Transworld Skateboarding

Issue Date: August 01, 2015

Editor in Chief: Jaime Owens

Publisher: The Network Enthusiast (TEN)

ASIN: B005TK6H3A

Genre: sports

Reading Level/Interest Age: 14+

Plot Summary: Transworld Skateboarding is a monthly periodical dedicated to profiling the latest and greatest skateboarders in the industry. With its strong bend towards textural photography and fluid movement, the magazine gives skaters the pictorial storyline they want. As the world’s number one skateboarding magazine, TWS is full of action. It’s all about movement—moving on your board, moving through the industry, moving through exciting new techniques. Even the photographs and graphic layout of the magazine itself show constant motion. There’s high contrast, ample white space and a distinct flavor of youth. The entertainment factor is strong throughout the articles, with tone and voice appropriate to young adult males. Interviews are an integral part of the magazine, answers always sparse and humorous. TWS is focused on connecting skaters with entertainment, information and quality.

Critical Evaluation: The tone of Transworld Skateboarding is very much on par with the easy and conversational manner of skaters. It’s informal to the point of becoming its own cultural dialect. Grammatical rules and proper pronunciation are less important than providing a voice that skaters can connect with. Mild profanity is commonplace, but stronger epithets are filtered. This style doesn’t imply that creativity or strong writing skills are lost. On the contrary, TWS writers communicate with a wit and humor necessary to maintain a devoted readership.

Reader’s Annotation: Catch some incredible moves and get insider info on the biggest talent and newest equipment in skateboarding!

Author Information: n/a

Curriculum ties: photography, physical education

Booktalks: skateboarding

Challenge issues: poor grammar; profanity; disrespect for authority; lack of text

Challenge Issue Resources:

• Library Selection Policy
• Rationale explaining why the item was chosen for the collection
• Active listening skills
• Awards
• Reconsideration form (as a last resort)
• Illinois Library Association (Banned Books Listings)
• National Council of Teachers of English “Right to Read”
• Positive and negative reviews: expert, parent, student
• ALA Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials
• ALA Bill of Rights on Intellectual Freedom

• 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.

• Libraries should 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.

Reasoning: Sporting magazines are a great way to encourage teen boys to engage in literacy. Transworld Skateboarding caters to the typical young adult male in providing a higher ratio of graphics than text, concise articles and entertaining interviews.