Kazumi Reads

About this Magazine:
Teen Voices provides adolescent girls with articles about current events, advice, healthy living, and writing opportunities. In the 2010 Fall/Winter edition of Teen Voices there are a variety of articles that discuss women in politics, advice columns, book reviews, healthy living (eating right and dieting responsibly), global issues regarding mistreatment of women, and the accomplishments of teen girls all over the country. Not only does this magazine provide intelligent articles, teens can actually write for the magazine since it offers a mentor program that helps teens not only develop their journalism skills, but provide them an outlet to speak their minds about issues they are passionate about.


Critical Evaluation:
In comparison to most magazines for teen girls, this particular title focuses on issues outside of the realms of beauty, gossip, fashion, etc. According to Teen Voice: "Teen Voices fills a huge media gap by offering readers down-to-earth stories, statistics, and resources. We challenge the status quo and change the status of girls and young women by presenting a view of girls that is more positive, more in depth, more diverse, and more supportive than mainstream images. Relatively little attention in today’s mainstream media is given to girls; males, for example, outnumber females roughly 3 to 1 in films" (para. 6). The editors of this magazine provide teens girls with an alternative approach to life that actually encourages girls to not only become involved with their communities, but teach them how to respect and care for themselves. This magazine not only provide articles that stimulate the mind, it also provides readers with books reviews and they can submit their works of art for the monthly arts column. Moreover, the featured articles are written by every day American teen girls who just want to make a difference.


Publisher Information:
Teen Voices was founded in 1988 by two women, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their philosophy was to empower young girls to not only take charge of their lives, but become examples, and leaders, in their communities through journalism and art to create change. According to Teen Voices: "We help girls achieve personal and community transformation first by providing them with the tools needed to articulate what they know, want, need, and deserve.  Through the journalism mentor program, girls learn writing and editing skills, develop critical thinking, and understanding of social justice.  They present what they know and learn at speaking engagements and through the magazine" (para.2).



Genre:
Teen Magazines


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up



Awards & Recognition:

See this website.

About this Magazine:
In this particular article, about Justin Beiber, Devlin  basically rips apart Justin Beiber for having the audacity of releasing an autobiography at the old age of sixteen years old. Like most articles in MAD, this article is one of many social and political articles that not only exploits the ridiculousness of the issues discussed, but provides arguments and opinions that are quite out of the box. April's issue of MAD, besides the Justin Beiber article, contains articles that comment on President Obama, Sarah Palin, Donald Trump as well as critiques on the XBOX Kinect and the hit television show, Mad Men. Irreverent as ever, the writers at MAD take their arguments to a whole new level by not only poking fun at the public figures, but providing commentary that not only makes readers think, but force some kind of laugh no matter their political stance, religion, or ethnicity.


Critical Evaluation:
MAD magazine is a perfect match for teens.  Not only is filled with sarcasm, shenanigans, and personal jabs, teens will not only get caught up on world issues, they will learn a thing or two about the media, news, and humanity. Just like Jon Stewart's 'The Daily Show," teenagers will get a healthy dose of reality, especially when it comes to the American obsession with celebrities and politicians. The writers at MAD do not hold back whatsoever, which makes this magazine a "fresh air" for those who are tired of Linsey Lohan, Snookie, Sarah Palin, and Rush Limbaugh. Whatever the issue, MAD magazine always supplies a different point of view that not only strips the issue of its intensity, but, in many ways, makes it trivial and unnecessary. If readers are looking for a serious, dry, and mature magazine than MAD is not one of these, which makes it perfect for Teens. 


Information about the Author:
According to Desmond Devlin:

"Yes, America's longest-running humor magazine, besides Time, has not been content to merely notice the snags in society's fabric after the fact. No, no no. The sociological dynamo that is MAD has always been at the forefront of change and innovation and even more change. MAD has affected our culture and history in such an all-encompassing and fundamental way that it is sometimes easy to overlook our awesome influence. This special section will correct that unfortunate oversight" (para. 3).  

MAD magazine originated in 1952 when Bill Gaines, the original editor, decided that this magazine should have something different and unique: humor. According to MAD, Gaines was tired of the "phoniness" of popular culture and decided that he should write about; however, he didn't and he hired someone named Harvey Kurtzman" (para. 1). Just like the magazine, Gaines is all over the place and, unfortunately, found himself in legal trouble when several articles sparked a lot of controversy and congressional hearings were conducted to expose the dangers of comic books. However, all of this goes away since many people actually enjoyed reading the magazine, which spawned a new wave of imitators. Over the next thirty years, MAD has become an important part of American culture since it not only has recruited all kinds of talent, it has provided political figures and celebrities with ammo to support their issues or turn them into the biggest laughing stock ever. MAD's history is quite long and colorful that has not always been good, but it continues to remain strong and it has accomplished a lot. Not to mention, with all of its legal troubles, it has managed to stay alive and quite relevant to readers today.

Genre:
Teen Magazines

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up


Magazines Similar to MAD:

• The Onion

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

About this Magazine:
In this issue of Shonen Jump, Manga and Anime fans will read about the new Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D movie, new Anime episodes, new cards, game strategies, and much more. Shonen Jump is "The World's Most Popular Manga"  magazine that brings the latest and greatest Manga and Anime news to readers and, more importantly, it has improved it services by providing more series, more anime previews, more free stuff, etc. In this particular issue, Yu-Gi-Oh! fans will get reviews and insight to the: Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: World Championship 2011 Over the Nexus, Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time Movie, Yu-Gi-Oh! game card strategies, and a chapter to the latest Yu-Gi-OH! 5D's: Ride-03: Lord of the Underworld.

Along with the Yu-Gi-Oh!, this issue includes episodes from Naruto, Bleach, Psyren, Death Note: Universe,  and One Piece; these series are still running in Japan so readers can get a sneak peak into the upcoming volumes, which have yet to be released by Viz Media. Lastly, each issue contains previews and advertisements for new releases and other articles where readers can access, or download, their favorite manga through iTunes or the Viz Store. This is an essential periodical to any Teen collection.

Critical Evaluation:
Shonen Jump is a great periodical for teens because it not only introduces new readers to the world of Manga, it provides avid fans with new releases, which gets them excited about the upcoming volumes. Manga for English-speaking audiences is now easily accessible, due to publishers such as Viz Media, since it provides quality translations of the original works. Although some readers are unwilling to wait for new releases, they can access "scan-a-lations" where individuals, not affiliated with publishing companies, take it upon themselves to translate, and scan those translations, for readers. Most of the time, these translations work (we have an idea of what is going on); however, not all translations are correct. Moreover, due to licensing issues, scan-a-lations are being removed since they violate copyrights.  Shonen Jump, which is owned by three major Japanese publishers, works with their Japanese colleagues to make sure each story is translated perfectly.

Publisher Information:
Located in San Francisco, CA, Viz Media is " one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation" (para.1). Along with publishing and distribution, Viz Media offers Shonen Jump, graphic novels, and DVDs, and "develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages" (para.2). 

Genre:
Teen Magazines


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Magazines Similar to Shonen Jump:

• Otaku USA 

Awards & Recognition:
According to Wikipedia, Shonen Jump is "one of the longest-running manga magazines in Japan, it has a circulation of 2.8 million copies" (para. 1).