Crises, Controversies
RSSReviewed by Melissa Rabey, C. Burr Artz Public Library, Frederick County Public Libraries, MD -- School Library Journal, 04/01/2010
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Current Issues Grades 5 & Up The Bottom Line |
Current Issues
It seems as though there’s always something new to worry about, some issue that’s so complicated that it’s hard to understand. These series, exploring topics pulled from today’s headlines, set about explaining those topics. Whether it’s terrorism, the world financial crisis, or improving women’s lives, the subjects are explored through compelling information accompanied by clear color photographs.
Grades 5 & Up
ANDERSON, Judith An Equal Chance for Girls and Women ISBN 978-1-59771-196-8. LC 2008044882.ANDERSON, Judith Education for All ISBN 978-1-59771-193-7. LC 2008044879.
ANDERSON, Judith Ending Poverty and Hunger ISBN 978-1-59771-195-1. LC 2008044881.
ANDERSON, Judith Fighting Disease ISBN 978-1-59771-194-4. LC 2008044884.
ANDERSON, Judith Healthy Mothers ISBN 978-1-59771-197-5. LC 2008044888.
ANDERSON, Judith Sustaining the Environment ISBN 978-1-59771-198-2. LC 2008044890. ea vol: 32p. (Working for Our Future Series). maps. photos. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Sea-to-Sea 2010. PLB $28.50.
Gr 6-9–The United Nations Millennium Development Goals are the focus of this series that was created in conjunction with Christian Aid, with each book addressing why one goal is necessary and how it can be achieved, and focusing on children who are affected by the relevant circumstances. For example, some spreads in Girls and Women discuss inequalities faced by females around the world and the reasons for them, and what can be done by governments and at the local level. While some of these stories were provided by Christian Aid, the stories of other children in the series remain unattributed. What’s more, the children featured span a wide range of ages, mostly from 8 to 12, but the books have a reading level of sixth grade and up, so it is questionable whether there will be an audience for them. Also, the layout is so busy that readers won’t know where to look first. Yet there are positives: each spread poses a question to prompt further thought, and every volume ends with a section of actions for readers to take to help meet the goals. Use of the UN Millennium Goals is laudable, but considering the concerns about the titles’ audience and style, this information may not reach readers.
ANDERSON, Judith Terrorism diag. illus. maps. ISBN 978-1-59771-201-9. LC 2008048179.HYNSON, Colin Climate Change diag. illus. ISBN 978-1-59771-199-9. LC 2008048176.
HYNSON, Colin The Credit Crunch ISBN 978-1-59771-203-3. LC 2009012127.
HYNSON, Colin New Global Economies maps. ISBN 978-1-59771-202-6. LC 2008048178.
KERR, Jim Diet and Obesity illus. ISBN 978-1-59771-200-2. LC 2008048177. ea vol: 48p. (The World Today Series). charts. photos. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Sea-to-Sea 2010. PLB $34.25.
Gr 6-9–This series explains a wide range of aspects of global problems and makes brief suggestions for solving them. Terrorism, for example, includes chapter spreads on jihad, cyberterrorism, and state-supported terrorism, and advocates responses such as those laid out in UN resolutions. There’s also room for the personal, as each title explores the impact of the issues on everyday life. New Global Economies is a valuable volume, showcasing as it does a challenge that is lesser-known than those discussed in the other books. The titles feature clear, serviceable writing, and a layout that facilitates navigation. Sidebars provide quotes from scientists and others, and, prompting further contemplation, “Thought Boxes” containing discussion questions are sprinkled throughout. A well-rounded examination of a variety of issues.
BEDELL, J.M. Combating Terrorism chart. ISBN 978-0-7565-4309-9. LC 2009038908.BURGAN, Michael Terrorist Groups ISBN 978-0-7565-4311-2. LC 2009034853.
NARDO, Don The History of Terrorism chart. ISBN 978-0-7565-4310-5. LC 2009026279.
TOUGAS, Shelley What Makes a Terrorist? chart. ISBN 978-0-7565-4312-9. LC 2009034861. ea vol: 48p. (Terrorism Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Compass Point 2010. PLB $27.99.
Gr 6-9–Many students have questions and concerns about terrorism, and these books do an excellent job of presenting the information readers will need. The authors go beyond al-Qaida to explore groups such as the Colombian FARC and the Palestinian PFLP. Commentary on tragic events–the King David Hotel bombing and the September 11 attacks, for example–shows the variety of terrorist attacks. Domestic terrorism is not ignored, either, as the titles include discussions of Timothy McVeigh and Ted Kaczynski. Although each volume is written by a different author, the style stays consistently clear and straightforward throughout, and the tone remains objective. A well-designed layout, with plenty of white space and well-placed sidebars, adds to the accessibility of the volumes. A great choice.
BEZDECHECK, Bethany Relationships: 21st-Century Roles ISBN 978-1-4358-3540-5. LC 2009012065.BICKERSTAFF, Linda Violence Against Women: Public Health and Human Rights chart. ISBN 978-1-4358-3539-9. LC 2009012062.
BRINGLE, Jennifer Reproductive Rights: Making the Right Choices ISBN 978-1-4358-3542-9. LC 2009013721.
FREEDMAN, Jeri Women in the Workplace: Wages, Respect, and Equal Rights ISBN 978-1-4358-3541-2. LC 2009013720.
MILLS, J. Elizabeth Expectations for Women: Confronting Stereotypes ISBN 978-1-4358-3543-6. LC 2009014429. ea vol: 112p. (A Young Woman’s Guide to Contemporary Issues Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Apr. 2010. PLB $31.95.
Gr 7 Up–These books explore some of the challenges facing modern young women. Facts are shared in a conversational tone, creating the sense of a chat with a big sister. In Relationships, a chapter on being your own best friend demonstrates the empowering mindset of this series. Reproductive Rights features an even-handed look at the pro-life/pro-choice debate along with a vast amount of information on contraception. Though the volumes are designed for personal reading and browsing, the data provided are accurate and also lend themselves to use in reports. This series will be of great interest.
CHING, Jacqueline Cyberterrorism ISBN 978-1-4358-3565-8. LC 2009022352.HALL, Linley Erin Killer Viruses ISBN 978-1-4358-3561-0. LC 2009018167.
LA BELLA, Laura World Financial Meltdown ISBN 978-1-4358-3564-1. LC 2009021090.
SPALDING, Frank Catastrophic Climate Change and Global Warming ISBN 978-1-4358-3562-7. LC 2009019571.
SPALDING, Frank. Nuclear Annihilation ISBN 978-1-4358-3560-3. LC 2009016685.
WOLNY, Philip Food Supply Collapse ISBN 978-1-4358-3563-4. LC 2009020621. ea vol: 64p. (Doomsday Scenarios: Separating Fact from Fiction Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Central Apr. 2010. PLB $29.25.
Gr 7-10–These volumes open with realistic what-if scenarios and continue with chapters that describe real dangers and what can be done to prevent them. Cyberterrorism envisions a Hollywood-style power outage, for example, and Killer Viruses imagines a boy affected by illness, in a vignette that’s reminiscent of the 1918 flu pandemic. These descriptions will draw readers in and show them that it’s necessary to consider facts when confronted by such a situation, without becoming distracted by the dramatic aspects of the problem. For the most part, the books do an excellent job of imparting information. The opening scene in Nuclear Annihilation might be a bit too scary for some readers, and World Financial Meltdown misidentifies the date of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall. However, this series has much to offer, such as an objective perspective on controversial topics like climate change. For this, and for of-the-moment topics, the series is a good choice.
FARRELL, Courtney Children’s Rights ISBN 978-1-60453-952-3. LC 2009029938.FARRELL, Courtney Mental Disorders ISBN 978-1-60453-956-1. LC 2009029942.
LUSTED, Marcia Amidon Poverty ISBN 978-1-60453-957-8. LC 2009030333.
MARCOVITZ, Hal Chemical Warfare ISBN 978-1-60453-951-6. LC 2009029947.
MARCOVITZ, Hal. Gangs ISBN 978-1-60453-954-7. LC 2009029862.
MARCOVITZ, Hal. Suicide ISBN 978-1-60453-958-5. LC 2009030354.
MARSICO, Katie HIV/AIDS ISBN 978-1-60453-955-4. LC 2009029954.
SHERMAN, Jill Drug Trafficking ISBN 978-1-60453-953-0. LC 2009029935. ea vol: 112p. (Essential Issues). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. CIP. ABDO 2010. PLB $22.95.
Gr 7-10–These books examine their diverse topics in some depth, and cover some seldom-discussed issues such as mental illness and suicide. The texts are well-written, providing examples that put a human face to each problem. Quotes and facts are clearly attributed, and their sources are noted in the extensive back matter. The books include well-chosen and well-sized color photographs, and the narratives are surrounded by generous amounts of white space. Sidebars provide further information, or, more compellingly, offer stories about those touched by the topic. These excellent editions combine facts and personal stories that will be of great assistance to students writing reports.
The Bottom Line
All of these series have positive aspects. The most useful for school reports are ABDO’s “Essential Issues” and Sea-to-Sea’s “The World Today.” Compass Point’s “Terrorism” series is an essential purchase for libraries serving middle school students, thanks to its clear approach and lack of sensationalism. And for browsing, Rosen’s “A Young Woman’s Guide to Contemporary Issues” is a great fit for many libraries. The same publisher’s “Doomsday Scenarios” and Sea-to-Sea’s “Working for Our Future” are supplemental purchases. Each series will engage readers, encouraging them to understand the complexity of the modern world.
