Title: Teen Ink [magazine]
Publisher / Editor(s): John and Stephanie H. Meyer
Subscription: 10 issues / Monthly
Published by: Young Authors Foundation
ISSN: 1545-1283
Genre: Literary / Lifestyle Magazine, focusing on teen created content
Reading Level / Interest Age: Ages 13 and up
Publisher / Editor(s) Profile:
“The Young Authors Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that supports all Teen Ink publications. The foundation is devoted to helping teens share their own voices, while developing reading, writing, creative and critical-thinking skills. All proceeds from the print magazine, website and Teen Ink books are used exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to further our goals.”
From – http://www.teenink.com/About
“Stephanie H. Meyer is a published author, compiler, and an editor of children's books and young adult books. Meyer holds masters' degrees in education and social work and has dedicated her life to the welfare of youth. John Meyer, publisher of Teen Ink magazine, holds an MBA and has published two successful business magazines. The Meyers have two children.”
From – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teen-ink-our-voices-our-visions-john-meyer/1101356659?ean=9781558748163
Reader's Annotation:
View poetry, short stories, articles, essays, reviews and more in this magazine created for teens by teens.
Content Summary:
A national teen magazine, Teen Ink, devotes itself to teenage writing, art, and photography. The publication has no staff writers or artists but rather completely depends on submissions from teens, aged 13 to 19, nationwide in order to supply the thoughtful and creative content. The magazine itself covers a wide variety of topics, however, readers can expect such monthly staples as “Nonfiction,” “Fiction,” and “Poetry” sections. There is also a “Review” section that allows teens to offer their opinions on their favorite books, music, movies, and television as well as a “Hot Topics” segment that allows teens to write about hot button issues pertaining to health, the environment, and letters to the editor. Each issue also has a theme that has included subjects such as college, bullying, love, and siblings that are featured on the cover as well as the first few pages as teens submit articles focusing on these themes. Although the articles, reviews, stories, and poems make up a majority of this magazine, each page is also filled with teen artwork and photography.
Critical Evaluation:
This magazine written for teens by teens is actually quite incredible. Teens can submit articles, stories, poetry, photographs, and artwork ultimately creating an entire edition of the publication. What is even more incredible is the diversity of the subject matter. Articles featuring information about sports, health, travel and culture are all told from the teen writer’s point of view and through their own life experiences. This offers excellent insight and makes the stories instantly relatable to teen readers, which encourages them to keep reading or consider submitting their own work. All of the articles are also very well written and in voices that are compelling and heartfelt making the subject matter and the writer’s experiences interesting to read.
In addition to articles, there are also reviews for books, movies and music. The titles in the reviews are not necessarily new releases, but rather personal favorites of the teen reviewers. This works very well considering the context and purpose of the magazine because it exposes teen readers to titles they may not have been familiar with and provides them with an opinion that is more likely to mirror their own. Additionally, the works of fiction and poetry are also impressive and well realized, creating a nice balance to the expository and nonfiction writing that fills the magazines beginning pages. All of this is further complimented with photographs and artwork, also submitted by teens, on every page.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenges / Issues:
Defense of Challenges / Issues:
Magazine Talk Ideas:
Why this Magazine?
Due to the fact that this magazine relies solely on teen created content, it presents a wonderful opportunity for teens to not only relate to one another but also participate and express themselves. It is a fantastic alternative to a typical literary magazine and is a title that teens will be more responsive to.
Publisher / Editor(s): John and Stephanie H. Meyer
Subscription: 10 issues / Monthly
Published by: Young Authors Foundation
ISSN: 1545-1283
Genre: Literary / Lifestyle Magazine, focusing on teen created content
Reading Level / Interest Age: Ages 13 and up
Publisher / Editor(s) Profile:
“The Young Authors Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that supports all Teen Ink publications. The foundation is devoted to helping teens share their own voices, while developing reading, writing, creative and critical-thinking skills. All proceeds from the print magazine, website and Teen Ink books are used exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to further our goals.”
From – http://www.teenink.com/About
“Stephanie H. Meyer is a published author, compiler, and an editor of children's books and young adult books. Meyer holds masters' degrees in education and social work and has dedicated her life to the welfare of youth. John Meyer, publisher of Teen Ink magazine, holds an MBA and has published two successful business magazines. The Meyers have two children.”
From – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teen-ink-our-voices-our-visions-john-meyer/1101356659?ean=9781558748163
Reader's Annotation:
View poetry, short stories, articles, essays, reviews and more in this magazine created for teens by teens.
Content Summary:
A national teen magazine, Teen Ink, devotes itself to teenage writing, art, and photography. The publication has no staff writers or artists but rather completely depends on submissions from teens, aged 13 to 19, nationwide in order to supply the thoughtful and creative content. The magazine itself covers a wide variety of topics, however, readers can expect such monthly staples as “Nonfiction,” “Fiction,” and “Poetry” sections. There is also a “Review” section that allows teens to offer their opinions on their favorite books, music, movies, and television as well as a “Hot Topics” segment that allows teens to write about hot button issues pertaining to health, the environment, and letters to the editor. Each issue also has a theme that has included subjects such as college, bullying, love, and siblings that are featured on the cover as well as the first few pages as teens submit articles focusing on these themes. Although the articles, reviews, stories, and poems make up a majority of this magazine, each page is also filled with teen artwork and photography.
Critical Evaluation:
This magazine written for teens by teens is actually quite incredible. Teens can submit articles, stories, poetry, photographs, and artwork ultimately creating an entire edition of the publication. What is even more incredible is the diversity of the subject matter. Articles featuring information about sports, health, travel and culture are all told from the teen writer’s point of view and through their own life experiences. This offers excellent insight and makes the stories instantly relatable to teen readers, which encourages them to keep reading or consider submitting their own work. All of the articles are also very well written and in voices that are compelling and heartfelt making the subject matter and the writer’s experiences interesting to read.
In addition to articles, there are also reviews for books, movies and music. The titles in the reviews are not necessarily new releases, but rather personal favorites of the teen reviewers. This works very well considering the context and purpose of the magazine because it exposes teen readers to titles they may not have been familiar with and provides them with an opinion that is more likely to mirror their own. Additionally, the works of fiction and poetry are also impressive and well realized, creating a nice balance to the expository and nonfiction writing that fills the magazines beginning pages. All of this is further complimented with photographs and artwork, also submitted by teens, on every page.
Curriculum Ties:
- College preparation
- English / Literature
- Environmental science
- Health / Wellness
- Journalism
Challenges / Issues:
- Some references to drugs and alcohol
Defense of Challenges / Issues:
- Have a clear understanding of the library’s selection policy as well as copies available in order to identify specific points of the policy to challengers in order to strengthen defense.
- Express the library’s dedication to intellectual freedom and open access as outlined in the ALA Library Bill of Rights. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
- Know the material being challenged in order to show that you understand the content and how the challenged material works in context with the rest of the text.
- Have access to both supportive and critical reviews from reliable sources, such as School Library Journal or VOYA. Provide challenger’s with these reviews through either hard copies or by including reviews in the catalog records of library materials.
- Have the ability to explain the rationale behind the inclusion of materials in the library’s collection by discussing an item’s literary merits, intended audience, and offering a brief summary.
- One of the most important lines of defense is to be an active listener and to stay calm. Pay attention to the patron’s concerns, do not interrupt, and do not take his/her challenge personally. Additionally, even if you do not agree with the challenge, still speak to the patron with understanding and compassion. Make sure to respectfully outline the library’s selection policies as well as the principles outlined in the Library Bill of Rights. If the patron is still adamant about the removal of the text, offer a “Request for Reconsideration” form, outlining the patron’s concerns that can be presented to senior library staff.
Magazine Talk Ideas:
- Discuss the advantages of a publication that relies solely on teen created content.
Why this Magazine?
Due to the fact that this magazine relies solely on teen created content, it presents a wonderful opportunity for teens to not only relate to one another but also participate and express themselves. It is a fantastic alternative to a typical literary magazine and is a title that teens will be more responsive to.