Shaina's YA Resources

Monday, May 13, 2013

Sunday, May 12, 2013

NoveList

Bibliographic Information: (2013). Novelist [Database]. EBSCO. Website URL: http://www.ebscohost.com/novelist

Summary and Evaluation: Novelist provides users with 24/7 remote access and recommends read-alikes—two aspects that shy teens will love. Users can browse by genre, age range, best-of lists, and results display book reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly and School Library Journal. Each book also has a “more about this book” tab that gives useful details like the tone and writing style. Best of all, there is a direct link to any lists the book may appear on, like YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults. The search field allows users to search by author, title, or series in its basic function, but the advanced search expands into many more fields, like a checkbox for “award winner.”

Reason for Selection: Novelist is the perfect digital resource for avid readers, and for those shy teens that are afraid to come up to the reference desk and ask for recommendations, this will become immensely helpful to them.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Gale VIrtual Reference Library

Bibliographic Information: (2013). Gale Virtual Reference Library [Database]. Website URL: http://www.gale.cengage.com/servlet/GvrlMS?msg=ma

Summary and Evaluation: The Gale Virtual Reference Library is a powerhouse for one-stop reference needs. With over 7000 customizable reference titles from Cambridge, Wiley, Sage, Gale and roughly 80 other publishers, this database can be catered to fit the needs of teens. The PowerSearch interface is clean and easy to do basic and advanced searches and the results are intuitively displayed in html format, so that page breaks and images look like they are right out of a printed page. Another great feature is the ability to build a custom collection for specific user groups. Visual customizations are useful, too. The browsing tools are a breeze and laid out in a very slick and minimalist style. This award winning database is all a student needs for high school research projects.

Reason for Selection: GVRL won Best Overall Database from School Library Journal.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Batman: Arkham City

Bibliographic Information: Rocksteady. (2011). Batman: Arkham city [Video Game]. Warner Bros. Rated: Teen. ASIN: B007SRM5U6

Summary and Evaluation: The Caped Crusader returns in this sequel to the 2009 acclaimed Arkham Asylum. Voted 2011 game of the year and received with critical fanfare, Bruce Wayne finds himself arrested and imprisoned for declaring opposition to Arkham City but escapes only to fall into the criminal populace of the city with villains Penguin, Joker, Two-Face, Hugo Strange and more plotting together to overthrow Arkham City and destroy the Dark Knight. Matters turn less desirable for Batman when is unconsciously submitted with a blood transfusion infecting him with a slow but progressive fatal disease. In order to contain the disease, Batman has to ironically seek the aid of long time nemesis Mr. Freeze—but not without performing some less than heroic tasks for his enemy. With an abundance of plot twists, endless game-play, open-world environment, and (of course) gadgets, Batman Arkham City is enormously fun and entertaining to play.

Genre: Game

Subjects: Batman, superheroes

Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due to violence, this game may be challenged. If so, refer to:

1. The San Francisco Public Library Collection Development Policy, Selection Criteria, and Teen Collection documents.

2. A hard copy of the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights.

3. Reviews from IGN, Game Informer and Gamespot.

4. Game selection rationale.

5. If necessary, The San Francisco Public Library’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form.

Reason for Selection: This game was an IGN “Editor’s Choice” winner, and Game Informer gave it a perfect 10, as well as calling it “the best licensed video game ever made” (Wikipedia, 2013). The graphics are lush and the storyline is stellar. Every gamer has to play this one.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Ghost on Ghost

Bibliographic Information: Iron and Wine. (2013). Ghost on ghost [Audio CD]. New York: Nonesuch. ASIN: B00BI6SSMC

Summary and Evaluation: In the fifth album from this renowned folk singer/songwriter comes a refreshing break from quiet lyrical ballads and rather explores jazz beats, warm bass lines right out of the 70’s, twinkly organs and a horn section that grooves along with each chorus. The singer, Samuel Beam, keeps his soft and warm tenor melodies that litter his earlier work, but this time, he seems less anxious, and way more relaxed. Background singers and stylized drum-beats add depth to both quiet furrowed lullabies and the upbeat hymns.

Artist Information: Wikipedia states, “Samuel Beam (born July 26, 1974), better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter. He has released five studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download-only releases, which include a live album (a recording of his 2005 Bonnaroo performance). He occasionally tours with a full band.

Beam was raised in South Carolina before moving to Virginia and then Florida to attend school. He now resides in Dripping Springs, Texas, near Austin. The name Iron & Wine is taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film.”

Genre: Folk Rock, Jazz

Reason for Selection: Samuel Beam is already a household name amongst the musical elite, but this album has the potential to give his ten-year career the recognition he deserves. I consider this album to be a serious contender for Best Album of 2013.

Born to Die

Bibliographic Information: Lana Del Ray. (2012). Born to die [Audio CD]. Santa Monica: Interscope.

Summary and Evaluation: With brooding nonchalance, Lana Del Ray’s sultry, jazz inspired croons are juxtaposed with her playfully sentimental lyrics. The album starts slow and soft, then gets darker and faster, and finally picks up the mood until it crashes back down to a whisper. The song that rose her to fame is a painful lament to an ex-lover who, despite her ploys for attention, just played video games. Piano, strings and harp pair with painted memories of their relationship, and as she crescendo’s into a pleading and stabbing, “It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you” you only get the sense that he doesn’t hear her.

Extracting images from pop culture and her past, Lana’s songwriting is fresh and unique. She knows how to orchestrate her melodies in a powerful way, while undercutting the beautiful waves of sound with ironic words.

Artist Information: Wikipedia states, “Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born June 21, 1986), better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Del Rey initially began performing in clubs in New York City at age 18 and signed her first recording contract when she was 20 years old with 5 Points Records, releasing her first digital album Lana Del Ray a.k.a. Lizzy Grant in January 2010. Del Rey bought herself out of the contract with 5 Points Records in April 2010 and signed a joint contract with Interscope, Polydor, and Stranger Records in October 2011.

After she released her debut single "Video Games" in June 2011, a music video created by Del Rey for the song was posted on YouTube in August 2011. After the song became a viral internet hit with over 20 million views, her second studio album,Born to Die, was released in January 2012. The album sold over 3.6 million copies worldwide in 2012, making it the fifth best-selling album of 2012. Charting across Europe, the album spawned numerous top ten hits, including "Blue Jeans", "National Anthem", "Born to Die", and "Summertime Sadness."

Genre: Pop

Reason for Selection: Lana Del Ray is a viral sensation, and combination of her unique combinations of genres, paired with her almost Britney Spears-like sentiments, make for great teen music.

Ceremonials

Bibliographic Information: Florence and the Machine. (2011). Ceremonials [Audio CD]. London: Island. ASIN: B005QKYIZ2

Summary and Evaluation:

“And it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back/

So shake him off.”

A piano stabs the air as if from under water. A harp plucks a twinkling crescendo. Soon a soulful voice belts out the opening words and a tribal cascade of reverberating drums beat like a racing heart. Before you know it, an entire orchestra and choir are wrapping their soft arms around you in a dark embrace. The ethereal harmonies are haunting and can only be those of the maroon-haired Florence Welch—front woman and primary songwriter for the indie band, Florence and the Machine. Avoiding the usual revealing stage outfits of other pop artists, Florence can be seen in chin-to-floor chorus robes, and twirls around the stage in capes and flowing long dresses reminiscent of Janis Joplin. Her style is just as iconic as her sound.

Ceremonials is a somber lullabye that harkens images of deep blue oceans, and deeper dreams. The timbre of Florence’s voice will give listeners chills, and her lyrics explore both the darkest and warmest of human emotions: love, fear, death. Each song starts as a whisper and builds and builds into a climax of electrifying intensity and strings.

Artist Information: Wikipedia states, “Florence and the Machine (stylised as Florence + The Machine)are an English indie rock band, consisting of lead singer Florence Welch, Isabella "Machine" Summers, and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music. The band's music received praise across the music media, especially from the BBC, before they gained mainstream success. Specifically, the BBC played a large part in their rise to prominence by promoting Florence and the Machine as part of BBC Introducing.

The band's debut album, Lungs, was released on 6 July 2009, and held the number-two position for its first five weeks on the UK Albums Chart.On 17 January 2010, the album reached the top position, after being on the chart for twenty-eight consecutive weeks.As of October 2010, the album had been in the top forty in the United Kingdom for sixty-five consecutive weeks, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010. The group's second studio album,Ceremonials, released in October 2011, debuted at number one in the UK and number six in the US.

Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul.Lungs won the MasterCard British Album award at the 2010 BRIT Awards. At the 53rd Grammy Awards, Florence and the Machine were nominated for Best New Artist. Additionally, the band performed at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, and the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Concert."

Genre: Pop/Soul

Challenge Issues/Defense: N/A

Reason for Selection: Aside from topping Billboard charts around the globe and being nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammies, Florence approaches pop music with emotional honesty and vivid artistry. This girl would rather hit a few bad notes in an intimate performance, than give into gimmicky lip syncing and flashy stage productions. She’s raw and full of energy and emotion. But most of all, she’s honest—and not many pop artists these days are. She’s a good role model, and a lot of teen girls admire her vintage style.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Skateboarder

Bibliographic Information: Owens, J. (Editor). (2013). Skateboarder [Magazine]. San Clemente: Source Interlink Media. Website URL: http://www.skateboardermag.com/

Content Summary: Skateboarder Magazine was born in 1964 as a quarterly, but then disappeared until the skateboarding boom in the 70’s. Due to dangerous quality of proto skate gear, the sport faced banning more than once in its history. The magazines success has followed the ups and downs of the sports popularity, but thrives today as the “Bible” of skateboarding magazines. Editors credit the superb photography and editorials for their success. The magazine also features interviews, reviews of gear from decks to shoes, and offers free giveaways.

Wikipedia. (2013). Skateboarder [Magazine]. (28 April, 2013). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skateboarder_(magazine)

Genre: Magazine

Subjects: skateboarding, skateboards, skateboard gear

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issues/Defense: N/A

Reason for Selection: The sport of skateboarding has a bad reputation among authoritative figures since its beginnings in the 60’s and 70’s, which is why it will always have a special place in the heart of teens. But beyond that, it is a growing phenomenon, and I don’t see it losing its momentum for years. The photos in this magazine are amazing, and teens will agree.

Alternative Press

Bibliographic Information: Pettigrew, J. (2013). Alternative press. [Magazine]. Cleveland: Alternative Press. Website URL: http://www.altpress.com/

Content Summary: Alternative Press, or AP, was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea who wanted to give credit to many of the underground bands that were being featured on his local radio stations in Cleveland, Ohio. What began as a photocopied zine eventually grew to feature bands on the cover right before they made it big (Red Hot Chili Peppers). The magazine averages 198-220 pages per month and has such features as “Favorite Gear” and “Unsigned Bands of the Month.” The magazine now sponsors several music festivals like Warped Tour and the Taste of Chaos Tour. The photographs have a very iconic, glossy, high contrast appeal.

Wikipedia. (2013). Alternative press. (28 April, 2013). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_Press

Genre: Magazine

Subjects: alternative rock, music, bands

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due to some occurrences of profanity, this magazine may be challenged. If so, refer to:

1. The San Francisco Public Library Collection Development Policy, Selection Criteria, and Teen Collection documents.

2. The California Department of Education District Selection Policies, Reading Lists, and Resources for Recommended Literature: Pre-K-12.

3. A hard copy of the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights.

4. Mixed book reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publisher’s Weekly.

5. Book selection rationale.

6. If necessary, The San Francisco Public Library’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form.

Reason for Selection: This is the go-to magazine for reviews of alternative bands. I can’t count how many great interviews with my favorite bands were published by AP. This is a staple music magazine for many teens, and features full spread photographs.

Game Informer

Bibliographic Information: McNamara, A. (Editor). (2013). Game Informer (Magazine). Minneapolis: GameStop Corporation. Website URL: http://www.gameinformer.com/

Content Summary: This monthly American video gaming magazine was developed in 1991 and offers reviews, previews, articles, news, and strategy guides on all of the major video game consoles. Once a year, the editors put together a “Top 50 Games of Lat Year” issue, awarding a Game of the Year, and Top ten Lists in different categories. They also do an annual E3 issue, summarizing all of the major highlights from this prestigious annual video game conference. They review games based on a scale of 1 (awful) to 10 (perfect). Only 23 games have been awarded a ten rating. The covers usually feature very striking game art that wraps across the front and back of each issue.

Wikipedia. (2013). Game Informer. (28 April, 2013). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Informer

Genre: Magazine

Subjects: videogames, video game consoles, Wii, Wii U, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation Vita

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due the graphic nature of some videogames (sexual and violent), this magazine may be challenged. If so, refer to:

1. The San Francisco Public Library Collection Development Policy, Selection Criteria, and Teen Collection documents.

2. The California Department of Education District Selection Policies, Reading Lists, and Resources for Recommended Literature: Pre-K-12.

3. A hard copy of the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights.

4. Mixed book reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publisher’s Weekly.

5. Book selection rationale.

6. If necessary, The San Francisco Public Library’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form.

Reason for Selection: Since GamePro went out of business, this is one of the few magazines left to review games for every console, and provides gamers with a general overview of games, both good and bad. In depth articles focus on the worthwhile games.