Sports Illustrated Magazine

Bibliographic Information:
Moore, A. M. (Chairman, CEO). (2009, Decmeber 7). Sports Illustrated (New York, NY), 111(22). ISSN# 0038-822X

Summary:
The magazine is for sports fans. There are standard sections that appear in each edition as well as feature articles that change from edition to edition. In this edition the cover story is about Derek Jeters being named 2009 Sportsman of the Year. This article discusses not only his fantastic season, but how he got where he is today. Another feature article is about Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid from The Eagles professional football team. Basketball fans can read about Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. There is an article focuses on Tiger Woods and his problems of late. There is an interview of Larry Bird by Dan Patrick. In addition six high school students from around the country are looked at as up and comers. Even high school football is discussed in the article discussing Texas and the impressive number of quarterbacks who come from there. Professional hockey is discussed in the article, Whole Lotta Nasty. There is even an article about professional golf. Michelle Wie is discussed in the article, Student of the Game. With the winter Olympics coming up there is an article on Kevin Pearce the new wonder kid of snowboarding. There is an article regarding horse racing and much more.

Critical Evaluation:
Wow, this magazine is chock full of articles on a wide range of sports. This is no wonder as the December 7th edition is a double issue. The articles are thorough, but have a definite point of view. The article about Tiger Woods makes it seem that Tiger’s fame has pushed him to his limits and the “media army … is sniffing around” his home. This almost seems to make the media out to be the bad guy. The photographs in the magazine are incredible. Some cover two full pages. Others capture action helping the reader to feel more a part of the game. The biggest problem with the magazine is the advertisements. There are tons. In a 156 page magazine there are 50 full pages of ads. This does not include the smaller ads appearing on pages alongside articles. It is unlikely that the magazine will be able to function with fewer ads as that is how it gets its revenue. Overall this is a good magazine. According to School Library Journal, “If you only have space for one sports magazine, this should be it.”
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6654566.html

Reader's Annotation:
This is a magazine for sports fans.

Information about the CEO:
Ann Moore is a native of McLean, Virginia. She graduated in 1971 from Vanderbilt University. In 1978 she received her Master’s of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. She joined Time, Inc. that same year. She has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since July 2002.
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/management/executives_by_business/time_inc/bio/moore_ann.html

Genre: Magazine; Sports

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; Sports

Booktalking Ideas:
• Which sport do you enjoy the most? Why?
• What are your thoughts about Tiger Woods and his latest behavior?
• Do you plan on watching the winter Olympics? Which event do you enjoy the most?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
High school - adult

Challenge Issues:
Advertisements

If the magazine is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire issue.
• Show positive reviews of the magazine.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the magazine:
• Request that the complainant read the entire magazine if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
• Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
o Positive reviews
o Selection policy
o Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a google search for teen magazines. One of the articles that resulted was in School Library Journal, a very reputable journal. Sports Illustrated was recommended in the article.