Looking for a Preteen Magazine

The Cricket Magazine Group from Carus Publishing has great magazines for all ages, toddlers through teens. www.cricketmag.com
The website has sample pages you may preview. If you sign up for their mailing list, you will receive special offers for $5-7 off each subscription. My 16 year old neice loves the Cicada magazine; her 12 year old sister likes Cricket, but is probably ready for the next level.

not a magazine, but a book you may consider...

Girls' Book: How to Be the Best at Everything, Girls' Book Ser.
SKU: 09780545016292

I just bought it for my niece & she loves it. My niece is 10, but the book is geared for older girls as well.

I have a 13 year old who loves to read and we got her a subsription to BRIO magazine from Focus on the Family. She loves it and thinks it is "cool" and I think she is gleaning some great information. You can get more info at briomag.com or focusonthefamily.com

Focus on the Family has great magazines for kids of all ages. They are age appropriate and still filled with good stuff. I totally agree with you holding off on Seventeen, that is way too old for her.
Here is a link to a magazine site: http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=TwiI6a2ZRy0&a...
In the Children's section there are several pages to choose from. I found several age-appropriate mags in the teens section, too.

American Girl is an ad free mag designed for girls 8-12 that provides "age-appropriate alternative to teen magazines, and features original fiction, lively nonfiction, party plans and projects, advice, quizzes and more."

About Girls' Life: The perfect magazine for girls ages 10 and up. Friends, fashion, quizzes, celebrity interviews and self-esteem. Parent's Choice award-winner!

About Calliope: CALLIOPE is the perfect world history magazine for kids. Specially written for kids ages 9 to 14, Calliope goes beyond the "facts" to explore provocative issues.

About Ahead of the Game: This full-color puzzle magazine offers something for everyone & promises HOURS of fun for all ages with its variety of challenging puzzles, interesting & informative articles, invaluable contests, & so much more.

About New Moon: Edited by and for 8-14 year old girls, New Moon is the beautiful, international magazine that girls, adults, and families love! Celebrating girls in all their diversity, New Moon is for every girl who wants her voice heard and her dreams taken seriously. 48 pages, no ads

I hope that helps!

Hi T.,

This is the first time that I am responding to a mamasource inquiry but I feel so strongly about New Moon Magazine that I want to tell everyone about it. It is a magazine for adolescent girls that celebrates diversity and multiculturalism. It has no advertising, but instead stories, essays, poetry, articles and art by and for girls. It is a forum for girls to celebrate who they are as unique individuals without the aweful Hollywood stereotypes.

Good Luck,
J. - mother of 10 year old twins

Here's a really good magazine article from AFA Journal which addresses your very concern from a Christian perspective. See: http://www.afajournal.org/2005/october/1005teenmags.asp

The article lists the teen magazines to avoid and why (mostly too much detail on sex and negative body images etc.), and also gives a list of parent approved teen magazines to check out, most being Christian but not all. I list a few below. All of the magazines are very teen girl... there's fashion, book reviews, music, movies etc.

If you're not too concerned about her perusing the net, direct her to this really decent online christian magazine aimed at teen girls:

http://www.briomag.com/briomagazine/spiritualhealth/

For more magazine lists go to:

http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianentertainment...

Last but not least, what about National Geographic, or a magazine for adults, but focused on a hobby such as photography, quilting, scrapbooking, crocheting, cooking etc.

My in-laws recently began subscribing to Seventeen magazine b/c my father-in-law wanted a teen magazine to have in his office for older kids. My mother-in-law was proof-reading it to see if it was appropriate b/c it is a pediatric office and has been VERY taken back by the articles. She said that there was even an article about how to get your boyfriend to have sex on the beach. Looks like people have sent you a lot of great options. Hope you find something your daughter will enjoy.

Personally, I would stay away from Seventeen, Cosmo girl, anything like that really. Even some of the womens magazines used to be ok, but now they are full of articles about how to stay "satisfied" and such nonsense. Everything has its place, but not all of it is for a preteens eyes or ears. I think , honestly, it would be best to stay within your moral guidelines of what you allow. Most of the secular mags are like that. Brio, Discover, even finding mags that are directly related to what they have an interst it..nature, conservation, fashion ( SOME of them). I HAD been letting one of my girls buy those pop star mags ( because of the Jonas Bros of course) but I found this little ad in the magazine that said " Wanna talk to someone?" call this number...etc. Are you kidding me?!!! Why not call it pedophiles hotline! anywho..that is my soap box. Hope it helped some. Just whatever you decide look thru the WHOLE mag , even the ads in the back and so forth.

Another person thought American Girl might be too young for 13, but I'd check it out if I were you. It does not push American Girl dolls etc. at all, and has very positive messages and a lot of focus on girls solving their own problems with friends, taking responsibility if they want to earn money or having real-life adventures. Lots of "it happened to me" stories with very positive angles. Some stuff on hair care or "so you have to wear glasses--what now?" but definitely not an over-emphasis on looks or fashion,which is a concern for me in our looks-obsessed world.

My 13 year old daughter loves Brio. I also order Breakaway (for my 15yo son), Clubhouse, and Clubhouse Jr. for my other kiddos, all from Focus on the Family. We have all been pleased. I would just recommend that even with these "safe", christian worldview type magazines that you know its contents. They have opened the door for some great conversations with my daughter!

I loved Highlites magazine as a kid. There is also Kids Sports Illustrated.

Hi T.,

I've been ordering BRIO (from Focus on the Family) for my pre-teen. She is 14 now and still reads it. I began ordering BREAKAWAY for my 13 year old son recently. I like the straightforward advice the writers give in their columns, very christian-based. I even find that my son and daughter will read the others magazine to get some insight as to what christian boys/girls are saying about them! I find myself reading them and then asking my kids what they thought about one article or letter, it really opens up communications!

Brio is about self-esteem coming from inside, not from make-up and skimpy clothing and other self-centered gimmicks like those older mags. Brio isn't about consumerism. It's refreshing! Stay away from Seventeen.

Hope that helped! B.

I just saw this summary and wanted to add to it, too. My daughter gets some magazines just for her (the day they come, she grabs them and holes up in her room until she's devoured the entire magazine - I remember those days!), and she's also starting to read some magazines that come for my husband and I (Time, Newsweek, Smithsonian, National Geographic) both for current events projects for school and on her own.

Regarding the Seventeen debate, kids at this age are so different. My daughter's taste runs toward the New Moon/Ask magazine side, but some of her closest friends love those teen gossip magazines with the boy bands featured on the cover. I think it's kind of like food - you need to present quality options for your child, but the occasional junk food is okay too. It just depends on their interest at the time. I know flipping through People magazine made it easier on me for the 10+ years my family has been going to the orthodontist for one child or another!

Here's my daughter's list for now: National Geographic Kids, Kids Discover, Muse, Ask, and New Moon.

Also, when I'm stumped with a reading question, I find the junior high librarians to be a great source for recommendations. Even if your kids are home-schooled, they're always happy to give a recommendation to spark a child's imagination.

Happy reading!

Brilliant Star magazine is phenomenal for kids up to 14. It is an award-winning publication, no ads, very positive messages, fun activities, and really great artwork. Focuses on making good decisions and character development with lots of fun in the mix. Features a comicstrip type story that my kids always look forward to as well.

Check out Focus on the Family for some great magazines. They offer one for kids of all ages, and boys or girls. My son (5 years old) gets the one for preschoolers (Clubhouse, I believe) and loves it! I think the one you would be looking for is called Brio. At least you know it would have good values and clothed models! :) Good luck!

I don't think I'm going to be too much help because I have little to no experience with preteen girls :D But I did just read an article about how Seventeen magazine is not appropriate for girls younger than 17 (hence the title maybe??? LoL) It said that it focuses too much on appearances and sexuality. But since I personally haven't read a Seventeen Magazine since was about 17 I may not be the best expert about what it has inside.

Hello! I saw your add and your reply that you are going to look into Brio. I just wanted to say that I used to get that magazine when I was younger and I loved it. I know the day it would come in the mail I'd almost have the whole thing read! They deal with real issues, but in a Godly manner. They show fashion and style, but in a good way and not saying you have to be to "thin" or anything like that. Its a fantastic magazine!

When I was a teen, I had YM and Seventeen magazine, but my parents also got me a subscription to YOU! magazine. It's a Christian-based magazine for teens with reviews for movies, music, extra-curricular activities, etc. It also dealt with relationships, the pressure for sex, the media's images of young people, and things of the like. Granted this was at least 10 years ago, but I'm sure it's still out there. I also had a subscription to Guideposts (another Christian magazine, though geared for adults). I was a "problem teen" and reading these two magazines helped me see things from a different perspective and actually got me talking with my parents more because they read the articles when I was done with them.

Even if she insists on things like Seventeen or other "teen" mags, read the articles with her, it will keep the lines of communication open, and she'll know she can ask you the questions she needs answers to (even if neither of you are comfortable with the questions/answers). I hope you can find something you're both comfortable with, but above all else, remind her that you know she's growing, you trust her, and that you're always there. :) It really makes all the difference. :)

You should check out the magazine Brio from Focus on the Family I think. Here's the link. http://www.briomag.com/briomagazine/
Seventeen is going to fill her head with a lot of pressure to look good constantly, give her more than she needs to know about sex, and not focus on the inner beauty she really needs. Just my opinion. I always liked Brio, the suggested donation for one year is $20 I think. Good luck making good choices for her. You are a great mom to be looking out for her! So many moms don't

There is a girls magazine put out by Focus on the Family. I remember getting it when I was young. Also, there is a magazine called PluggedIn that does reviews on movies, media and music and touches on alot of issues. It would be perfect for your daughter!
I picked up a seventeen magazine in a dentist office and it talked about the benefits of oral sex as opposed to doing the "actual thing". I don't know about you but that is something I hope my daughter doesn't learn in a teen magazine.
Good luck in your search!

CCM Magazine I believe is a Christian magazine geared towards the music industry and it has great articles. I would check the local Christian bookstore to check and see what is out there for her age.

A.

Hi,
I have been buying Brio Magazine for many years. Both of my daughters enjoy reading it. Brio Magazine has a few different magazines broken out into age groups. I think your daughter will really enjoy it!
R.

I would go with Brio Magazine

I don't know if they still publish it, but Brio, is a great Christian magazine for girls. They talk about music and other things. I thought it was a great magazine when I was a teen.

Check with Focus on the Family online. They publish a number of quality magazines (I think Brio is the girls' version). My kids also liked Plugged In, which reviews movies and music. These publications are well written, reasonable in their values and up to date enough to interest my teens and preteens.

SAHM of seven

My "almost 13yr old" LOVES the "American Girl" and so do I!!

How about national geographic? They have a youngsters mag called "World", or why not a sports mag if she's into sports? the problem with many of the teen mags is they ever so slyly promote sexuality,(sexual nuances of dress, hair, makeup, boyfreind questionairs, etc) and sexuality doesn't need to be promoted to children.

http://www.teenvoices.com

check this out 17 is just Hollywood gossip and being thin and beautiful

Check out New Moon Magazine, made by girls for girls out of Duluth, MN. This is an amazing magazine.

Tracy, would you consider
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Thanks,
P.
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My vote is for Girls Life. My 12 year old enjoys it!

Another magazine would be Kiki - www.kikimag.com - "for girls with style and substance". It's focus is creativity and helping girls find their own style - I believe there are no ads in the magazine.

Your public library might have subscriptions to some of the magazines recommended, so perhaps you could check them out (literally :-) ) and see if she/you likes them before subscribing.

Have you looked at getting the magazine BRIO. It is a Christian magazine but does a lot of different topics.

My 12 year old daughter loved American Girl and Girls Life, but she has outgrown them both. She will turn 13 in late September. She reads lots and lots of books. We still receive Kids Sports Illustrated along with Kids National Geographic. I think the new magazine subscription for girls that we have is TEEN VOGUE. She is also an avid gymnast so we also received Gymnastics USA. When we go to the bookstore, we also buy crafty magazines as well as cooking magazines. To my surprise, she just loves the cooking ones. Good luck.

My just turned 12 yo daughter enjoys Girls Life. You can read more about it and see what it's about at this website: http://www.girlslife.com/landing/girl-talk.aspx. Good luck!

I am a mother of 4 girls ages, 9, 14, 16, 19. They all recently began reading a book called "Young People Ask". It's the second one written for young people. They absolutely love it and it encourages them to journal their thoughts. It helps me as a mom because it also discusses the situations that young people face daily and answers questions that children have but are sometimes afraid to ask us parents.

Try the American Girl magazine.

Good ?..I need some ideas too

incase YOU'd like a good magazine for you and your dh - call 1-800-MARRIAGE It is a great magazine - we have been getting since 1989 and still love it! (http://www.marriagemagazine.org)

If you know someone who is Christian and into sports there is a really good magazine called Sports Spectrum! (http://www.sportsspectrum.com)

I can understand you being leary with "seventeen" but I was reading that at 12-13 years old. I was bored and moved on with it before the age of 17 so it must be geared at a younger audience. I haven't read it in years but I would make a trip to your local library and check it out and there are a ton of other mags in the teen section one's I've never even heard of. I'm sure you'll find something.

My Mom had Seventeen and she did get me a subscription to it. I haven't read it in such a long time but I liked it at the time. I don't know why you are against it but your daughter would like that magazine.

It sounds like you've got a terrific relationship with your daughter and she sounds really great! I started reading seventeen about that same age and my parents thought at first it wasnt so great but it all leveled out and nothing was bad about it. I think it was once they saw that i was reading it without turning into a 13y/o trying to act or look 17. It's a good magazine for girls that age. And look at it this way, at least she's not asking for cosmogirl!

Maybe you could check out American Girl magazine... that might be too young for her though being 13. I also agree with the New Moon one from Duluth.

I do agree however that Seventeen is really for a younger age than, well, 17. :) I was LOVED reading at that age too and read Seventeen... and I think there used to be one called YM which has now been made into Teen Vogue or Elle Girl, something like that. I'd think about buying a Seventeen and going through it yourself. It may be geared younger than you think it is. Yes, there might be articles on boys, etc - but I honestly think those magazines do try to send a good message on self-esteem and being yourself (well, aside from all the skinny models they feature - but maybe that's gotten better). By the time I was a junior or senior in high school, I still read Seventeen, but felt it was a bit juvenile for me (and I was in no way too grown up for my age).

When I was a young teenager (1990) I enjoyed Brio magazine. It's a Christian magazine for teen girls. I don't know what it's like now though.