Sterngass, Jon. Same-Sex Marriage.

Sterngass, Jon.  Same-Sex Marriage.  Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark, 2012.  143p.  $37.07.  ISBN 978-1-60870-490-3       hs        E-BN  

Same-Sex Marriage presents an overview of the controversial issue of same-sex marriage from societal, historical, legal, and religious perspectives.  The topic of same-sex marriage is in the news every day, and as such, it is a topic for debate in many high-school classes.  This book is a truly unbiased presentation of all sides of the issue.  The author takes the reader on a systematic progression of subtopics, beginning with the reasons same-sex marriage is currently so controversial, and then jumping back in time to present a historical perspective on the issue.  As one reads through each chapter's perspectives, one builds a thorough knowledge base from which he or she can formulate a personal opinion. Side-bars present related information, such as “Some Cross-Cultural Comparisons" on page 37 and “Federal Marriage Amendment” on page 101.  Full-color photographs accompany the text throughout the book, which concludes with extensive chapter notes, references for further information (both text and web-based), a bibliography, and an index.        

The book is part of the Marshall Cavendish series Controversy!, a collection of titles that address many of the most controversial issues discussed by young adults.  The information is presented in an unbiased, multi-perspective fashion that allows students to develop their own opinions based upon the solid information found they have read.         Subject: Same-sex Marriage -- United States

Lynn Fisher

Burlingame, Jeff. Prisons.

Burlingame, Jeff. Prisons.  Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark,   2011. 143p  $25.95

sISBN 978-1-60870-493-4 ms/hs VG-BNS           

     Rehabilitation or punishment?  From the earliest times to the present, the prison system has been viewed in many ways.  The pros and cons of each argument about the penal system are highlighted in this informative volume.

As with other titles in the Controversy series, this volume brings the debate over various aspects of the current prison system and current legislation into the spotlight.  Beginning with a historical overview of the purpose and character of the prison system from its earliest days to the present, the author then goes on to highlight multiple views on the role of the prison system today, with personal narratives and profiles.  What is most cost effective?  Is rehabilitation a better solution than punishment?  Social activists, the parole system, different types of prisons, and release programs are all covered. 
     Photos and text boxes are used effectively to highlight interesting supplemental information.  The only problem is that the text boxes are placed in the middle of the narration in every chapter, interrupting the flow of the text. 
     A timeline, extensive chapter notes, and bibliographical resources, plus an extensive index, supplement the textual material in this volume for middle and high-school readers. 

     This book is part of the Controversy series, set 3.  There are six books in the series at this time.  The purpose of the series is to help students make informed choices, by presenting both sides of controversial issues.    

Subject: Prisons 

Pat Naismith