Magazines

Greetings!
Do you have any magazines in your library for kids to read? I hope so. If not, then here are some that you might consider. All these magazines have either been in my library or are currently in my library.

American Girl – very popular for all ages

The Cricket Group has a number of magazines they publish. Each magazine has a theme and all the articles, activities, and such are focused on that particular theme. These magazines are ones that we keep for reference like a book. We don’t discard them. Note: Not all of these magazines will be appropriate for your school. I really like the Cricket magazine that has stories and poetry, but occasionally the theme will be something like dragons or witches, so I don’t subscribe to this one. Consider writing to Cricket and requesting a packet to preview.
Appleseeds – cultural or historical topics for ages 6 - 9
Ask – science, history, inventors, artists for ages 6 - 9
Cobblestone – American history themes for ages 9 - 14
Dig – archaeology themes for ages 9 - 14
Faces – children and cultures around the world for ages 9 - 14
Odyssey – science for ages 9 – 14

Kids Discover – also has themes for each issue. The themes range from science, history, biography, current events, and more. This magazine is also one that we keep for reference. Appropriate for ages 9 – 14.
Ranger Rick – standard magazine on animals for kids.

Science World – current science topics; our 7th and 8th grades are usually the ones that use this magazine.

Current Health Teens – health and nutrition issues; also usually used by 7th and 8th grades.

Choices – a Scholastic magazine about teen issues and choosing the right thing to do. Our counselor requested this magazine and it has been a good purchase for us.

Kiki – this is a newer magazine that has fashion and design in it. The focus is not on being fashionable, but more on the design aspects of fashion. The clothing is appropriate and modest, without being weird or outlandish. Readers are given ideas on how to sew items, patterns, and much more. Ask for a sample issue if you have questions.

We also subscribe to Model Airplane News, Model Railroader, Motocross Action, Mountain Bike Action, National Geographic Kids, Ski, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Radio Control Car Action, and Ski. I am not sure that all of these are needed any longer and will do a survey of the students to find out which ones they actually read and want.

We have a few magazines for parents such as Consumer Reports, Popular Science, and National Geographic. National Geographic is donated to us by a family after they finish reading theirs.

People ask me how long they should keep magazines. If it is a popular magazine that quickly dates itself, discard it after five years or sooner if you need to. If it is a magazine that kids keep coming to no matter how old the issue is, such as American Girl, then keep them as long as they are still intact. We even do some minor mending on these. Use the needs of your library to help you decide.

I hope you have a great week. We are in the midst of the coldest weather I have ever been in. I hope you keep warm.

Audrey