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SkateBoarder
Owens, J. ed. (2013). Skateboarder Magazine. San Clemente, CA: Source Interlink Media.


Plot Summary
The first several pages are advertisements for shoe companies such as Volcom and Vans that feature well-known skateboarders.  The Departments page contains topics found in all issues an contain Merchandise (T-shirts and more), R.I.P (Skaters who have passed away), as well as And Another Thing, Skate Anatomy, Memory Screened, Lost & Found, which are short single-page articles or soundbites from well-known skaters.  There are also interviews with skaters, and stories about general skating and skater experiences.  The magazine has a multitude of advertisements for shoes, skateboards, and clothing.  The majority of photographs appear to be of skateboarders doing different tricks.  Tricks include skating on ramps, stairs, jumps, twists.  All have different names like back tail, kickflip, roof ollie, (and my favorite name) switch backside flip nose grind.  Many of the photographs in the April issue were of a trip to Barcelona and include short vignettes of the skaters and how and where they did the tricks.  It seems that each issues tries to showcase a particular skater in a different location, and how their skateboarding works with the locale.  A fairly common topic appears to be what skaters plan to do after.  Skating is mostly for young adults, and one they begin getting married and having families, skateboarding is not as feasible a career. 

Critical Evaluation
Unless one is well-versed in the professional skateboarding world, SkateBoarder will hold little appeal.  There is an entire skateboarding lingo one must know in order to understand what some of the articles are talking about.  Photographs also name the various moves, which will mean nothing to the layperson.  The multitude of advertisements for shoes is incredible.  Some feature familiar shoe brands, while others likely cater to the skateboarding population.  However, a fashion magazine is similar, with many ads, and fewer feature articles.  SkateBoarder's articles are typically rather short.  Several pages are devoted to professional skateboarders and just a sentence of two highlighting some interview that much have been conducted.  Most of the articles and ads feature men, which fits with their general demographic of young adult males.  The interviews with skaters contain some expletives.  When the magazine uses a soundbite that contains an inappropriate word, asterisks are used instead of the offending word.  Despite the asterisks, the word is still easily determined.  In the body of the article, though, the entire word is printed.  There may be a font size rule for expletives.  One of the last sections is for recently deceased skateboarders, which is a nice way to remember those influential in the sport. 

Reader’s Annotation
All you ever wanted to know about skateboarding, professional skaters, and the best products out there.

About the Author
N/A

Genre
Young Adult Periodical/Sports

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking
Ever wondered what a switch backside flip nose grind looked like?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 7th grade
IL: 9th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include explicit language

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
Skateboarding is a popular activity and sport for young adults.  It is important to encourage their interests.

Others in the Series
New issues bimonthly

References
http://www.skateboardermag.com/magazine/




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