Stand Up!

Gr 5-7–The author believes that readers can learn how to assert themselves and say no to or disagreeing with peers, friends, parents, teachers, and even strangers in a positive way. Each chapter includes why saying no is important in different circumstances. Conversations illustrate the wrong and the right way to do so. Some of the scenarios are mundane, like how to tell your friend that you don’t want to go to the movies or stay over at their house; others are more critical like standing up to bullies or saying no to sex. Each situation is given the same amount of emphasis.  Many of the conversations in the cartoon illustrations do not fit the text that they illustrate, and the index is almost useless. Five books are listed for further reading and five websites for more information; neither list is annotated. Some of the pages are very difficult to read due to the use of multiple background colors. An additional purchase for libraries in need of titles to boost self-esteem for this age group. Elizabeth Kahn