Grade 8 Up—The goal of this title is to equip teens with information so they will be prepared to make healthy choices throughout their lives. With that in mind, the authors include a risky business self-test. Question number two states, "I have had unprotected sex" while question number seven states, "When I go into an area where there might be ticks, I don't take any special precautions." The broad nature of this quiz is indicative of the scope of this book. The bulk of the text arranges all manner of disease in A to Z entries; however, the organizational logic is at times confusing. "Genetic Disorders" includes cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell while Lyme disease and measles get their own entries. The extensive index will help students locate information. Most entries include a "Did You Know?" section that feature tables and graphs, a "Q and A" that attempts to answer general teen questions, "Fact or Fiction?" that addresses common misconceptions about the disease, and "Teens Speak," which includes first-person accounts from teens dealing with the disease. There are no photographs or illustrations other than a few black-and-white graphs, but the text is presented in a straightforward manner and will be accessible to most teens. A useful list of hotlines and help sites is appended.— Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up—The goal of this title is to equip teens with information so they will be prepared to make healthy choices throughout their lives. With that in mind, the authors include a risky business self-test. Question number two states, "I have had unprotected sex" while question number seven states, "When I go into an area where there might be ticks, I don't take any special precautions." The broad nature of this quiz is indicative of the scope of this book. The bulk of the text arranges all manner of disease in A to Z entries; however, the organizational logic is at times confusing. "Genetic Disorders" includes cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell while Lyme disease and measles get their own entries. The extensive index will help students locate information. Most entries include a "Did You Know?" section that feature tables and graphs, a "Q and A" that attempts to answer general teen questions, "Fact or Fiction?" that addresses common misconceptions about the disease, and "Teens Speak," which includes first-person accounts from teens dealing with the disease. There are no photographs or illustrations other than a few black-and-white graphs, but the text is presented in a straightforward manner and will be accessible to most teens. A useful list of hotlines and help sites is appended.— Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.