New Moon: The Magazine for Girls and Their Dreams

Smart alternative mag for tweens and teens.

Pages: 49 Publisher: New Moon Publisher Published Date: 07/31/2006 Genre: Non-Fiction - Magazine PB Price: $5.50 Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 8-14 Read Aloud: 8 Read Alone: 10

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that NEW MOON is an alternative to mainstream teen magazines. While it is aimed at younger girls, it still deals with tough topics, including sexism, child abuse, and Internet safety. These articles are written in a way that's appropriate for young readers, but parents of tweens may want to read through issues with their kids so they can talk through some of the tough topics. The magazine features no models or ads; instead it has a Girls Editorial Board and photos of real girls. The no ad thing means it is a pretty costly book to buy ($5.50 per issue).

Families can talk about why this magazine exists. It was founded by Nancy Gruver, who wrote True Love and Flatter Abs: How to Navigate Teen Magazines for Common Sense Media; does New Moon succeed in being a true alternative? Are you more attracted to this magazine or a more mainstream title? Which makes you feel better about yourself? New Moon has an anti-mainstream media take; can a girl like this magazine and pop culture?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kate Pavao

This is a magazine that will really give young girls plenty to think about. They can start by considering the very way it was designed: with no models or ads, but with plenty of room for pictures of real girls, and stories written by them.

They can go on to read articles about girls growing up in other countries, girls who are becoming activists, and girls who are struggling with many of the same issues that they are.

Be prepared for a new age approach; besides the title, girls are asked to draw Luna, the spirit of New Moon, who also answers readers' letters. Also, some readers may be turned off by the anti-mainstream media messages in some articles.

But even girls who don't agree with everything published in New Moon are going to find plenty to feed their brains.

From The Book

I was reading one of my favorite magazines when I stumbled across a survey. It says that only girls can answer the questions about makeup and boys can answer the questions about sports. That made me mad because girls can play sports and boys can wear makeup. How aggravating!

--Michelle

Atlanta, Georgia

Plot Summary:

Six issues of New Moon are published each year with the help of the Girls Editorial Board and girl writers from around the world. New Moon "celebrate girls, explores the passages from girls to women and builds healthy resistance to gender inequalities."

Related Books:

Other Teen Magazines

Guideposts Sweet 16
Seventeen
Teen People
Teen Vogue

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Article about how to deal at a school dance, some information about periods, sexually transmitted diseases (with advice to see a doctor if having sex).
Violence Article discusses what to do if you're abused.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior There are no models in the magazine, but instead photos of real girls. Celebrates famous women -- and not-yet-famous women. Encourages girls to be themselves, be smart, and make the world what they want.
	Commercialism There are no ads in the magazine.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco