top of page

Magazines

Rolling Stone
Editor in Chief: Noah Shachtman
Publisher: Penske Media Corporation
Founder: Jann Wenner and Ralph J. Gleason
Year Started: 1967
Website: https://www.rollingstone.com/ 

Summary: Rolling Stone magazine is released biweekly and has articles about news in music, TV, movie, politics, and current culture. 

 

Critical Evaluation: Rolling Stone is a must-have magazine for any music lover. The issues frequently situate past and present music history in current political context, asserting that art and politics are meant to be intertwined. Articles about favorite artists and reviews of albums, movies, and shows will interest pop culture lovers, and the evocative cover photos will continually draw them in. 

 

On the other hand, Rolling Stone has been found guilty several times of publishing articles with false information, most recently in 2021. While staying informed on world events and politics is important, so is fact-checking. 

 

Reader’s Annotation: Rolling Stone magazine continues to keep readers up to date on the music world after over 50 years in publication.

 

Editor-in-Chief Info: “Noah Shachtman joined Rolling Stone in 2021 as Editor-in-Chief where he oversees all content, editorial strategy, operations, and manages the brand’s illustrious staff of editors, writers, designers, and producers reporting into Rolling Stone’s President and COO, Gus Wenner. Shachtman came to Rolling Stone from The Daily Beast where he served as Editor-in-Chief since 2018. Prior to beginning his career in journalism, Shachtman was a staffer in the Bill Clinton 1992 presidential campaign and a touring musician. Shachtman has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, and reported from Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia and elsewhere around the globe. Joining Wired as a contributing editor in 2006, Shachtman co-founded the Danger Room blog, which won the 2007 Online Journalism Award for Best Beat Reporting and the 2012 National Magazine Award for reporting in digital media. During his tenure at The Daily Beast, he helped turn the site into a “journalistic scoop factory,” according to the Poynter Institute. Shachtman attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is a graduate of Georgetown University, and is based in New York, NY.”

 

Retrieved from: https://pmc.com/about-us/person/noah-shachtman/

 

Genre: Music and Culture

 

Booktalk Ideas

  • Discuss why art and current events are related, and how art is often a commentary on current events.

  • Discuss why fact checking is important, and how failure to do so can discredit your efforts.

 

Reading Level: Ages 13 and up

 

Challenge Issues: Provocative images/some inappropriate content within interviews/left leaning politics 

 

Reason for Including: Many teenagers love music, and therefore will appreciate the content of Rolling Stone. Additionally, by reading the magazine they will begin to be introduced to politics and culture. 

 

References

 

Shachtman, N. (Editor in Chief). (1967-present). Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/ 

National Geographic
Editor in Chief: Susan Goldberg (first woman to be editor in chief of Nat Geo!)
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Founder: National Geographic Society
Year Started: 1888
Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Summary: National Geographic specializes in reporting on human life around the world, animals and nature, environmental issues, history and culture, science, and travel. The magazine is also known for the stunning photos that often accompany its articles and appear on its covers. 

 

Critical Evaluation: National Geographic has become a symbol of worldwide culture, and is a must for any teen hungry for knowledge about all life that exists around them. With a bit of something for everyone, Nat Geo publishes articles on the environment, culture, and all areas of the world, showing how people in different countries, religions, and circumstances live. Any teen interested in photojournalism will also benefit from reading Nat Geo, as it has become known for the stunning photographs that accompany its articles.

 

Reader’s Annotation: With its captivating photography and coverage of nature and culture around the world, National Geographic will have an article for any reader. 

 

Editor in Chief Info: “Susan Goldberg is editor in chief of National Geographic and editorial director of National Geographic Partners. As editorial director, she leads all journalism across platforms, including digital journalism, magazines, podcasts, maps, newsletters, and Instagram. She was named editorial director in October 2015 and editor in chief of National Geographic magazine in April 2014. She is the 10th editor and first female editor of the magazine since it was first published in October 1888. 

 

Under her leadership, National Geographic has been honored with nine National Magazine Awards, including four awards in 2020 and the top prize for General Excellence in 2019. In 2020, National Geographic also was named the Webby Media Company of the Year, with a total of 15 awards, as well as earning the Gold Medal as Brand of the Year for the Society of Publication Designers, the most prestigious award for visual journalism in the industry. In addition, National Geographic was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 2019 and for Explanatory Reporting in 2017. The magazine has received numerous other awards for photography, storytelling and graphics. Goldberg also has led reporting that was honored with multiple local, state and national awards, including the Pulitzer Prize at the San Jose Mercury News (1990/Breaking News), and four finalists for the Pulitzer at The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer (2008/Commentary; 2009/Feature Writing and Commentary; 2010/Commentary).”

 

Retrieved from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/experts/susan-goldberg/ 

 

Genre: History/nature/journalism/photojournalism

 

Booktalk Ideas:

  • They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Discuss this while looking at some popular issues of National Geographic.

 

Reading Level: Ages 14 and up

 

Challenge Issues: Some articles may not be suitable for all readers, and each patron of the library should decide for themselves which issues are appropriate for them. 

 

Reason for Including: National Geographic is one of the most popular and followed magazines of all time; even those who don’t read it are familiar with its influence and photographs. Any teen with a natural curiosity of the world around them will find value in Nat Geo.

 

References

 

Goldberg, S. (Editor in Chief). (1888-present). National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Seventeen
Editor in Chief: Kristin Koch
Publisher: Hearst Corporation
Founder: Helen Valentine
Year Started: 1944
Website: https://www.seventeen.com/

Summary: Seventeen is primarily aimed at teenage girls, and exists both as a physical publication and an active website. It gives advice on fashion, beauty, love, and lifestyle, explores celebrity gossip, and publishes articles on current happenings. 

 

Critical Evaluation: Seventeen magazine has certainly come a long way since its beginnings in 1944. Currently, it doesn’t only offer advice pieces on fashion and beauty, but also online quizzes varying from topics like celebrity information to what kind of girlfriend you’ll be. Why some might criticize Seventeen for focusing on these topics, many teenagers are passionate about them and will be excited to take in the materials offered by the magazine. Additionally, Seventeen also offers articles on topical issues such as Black Lives Matter, with titles such as “17 Netflix Shows and Movies that Address Race” and “Racism is Detrimental to Public Health.” So while teens can learn about makeup and Justin Bieber, they can also learn about racism and how they can be advocates for change. 

 

Seventeen has been criticized in the past for photoshopping its models, but actions have been taken since to portray more realistic pictures and work towards body positivity. 

 

Reader’s Annotation: Whether you want to dig deep into Olivia Rodrigo or discover new Black female authors to add to your library, Seventeen is the magazine for you. 

 

Editor In Chief Info: “Kristin Koch is the Executive Director of Seventeen, overseeing the content and editorial operations for all of Seventeen's digital and print efforts. Before coming to Seventeen, Koch held editor positions at Glamour, Vanity Fair, and The Knot. In 2016, she founded lifestyle blog, Closetful of Clothes. A Chicago native, Koch graduated from Colgate University with a degree in History. She loves pizza, rom-coms and HGTV. “

 

Retrieved from: https://www.seventeen.com/author/1635/kristin-koch/

 

Genre: Fashion and beauty/Teen culture

 

Booktalk Ideas:

  • Discuss why we like to talk about celebrity gossip, how much is healthy, and when does it go too far?

 

Reading Level: Ages 13-19

 

Challenge Issues: Discussions of sex and sexuality/Articles that lean left politically/focus on love and romance

 

Reason for Including: Despite criticism, Seventeen still has the material that teens want on celebrity gossip, beauty, and having crushes for the first time. Now they’ve combined this with important cultural topics, continuing to show that teens can appreciate fashion and become role models at the same time

 

References

 

Koch, K. (Editor in Chief). (1944-present). Seventeen. https://www.seventeen.com/

bottom of page