Kazumi Reads

Product Summary:
Pandora.com is a website where teens can listen to music for free! As part of the Music Genome Project, which began in 2002, this service allows users to type in their favorite artist and provide radio stations containing the music by those artists as well other musicians with similar styles. Users can create a free account and make as many stations as they want. The way music is selected is incredibly interesting since it pairs popular artists with indie artists, which provides listeners with an unknown alternatives; not only does Pandora play new music, but helps up and coming artists build their fan bases. 



Critical Evaluation:
What began as a project is now a full fledged service where individuals can upgrade their accounts, which allows users hours upon hours of music, no commercials, and more opportunities to skip tracks. Teen do need their parents to upgrade their account (since it requires a credit card number), but, with any website, parents need to be aware that the music is uncensored; if they do not want their child listening to certain music, then they should make an account for themselves and grant their child provisional access. Pandora is now a mobile app for smartphones so any teen with an iPhone or Droid can download this application for 24/7 music with no additional uploading.What would a teen be without music? Unfortunately, with any free application, there are occasional advertisements and users can only skip a maximum of three tracks an hour, but nothing long enough to kill the mood for music. There is plenty of variety for users to listen to; however, if this is the only station that is being listened to then there is a higher chance of predicting the soundtrack. Whatever the case, teens will enjoy having music at their grasp 24/7 whether they are at home on their computer, in the car, or walking around.

Information about the Company:
According to Time Westergren, Founder of the Music Genome Project, "[o]n January 6, 2000 a group of musicians and music-loving technologists came together with the idea of creating the most comprehensive analysis of music ever." (para.1). Pandora Radio is the custodian of the Music Genome Project where a whole group of listeners literally listened to thousands of song where every element was analyzed and grouped together by their common elements. Westergren also states:

Together we set out to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. We ended up assembling literally hundreds of musical attributes or "genes" into a very large Music Genome. Taken together these genes capture the unique and magical musical identity of a song - everything from melody, harmony and rhythm, to instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and of course the rich world of singing and vocal harmony. It's not about what a band looks like, or what genre they supposedly belong to, or about who buys their records - it's about what each individual song sounds like (para. 2).

Pandora Radio continues to evolve as one of the top online music radio resources where it now has a mobile app on smartphones and the iPhone. 
 
Genre:
Teen Websites

Reading Level/Interest:
All ages

Sites Similar to Pandora:

• Playlist.com
• LastFM.com
• Spotify.com 

 Awards & Recognition:

• 2010 Webby Award Winner
• 2010 Peoples Voice Award
  

Product Summary:
Teens who need something to read can now access reviews, author profiles, series information, lists, and so much more through this amazing site. Teenreads.com is a great resource not only for teens, but for librarians, teachers, and adults.  As users explore this site, the toolbar, at the very top of the interface, is their guide through the site, which makes searching extremely easy. Moreover, there are plenty of options that teens can use to not only find what they are looking for, but they can actually learn a lot by browsing the "Authors," the "Ultimate Reading List, " "Coming Soon, " Book Clubs," and the "Book Into Movies" categories, which most teens may not be aware of. Moreover, Teenreads.com has a variety of social networking sites, a blog, and a newsletter that teens can subscribe to so they can access this information 24/7.

Critical Evaluation:
Teenreads.com is a great resource for the avid reader who is looking for newest titles and recommendations. This website is dedicated to providing a wealth of information regarding teen literature, authors, and book news. As users search this site, not only will they find popular books, they will also find reviews written by professionals and their peers. This particular site is not only a book-loving teen's best friend, it is a great resource for librarians and educators who need to add these titles to their collections or provide suitable recommendations. This site has a variety of search functions that are not only helpful, but incredibly informative, especially the "New in Paperback" section that informs teens when their favorite titles are re-released in paper form, which means they are cheaper and more accessible. 

Information about the website:
Teenreads.com is a part of the Book Report Network that share book reviews, features, author profiles, new releases, interviews, contests. and games every week (para.1). Teenreads.com is run by a team of professionals who not only have teenagers, but share a love of reading. In the section that gives the history of Teenreads.com, are several personal accounts from the President/Founder, Advertising, Marketing, Design, and Editorial groups who not only share their personal stories about reading, but help users realize that this website was created by individuals who are just as passionate about working for the youth and helping them find that one book that will turn them into readers for life.

Genre:
Teen websites

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Websites Similar to Teenreads.com:

•  ReadingRants.org
• TeenReadsToo.com
  

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Product Summary:
TeenGrowth.com focuses on the health, psychological, and emotional needs of teenagers. When teens enter the website, they have a variety of "Q/A" topics they can explore by reading the body of the interface or using the links to the left of the screen.



The layout of the site is very simple, which makes it easy to navigate.
When teens select a topic, such as "Emotions," they will get a topic tree that has a list of options that are related to that topic. What is great about this website is the simplicity since all of the page layouts are consistent with the back pages; the only page that is different is the main interface.Once users have browsed through the topic, or, in this case, a series of "Frequently Asked Questions,"  they will get an article that provides practical advice on how to resolve the issue.


Critical Evaluation:
This website is a great asset for teens who need help with issues that vary from losing weight to physical abuse. The advice that is given not only help teens understand their issue, but provides through steps that deal with the problem, especially if it is very serious such as suicide, sexual abuse, and anger. Another great aspect of this site, is the advice is based on specific questions that are asked frequently, which helps teens know that they are not the one only ones suffering from those problems. In reading an article, about anger, one teen asked how they can prevent himself from killing their abusive father. The author provided a very sound advice, encouraging the teen to take proactive steps to remove themselves from a dangerous situation. moreover, there are phone numbers and weblinks that provide additional information as well. The medical advisory board and the editorial staff provide make it very clear that the advice on this site is for educational purposes and should not take the place of professional help for those who need it. If teens are having issues, and need a point in the right direction, than this site is perfect beginning point.

Information about the Website:
TeenGrowth.com  was established in 1998 by its sister company KidsGrowth.com and Pediatric Health Alliance, LLC. The mission of this website is to "provide a secure environment where teens can ask questions and find reliable and useful information about subjects such as emotions, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, puberty, sex, fitness and stress" (para.1). This particular site was created to focus on on the health needs of adolescents, which make it very unique and personalized. According to TeenGrowth.com:

The pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists who developed the site knew the resourcefulness of the Internet could easily turn into a conglomeration of misinformation if a reliable destination was not created. The two factors separating TeenGrowth from other sites are: (1) all content is provided and reviewed by a Medical Advisory Board of highly recognized and respected physicians in the private and academic sectors in the field of pediatrics and adolescent medicine; and (2) TeenGrowth only focuses on health issues" (2011, para. 2).

The Medical Advisory Board & Editorial team consists of qualified health professionals and professionals who have experience in Pediatrics and education. This site continues is constantly updated so teens will continue to access resources that are are current and relevant.
   
Genre:
Teen Websites


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up



Websites Similar to TeenGrowth:

• Teens: KidsHealth.com
• Medline Plus: Teen Health
• TeenHealthIssues.org
  

Awards & Recognition:
N/A