Magazines

By Clayton A. Couch -- Library Journal, 5/1/2007

Journal of School Choice. 2006. q. $400. Ed: Stephen A. Rollin & Judith S. Stein. www.haworthpress.com/journals. ISSN1558-2159. Aud: Ac (Subject: School Choice. Issue examined: Vol. 1, No. 1, 2006)

It isn't news, but it bears repeating: the American public school system has been struggling for several years now. Overworked teachers, crowded classrooms, and lackluster curricula have all been cited as reasons for the decline in world rankings, but it is the geography-based school district arrangement that has been attracting the most criticism recently. Journal of School Choice examines from every angle the concept of school choice, which says that deserving public school students shouldn't be penalized for residing in economically disadvantaged school districts. A necessary publication for academic libraries serving schools of education.

Launching a print-based literary journal in the 21st century is asking for trouble. High-quality publications are increasingly expensive to produce, and there are more literary periodicals—print, online, and otherwise—now seeking attentive readers than at any other time in history, making it harder for an independent journal like the readable, albeit somewhat conventional, GUD Magazine to find its niche. Indeed, simply being a quality publication may not be enough to attract much attention for this journal, although libraries with large contemporary literature collections should consider adding it.

Melding the worlds of high and low culture, the powerful, new powerHouse Magazine is a New York City magazine through and through. The premier issue, entitled "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn," captures hip-hop culture and its roots via a 30-year black-and-white photographic retrospective. Giving voice to the graffiti artists, rappers, dancers, designers, gangsters, and everyday people who helped to shape the hip-hop movement from its South Bronx genesis in the 1970s to its current worldwide presence, powerHouse belongs in all New York City libraries and in most large public libraries nationwide.

In Character's essays and articles examine what its editors refer to as "everyday virtues." Each individual issue concentrates on a specific virtue: the profiled issue's theme is self-reliance. Although it's tempting to categorize this as a self-help magazine at first glance, further examination of its erudite, thought-provoking contents dismisses such a presumption. Certainly, Willard Spiegelman's meditative Winter 2007 piece on the joys of walking ranges well beyond what one might find in Chicken Soup for the Soul Magazine, for instance. Highly recommended for most libraries.

A magazine for and about young Muslim women, Muslim Girl, with its tastefully progressive outlook on fashion, education, health, culture, sports, and politics, is a welcome addition to the newsstands. Feature articles on the difficulties of women's lives in contemporary Afghanistan form the centerpiece of the reviewed issue, with especially rewarding profiles of journalist Nelofer Pazira, 17-year-old American immigrant Sosan Yaar, and translator Najla Hamidi. Emphasizing the positive aspects of the Islamic faith in women's lives, Muslim Girl seeks to inspire young women to take charge and to affect the world in positive ways. For larger public libraries.

This innovative new DVD-only version of the previous print-based journal (launched in 1999) loudly proclaims its unique presence by showcasing audio poetry, film, and animation, forming a veritable "fusion between contemporary writing and film." The reviewed issue contains notable creations by filmmaker Takeshi Kitano and animators Ruth Lingford and Sandra del Rosario, as well as poets Sean M. Whelan, Brendan Lorber, and Ishle Yi Park. Publisher Devineni clearly deserves credit for helping to decouple literature from a one-dimensional print-based existence, and his innovative publication belongs in most public and academic libraries.

For battlefield reenactors, amateur historians, and laypersons interested in the American Revolution, Common Patriot is full of good things. The profiled issue's entries on the multifarious flags of the period, its articles on subjects such as the history of Connecticut Independence Day and the rattlesnake flag of Westmoreland County, PA, and its detailed calendar of Revolution-related events are highlights. While it won't attract interest in many locales, Common Patriot will reach its intended readership in historical society libraries, certain special libraries, and in public libraries with extensive American historical and genealogical collections.