special report

Six78th

The junior high lifestyle magazine
Premiere Issue

At a quick glance, Six78th seems like a typical teen girl magazine with a cute cover model and plenty of the normal teen fare: clothes, make-up, quizzes, advice, and reader embarrassing stories. But the magazine’s approach is interesting. For one, they haven’t banished parents from the picture and this issue even has an article with a very parental approach, so while some magazines have a “cool older sister” tone, this one is much more adult to young person. Although the magazine is not open to freelance writers (at this time), they're well worth a look as an unusual addition to a growing field. Magazines for tween and teen girls is expanding with several new magazines a year so the savvy writer needs to keep up with what's out there.

The Staff Letter in this premier issues says they remember how much they loved junior high because it was an exciting time of change. The stated goal of the magazine is to make those junior high years easier, and a lot more fun. They recently posted a casting call for models aged 10 – 14, which shows the reader age is probably predominantly tweens.

According to the publisher, Angie Rangel, "We have four full time staff writers, a panel of girls that we work with, receive feedback from readers, and are continuously updated regarding events and people of interest pertaining to our demo from publicists, advertisers, etc., so our needs are pretty much covered."

The issue I read certainly reflected that with virtually all the content from people in the masthead including:
Senior Features Editor: Carol S. Rothchild
Features Editors: Deborah Reber, Jennifer Slauber, and Lori Deschene

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ISSUE

Contents:
Six78th
Premiere Issue

Staff Letter: Already mentioned above.

Confidence Calendar/December – “31 daily ways to increase your confidence and get you ready for the new year!” Each day has a tip or suggestion include things like believing in yourself, thinking and speaking positively, getting involved in charity and other activities, and similar types of suggestions.

Which Holiday Hobby is Right for You? [Quiz by Beth Morissey] Five questions leading to suggestions about being a writer, chef, actor, fashion queen, musician, or athlete. Bright, but not really humor oriented.

Help from Brian and Jen – Reader questions are answered by a man and a woman. Has very cute illustrations with toys standing in for the advice columnists.

10 Signs You’re Being Used [by Lori Deschene] Article focuses on balanced friendships and how to spot a user.

Beauty on a Budget – winter skin and hair care products.

Oops & Ohs – Readers send in embarrassing moment stories. Reader ages are 11, 12 & 13.

A’s for Everyone [by Samara Skolnik] Five tips for getting better grades, including doing your homework, class participation, and working carefully. One-paragraph for each tip. Not humorous or lively, but very concise.

Fall Into Style – Models in modest clothes. Lots of t-shirts and jeans. The one skirt included leggings underneath.

The 5 Finger Discount [by Deborah Reber] Facts about shoplifting and the potential consequences. Includes information about a project encouraging teens to resist peer pressure to shop life.

Busted, the MySpace Story [by Carol S. Rothchild] How one parent handled her teen daughter’s MySpace account. Also includes online safety tips for kids.

A Healthy Balance [by Lori Deschene] How to be healthy without feeling so pressured to do everything right, includes simple tips for balance like not dieting (but making healthful food choices), noticing how much exercise just happens, not spending too much time in front of screens instead of being with real people, and facing fears to gain confidence.

Not Your Typical Pageant Queen [by Kaeleigh Thorp] First person account of a rocker chick who has also won beauty pageants. The article focuses on misconceptions and labels.

Fashion – clothes and winter accessories. Although some of the items are very expensive, all are modest.

A Million 2 One [by Noah Fowle] A profile of a woman who is a professional boxer and the obstacles she’s had to overcome when entering an unconventional sport.

Go Goth – room accessories that add a little goth, with suggestions for not making the room look too small and dark.

Try a New Style – hair suggestions.

Taylor Dooley [by Lori Deschene] Profile of celebrity with Q-and-A style. Questions about her activities, role models, and school life – also specific questions about her acting roles and life as an actress.

Winter Migration (more fashion)

Beat Those Wintertime Blues [by Jen Slauter] Ways to perk up the winter blues including exercise, outdoor time, normal sleep schedules, etc.

Holiday Helpers -- Some possible holiday gift ideas.

How to Handle Those Holiday Hassles (by Jen Slauter) Possible holiday problems and tips of dealing with them (things like holiday parties, getting unexpected gifts, and some fashion fun ideas.

U-Can Make a Difference – Encouraging Volunteering and Community Service. Includes ideas for ways to help based on your personality, and a checklist of possible things to do.

Junior High 10 Commandments (by Lori Deschene) Lighter look at some suggestions for Junior High.

This page last updated on 01 March 2007