Seventeen
Shoket, A. Ed. (2013). Seventeen. New York: CondeNast.
Plot Summary
First published in 1944, Seventeen is nearing 70 years of continuous publication -quite a feat in the magazine publishing world. Each issue features a young female celebrity on the cover and a brief article or interview on the inside. The celebrity offers practical advice with little insight on dating, be friends first, and bullying, don’t be a bystander. The table of contents is found several pages in and lists 16 Beauty, Fashion, or Celeb articles and 9 Health, Love and Life features. The models used in the beauty and fashion spreads are multiethnic. The magazine can not be accused of featuring only White teens. The featured products are reasonably priced, $5-$50, and would be affordable for many teen budgets. Celebrities such as the Kardashians, Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, Pink, and others appear in the advertisements endorsing beauty and fashion products. The products are often available at Sears, Walmart, and Kohl’s.
The feature articles are extremely short and contain very little information. One entitled, “What He Really Thinks of You” includes five quotes from male teens. Another article, “Is he a Player?’ is a 12 question quiz with three possible solutions.
Critical Evaluation
“I Was Robbed at Gunpoint!” I Rescued My Brothers from a Fire!” Two headlines proclaim on the cover of this glossy teen magazine. Is this The National Enquirer?
Other headlines advise “825 Ways to Look Pretty,” and “Cute New Fashion for 2013.” Is this Cosmopolitan?
No, it is Seventeen, a magazine for female adolescents.
The January 2013 and February 2013 issues are filled with advertisements aimed at the teen and preteen female, although the title would indicate an older audience. Overall, the magazine is an advertisement vehicle with a few articles sprinkled in. The advertisements are glossy and in full color and most feature teens or celebrities selling fragrance, fashion and cosmetics. Some mimic the page layouts of the magazine and could easily be mistaken for a short feature or news article. The magazines features don’t begin until page 84 (out of 117 pages) and are a very brief two paragraphs in length that conclude on the same page. No unwieldy page turning to finish the story. The magazine is a catalog of fashion and beauty products, not a outlet of information relevant to teen women. Although teens will delight in the flashy full-color illustrations and gossipy nature of the features, adults will find little value.
Reader’s Annotation
Celebrities, gossip, fashion, and boys. What more could you want in Seventeen?
About the Author
N/A
Genre
Young Adult Periodical
Curriculum Ties
Varies for different issues.
March 2013- sexual assault
Booktalking
Kendall and Kylie Jenner are just your regular siblings.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Some of the articles are of a sexual nature or contain sensationalistic topics.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for magazine inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a magazine is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the magazine fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire magazine was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the magazine and either enjoyed or disliked the magazine and why.
Why Included
Seventeen remains a popular magazine for teen girls, covering an array of different issues pertinent to their lives.
Others in the Series
New Issues Monthly
References
N/A
Shoket, A. Ed. (2013). Seventeen. New York: CondeNast.
Plot Summary
First published in 1944, Seventeen is nearing 70 years of continuous publication -quite a feat in the magazine publishing world. Each issue features a young female celebrity on the cover and a brief article or interview on the inside. The celebrity offers practical advice with little insight on dating, be friends first, and bullying, don’t be a bystander. The table of contents is found several pages in and lists 16 Beauty, Fashion, or Celeb articles and 9 Health, Love and Life features. The models used in the beauty and fashion spreads are multiethnic. The magazine can not be accused of featuring only White teens. The featured products are reasonably priced, $5-$50, and would be affordable for many teen budgets. Celebrities such as the Kardashians, Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, Pink, and others appear in the advertisements endorsing beauty and fashion products. The products are often available at Sears, Walmart, and Kohl’s.
The feature articles are extremely short and contain very little information. One entitled, “What He Really Thinks of You” includes five quotes from male teens. Another article, “Is he a Player?’ is a 12 question quiz with three possible solutions.
Critical Evaluation
“I Was Robbed at Gunpoint!” I Rescued My Brothers from a Fire!” Two headlines proclaim on the cover of this glossy teen magazine. Is this The National Enquirer?
Other headlines advise “825 Ways to Look Pretty,” and “Cute New Fashion for 2013.” Is this Cosmopolitan?
No, it is Seventeen, a magazine for female adolescents.
The January 2013 and February 2013 issues are filled with advertisements aimed at the teen and preteen female, although the title would indicate an older audience. Overall, the magazine is an advertisement vehicle with a few articles sprinkled in. The advertisements are glossy and in full color and most feature teens or celebrities selling fragrance, fashion and cosmetics. Some mimic the page layouts of the magazine and could easily be mistaken for a short feature or news article. The magazines features don’t begin until page 84 (out of 117 pages) and are a very brief two paragraphs in length that conclude on the same page. No unwieldy page turning to finish the story. The magazine is a catalog of fashion and beauty products, not a outlet of information relevant to teen women. Although teens will delight in the flashy full-color illustrations and gossipy nature of the features, adults will find little value.
Reader’s Annotation
Celebrities, gossip, fashion, and boys. What more could you want in Seventeen?
About the Author
N/A
Genre
Young Adult Periodical
Curriculum Ties
Varies for different issues.
March 2013- sexual assault
Booktalking
Kendall and Kylie Jenner are just your regular siblings.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Some of the articles are of a sexual nature or contain sensationalistic topics.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for magazine inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a magazine is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the magazine fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire magazine was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the magazine and either enjoyed or disliked the magazine and why.
Why Included
Seventeen remains a popular magazine for teen girls, covering an array of different issues pertinent to their lives.
Others in the Series
New Issues Monthly
References
N/A
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