Broken Pencil magazine

 

Title: Broken Pencil

Editor:  Lindsay Gibb

Bibliographic Info:

Gibb, Lindsay. (2013). Broken pencil, 1 (58).

Descriptive Summary:

Broken Pencil’s primary focus is on zine culture, but it also covers independent arts, culture and music. This issue of Broken Pencil has a strong LGBTQ focus, but also includes the regular comics, guides, reviews of zines, books, comics, graphic novels and music, as well as short stories exclusive to Broken Pencil.

Evaluative comments with rating:
4/5 – Worth turning off your TV for.

There is no better document of zine culture in North America. Broken Pencil covers the margins and then some. The magazine is incredibly inclusive and no subculture should feel overlooked. This is a great accessible magazine that really attempts to great cross-country links between regional art and culture scenes. It attempts to showcase the best in underground culture while at the same time shining a spotlight on artists and projects that may as well exist in the fringes if it wasn't for Broken Pencil. It's a great guide for arts oriented teens who wondering what's happening in the rest of the country.

Suggested Audience (age range): 14+ Mildly offensive language and some mature themes

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Thoughtful, richly detailed, engaging, descriptive

Readalikes: Maximumrocknroll, Shameless, Bitch, Quill & Quire, Razorcake

Booktalking hook:

From page 33 Zine Philosophy: "What interests me about zines is that they carry an aura unlike anything else. it's impossible to grab a zine and not feel like you can make one too. They look easy. They look personal. And their significance is double: they deliver content and a quiet call to the reader to make their own."

Reason for inclusion:

Familiarity with the magazine and its publisher.

Category: Magazine/LGBTQ/Zines

Homo

 

Author: Michael Harris

Bibliographic Info:

Harris, Michael. (2012). Homo. Toronto: James Lorimar &  Company Ltd.

Descriptive Summary:

Will Johnson has the unenviable task of coming out in Chilliwack, BC. It is never easy and Homo charts Will's coming of age and his coming out as he discovers gay culture and online dating, confronts his fears and homophobia and learns to stand up for his friends. Along the way, Will Johnson learns to accept himself.

Evaluative comments with rating:
4/5  TVs - a new Canadian classic

Homo is at is best when dealing with the inner turmoil of its young lead, Will Johnson. Michael Harris captures his voice and inner workings perfectly and creates a likeable young hero struggling to do right by himself and those he loves. Homo hits snags when it comes to dealing with the characterization of its supporting cast - no one is very fully formed and by the conclusion of the novel the reader begins to feel that there's a few dangling plot lines and unresolved conflicts. Homo may be a tad short, but it covers a lot of ground from AIDS and HIV to LGBTQ solidarity to the problems of tolerance.

Suggested Audience (age range): 16-18 (mild language and depictions of sex)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Realistic, candid, angst-filled, character-driven, issue-oriented

  
Readalikes/Watchalikes: Queer as Folk (tv series), Rainbow Boys - Alex Sanchez, Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan, What They Always Tell Us - Martin Wilson, Bullied - Jeff Erno

Booktalking hook:
What exactly does it mean to tolerate someone's sexuality or orientation? Is the word tolerate a positive thing or a negative thing?

Reason for inclusion: Striking title and familiarity with the publisher.

Category: LGBTQ/Canadian/Series