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.

Nylon

Bibliographic Information: Baker, A. (Editor). (2013). Nylon. New York: Nylon Holding Inc. Website URL: http://nylonmag.com/

Content Summary: Nylon was cofounded in 1999 by Marvin Scott Jarrett and Jaclynn Jarrett. The name was chosen arbitrarily, but eventually became a sort of acronym for their primary cities of focus: New York and London (NY and LON). The magazine has grown from an underground name to a mainstream staple, and has even published three books related to beauty and fashion.

            The magazine focuses on pop culture and fashion, but also delves into art, beauty, design, music, technology, travel, and cinema. The look and feel of the magazine is bold and chaotic, like a collage or idea board, but with clear and bold font through out.

Wikipedia. (2013). Nylon (magazine). (28 April, 2013). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon_magazine

Reader’s Annotation: Teens can learn about the latest trends in fashion and beauty, while also getting a slice of current happening in the art, music and design worlds.

Genre: Magazine

Subjects: Fashion, Beauty, Music, Films, Travel, Design, Art, Trends, Celebrities

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Some mature content such as sexor alcohol may be discussed in celebrity interviews. If challenged, 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 magazine always stood out to me because it goes beyond mainstream trends and explores more individualistic styles. There is a much broader range of cultural influence, too, unlike a lot of the other teen fashion magazines out there.

Donnie Darko

Bibliographic Information: Ryder, A., Fields, A. (Producers) & Kelly, R. (Director). Donnie darko: The director’s cut [DVD]. United States: 20^th Century Fox.

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore

Plot Summary: Donnie Darko is a troubled teenager from a dysfunctional family. He wakes up lying in the middle of a curvy hillside road one morning, with his bike strewn in the dirt. This is the first of many “sleepwalking” episodes for him. Donnie’s withdrawal and depression are a stark contrast to his sister, who participates in active political discussions at dinner and plans on attending Harvard, having kids at 30, and marrying a rich man. Donnie starts seeing a therapist, especially due to the fact that he is having hallucinations of a rabbit named Frank, who tells him that the world will end in less than a month.

            A jet engine falls through the roof of Donnie’s bedroom one night while he is sleep walking, and a whole slew of curious things start happening: someone floods and vandalizes his private school, someone burns down the home of a famous motivational speaker (who turns out to be a child pornographer), and there is nothing to be said about where the mysterious jet engine came from.

         Meanwhile, Donnie has more and more difficulty relating to his teachers and peers, often exploding in class, and even getting expelled for months. He meets a new girl, Gretchen, and due to her own dark history, they bond and fall in love. But Donnie’s visions get crazier, and he starts to see “spears” or slinky-like bubbles drifting out infront of people and himself. He understand that he is seeing the future, and starts to research the topic of time travel and worm holes. It turns out that a local author, an elderly woman by the name of Roberta Sparrow, writes a book on time travel that describes exactly what Donnie is experiencing. One day, when Donnie’s dad almost runs Roberta over, she whispers into Donnie’s ear: every living creature on Earth dies alone.

            Struggling with the meaning behind his visions and the date that Frank has given him, Donnie slowly starts to understand his fate, and how he can change it. During the final hours till the “end of the world” a Halloween party leads to Gretchen being run over by a driver. It is only then that Donnie realizes what he must do to reverse time and save her.

Critical Evaluation: This is a film full of psychological twists, scientific musings, and philosophical questions about existence, identity, and self-destruction. The movie has even inspired a cult following of fans who have analyzed all of the subtle messages. One of the major themes of the movie is the relationship between destruction and creation. Donnie’s sleepwalked induced criminal escapades may have been inspired by his English class when they are reading Graham Green’s The Destructors, a story about a group of kids who destroy an old man’s house by flooding it. When the PTA discovers the connection to the book and their recent vandalism of the school, the book is banned and eventually the English teacher is fired. During class, when Donnie’s teacher asks him what he thinks about the story, he says, “Destruction is a form of creation.” This philosophy is actualized when Donnie burns the home of Cunningham, revealing the public figure’s dark secrets, and ultimately bringing some good into the world, by destroying his evil. And this theme is ultimately the reason Donnie sacrifices himself so that Gretchen may get another chance at life.

            A lot of other issues are touched upon in the film, including bullying, social isolation, love, sex, and challenging authority. From an outsiders perspective, Donnie seems like a sociopathic arsonist set on a path of destruction, but since the story is told through his eyes, we get a glimpse of the psychological burden he carries on a day-to-day basis, and empathize with his desire for truth.

Reader’s Annotation: A jet engine crashes through the roof of Donnie Darko’s room at the same time he wakes up on a golf course. Mysterious events ensue, and Donnie is faced with changing his fate.

Director Information: Wikipedia states, “James Richard Kelly (born March 28, 1975) is an American film director and writer, best known for writing and directing the cult classic Donnie Darko in 2001.

Kelly was born James Richard Kelly in Newport News, Virginia, the son of Lane Kelly and Ennis Kelly.[citation needed] He grew up in Midlothian, Virginiawhere he attended Midlothian High School and graduated in 1993.[citation needed] When he was a child, his father worked for NASA on the Mars Viking Lander program. He won a scholarship to the University of Southern California to study at the USC School of Cinema-Television where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He made two short films at USC, The Goodbye Place and Visceral Matter, before graduating in 1997.

Although Richard Kelly's films differ considerably in setting and characters (Donnie Darko is about a suburban teenager, Southland Tales is an L.A. epic, and The Box is about a married couple in Richmond, Virginia), they share similar themes of time travel, existentialism, and spirituality.”

Genre: Science Fiction, Drama

Subjects: psychiatry, emotional problems, family, relationships

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: How does Donnie use time travel to change his fate and the fate of others?

What does the rabbit, Frank, symbolize?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 16+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due to violence, criminal activity, profanity, and sexual themes, this movie 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.

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

4.     Mixed reviews and list of awards won and nominated for.

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

Reasons for Selection: This movie introduces some very complex philosophical questions in a format that teens will be very drawn to. The dark imagery, mystery, and superb soundtrack will appeal to teens, as they did with me. This movie came out right before I graduated high school, and it was the first movie that blew my mind and made me want to watch it over and over in order to analyze and understand it. You could even say it triggered my interest in more avante-gard cinema. Most importantly, it touches on familiar themes to teens: fitting in, seeking acceptance and love, and dealing with unpredictable emotions. It was the winner of many awards.

Ghost World

Bibliographic Information: Cross, P., Day, J. (Producers), & Zwigoff, T. (Director). (2002). Ghost world. [DVD]. United States: MGM.

Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi

Plot Summary: “High school is like the training wheels for the bicycle of real life,” says the girl in a head-brace, giving a commencement speech. Enid frowns in the audience and rolls her eyes, looking towards her best friend, Rebecca, and they laugh. They have been best friends since always, and can’t wait to get an apartment together this summer. But when Enid unrolls her diploma, she finds out that she is required to take a remedial summer art class, which will delay their plans. At the graduation dance, the girls encounter some of their classmates who seem to have their whole lives planned, acting classes, college, scholarships—but the girls, as usual, scoff and sneer at everyone.

            They continue on through summer as if high school never ended, meeting at cheesy 50’s theme diners and making fun of people. One day, they look in the personals to find their “future husbands” and prank call one  of the ads, setting up a blind date with a man named Seymour. He shows up at the diner, but they just make fun of him from far away. Feeling remorseful, Enid wants to follow him. They find him selling vinyl records at his apartment, where their friendship sparks.

            Meanwhile, Rebecca is focused on getting the apartment, figuring that if they dress like yuppies, they will have a better chance. Enid dyes her hair green instead. When she is made fun of for trying to be “punk” she dyes it back to black. She listens to the record she bought from Seymour, falling in love with one of the blues tracks.

            Rebecca gets a job as a barista, and seems to gain a better grasp on adult life, while Enid still struggles with every job she gets (quitting on the first day) and simultaneously struggling to succeed in art class, where her teacher is pushing her to create art that has a deeper meaning.

            The girls grow apart, as Rebecca is more sure of who she is and what she wants, and Enid is in the opposite situation. Enid eventually decides to get on a mysterious bus and leaves her life behind.

 

Critical Evaluation: Based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, Ghost World tackles issues of identity, isolation, racism, and growing up. We watch the two female characters grow up and grow apart, as each is faced with different challenges. Enid is usually ridiculed by boys for being Jewish, while her blonde and beautiful best friend Rebecca has to dodge their constant come-ons. We can see Enid’s frustration in the scene where she dyes her hair green and back to black—a reflection of her inability to take on any one identity.

Neither of the girls plan to go to college, and Rebecca’s dream of having her own apartment seems shallow, as she becomes obsessed with buying blue tumblers and other domestic accessories. Enid’s great struggle is with her art. When she finds out that Seymour’s place of work used to have a racist name and logo, she submits a giant “sambo” poster to an art show. The startling image gains immediate negative response from the crowd, and she is failed and loses an art scholarship. Her teacher was the only person who understood the message she was trying to send: racism used be out in the open, and now its still there, just hidden. Enid knows from experience.

The positive message lies within Enid’s art journal. Throughout the film, she draws doodles of Seymour and herself. So when she gets on the bus at the end, we can only hope that she is pursuing art, but maybe in a less conventional way (like through the graphic novel medium that this story was originally told in.)

Reader’s Annotation: Follow Enid and Rebecca, social outcasts, best friends, and recent high school graduates, as they struggle with first jobs, love, and identity.

Director Information: The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) states: “Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, Zwigoff held several jobs before making his breakthrough feature: the documentary Crumb (1994) in 1994. His previous jobs included musician, shipping clerk, printer and welfare office worker.

Even with the enormous success of "Crumb", Zwigoff refused to sell out to Hollywood. His aversion to corporate commercialism is a well-known trademark. He turned down many more commercial projects while he struggled for five years to make a feature film out of Daniel Clowes's underground comic strip "Ghost World". Released in 2001, Ghost World (2001) became the summer art house hit and captured Golden Globe nominations for Steve Buscemi and Thora Birch, who played the teenage protagonist Enid. "Ghost World" also brought acclaim for Zwigoff and his co-screenwriter Daniel Clowes, a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in the 2002 Academy Awards. Ghost World wound up on over 150 Ten Best Lists for 2001.”

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0959062/bio

Genre: Drama

Subjects: adulthood, graduation, friendship, love, racism, art

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: What are the differences between Enid and Rebecca, and how does each character navigate the adult world?

How does racism effect Enid and her art?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 16+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due to profanity and sexual themes, this movie 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.

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

4.     Mixed reviews and list of awards won and nominated for.

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

Reasons for Selection: This was one of my favorite movies in high school, it complements the popular graphic novel well, and stars popular actors. Teens with an affinity for alternative lifestyles and music, will love the punk references, and obsession with vinyl records by Enid and Seymour. But most importantly, teens will identity with the struggle to fit into the adult or “ghost” world. the film was nominated for many awards, including an Oscar, and won many others.

Bend it Like Beckham

Bibliographic Information: Chadha, G., Nayare, D. (Prodcers) & Chadha, G. (Director). (2002). Bend it like Beckham [DVD]. United States: 20^th Century Fox.

Starring: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightly, Jonathan Rhys

Plot Summary: Soccer is the only thing Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra cares about, but despite the fact that she’s grown up in the Western civilized world of London, England, her Sikh family are trying to maintain their cultural values. Unfortunately for Jess, this means that soccer is out of the question. Not only is it too manly, but it requires her to show too much skin, and be strong muscled—not the fine qualities of a bride. It certainly doesn’t help that her sister is engaged, and the festivities surrounding the impending wedding day require Jess to stick her duties of shopping for wedding shoes, learning to cook an entire family meal, and showing her sister support.

            Against her parents wishes, Jess secretly plays soccer with some boys at the park and one day, an English girl named Jules, sees Jess’s skills and ability to “bend the ball like Beckham.” Jules asks Jess to join her soccer team, and reluctantly she does. On her new team, she shows insecurity about wearing shorts (a childhood accident has left her thigh scarred), but her coach, Joe, shows her his own messed up knee from several surgeries, and she feels better. As Jess struggles to keep her soccer practices a secret (telling her parents she has a job), her and Jules both develop a romantic interest in Joe. When Jules witnesses Jess and Joe almost kiss, their friendship is broken. What’s worse, Jess’s father, who started to show some support for her talent, witnesses her hugging her coach after an upsetting game.

            Jess is then accepted into a University and accepts the fact that she can’t play soccer any more, despite an American scout’s interest in her. Meanwhile, Jules is facing similar parental problems when her mother wrongly assumes she is a lesbian (simply for being athletic). But when both Jess and Jules are offered a scholarship in America, they find a way to mend their friendship and families in the process.

Critical Evaluation: Jess represents the multitude of barriers that have faced women through out history, especially women who are the daughters of immigrant parents. One the one hand, Jess is lucky to have a family that cares about her so much, but their traditional values are preventing her from finding an identity in the more modern world—a world that celebrates women’s ability to play rough like men. Jess feels like her parents are blind to her sister’s immoral ways of dressing sleazy, and secretly having sexual encounters with her fiancé. But Jess has an actual talent that can lead to success, and she’s not trying to deceive them—in fact, she wants to share her love of soccer with them, but they refuse to understand. With a little determination, she breaks through to her dad, who was an athlete in his younger years, and through sheer will power, makes her dreams come true.

Reader’s Annotation: Jess wants to be professional soccer player, but her conservative Sikh parents only want her to be proper lady and get married.

Director Information: Wikipedia states, “Gurinder Chadha (born 10 January 1960) is a British film director of Sikh Indian origin. Most of her films explore the lives of Indians living in the United Kingdom. She is best known for the hit films Bhaji on the Beach (1993), Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004) and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008). Her most recent project is the comedy film, It's a Wonderful Afterlife released on 21 April 2010.

Gurinder Chadha was born in Nairobi. Her family was part of the Indian diaspora in East Africa. They moved to Southall, West London when she was two years of age, where she attended Clifton Primary School. After graduating from the University of East Anglia, Chadha attended the London College of Printing in 1984/85 and studied for a post-graduate diploma in radio journalism, following which she worked as a BBC Radio reporter. Chadha then began working in television, and moved into film production in 1993.

She is married to Japanese-American filmmaker Paul Mayeda Berges, with whom she sometimes collaborates. They have twins, born in June 2007.”

  

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Subjects: independence, family, love, soccer, cultural heritage

Curriculum Ties: Culture and Society

Booktalking Ideas: Have your parents ever disagreed with your dreams?

How does Jess find a way to balance respect for her family and culture, without hindering her dreams?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issues/Defense: N/A

Reason for Selection: This award winning film offers girls, especially those who feel restricted by their cultural heritage, an example of a successful coming-of-age tale. The struggle to become independent without betraying family is an issue that will resonate with teens.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Bibliographic Information: Chbosky, S. (Producer) & Chbosky, S. (Director). (2013). The perks of being a wallflower [DVD]. United States: Summit.

Cast: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller

Plot Summary: Charlie is starting his first year of high school with no friends. Some seniors (Sam and her step-brother Patrick) introduce him to their social circle, where he is embraced as one of the wallflowers, and participates in some very grown up activities: mistakenly eating a pot-brownie, getting mixed up in a few love triangles with girls (and boys), going on driving adventures, and participating in a production of the Rocky Horror Picture show. On one memorable night, they drive through a very long tunnel, a song plays that no one has heard before, and Sam stands in the back of the truck with her arms outstretched. Intrigued, Charlie feels attracted to Sam. His new friends are always there for him, and he stands up for them in return, but since they are seniors, they will be leaving for college soon, and he will be back at square one.

            Meanwhile, Patrick keeps having flashback of his aunt who died when he was seven. He remembers loving her even more than his own family, and during an emotional collapse at the end of the film, his doctors reveal that he was molested by his aunt and had repressed the memory. He stick to his therapy, and meets up with Sam and Patrick after she’s been away at Pennsylvania State University. Sam finds out that the “tunnel song” was “Heroes” by David Bowie, and they return to the tunnel, where Charlie now stands in the truck, feeling “infinite.”

Critical Evaluation: Between the film and the book of the same name, I’m not quite sure what stands out about this simple yet moving story. Perhaps it is the subtle weaving of great bands like the Smiths and David Bowie that litter the soundtrack, or maybe it’s just the emotional honesty. Lines about feeling “infinite” sound cheesy out of context, but in the dreamy depiction of teenage freedom and potential, they are quite fitting. The sentimental tone of this movie makes it stand out, but so does the inclusion of LGBTQ themes and struggles. Charlie’s struggle is quintessentially young adult, but it is unique in that he has faced trauma: the suicide of his best friend Michael before high school, and the abuse he received from his aunt, followed by her tragic death. Charlie’s character adopts healthy coping mechanisms, such as writing to no one, that give troubled teens a glimpse of hope by suggesting they “write” their own destinies.

Reader’s Annotation: Charlie has had a rough year and can’t wait to start his first year of high school on a positive note. Too bad that’s impossible.

Director Information: Gale’s Contemporary Authors Online states, “Pennsylvania-born screenwriter, stage writer, and television writer Stephen Chbosky is also the author of the coming-of-age novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower. 

Chbosky did not intend The Perks of Being a Wallflower to be a young-adult novel, but because of its graphic focus on adolescent life it has been viewed as such by many critics. In an interview with Marty Beckerman for wordriot.com, Chbosky discussed how he responded to the criticism and controversy that followed the book's publication. "It's hard, because I didn't write it to be challenged. I didn't write it to be a controversial book. I can't really take it as a point of pride because it was banned someplace." Instead, Chbosky has reacted by "mourning the fact that people can't agree to disagree, and people can't find common ground. The people who object for moral reasons cannot see the value of the book, and the people who see the value of the book don't realize why it's upsetting to more religious people."

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Subjects: high school, fitting in, friendship, love, sexual abuse,

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: What does Charlie mean when he says he feels infinite?

What songs mean the most to you and why?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 14+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due to depictions of drug and alcohol use, sexual themes, and sexual abuse, this film 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.

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

4.     Mixed reviews and list of awards won and nominated for.

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

Reason for Selection: This is a heartwarming film that culminates all of the experiences of high school: struggling to fit and finally finding acceptance in unlikely people who are quirky and smart and introduce you to great music. It depicts a range of teen emotions in a very poetic way. Fans of the book will enjoy seeing the characters on screen.

Remember the Titans

Bibliographic Information: Bruckheimer, J. (Producer) & Yakin, B. (Director). (2000). Remember the titans. [DVD]. United States: Walt Disney.

Plot Summary: Based on a true story about a desegregated high school football team in 1971 Virginia, this movie focuses on the trials of coaches Herman Boone and Bill Yoast as he aims to increase his team's chance at earning a scholarship. Racial tension is high in this dramatic portrayal of a small town trying to get adjusted to the changes happening when blacks and whites are desegregated. After tough training and many pitfalls, the team conquers not only football (by remaining undefeated), but their racial differences, too. The team inspires harmony in the community, changing their town forever.

Critical Evaluation: This is one of those unforgettable and inspiring true stories that takes America’s murky past and reveals the capacity for human strength, determination, and love, despite our many differences. Watching the players evolve from disparate, rivaling groups, to a team and family, is heartwarming.

Reader’s Annotation: The Titans are a recently desegregated football team with a new coach bent on getting them a scholarship.

Director Information: Wikipedia states, “Yakin was born in New York City to an Israeli couple who met in Paris while studying mime with Marcel Marceau. He attended a yeshiva, and later, the Bronx High School of Science, where he was classmates in 1983 with actor Jon Cryer.

Yakin studied filmmaking at New York's City College. He moved on to New York University, and made his first deal for a screenplay at the age of 19.

After finishing school, Yakin worked in the film business helping to develop projects for several companies, and saw his first screenplay reach the screen in 1989, when The Punisher, a vehicle for Dolph Lundgren, was released. Yakin's next screenplay was The Rookie, starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen. Wanting to take on more personal material, Yakin drew from his experiences growing up in New York's inner city for his next screenplay, Fresh. Yakin opted to direct his screenplay for Fresh himself, and the film won critical acclaim, earning the Filmmaker's Trophy at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival.

Genre: Drama

Subjects: football, segregation, civil rights, teams, high school

Curriculum Ties: American History, segregation

Booktalking Ideas: Why is Coach Boone told that he will be fired if his team loses one game?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 12+

Challenge Issues/Defense: Due to issues of race and discrimination, this movie 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.

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

4.     Mixed reviews and list of awards won and nominated for.

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

Reason for Selection: Denzel Washington gives a great performance and the film won numerous awards.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

Bibliographic Information: Stone, T.L. (2009). Almost astronauts: 13 women who dared to dream. New York: Candlewick. ISBN: 9780763645021

  

Plot Summary: N/A

Critical Evaluation: This close look at a specific chapter in women's history explores 13 amazing women who paved the way for female astronauts. These courageous women proved, through a series of strenuous physical and psychological tests, that women were just as fit, if not more so, than men to be astronauts. Unfortunately, due to the social and political climate, vice president LBJ's actions, gender expectations and general resistance from NASA, these extremely smart and passionate pilots never got to become astronauts, but they certainly paved the way for future generations of women to enter space. Full of gritty details, expert research, and a passionate approach to this interesting topic, Almost Astronauts offers a reliable example of an important aspect of civil rights and sexism. Stone writes about the topic in a very poetic and engaging manner that teens will be very drawn to.

Reader’s Annotation: Find out just how difficult it was to be a woman…and an astronaut in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Author Information: Gale’s Contemporary Authors Online states, “Tanya Lee Stone is the author of dozens of nonfiction books for young readers, including titles in the "Regional Wild America," "Wild Wild World," and "Making of America" series. "I am passionate about nonfiction," Stone told Suite 101 online interviewer Sue Reichard. "I just love coming across a little-known piece of history or an interesting topic in science and finding a way to get kids just as excited about it as I am." In 2006 Stone expanded into fiction with A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl, a young-adult novel that was described as "one of the most honest treatments of teenage sexuality to be found in YA fiction" by Kliatt contributor Claire Rosser. "I absolutely love reading and writing within this genre," the author remarked to Teri S. Lesesne in Teacher Librarian. "The urgency, passion, drama, and importance, all wrapped up in transitioning from being a kid to an adult, is the stuff of life. I love immersing myself in it." In addition to her nonfiction titles, Stone has also published picture books that include B Is for Bunny: A Springtime Alphabet Book.
Stone, whose father was also an author, developed an early interest in telling tales. "I've been writing stories since I was seven years old," she noted on the Random House Web site. "Some of them were even published--in the school newspaper." After graduating from Oberlin College with a degree in English, Stone moved to New York City, where she spent thirteen years in the publishing industry. "My editorial background has definitely been an advantage in terms of craft," she explained to Cynthia Leitich Smith on the Cynsations Web site. "I edited hundreds and hundreds of books before I wrote my first one for publication."

Genre: Non-Fiction, Space

Subjects: women’s rights, astronauts, space, NASA, discrimination

Booktalking Ideas: How are women in the sciences perceived nowadays? Has anything changed?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 10+

Challenge Issues/Defense: N/A

Reason for Selection: This is an ALA Best Book for YA’s and won the Sibert Medal. Young girls interested in careers in the sciences and aerospace will love taking a glimpse into the history of their future professions. Students with research assignments will be provided with a wealth of useful information, resources and photographs, even if this book is intended for younger audiences.