TransWORLD SKATEboarding

Bibliographic Information: Phillips, S.  (Editor).  (2012).  TransWORLD SKATEboarding. USA: Transworld Media.  Website URL: TransWORLD SKATEboarding

Plot Summary: This magazine is made up almost entirely of ads featuring clothing or accessories geared towards skateboarders. The magazine is broken down into 5 main sections, called: Contact, Consume, Connect, Features, and Conclude. Contact is comprised of an editor's note and articles mentioning skateboarding awards and information tidbits. Consume (as in consumer) is made up of notable featured product reviews and mentions. Connect includes exposes on skateboarders and skateboarding techniques. Features offers extended articles on skateboarders and related skateboarding topics. Conclude  offers a one page spread detailing a particular skateboarder of note. All these sections are designed to give the skateboarder, or aspiring skateboard, a 360 view into the skateboarding world and subculture. 

The magazine site, TransWORLD SKATEboarding,  also offers several more articles and tutorials on skateboarding tricks and culture.

Critical Evaluation: N/A

Reader’s Annotation: Skateboard like the pros with TransWORLD SKATEboarding magazine. 

Information About the Publisher:TransWORLD SKATEboarding was originally founded by Larry Balma in 1983 (Dougherty, 2003). The magazine was begun as a teen alternative to the San Francisco magazine, Thrasher, which was not teen friendly (Dougherty, 2003). The magazine was then sold to Times Mirror 11 years later (Dougherty, 2003). Times Warner was then purchased by AOL Warner placing AOL Warner as the owner of TransWORLD SKATEboarding (Dougherty, 2003).

TranSWORLD is a huge part of the skateboarding world, establishing the TransWORLD SKATEboarding Awards (Bonnier Corporation, 2012).

Genre: Magazine

Curriculum Ties: Discussion on popular subcultures in today's teen community.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). Is the skateboarding subculture more acceptable than it was 20 years ago?
2). What kind of stereotypes surround skateboarding and those that skateboard?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+

Challenge Issues: Does include a subculture (skateboarding) that is often associated with delinquent and unruly behavior. I would use the following items to defend this magazine if it was challenged:

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this magazine in the titles you selected?: I included this magazine in my collection because it offers insight into the skateboarding culture that may interest some teens; specifically male teens. Most library magazines are often geared towards females. It is important to incorporate magazines for all audiences.

Reference Page:

Bonnier Corporation. (2012). TransWorld SKATEboarding. Retrieved July 8, 2012 from http://www.bonniercorp.com/brands/Trans-World-SKATEboarding.html

Dougherty, C. (2003, September 20). Corporate culture with skater roots. Union Tribune. Retrieved July 8 from http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/business/20030920-9999_1b20trans.html

Cover art from: http://www.pdfmagazines.org/magazines/8118-transworld-skateboarding-may-2012.html