The Seattle Public Library's Teen Space

Bibliographic Information

The Seattle Public Library. (2013). Teen Space. Retrieved from http://www.spl.org/audiences/teens

Descriptive Summary

This site did well to balance the look of the Teen Space online with that of the rest of the library website. The colours and patterns used were similar to those on the rest of the Seattle Public Library website, reminding to user whose resource they were using. But within the teen section the colours and patterns were modified just enough to be teen appealing.  Oranges, blues, and greens surrounded the plain black and white main section of the page, making it colourful but still easy to read.

Resources included both the standard library services of the catalogue, ask-a-librarian feature, etc. but combined on the same page were additional teen resources such as Homework Help, information on upcoming college info. sessions at the library, suggested teen reading lists, and fun game ideas.

Evaluative Comments

What I liked the most about the Seattle Public Library’s teen website was the balance it struck between looking like the rest of the library’s online resources and being appealing to teens. The standard library catalogue search box and library locator service were still present on the page, but also included were additional features such as Homework Help, Teen News, and the Teen Calendar.

However, I did feel that this website was also lacking in over-all teen resource options. I could see no links to book lists or online databases, and most of the teen resources provided were simple in nature, such as a calendar and a newsletter.

I feel that the Seattle Public Library jeopardized the quality of the content youth resource website to put more effort into the site’s physical appeal.  But looks can only go so far if the site itself is not useful.

I would give this website a 3/10.

Suggested Users

Ages 12 to 18. 

Advisory Notes

vivid, colloquial, unsophisticated

I have found the Toronto Public Library's online teen section to be similar to that of Seattle's as it shows off funky fonts and bright colours but does not delve into available teen programming, etc.

Reason for Inclusion

The Seattle Public Library’s website was one that I had found useful to me through out the construction of this blog as it contained both useful information and was appealing, so I was curious to see how the teen section specifically would compare.

Category

Library Websites for Teens

LOL by Double Feature Films

Bibliographic Information

 

Azuelos, Lisa (Director). (2012). LOL [Motion Picture]. United States: Double FeatureFilms. 

Descriptive Summary

This comedy-drama-romance examines how modern youth rely on technology, namely social networks, to navigate their complicated feelings and seek out help from each other.

Teenage Lola and her best friend Kyle return to school for their senior year only to find that Lola’s biggest enemy has developed feelings for Kyle and will do anything to win him over. Only once faced with the reality of losing him does Lola fully realize the depth of her own feelings for Kyle.

Complicating Lola’s life further is her strained relationship with her mother, who is in her own romantic entanglement with Lola’s father and her ex-husband. 

Evaluative Comments

This movie was not spectacular but not terrible either. Its star cast of Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, and Ashley Greene did keep the film from getting too bogged down in unrealistic drama. The focus on the teen characters' reliance on their smart technologies to assist them in coming to terms with their feelings added a modern and unique twist to this other-wise typical teen drama.

I would give this film a 6/10.

Suggested Audience

This film is rated PG-13. 

Watchers’ Advisory Notes

coming-of-age, character-centered, complicated

If you enjoyed this film, I recommend to you the 2011 remake of Footloose, a similar coming-of-ate story but from the male persective. 

Talking Hook

“Anyway here we are just goin' with the flow. Tryin' to love, live, and laugh out loud, which is nice because my name is Lola but everyone calls me LOL.”                                                                                                                                                                      -Lola  

Reason for Inclusion

Little has been said about this movie, but with its all-star cast I predicted that this film would offer a unique perspective or twist to the typical teen drama genre in film, and I was correct. 

Category

Video (movie) 

Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging by Paramount

Bibliographic Information

Chadha, Gurinder (Director). (2008). Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount.

Descriptive Summary

This British coming-of-age film follows fourteen year-old Georgia Nicolson as she struggles to land the perfect boyfriend and plan her fifteenth birthday party all at the same time.

When Georgia and her friends are introduced to the two new boys in town, twins Robbie and Tom, Georgia is instantly smitten with Robbie. Despite numerous attempts by Georgia and her best friend Jas to get Robbie’s attention, little seems to develop. Soon Georgia discovers that her old group of gal pals, the Ace Gang, care about little else but landing boyfriends and Georgia starts to feel left out and alone. 

The huge fifteenth birthday party that she was once so preoccupied with planning doesn’t seem important any more. Little does Georgia know her birthday party and her romantic life are not so hopeless as they seem. 

Evaluative Comments

What really makes this movie shine is the screen writing. The incredible wit and sarcasm displayed by Georgia makes this film more than just another cute teen movie, but a really enjoyable blockbuster that will leave you laughing right up to the very end. 

I would give this film a 10/10.

Suggested Audience

This film is rated PG-13. 

Watchers’ Advisory Notes

coming-of-age, unhurried, light-hearted

If you enjoyed this film check out the original book version. This film is based on the two teen novels Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and Its OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers by Louise Rennison.

Talking Hook

“I already feel fed up with boys... and I haven't had anything to do with them yet!”

                                                                        -Georgia Nicolson  

Reason for Inclusion

This movie has received lots of buzz amongst young women for its candid examination of growing up and how awkward that process can be. The real humour present in this film is also something unique to this genre of teen drama movies.

Category

Video (movie) 

Saskatoon Public Library's Young Adult Services

Bibliographic Information

Saskatoon Public Library. (2013). Young Adult Services. Retrieved from http://www.saskatoonlibrary.ca/youngadultservices

Descriptive Summary

This site contains a wealth of information useful to teens, such as which Saskatoon Public Library location specializes in teen services, what types of genres and mediums are included in the teen collection, how to get assistance finding a resource, and how to place a loan on an item.

Moreover, under the heading of “Resource Guides for Teens” is a robust list of in-house databases and external websites that contain books and other resources for teens such as writing guides, video archives, top picks lists, teen-generated reviews, and much more. This website is full of useful teen information.  

Evaluative Comments

The Saskatoon Public Library’s Young Adult Services website contains a wealth of useful information for teens. Almost anything a teen might come looking for in a public library can be found here. However, where this website falls short is in its design and interface. Upon first glancing at this website one would never know that it was a designed for teens. It uses the same drab grey, blue, and white motif as the rest of the library website, uses the same font and layout, and contains no hint as to the atmosphere of the Young Adult Services section in the library itself except to include a small, un-described photo of the area. Information within this page is easy to find and the library staff have made it rather simple to navigate towards additional resources, but nothing here would convince teens want to be a part of the SPL Young Adult community. The site looks professional and serious, and not fun.

I would give this website a 5/10.

Suggested Users

Ages 12 to 18. 

Advisory Notes

direct, somber, formal

For the teen who finds this type of plain layout appealing, the Winnipeg Public Library's website for teens, called BOOKED, has a similar motif.  

Reason for Inclusion

Having used this online library resource for teens myself many time when at a teen age, I know that while this site may appear somber, once the teen user gets past the interface this site does contain a wealth of useful knowledge.

Category

Library Websites for Teens

High School Musical 3: Senior Year by the High School Musical Cast

Bibliographic Information

High School Musical Cast. (2008). High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Burbank: Walt Disney.

Descriptive Summary

This is the soundtrack to the movie High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which was the third installment in the High School Musical movie franchise by Disney. All three movies, and soundtracks, feature teen stars Zac Efron and Vaness Hudgens, as the story line of this series follows their two characters as they attend a ‘typical’ high school, rise to be teen pop stars, and then (in this third and final installment) attempt to make it on their own, and onto the big stage, in the real world.

Songs in this album fit in with this ‘rise to stardom’ theme with titles such as “Now or Never,” “Right Here, Right Now,” “I Want it All,” and “Scream,” all on the themes of being young, having fun, and having extraordinary goals and dreams.

Evaluative Comments

Not only are the sounds contained in this album catchy and easy to sing along to, but the themes and lyrics are intended to inspire young people today to follow their own dreams, an encouraging message often left out of other teen pop songs that focus more on the topics of dating and partying.

I would give this album an 8/10.

Suggested Audience

No parental advisory, appropriate for all ages. 

Listeners’ Advisory Notes

inspirational, heart-rending, optimistic

If you enjoyed this album, check out the High School Musical albums 1 and 2, performed by the same cast members as the third installment. 

Talking Hook

“Here and now its time for celebration

I finally figured it out
That all our dreams have no limitations
That's what its all about.

Everyone is special in their own way
We make each other strong
Were not the same
Were different in a good way
Together's where we belong.”

                                    -lyrics from the High School Musical 3: Senior Year song

                                    “We’re All in this Together” 

Reason for Inclusion

The High School Musical franchise has been very popular in recent years for standing out against other ‘typical’ teen movies. This album is rich in musical talent, promotes positive messages, but is still fun for teens as well.

Category

Audio Recordings (album) 

Believe by Justin Bieber

Bibliographic Information

Bieber, Justin. (2012). Believe. Santa Monica: Island Records.

Descriptive Summary

This is Justin Bieber’s third album and includes pop songs with titles such as the well-known “Beauty and a Beat” and “Boyfriend.” Other lesser-known titles include “Right Here,” “All Around the World,” and “Turn to You,” a song dedicated to mothers. Bieber has said that this album is more mature than any of his previous albums and incorporates more from the Dance and R&B genres, as well as more songs written by Bieber himself.

The first single to be released from this album, “Boyfriend,” received mixed reviews from critics but achieve the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list of the one hundred most popular songs in the United States in 2012. 

The majority of the songs on this album are on teen-appealing themes such as partying, hanging out with friends, dating, falling in love, and getting your heart broken.

Evaluative Comments

While the themes and lyrics in this album are rather simple, and perhaps even shallow with the implication that these topics are all that teens care about, one cannot deny how catchy the tunes really are.

I would give this album a 6/10.

Suggested Audience

No parental advisory, appropriate for all ages. 

Listeners’ Advisory Notes

playful, cheerful, wacky

If you enjoyed this album check out the latest album, Take Me Home, by teen boy-band One Direction.

Talking Hook

“I love everything about you, you're imperfectly perfect
Everyone's itching for beauty, but just scratchin' the surface
Lost time is never found, can the DJ please reverse it.”

                                    -lyrics from Justin Bieber’s song “All Around the World”

Reason for Inclusion

Justin Bieber is a teen phenomenon. No one can deny the mass appeal he has with the female teen demographic. Even if you haven’t heard his music – which, if you own a radio, you probably have – you still know who this pop star is. Teens love him!

Category

Audio Recordings (album) 

Sports Illustrated for Kids by Time

Bibliographic Information

Mad Scramble. (March 2013). Sports Illustrated for Kids. New York: Time.

Descriptive Summary

The premier sports magazine for kids, Sports Illustrated for Kids, focuses on providing youth with the latest sports stats, but also information on how to get involved in sports, quotations from their favourite players, activities, and contests. This magazine is different from its adult counterpart where instead of strictly providing sports information it provides more personal interviews with players, stories from players on how they got into sports, information on various sport groups for youth to join, and even a monthly report by the Sports Illustrated “Kid Reporter.” Especially unique to this magazine are the various activities included in which youth may take-part to gain their own sports points – a way to include those who are not athletically inclined but still interested in the content.

Each monthly issue also focuses on a different sport so that there is uniformity within each issue while still ensuring new content each month. The March issue focused on basketball and the annual NBA "March Madness" basketball tournament. 

Evaluative Comments

This magazine is rather narrow in its focus, and thus would not appeal to a very large demographic.  However, what it does it does well, providing a wide array of content within the sports theme. Also, while targeted at youth ages 8 to 14, this magazine has appeal for all ages. The activities and games would appeal to a younger audience and the stats and athlete biographies would appeal to an older teen audience.

I would give this magazine an 8/10. 

Suggested Audience

Ages 8 to 14. 

Readers’ Advisory Notes

positive, motivating

If you enjoyed this magazine see Boys Life, which is an award-winning magazine that explores outdoor activities for youth.  

Booktalking Hook

Have you ever wondered how basketball star Aaron Craft got his start? Or how Miguel Cabrera learned to hit a baseball so hard? Here’s your chance to learn from the world’s best and get your start as an athlete today! 

Reason for Inclusion

Sports Illustrated for Kids is as well-known and regularly talked-about magazine. It also has mass appeal for both pre-teens and teens. Promoting sports amongst youth is also an important part of encouraging a healthy lifestyle, which is something librarians in the public sphere should be doing.

Category

Magazine

Faces by Cobblestone & Cricket

Bibliographic Information

So You Think You Know the Arab World. (March 2013). Faces. Peterborough: Cobblestone & Cricket.

Descriptive Summary

Tag-lined as a world cultures magazine for youth ages 9 to14, Faces examines, in detail, a different world culture each month. The March issue of this year was dedicated to examining the Arab world.

This issue’s focus was on breaking down exactly what is meant by the popular term “Arab World,” describing it as the world region where Arabic is the most widely spoken language. Articles described some on the most common Arab activities such as dining on tabouleh, camping in the desert, traveling to Mecca, and playing various Arab child's games.

Topics typically covered in each issue include an exploration of that region’s geography, a first-person account of what its like to be a kid there, an introduction to an animal unique to that region, an examination of the region’s art and culture, and numerous games and contests that readers can take-part in.

Evaluative Comments

What I like about this magazine is its goal of breaking down cultural stereotypes by providing youth with a detailed look at various world cultures.

This content is refreshing to see in a youth magazine where the topics typically covered focus on pop culture or scientific and environmental education.

This magazine was also clearly written to appeal to a pre-teen and teen audience, with articles that focus on food, dress, and children’s games, rather than political and social history. This magazine provides highly informative content but in a platform that would appeal to youth, with the hopes of sparking life-long cultural acceptance and learning.

I would give this magazine a 9/10.

Suggested Audience

Ages 9 to 14.

Readers’ Advisory Notes

poignant, inspiring, evocative, elaborate

If you enjoyed this magazine see the Calliope magazine, which explores the Renaissance period through the eyes of young people and is published by the same company as Faces. 

Booktalking Hook

“You'll be amazed at how much more you know!”

                                                -slogan for Faces magazine

Reason for Inclusion

Faces was recently awarded the Parent’s Choice Gold Award for 2013 kids magazines, and is recommended by the Madison Public Library as a good magazine for teens.

Category

Magazine

Houdini: Master of Illusion by Clinton Cox

Bibliographic Information

Cox, Clinton. (2001). Houdini: Master of Illusion. New York: Scholastic.

Descriptive Summary

Aimed at readers ages 9 and up, this book examines the life of the famous magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. Houdini, who is still a well-known figure today, lived a mysterious life hidden from the public. This book uncovers his story, from his childhood when he promised his ailing and poor father that he would provide for his mother after his father’s death, to his early years working as a photographer and then joining his brother in performing vaudeville shows across Europe, to making it on his own and gaining fame for his ability to break out of jail cells and handcuffs.

This biography also examines the private life of Houdini, who was a sickly workaholic for most of his life, a man so obsessed with taking care of his mother that he spent most of his free time at her grave site after she died, and finally a man forced to retire when vaudeville went out and movies came in.

Evaluative Comments

This book was highly informative about the life of Houdini behind the curtains. It provided an informative and heartfelt look into his personal life, as well as a close examination of how he achieved each of his stunts. I can image the latter being of particular interest to youth.

I give this book a 7/10.

Suggested Audience

Ages 9 and up. 

Readers’ Advisory Notes

non-fiction, biography, somber, inspiring

If you enjoyed this book you may also enjoy the biography of American magician Annie Abbott, titled Annie Abott: "The Little Georgia Magnet" and the True Story of Dixie Haygood. Also see the fictional teen read The Minstrel's Daughter by Linda Smith. 

Booktalking Hook

“As the famed magician was shackled and then lowered upside down into the water-filled Chinese Torture Cell, gazing through the glass front illusion at the immersed man, the audience sat transfixed knowing that unless escape was possible within precious minutes certain death by drowning would result.”

                                                -William E. Parker, Houdini scholar and enthusiast                                                                                   

Reason for Inclusion

While searching out non-fiction book topics for youth this was a title I stumbled upon and I remembered the mystery surrounding Harry Houdini being particularly fascinating to myself as a young adult.

Category

Nonfiction, Recreational

Scientific American: Great Science Fair Projects by Marc Rosner

Bibliographic Information

Rosner, Marc. (2000). Scientific American: Great Science Fair Projects. Hoboken: Jossey-Bass. 

Descriptive Summary 

Aimed at youth ages 12 and up, this book is full of ideas for young people looking to do a science fair project. Most of the ideas here, gathered by science teacher and writer Marc Rosner, are both creative and challenging, but also realistic projects for the targeted age group. Included are detailed instructions on how to do the project, lists of materials needed (which consist of things mostly found around the house), and images to assist the young scientist in visualizing their project at certain steps along the way.

Ideas presented include how to track a caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly, how to make it rain, how to use hydroponics, how to create putty, and much more. 

Evaluative Comments 

I have only good things to say about this book. It is creative, contains ideas on a wide variety of topics such as household science, climate, ecology, aquatics, and botany, includes projects that have varying degrees of difficulty, and the descriptions and images included are useful and thorough. Lastly, I like that the author always encourages the young people undertaking these projects to have fun and do it for the love of science!

Written by someone who is experienced with scientific writing, as well as working with youth, the author was able to bring the scientific language included down to a teen level. The colourful language and clever metaphors used by Marc Rosner also make this book an enjoyable read.

I feel that this book has the potential to be both appreciated by a parent, and well-utilized by a student. If I am ever to be parent, teacher, or youth services librarian I will be sure to suggest this book for all science fair project seekers. I give this book a 10/10. 

Suggested Audience 

Ages 12 and up. 

Readers’ Advisory Notes 

non-fiction, science-related, how-to, detailed

If you found this book useful you may also enjoy So You Have to Do a Science Fair Project by Joyce Henderson. For those young adults not specifically looking for a how-to book, Ig Nobel Prizes by Marc Abrahams is a fun look at past Nobel-nominated projects that didn't win. 

Booktalking Hook 

Have you ever wanted to build your own sundial, be able to capture a picture of the lunar eclipse, grow your own crystal, or participate in an archeological dig? Well now you can! In this book,  Scientific American: Great Science Fair Projects, science teacher Marc Rosner shows you how to become a real scientist today! 
 
Reason for Inclusion 

This is a book that I have seen in numerous school classrooms in recent years while dropping off my young cousins at school, visiting my mom at her workplace in a school, etc. 

Category
  
Nonfiction, Homework

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