This document provides recommendations for selecting music for tweens, beginning with selection criteria such as popularity, positive messages, and diversity. It then lists tools for finding music recommendations, including social media, review websites, and magazines. The document proceeds to recommend several popular artists suitable for tweens: Vampire Weekend, Adele, Arcade Fire, Robyn, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. For each, it provides background on the artist's origin, genre, why they are appealing to tweens, major albums, and key tracks. It concludes by providing a link to a video mix of songs from the recommended artists.

1. Selecting Music for Tweens: Separating the Epic from the Embarrassing by Jamie Cunningham & Andrea YeagerLIBR 264April 13, 2011

2. Selection Criteria Currency and popularity Released in the last two years Is it a “classic”? Are there messages a tween could decode? Will this music be a “gateway” to other artists/ genres Diverse communities represented Positive, affirming message Is it cool? Was it on Glee? Is it critically acclaimed? Will it require conversations with parents? Is there a clean version available? Is there buzz around it? TV show In the news In a movie

3. Selection Tools Asking Tweens what they like! Social Networking Sites (e.g., Facebook) Common Sense Media Pitchfork Media iTunes Spin Magazine Paste Magazine Rolling Stone Magazine Amazon MTV YouTube Personal knowledge 

4. Recommendations That Are Epic. . . . . . For When You Just Start to Love Music Recommendations by Jamie

5. Vampire Weekend Origin: New York, New York Genre: Indie-pop, Afro-beat Why is Vampire Weekend so cool? College friends from Columbia University Rise to fame via the blogosphere Multiethnic band LGBTQ friendly

6. Vampire Weekend Major Albums: Vampire Weekend (2008) Common Sense Media rating of “Iffy” for ages 12-14 (some swearing) Contra (2010) Common Sense Media rating of “On” for ages 12+ Key Tracks: “A-Punk” “Holiday” “Giving Up the Gun”

7. Adele Origin: London, England Genre: Soul, R&B Why is Adele so cool? Breaking down barriers for what it means to be beautiful “Fat Positive” role model Grammy Award Winner for “Best New Artist” in 2009 Latest album is a MASSIVE hit, topping the Billboard charts!

8. Adele Major Albums: 19 (2008) No Common Sense Media rating 21 (2011) Common Sense Media rating of “On” for 12+ Key Tracks: “Chasing Pavements” “Hometown Glory” “Rolling in the Deep”

9. Arcade Fire Origin: Montreal, Canada Genre: Indie-Rock Why is Arcade Fire so cool? They are one of Stephanie Meyer’s [author of Twilight] favorite bands Write smart songs about the importance of being yourself Their latest album, The Suburbs , is a critical and commercial success!

10. Arcade Fire Major Albums: Funeral (2004) No Common Sense Media Rating Neon Bible (2006) Common Sense Media Rating of “On” for 13+ for mentions to war The Suburbs (2010) Common Sense Media rating of “On” for ages 12+ Key Tracks: “Rebellion (Lies)” “No Cars Go” “Ready to Start”

11. Robyn Origin: Stockholm, Sweden Genre: Dance, Electronic Why is Robyn so cool? She plays the kind of music she wants . . . Not the kind that labels want her to play! Unconventionally pretty Catchy, smart tunes

12. Robyn Major Albums: Releasing music for over a decade Robyn (2005) Common Sense Media rating for 13+ for some swearing and references to drugs and/or alcohol Body Talk (2010) No Common Sense Media rating; does have a parental advisory sticker Key Tracks: “Dancing on My Own” “Indestructible”

13. Yeah Yeah Yeahs Origin: New York, New York Genre: Indie-Punk, Dance-Punk Why are the Yeah Yeah Yeahs so cool? Multi-ethic band (singer Karen O. is biracial [Korean & Polish]) Their song “Heads Will Roll” featured on Glee! Karen O. wrote the soundtrack for Where The Wild Things Are!

14. Yeah YeahYeahs Major Albums: Karen O.: Where The Wild Things Are Soundtrack (2009) Common Sense Media Rating of 2+ It’s Blitz! (2009) No Common Sense Media rating A personal favorite of mine; on my material’s blog!  Key Tracks: “Zero” “Heads Will Roll” “All is Love” [Karen O.]

15. Check Out Jamie’s Video Mix Jamie’s Tween Playlist: http://sites.google.com/site/jamiestweenplaylist/

16. And Now for Something Completely Different