaluation: Hosseini has crafted a heartbreaking story of friendships and bonds that last decades, and hold strong across countries, continents and oceans. With peaceful 1970s Afghanistan as a backdrop, Hosseini creates a vibrant story of two boys growing up in a relatively idyllic childhood. When Hassan is assaulted, it is heartbreaking and intense without being overly graphic. He is able to perfectly capture the struggle that Amir feels between being a good friend to Hassan and being afraid to defend himself and his friend against bullies. The book does an excellent job of giving the readers an overview of Afghanistan's history from the 1970s on. This would be an excellent curriculum addition to World History or Political Science courses focusing on the Middle East.

Reader's Annotation: The Kite Runner is a story of the powerful bond of friendship between two boys living in Afghanistan.

Author Information: Khaled Hosseini was born in 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He spent his childhood in Kabul until his family was relocated to Paris in 1976. After the Soviet invasion, his family realized they could not return to Afghanistan, and moved to the United States. He received an undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University in biology, and a medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. He previously practiced as an medical internist for many years, and now has a career as an activist, humanitarian and writer. He currently lives in Northern California (information taken from the author's website http://www.khaledhosseini.com/hosseini-bio.html).

Curricular Ties: World History

Genre: Issues

Book talking ideas:

• Why did Hassan admire Amir so much? Why was Baba Amir's idol?
• Discuss the bond between Ali and Amir.
• Why did General Taheri not approve of Amir and his relationship with Soraya?
  

Challenge issues: Rape, Violence

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age:Grades 10 and up

Why I selected this piece: This was a great read, and I was happy to see that this novel had been adopted into school curriculum, and has been placed in the teen section of the library.

Old School

Author: Tobias Wolff

ISBN:978-0965915175

Publication Information:Vintage

Plot Summary: Wolff creates a book centered around the world of high school boys at an elite prep school. The narrator leads the reader through his final year of high school, as he strives to fit into the elite private school world. While most of his classmates are rich, WASP, Christians, he is is Jewish, from the west coast, and is a product of divorced parents. Over time, he has learned to fit in with his peers, but in the process has distanced himself from any real friendships, because he feels that he can't tell his classmates too much about his past. Like all of his classmates, he lives and breaths creative writing, and desperately wants to win one of the thrice yearly prizes of a private audience with an acclaimed author. After losing the prizes of meeting with Robert Frost and Ayn Rand, he becomes fixated with winning a private meeting with his idol, Ernest Hemingway.

Critical Evaluation: Wolff has created a believable good ol' boys club in this 1960s based novel. The backdrop screams old money, and the reader can instantly smell the cracked leather of the books in the library, and the fresh mowed grass of the prep school's rolling lawns. Wolff doesn't name the author or the name of the private school where the novel takes place, which seems intentional, and creates a collegial atmosphere between the reader and the narrator by being an anonymous person that could be anyone. There is a nostalgia aspect to Wolff's writing, which makes the prep school a perfect background for his novel. Highly recommended to readers who enjoyed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, but want something a little meatier.

Reader's Annotation: The students at a small New England prep school live and breath creative writing. So when a writing contest is announced with the prize being a private meeting with one of three famous authors, the level of competition is kicked up a notch.

Author Information: Tobias Wolff is a professor at Stanford University in the English and Creative Writing Department. He is the Ward W. and Priscilla B. Woods Professor in the Schools of Humanities and Sciences. He is the author of two novels, Old School and The Barracks Thief and two memoirs, This Boy's Life and The Pharaoh's Army and three collections of short stories. He has also edited several anthologies and is a regular contributor to several publications, including The New Yorker and The Atlantic, among many others. He currently lives in the Bay Area. He is married and has three children. (Information taken from the author's faculty website http://english.stanford.edu/bio.php?name_id=120 and his wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobias_Wolff).

Curricular Ties: English, Literature

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book talking ideas:

• Why did the boys dislike Ayn Rand so much?
• Which author from the book would you most like to meet?
• Discuss the relationships between the students and the teachers.
  

Challenge issues: N/A

Interest Age:Grades 10 and up

Why I selected this piece: I am a big fan of Tobias Wolff's works and was pleased to see this book in the teen section of the library.