Academic Search Complete Database

35. Academic Search Complete Subscription Database Review

Type: Subscription Database

Name: Academic Search Complete - EBSCO Host

Ages: 12 and up

Reader's Annotation: Need help finding academic journals? Use the Academic Search Complete Database to help you finish your school homework.

Summary: The world's most valuable and comprehensive scholarly, multi-disciplinary full-text database, with more than 8,500 full-text periodicals, including more than 7,300 peer-reviewed journals.

Critical Evaluation: This database is great for teenagers to use, because it has a lot of useful academic journals that students can use for their own research projects.  This subscription will be good for students because most colleges and universities subscribe to this database. Getting students familiar with this database will get them ready for researching once they go towards the next academic level. 

What makes this database better than others is that viewers are able to see the actual journal article in PDF form and instantly.  Also, they have good search results options in order to refine a search.  Items like limiting the results by magazines, journal articles, book reviews, trade publications or newspapers.  

Challenge Issues: None

Challenge Defense Ideas: 

• This full-text database is great for students who are writing a research paper and need quality references.
• Be familiar with the themes in the book and how they relate to children today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.

Edmodo Subscription Review

Edmodo.com About Page

33. Edmodo.com Subscription Review

Type: Subscription Review
Title: Edmodo
Link: http://www.edmodo.com
Ages: 12 and up

Reader's Annotation: Join over 34 million teachers and students safely connecting in online classrooms, collaborating on assignments, discovering new resources, and more!

Summary: This website is similar to a social networking site in that students and kids can communicate online and post about school homework, messages, and links.  It's purely online and many teachers use it.

Critical Evaluation: This free online social networking site is very useful for teachers to stay connected with students in and outside the classroom.  Teachers can post deadlines and assignments on the calendar, and each student has the ability to post to an assignment or status update.

What I like about this useful tool, is that Librarians can become relevant and have a bigger online social presence.  By creating their own online account, Librarians can assign summer reading during the long summer and post on the student's accounts.  They can also measure performance on a given assignment or by having students read a certain amount of books.  It's also very kid friendly and easy to use.

Challenge Issues:

• Students need to be reading not networking online.
• Money should be spent on books not on subscriptions.

Challenge Defense Ideas: 

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.  

Edmodo.com Features Page

Teen Vogue Magazine Review

27. Teen Vogue Magazine

Type: Magazine Review
Title: Teen Vogue
Publisher: Conde Nast
Ages: 14 and up

Reader's Annotation: The latest trends in the fashion industry.

Summary: This magazine features topics about fashion, health, beauty and celebrities.   It's a monthly magazine that focuses on the teenage version of this adult magazine.  

Critical Evaluation: Not only do teenage girls receive fashion tips from this magazine, they also have content on health, exercise, and relationships such as dating advice. Just like other teenage magazines, their content has seen a mix of topics to try and increase their readership.

This is actually a small-sized magazine that appeals to teenagers because of the image of fashion and celebrities that they admire.  Even though they have "Beauty Awards" for their products, as an example of an article, this type of idolization of 'beauty' can be bad for teenage girls, because it can make them self-conscious about their own body.  However, there are articles about how to use different make-up products to create your own look that you may be comfortable with.

Challenge Issues:

• Young Adults should not be reading magazines about fashion.

Challenge Ideas:

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members. 

Blue Bloods Series Review

21. Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

Type: Series Review
Title: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 336
Ages: 16 and up
Genre: Vampire

Reader's Annotation:  Blue Bloods is the epitome of a vampire story, Schuyler Van Alen attempts to get to the bottom of all her life’s mysteries.

Summary: Schuyler Van Alen is confused about what is happening to her. Her veins are starting to turn blue, and she's starting to crave raw meat. Soon, her world is thrust into an intricate maze of secret societies and bitter intrigue. Schuyler has never been a part of the trendy crowd at her prestigious New York private school. Now, all of a sudden, Jack Force, the most popular guy in school, is showing an interest in her. And when one of the popular girls is found dead, Schuyler and Jack are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Critical Evaluation: Melissa de la Cruz's vampire mythology, set against the glitzy backdrop of New York City, is a juicy and intoxicating read.  Like various vampire novel-series, many young adults are drawn to its suspenseful theme. This novel includes young adult topics and issues that are relevant to young adults, such as family ties, romantic relationships, and social status at schools. The romantic plot line adds to this story, which interests many young adults. Melissa de la Cruz intentionally mentions various “pop culture” references that a young adult audience can relate to as well. She is able to effectively draw her audience into Schuyler Van Alen’s world.

Challenge Issues:

• Novel is about vampires
• Novel deals with blood sucking of others

Challenge Ideas:

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members. 

Essex County

19. Essex County by Jeff Lemire

Type: Graphic Novel

Title: Essex County

Author: Jeff Lemire

ISBN: 9781603090384

Pages: 510

Ages: 14 and up

Reader's Annotation: Snow, Hockey, Family Drama and Canada. Welcome to the relatively simple life in Essex County. 

Plot Summary: This trilogy comprises the three graphic novels into one (Tales From The Farm, Ghost Stories, and The Country Nurse).  Tales From The Farm focuses on the story of Lester, his uncle and Jimmy Lebeuf.  The story revolves around Lester, and how he becomes friends with the gas station attendant, Jimmy, and their adventures fighting aliens in their own make believe world.  Ghost Stories is about the lives of two brothers who grow up playing hockey professionally, until an event sends them their own way.  Also, The Country Nurse, focuses on the nurse, Anne Quenneville and her involvement into the lives of her patients.  The last collections of the graphic novel series brings together the characters from the first two series.          

Critical Evaluation: This graphic novel is a winner of the ALA/YASLA's Alex Award, which "are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18" (YASLA Website). It's not surprising that this graphic novel received this award because of how fluent the storytelling is.          

This graphic novel is an excellent example of great storytelling through a combination of artwork and text.  The reader is easily attracted into the lives of the characters in Essex county and somehow falls in love with the environment that is Canada.  The juxtaposition of flashbacks makes each story very complex and dramatic.  Even though it's in black and white, there is plenty of emotion, drama and heartbreak.

What I found very interesting was the constant imagery of the crow/bird in the novel.  It seems to be throughout the story and really resonates as the constant that is within all three stories.  I believe that the crow represents the truth of things, such as _ having sex with his brother's wife.  It is there and you cannot forget it.  It still happened, and the bird is there to remind you of it.       

Challenge Issues: This comic book has very minimal amount of words for such a long book. Teenagers would be better off reading classic literature. This novel also has some foul language. 

Challenge Ideas: 

• Be familiar with the themes in the book and how they relate to children today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller

17. Batman: Year One by Frank Miller

Type: Graphic Novel

Title: Batman: Year One

Author: Frank Miller
Publisher: DC Comics; De Luxe edition edition
Year: 2007
ISBN: 978-1401207526
Pages: 187 pages

Reader's Annotation: Batman as you've never seen him before.  Before he was dark, before he was Batman. Discover his creation and emergence as one of our greatest hero's of Gotham.

Summary: Opening with the arrival of Lieutenant James Gordon in Gotham's police force, the story goes on to inform readers about the level of corruption permeating the force. They also witness Bruce Wayne's first encounter with the prostitute named Selina, who will become Catwoman. Wayne speaks to his dead father, asking for guidance, and is answered with a bat on the windowsill, and Batman is born. The remaining chapters highlight Gordon's continuing difficulties with the corrupt police force, Batman's early difficulties in protecting and using his arsenal of weapons, and the first villains he chooses to pursue (Amazon).

Critical Evaluation: This Batman is similar to the gritty and darker Batman that was in the Batman Returns. You really feel emotionally attached to the characters by the end of the story. 

Challenge Issues:

• Too much violence for teenagers.
• Teenagers should not be reading graphic novels, but classics.

Challenge Ideas: 

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.

Author: Frank Miller is considered as one of the greatest graphic novelist. He "is an American writer, artist, and film director best known for his dark comic book stories and graphic novels such as Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300" (Wikipedia).

World Book Encyclopedia

15.  World Book Info Finder Encyclopedia Subscription Database

Type: Subscription Database

Link: http://www.worldbook.com

Ages: 12 and up

Summary: This is the online encyclopedia that features millions of entries for United States and world history.  This encyclopedia has been printed since 1922 and is considered to be the #1 encyclopedia in the United States. The subscription version features is viewable in the library for free in the library, or at home if patrons have a library card.   

This is the online equivalent to the print encyclopedia, including a general encyclopedia, a Spanish encyclopedia, a Kids version of the encyclopedia, and an Advanced version with additional content. This database is the Public Library edition.

Critical Analysis: Whats great about this quick reference is that it features a ton of information.  Most libraries do pay for this subscription, but it would be in the best interests of your patrons to keep paying for it due to the access of information that they will receive from it.  

To buy this collection may be pricey, but the online version would highly used by teenagers if properly marketed in the library.  At home, patrons are able to use this database by inputting the library card and pin number and have access to the reference material.   

Challenge Issues: 

• Encyclopedias are old and are not good reference material. 
• Libraries should spend money on non-fiction books of various topics for teenagers. 

Challenge Defense Ideas: 

• Encyclopedias provide fast access to information. 
• Encyclopedias are a good resource for those that are leaning English as a second language. 
• Be familiar with the themes in the book and how they relate to children today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.