The Good, The Bad, and the Edgy

The teen magazine collection in the Canteena, the teen department at the City Library in Salt Lake City, is a sorry sight. The shelves are bare, the display racks empty. Those magazines that are on the shelves look shabby and tattered, their covers creased and wrinkled, their pages slightly loose and sporting the occasional scissor wound where Orlando or Ashanti used to reside.

In short, our collection is just as it should be: decimated, worn, and very well used.

To be honest, not every title receives such loving treatment from our teens, and each year we send a couple of them packing. This annual evaluation is essential, not only because it keeps the choice of titles fresh but because it gives us another chance to involve our teens in the selection process. Magazines with teen appeal cover a wide range of interests and reading levels, and the sheer number of choices makes teen input crucial. Simply put, there’s no way to create a collection that reflects your patrons if you don’t involve them in the process.

The recommendations that follow are, therefore, a starting point. There are so many appropriate magazines to choose from that you’ll definitely need teen input, and a good understanding of your community, to help narrow the possibilities. Some titles discussed have teen appeal but reside solidly at the younger end of the spectrum; others are clearly aimed primarily at an adult audience. Some titles will work in just about any community, while the inclusion of other, “edgier” fare—Punk Planet, Bust, or even Vibe and Spin—might be seen as inappropriate for the age group in question. Your mileage may vary, as they say, so pick up some sample copies, talk to your patrons, and create a custom magazine collection for your library’s teens.

Magazines for Girls. There are four core titles here—Seventeen, CosmoGirl, Teen Vogue, and ELLEgirl—and on the surface they’re an interchangeable bunch. My favorite, however, is ELLEgirl. That’s because in addition to the standard fashion spreads and advice columns, this adult spin-off includes timely features on culture and politics; real-life stories by teen readers; and an overall tone of inclusion, acceptance, and exploration that’s different from the rest of the pack. In addition to a couple of core titles, consider adding something like Sugar, the best-selling teen magazine in Britain, or Twist, a slightly more celebrity-heavy title (yes, it’s possible!). For younger girls try Girls Life or New Moon; for the older crowd, magazines with an edge include Bust and Bitch. Another new title already in high demand is ReadyMade, an adult magazine wildly popular with crafty teens.

Magazines for Guys. While guys read a lot of magazines, they are usually interest-specific, possibly because there is no Seventeen-equivalent produced for teen boys. You can fill the gap by adding appropriate adult titles like Men’s Journal or Men’s Health, and supplementing with a variety of special interest titles. Men’s Journal, produced for an adult audience, is filled with stories of extreme sports, descriptions of the latest electronic gadgets, and the occasional fashion spread. Men’s Health, which is actually aimed partly at older teens, is another good choice; in addition to fitness and nutrition tips, it includes features ranging from travel to relationships, from sports to finance. Depending on your patrons and community, the long-running, guy-centric fashion magazine GQ also might be worth a try.

Ethnic Magazines. Blackgirl is an excellent lifestyle and empowerment magazine aimed specifically at teens (and started by a 14-year-old girl from Atlanta!). Ebony or Jet should also be considered, especially since they’re produced for both girls and guys. The popular Spanish-language magazine Tu Internacional is another worthy choice since it’s published specifically for teens, but the bilingual Latina runs a very close second. Giant Robot, which covers Asian and Asian-American pop culture, will appeal to both girls and guys, as well as to patrons outside the targeted culture.

Gay and Lesbian Magazines. Though I receive more requests for XY, a good magazine aimed at young gay men, I think The Advocate is the best choice for most libraries. It covers both men and women, and it features consistently high-quality content. Out, a slightly slicker and more celebrity-heavy title, should also be considered, but if you have to choose one, The Advocate is the winner.

Religious and Inspirational. Guideposts Sweet 16 offers real-life stories of faith and encouragement from a Christian point of view. Brio and Brio & Beyond (for teens over 16) feature “articles and stories that encourage teen girls… to make godly choices.” Jvibe explores Jewish teen culture around the world and also encourages teen ideas, submissions, and feedback.

News & Entertainment. When it comes to newsmagazines for teens, the New York Times Upfront has no competition. Adult titles like Time and Newsweek are acceptable choices, but the teen-centric spin Upfront gives to its coverage, including teen-friendly photos and graphics, can’t be beat. There are several general entertainment magazines for teens, and most will prove popular. If you don’t mind a high ratio of photos to text—and the magnetic attraction such titles hold for scissor-wielders—J-14 or Right On! will do fine. But if you prefer entertainment, culture, fashion, and celebrity news with your pictures, Teen People is the core title for you. It will even appeal to both girls and guys. That said, my heart will always belong to Entertainment Weekly, which consistently offers the best, most timely coverage of popular culture.

Music & Culture. The core titles in this area, Spin and Rolling Stone, cover all styles and audiences, making them the obvious contenders if you can pick only one title. Both have potentially controversial content, meaning advertisements, which is not surprising since they are targeted to the 18- to 34-year-old market. But you’ve really got to include one of them in any well-rounded collection. In addition to those mainstays, it’s a good idea to include a couple of titles geared specifically toward whatever type of music is popular in your community. Vibe, Source, or XXL are adult titles that cover hip-hop culture, music, and politics. Black Beat and Word Up! are slightly safer choices if your crowd runs younger. Hardcore fans? Circus will give them the metal news they crave. For those into alternative content, you want Alternative Press (AP), another adult title that features news and reviews not covered by the mainstream media. Punk Planet is also a strong addition, depending on demand.

Sports & Recreation. There are at least three areas here that require representation: sports, gaming, and comics. (And this is where you can make up for the lack of general-interest magazines for guys.) In the first category, Sports Illustrated is the big one, followed closely by Sporting News, and the newer ESPN Magazine. Any combination of these titles is worth trying, though you should take into account that SI is weekly, while the other two are semimonthly. It’s worth giving ESPN a try; its oversized format and striking covers attract attention, and the varied content is sure to please most sports fans.

Like music magazines, additional sports titles should reflect the input of your patrons. See the annotated listings below for titles covering things like skateboarding, wrestling, cars, and skiing.

Gaming is another category where you’ll find a couple of general standouts and the need for a lot of customization. My advice is to start with at least one magazine on PC computer gaming, such as PC Gamer or Computer Gaming World. Add to that at least one title that covers all the console game platforms (Electronic Gaming Monthly and GamePro are both good choices). If you have the space and the funds, add as many platform-specific titles as you can. For teens who prefer nonelectronic gaming, adding Dragon, which covers all kinds of role-playing and card games, or Dungeon, which is specifically for TSR role-playing fans, is a very good idea.

The ever-increasing popularity of comics, manga, and anime—especially with teens—should be represented in your core collection, as well. While comic books fall outside the scope of this article, one magazine-style title must be included: Shonen Jump. This hefty monthly and its new girl-centric companion, Shojo Beat, offer the most popular manga from the publishers’ Japanese edition. To cover the rest of the comics world, add Wizard, a monthly guide to all comics-related media. From there, you can add titles based on the popularity of the medium with your teens.

Rounding out the collection. There are a couple of titles that should be considered for most collections, beginning with Mad Magazine, whose parodies have long been a teen-collection staple. Older teens might also welcome titles such as Career World and Young Money. The latter is flashier and offers young adults unbeatable information on “smart money management.” Careers & Colleges is another good choice, offering information on making the transition from high school to college.

Teens looking for a place to submit their own work, or interested in the work of their peers, will welcome Teen Ink, which includes stories, essays, poetry, letters, interviews, and art contributed by teens across the country. Cicada also welcomes submissions, as do the female-oriented Teen Voices and New Moon, both appropriate for younger adolescents.

For fans of fantasy and science fiction, Realms of Fantasy is a favorite because it includes not only news and reviews of books, games, and movies, but excellent short fiction accompanied by original art. For more fiction, consider adding Fantasy & Science Fiction. And if news coverage of these genres is in demand, Cinescape’s content ranges from Hollywood gossip and game previews to book reviews by artist and critic Gahan Wilson.

And there you have it, a core magazine collection for teens. It’s woefully inadequate, of course, given that there are literally hundreds of supplemental titles that could prove wildly popular with your teens. But it’s a place to start.

* Essential titles are starred

Adbusters. Published bimonthly by Adbusters Media Foundation. $35. www.adbusters.org. Adult. Adbusters “challenges consumer culture” by exploring topics like consumerism, geopolitics, and the media. This activist publication aims for nothing less than to change the way the world works.

*The Advocate. Published 24 times a year by LPI Media. $39.97. www.advocate.com. High school/adult. The premiere general interest newsmagazine for the gay and lesbian community. It includes news, political and social commentary, culture and entertainment coverage, and health and lifestyle reports.

Alternative Press (AP). Published monthly by Alternative Press Magazine. $12. www.alternativepress.com. Adult. This cutting-edge publication offers news, profiles, and reviews focused on the alternative music scene. For artists and information not covered by the mainstream mags, Alternative Press is the best.

Anime Insider. Published bimonthly by Wizard Entertainment. $18. www.wizarduniverse.com/magazines/anime.cfm. High school/adult. An excellent title for both newcomers and long-time fans. Features reviews and previews of anime and manga, interviews with popular creators, episode guides, and news from Japan.

Bitch. Published quarterly by Bitch Publications. $15. www.bitchmagazine.com. High school/adult. Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture offers an alternative to mainstream women’s media. Each themed issue includes commentary on everything from movies and television to news and politics, and includes book and music reviews, profiles and interviews, and a frank advice column.

Black Beat. Published monthly by Dorchester Media. $29.95. www.blackbeat.com. High school/adult. Covers hip-hop, rap, and R&B. Established stars and up-and-comers are given equal treatment in news and feature articles, reviews, interviews, and profiles.

*Blackgirl Magazine. Published bimonthly by Destiny Entertainment. $24. www.blackgirlmagazine.com. Elementary, middle, high school. Created by a 14-year-old girl from Atlanta, Blackgirl “focuses on promoting positive messages and imagery among African-American teens.” Includes articles on history, culture, and lifestyle, as well as news and information designed to entertain and empower.

Brio and Brio & Beyond. Published monthly by Focus on the Family. $18. www.briomag.com. Ages 12–16 and 16–20, respectively. These thin but popular magazines feature a conservative Christian perspective on issues faced by younger teens (Brio) and older teens and college students (Brio & Beyond). Fiction, an advice column, interviews, and profiles of prominent Christian performers make up the bulk of each issue, accompanied by extensive coverage of the publisher, Focus on the Family.

Bust. Published bimonthly by Bust. $19.95. www.bust.com. Adult. Covers topics similar to popular women’s titles but with a decidedly different spin. Like Bitch, each issue is themed, and includes articles, profiles, interviews, and reviews, as well as candid talk about sex, including a very soft erotic short story in each issue.

*Career World. Published six times a year by Weekly Reader Publications. $34.50. www.weeklyreader.com/teens/publications.asp. Middle and high school. Full of good information about education, careers, and the connection between college courses and employment. Coverage of the current job market and employment trends is especially helpful. Good job-search tips and interviewing techniques are hampered by the mediocre format.

*Careers & Colleges. Published quarterly by Alloy. $20. www.careersandcolleges.com. High school. A snazzy format and witty writing make this publication more appealing than the title might suggest. Articles about applying to college, financial aid, transitioning from high school to college, and the college lifestyle are helpful and detailed.

Cicada. Published bimonthly by Carus Publishing. $35.97. www.cricketmag.com. Elementary, middle, and high school. This high-quality literary magazine for teens is filled with poetry and fiction focused on the transition from child to adult. Includes a variety of styles and subjects and encourages youth submissions.

Cinescape. Published monthly by Mani Entertainment LLC. $29.95. www.cinescape.com. Adult. Cinescape, devoted to science fiction, fantasy, and horror, covers new and upcoming movies, television, and interactive entertainment. Every graphics-rich issue offers behind-the-scenes news, interviews, gossip, and information.

Circus. Published monthly by Circus Enterprises Corp. $19.99. www.circusmagazine.com. Adult. Hard rock, alternative rock, and heavy metal are the focus of this magazine aimed at older teens and adults. All the usual suspects are here—album and concert reviews, feature stories, interviews, news and commentary—accompanied by pull-out posters.

*Computer Gaming World. Published monthly by Ziff Davis Media. $24.97 (each issue comes with a CD). cgw.1up.com. High school/adult. CGW features lengthy reviews of new computer games, as well as tips and strategies for gamers.

*Cosmo Girl. Published 10 times a year by Hearst Communications. $14.97. www.cosmogirl.com. Middle and high school. Similar to its parent title, this spin-off features fashion spreads, beauty tips, and articles and interviews geared toward young women. Features on health, inner beauty, and self-defense offer a message of empowerment and self-worth… alongside the message to buy lots of cute clothes.

Dragon and Dungeon: Adventures for TSR Role-Playing Games. Published monthly by Paizo Publishing LLC. $36.95. www.paizopublishing.com. Elementary, middle, and high school/adult. Dragon is dedicated to role-playing games—not just D & D—and features lots of illustrations and advice on designing and playing games, building characters, and creating adventures. Dungeon is similar but specific to TSR-produced games.

Ebony. Published monthly by Johnson Publishing. $16.97. www.ebony.com. Elementary, middle, and high school/adult. The most widely read African-American magazine includes all the usual departments—news, entertainment, sports, religion, parenting, relationships, travel, and finances. These, along with reviews, recipes, and timely features, make this an indispensable title.

*Electronic Gaming Monthly. Published monthly by Ziff Davis Media. $19.97. www.ziffdavis.com. Elementary, middle, and high school/adult. Covers electronic games for all the major console systems including Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, GameBoy, and Xbox. Includes game previews and reviews, columns on new releases, and “special sections devoted to movies, records, and other subjects of interest to the male youth market.”

*ELLEgirl. Published 10 times a year by Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. $10. www.ellegirl.com. Middle and high school. A standout in the category of style magazines thanks to its global sensibility, its emphasis on DIY and low-cost style, and its features written by readers. The obligatory fashion, beauty, and boy content is still present, but with an individual spin that separates ELLEgirl from the pack.

*Entertainment Weekly. Published 56 times a year by Time Warner. $44.24. www.ew.com. High school/adult. The essential title for fans of pop culture, regardless of age. It offers information on the entertainment industry, best-seller lists, new releases, reviews, and in-depth articles about artists in the spotlight and behind the scenes.

*ESPN Magazine. Published bi­weekly by Disney Publishing World­wide. $26. espn.go.com/magazine/index.html. High school/adult. This oversized magazine is packed with stellar photography, funny columnists (some from ESPN SportsCenter), and information on all kinds of sports. The format and design make it appealing to sports enthusiasts of all ages and either sex.

Fantasy & Science Fiction. Published 11 times a year by Spilogale. $44.89. www.fsfmag.com. High school/adult. Features fiction and poetry by big names (Stephen King’s “Gunslinger” stories were first published here) and new writers, plus book reviews and movie commentaries.

GamePro. Published monthly by IDG Entertainment. GamePro: $17.97. GamePro EX: $29.97 (each issue includes a CD, strategy guides, posters, stickers, and more). www.gamepro.com. High school/adult. This all-purpose gaming magazine covers all the major video game systems and offers previews and short reviews of new games and gaming equipment. Includes strategy guides and tips, product news, and interviews with game creators.

*Giant Robot. Published quarterly by Giant Robot. $15. www.giantrobot.com. High school/adult. With its nontraditional design and cool format, this ode to “Asian pop culture and beyond” will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Features run the gamut from the serious (an examination of WWII propaganda) to the wacky (designing Boba Fett) and everything in between. Historical analysis lives side by side with product reviews of the latest Hello Kitty merchandise.

Girls Life Magazine. Published bimonthly by Monarch Avalon. $14.95. www.girlslife.com. Middle school. This general-interest title is perfect for younger teens and preteens. Articles on fashion, school, celebrities, family, and boys are complemented by craft projects, reviews, advice, and quizzes.

GQ. Published monthly by Conde Nast Publications. $15. www.gq.com. High school/adult. This classic lifestyle magazine for young men is known for its good writing and photography. Articles on style and fashion, dining, travel, health, finances, and pop culture round out the contents.

*Guideposts Sweet 16. Published bimonthly by Guideposts. $19.95. www.guidepostssweet16mag.com. Middle and high school. Marketed as an alternative to the mainstream titles, Sweet 16 offers similar content with a spiritual spin. Celebrity cover stories, true-life experiences, advice, and fashion and beauty spreads are mainstays, along with news, social and political commentary, and reviews.

Hot Rod. Published monthly by Primedia Magazines. $10. www.hotrod.com. High school /adult. Covers “the world of performance automobiles,” fantasy cars, muscle cars, and racing cars. Information on maintenance, restoration, and performance make this a true hands-on publication.

J-14. Published 10 times a year by Bauer Publishing LLP. $16.95. www.j-14.com. Middle and high school. J-14 (Just For Teens) is filled with celebrity gossip, photos, and not much else, but the scant text has no effect on this title’s popularity. Celebrity interviews, fashion critiques, and the occasional review round out the contents.

Jet. Published weekly by Johnson Publishing. $26.99. www.jetmag.com. Middle and high school/adult. Similar to Ebony, Jet features timely news about the black community. Departments include government, business, education, society, medicine, and entertainment, along with black history, sports, fashion, religion, and international affairs. A historical calendar of events and a television schedule make this title unique.

*JVibe. Published bimonthly by Jewish Family & Life! $18. www.jvibe.com. Middle and high school. Focuses on Jewish youth culture around the world with news and entertainment coverage that strongly encourages teen participation. With topics ranging from pop culture to Israel, this title is lively, provocative, and timely.

*Latina. Published 11 times a year by Latina Media Ventures, LLC. $12.97. www.latina.com. Adult. Latina is a bilingual fashion and lifestyle from a Latina perspective. Highlights include celebrity profiles and interviews and motivational features on the achievements of Latina women.

*Mad Magazine. Published monthly by E. C. Publications. $16. www.madmagazine.com. High school/adult. Politics, television, movies, celebrities, and everything in between are fair game for this long-running magazine of parody and satire. Wildly popular.

*Men’s Health. Published 10 times a year by Rodale. $19.97 + $4.97 delivery. www.menshealth.com. High school/adult. One of the best all-around lifestyle magazines for young adult males. Each issue features topics like fitness, survival, travel, and sports, as well as articles on nutrition and health, finances, and style. The regular column on relationships (including father/son relationships) is unique and insightful.

*Men’s Journal. Published monthly by Wenner Media. $9.97. www.mensjournal.com. High school/adult. Interesting enough to snag both male and female readers, Men’s Journal features lots of extreme sports coverage, action photography, and manly gadgets and toys. Music, book and movie reviews; columns on travel, lifestyle, and finance; and profiles of interesting people make this a very good choice for teens.

*New York Times Upfront. Published 14 times a year by Scholastic. $15.95. teacher.scholastic.com. High school. While it doesn’t look particularly inviting, Upfront’s detailed coverage of current news and events, entertainment, trends, and politics is worth checking out. Teens will enjoy the international scope and engaging writing, as well as the published opinions of their peers.

*Newtype USA. Published monthly by A. D. Vision. $80.95 (each issue includes a DVD). www.newtype-usa.com. High school/adult. The English-language version of Japan’s most popular anime and manga magazine includes loads of translated content as well as original features on U.S. anime and manga and the toys, games, music, and costumes that go with them.

Nintendo Power. Published monthly by Nintendo of America. $19.95. www.nintendo.com/nintendopower. Elementary, middle, and high school/adult. Offers previews, reviews, and ratings of Nintendo games, along with strategy guides, secret codes, cheats, and maps.

Official Xbox Magazine. Published monthly by Future Network USA. $24.95 (each issue comes with a game disc). www.officialxboxmagazine.com. High school/adult. While OXM does not offer the same quality as the late Xbox Nation, it does include all the reviews, previews, tips, and codes an avid gamer needs to survive.

Out. Published monthly by LPI Media. $14.95. www.out.com. High school/adult. This general lifestyle magazine for the gay and lesbian community includes more coverage of celebrities and pop culture than The Advocate but is similar in most other respects.

*PC Gamer. Published monthly by Future Network USA. $24.95 (each issue includes a CD). www.pcgamer.com. High school/adult. The cover says it’s the “world’s best selling PC games magazine.” And with good reason. Exclusive scoops and reviews on upcoming games, news, interviews, and profiles of game creators supplement the hints, cheats, and strategy guides gamers expect.

PSM. Published monthly by Future Network USA. $12. www.psmonline.com. Elementary, middle, and high school/adult. Promoting itself as the “100% Independent Playstation magazine,” PSM offers unbiased news and reviews, as well as tips, cheats, and codes for Playstation systems.

Punk Planet. Published bimonthly by Punk Planet. $18. www.punkplanet.com. High school/adult. An independent magazine dedicated to “living outside the mainstream.” The articles, reviews, profiles, and political commentary cover all aspects of alternative culture and offer news and information rarely presented by the mainstream press.

*ReadyMade. Published bimonthly by ReadyMade LLC. $19. www.readymademag.com. High school/adult. For crafty, DIY-minded girls, ReadyMade is the magazine they’ve been waiting for. Includes projects ranging from sewing to light construction to keepsakes.

*Realms of Fantasy. Published bimonthly by Sovereign Media. $16.95. www.rofmagazine.com. High school/adult. Original fantasy fiction is augmented here by book, movie, and game reviews. Media news, movie previews, interviews, and eclectic feature articles will draw teens, as will the lavishly illustrated artist profile and the regular column on folklore and fairy tales.

*Right On! Published monthly by Dorchester Media. $29.95. www.rightonmag.com. Elementary, middle, and high school. Right On! offers African-American pop culture especially for teens, with celebrities, lifestyle and entertainment news, and tons of photos. Great for reluctant readers.

*Rolling Stone. Published biweekly by Wenner Media. $12.97. www.rollingstone.com. Adult. The legendary music magazine offers the best in music journalism, as well as commentary on everything from politics to Hollywood. Music, book, and film reviews, celebrity profiles, and celebrated photographs are featured in each issue.

*Seventeen. Published monthly by Hearst Communications. $10. www.seventeen.com. High school. Still the most popular teen lifestyle magazine for girls, Seventeen offers news, celebrity profiles, features on teen issues, and of course, beauty and fashion advice.

*Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat. Published monthly by Viz. $29.95. www.shonenjump.com and www.shojobeat.com. Elementary, middle, and high school. Both magazines provide a huge monthly dose of the most popular manga from Japan, printed in right-to-left format to preserve the original artwork. They include news, interviews, and reviews. Ostensibly for girls, Shojo Beat replaces the now defunct Animerica.

The Source. Published monthly by Source Publications. $19.95. www.thesource.com. Adult. The “magazine of hip-hop music, culture, & politics” offers interviews, profiles, concert and music reviews strengthened by the inclusion of solid writing about the culture, atmosphere, and politics that “create the environment where rap thrives.”

*Spin. Published monthly by Vibe/Spin Ventures, LLC. $11.95. www.spin.com. Adult. A culture and lifestyle magazine masquerading as a music title. Outstanding writing, interesting profiles, and music scene news, in addition to reviews and lists, make this a good choice for older teens. As with Rolling Stone, complaints are usually spurred by the ads, not the editorial content.

Sports Illustrated. Published weekly by Time Warner. $45. www.si.com. Elementary, middle, and high school/adult. The most widely read and respected sports magazine, SI continues to lead the pack when it comes to sporting news and views. Celebrated photography, solid writing, and extensive coverage make this an obvious choice.

Sugar. Published monthly by Hachette Filipacchi UK. $56.40 (for U.S. subscriptions). www.sugarmagazine.co.uk. Middle and high school. The best-selling British magazine for girls is sure to be popular with Louise Rennison fans, among others, since it’s undeniably, obviously British. Besides the British slang, lengthy real-life stories are a unique feature. But the advice columns, quizzes, and fashion spreads will be familiar.

*Teen Ink. Published monthly by Young Authors Foundation. $25. www.teenink.com. Middle and high school. Teens anxious to submit their work should look to Teen Ink, a national magazine written and illustrated by teens. Each issue features fiction, nonfiction, poetry, interviews, photos, and art.

*Teen People. Published 10 times a year by Time Warner. $15.97. www.teenpeople.com. Elementary, middle, and high school. People Magazine’s teen-friendly offspring, Teen People is, in my opinion, a higher-quality publication and an absolute must for any teen magazine collection. Every issue covers fashion, celebrities, sports, and news, in addition to advice columns, interviews, and real-life stories.

Teen Voices. Published twice a year by Women Express. $20. teenvoices.com. Middle and high school. Like Teen Ink, Teen Voices is a magazine by teens and for teens, specifically teen girls. Features take a more serious approach, addressing issues such as racism, body image and eating disorders, drug abuse, sexual violence, and world culture.

*Teen Vogue. Published monthly by Conde Nast Magazines. $12. www.teenvogue.com. High school. Teen Vogue’s half-size format allows it to stand out from the crowd. Similar in content to its parent title (the clothes are not cheap!), this spin-off offers cutting-edge fashion, beauty advice, lifestyle features, and a look different from the other magazines aimed at teens.

Thrasher. Published 13 times a year by High Speed Productions. $17.25. www.thrashermagazine.com. Adult. Calling itself the “bible of teen culture,” Thrasher offers extensive coverage of skateboarding, including photos, tour info, and skater profiles. Music news and reviews plus features on “alternative activities” complete the content. It’s the “alternative activities” and language that will prevent this from being embraced for younger teens.

*Transworld Skateboarding. Published monthly by TransWorld Media. $19.95.www.skateboarding.com. High school/adult. Unlike Thrasher, Transworld Skateboarding sticks to spreading “the culture of skateboarding.” It offers in-depth coverage of skateboarding events, personalities, and techniques, as well as statistics, competition reports, and equipment reviews.

Tu Internacional. Published monthly by Editorial Televisa. $15. High school. This Spanish-language magazine features the same type of content as other girl titles like Seventeen, including fashion, reviews, celebrity profiles and interviews, and health and beauty advice.

Twist. Published 10 times a year by Bauer Publishing. $14.97. www.twistmagazine.com. Middle and high school. A good choice for younger teens, Twist is yet another celebrity-filled fashion and lifestyle magazine for girls. Heavy on graphics, light on text, Twist offers gossip and advice columns, quizzes, and photos.

*Vibe. Published monthly by Vibe-Spin Ventures. $11.95. www.vibe.com. High school/adult. A lifestyle magazine for urban males, Vibe will interest females as well, with its coverage of rap, hip-hop, and R&B. This title is sure to be wildly popular, but the content makes it more appropriate for older teens.

*Wizard. Published monthly by Wizard Entertainment. $28. www.wizarduniverse.com. Elementary, middle, and high school/adult. Known as a comics price guide, the breezy, slightly irreverent Wizard includes industry news, interviews, previews, and reviews. There are also art tips as well as coverage of related games and toys, movies and television, and books and music.

Word Up! Published monthly by Magna Publications. $29. High school. Word Up! is a good choice for younger teens who are into hip-hop and rap, since it doesn’t have the racy pictures and occasional foul language of Vibe and XXL. Be prepared for the posters to disappear immediately—and the photo pages, too.

WWE SmackDown. Published 13 times a year by World Wrestling Entertainment. $19.97. www.wwe.com. High school/adult. This official publication of the television show offers exclusive access to WWE stars. Interviews and gossip are paired with plenty of action photos, news bites, and show info.

XXL. Published 11 times a year by Harris Publications. $12. www.xxlmag.com. Adult. A title bound to be popular and controversial, XXL promotes itself as the “new voice of the hip-hop generation.” Music, style, sports, and politics get equal time, as do the scantily clad women that adorn numerous pages. As with Vibe and The Source, check out a sample before adding it to your collection.

XY. Published 10 times a year by XY Publications. $40. www.xy.com. High school/adult. Published specifically for gay men in their teens and twenties. Unlike The Advocate and Out, XY specializes in covering youth culture.

*Young Money. Published bimonthly by Education Foundation. $15.95. www.youngmoney.com. High school/adult. The only national money and finance magazine geared specifically toward young adults, Young Money is a welcome addition to the teen magazine landscape. Its mission is to make money management easy to understand, and it succeeds with good design, clear writing, and concise explanations.