Sonneborn, Liz. Shoplifting and Theft.

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Sonneborn, Liz.                   Shoplifting and Theft.  Rosen Publishing Group  64p         $31.95 978-1-4488-5558-2   2012  ms/hs              VG-BNS  series: FAQ: Teen Life                  Nonfiction

“Why do people shoplift?” is one of the frequently asked questions included in this volume in the FAQ: Teen Life series.  The nature of shoplifting as well as ways to help people overcome the addiction to it are well presented here.                The volume is divided into five essential frequently-asked questions.  In each, the author gives factual information to answer each question, augmented by narratives of specific shoplifting situations.  For example, the case of Winona Ryder begins the volume.

The layout of the text is attractive, with color photos and good use of graphics in the chapter headings and opening pages.  Myths and facts about shoplifting are highlighted. 

Supplemental material includes a glossary, extensive bibliographical references and a comprehensive index.  With the topic simply and clearly presented, this is a valuable book on an important subject.  It should prove to be a welcome addition to middle- and high-school collections.                 

Shoplifting                                                                                                                                                          --Pat Naismith

Brezina, Corona. Juvenile Detention.

Brezina, Corona.                Juvenile Detention.           Rosen Publishing Group                 64p         $31.95  978-1-4488-5560-5          2012      ms/hs   VG  series: FAQ: Teen Life                  Nonfiction           

This book describes what it means to be “in the system” and the various types of juvenile detention and juvenile detention facilities that exist.  It explains what daily life is like in juvenile detention, and what life is like for someone who has been in it.

Corona Brezina has created a responsible book that provides a great deal of unbiased information to teenagers in language they will be able to understand.  The layout is not flashy or overly colorful, but it is attractive, with modest borders and headings that enhance the serious text.  Full-color photographs and captions add interest and emphasis to the text. 

The book concludes with an extensive glossary, lists of resources and websites for more information, sources for further reading, and an index, making it a great resource tool for young readers.
Juvenile detention                                                                                                                                                               --Virginia McGarvey

 

Shattuck, Randy, and Kristina Lundblad. Kidnapping and Abduction.

Shattuck, Randy, and Kristina Lundblad.  Kidnapping and Abduction.      Rosen Publishing Group                 64p        $31.95                     978-1-4488-5563-6         2012      all ages          E-BN  series:  FAQ: Teen Life      Nonfiction

This is a common-sense book on how to avoid being in a situation where you can be kidnapped or abducted.  A lot of do’s and don’ts that will help children, teens and adults.                  This book covers the different types of kidnapping and abduction, how kidnappers operate, reasons why, and what to look for when approached by strangers.  It is a book that we should all read to remind ourselves that kidnapping can happen at any moment by anyone who may not even look suspicious.

The book includes advice for teenagers and children, for example to never walk alone, especially through areas that look very isolated.  Hitchhiking is really dangerous whether you are alone or with someone.  It is a bad idea, as both people could be overpowered at a moment’s notice.  Children should never be allowed to walk away from you, whether you are the parent or older sibling.  Even at home, there is danger -- if a repairman shows up at your door but you never called a repairman, do not open that door.  If someone knocks on your door wanting to use your phone, do not let them in.  However, you can offer to call for them.  If it is a true emergency, they will be thankful, and if it was a scam, you just saved yourself!

The book includes a glossary, pictures, a list of resources and web sites, a bibliography, and an index.

This is an excellent book for parents, baby-sitters, teenagers, children, joggers.  In fact, this book is for all ages.   

Kidnapping, Abduction                                                                                                                              --Magna Diaz

 

Doeden, Matt. Safety Smarts.

Doeden, Matt.     Safety Smarts.    Twenty First Century see Millbrook  64p  $31.93                978-0-7613-7022-2  2013    ms/hs            E-BNS       series: USA Today Teen Wise Guides      Nonfiction

This little book packs in a wealth of information for teen safety.  The book begins each chapter with an interesting and colorful double-page spread that includes photographs and a brief introduction of the subject, making it very visually appealing and sparking interest.  Chapters continue with a discussion of the subject and illustrations, diagrams, and additional photographs that enhance and clarify the text.

The informative text is written in brief segments and addresses several types of threats, offering sound information about danger levels, what to do in the event of a threat, and prevention.  The short, segmented script makes this a valuable, non-intimidating resource for reluctant readers.  The small font means that the book length is shorter, which will also make it more attractive to disinclined readers.  The book concludes with an epilogue entitled “Choosing Safety”.  This conclusion elaborates on the premise that events occur because of the choices people make, and emphasizes making good choices toward prevention.

This responsible book will be a great resource for young-adult and reluctant readers.  The succinct style, language, conclusive material and information, and visual appeal that Matt Doeden uses will inform young readers of the dangers they may encounter in life, how to deal with threats, how to protect oneself, and how to find help when necessary.  The book also supplies a table of contents, a glossary, selected bibliography, lists of resources for extensive further information, and an index, making it a very good resource tool.
Safety education                                                                                                                                         --Virginia McGarvey

 

Pawlak, Mark, D. Lourie, & R. Hershon When We Were Countries : Poems and Stories by Outstanding High School Writers

Pawlak, Mark, D. Lourie, & R. Hershon When We Were Countries : Poems and Stories by Outstanding High School Writers
Hanging Loose Press 2010 279p 19.00
978-1-934909-05-8 secondary Multicultural E-BN
A collection of poems and story written by high school teens. All of the writings have been previously published in the “hanging Loose magazine that specializes in publishing the works high school students. In this collection you will find the best of the best.
Very well written pieces by high school students are collected in this new anthology called “When We Were Countries.”. Selection for this book have come from the magazine “Hanging Loose” which is now celebrating it’s 44th year of publishing work by students.
In this new book the writing is quite sophisticated and sometimes quite complex to have been written by students. They have poured out their life in these pieces and are sharing their most intimate moments. Here students let loose and share their inner thoughts with us.
There are three pieces where their teachers share their experiences in working with their students and their techniques they encourage their students to practice. They also share how working with students has helped them continue to learn and practice their writing. They give excellent advice on how to encourage students to continue the practice of writing and through this particular technique their writing will become better and they will acquire excellent experience along the way. The teachers are candid and give very good advice to students and to teachers who are teaching the writing classes.
There is one special piece written by a former student writer who first published in the magazine Hanging Loose . He shares how this experience changed his life. Since then he has continued to write and has met with some success. Joanna Fuhrman is now on her fourth book titled Pageant and has just won an award. She share the fact that the experience of writing has had such positive effects for her and she encourages other students who would, or hope to begin writing to take that first step and just do it. you never know where it may lead. Diaz, Magna
United States - Teenage poems

Choyce, Lesley. Reaction

Choyce, Lesley Reaction
Orca 2010 98p 9.95
978-1-55469-277-4 hs Conflict VG
When his girlfriend Ashley becomes pregnant, Zach must deal with the damage to their relationship and the repercussions.
Part of the Orca Soundings imprint, this story provides a very frank and readable account of teenage pregnancy and the problems it creates for the teens involved, and its impact on family and friends. Told mostly from the point of view of Zach, the reactions of the teens and their families are realistically portrayed, as they explore the options - abortion, adoption and parenthood. The only odd note is the possible renewal of a previous relationship with Zach’s old girlfriend that becomes a loose end at the conclusion of the story.

Since the depiction is stark and frank in its protrayal of the teens’ having had sex and the unwanted pregnancy (even though there is no description of the sexual act), this book will not be suitable for younger readers. However, high school students will enjoy the book for its honesty and readability.
As with most Orca books, the reading level is 3.4, and the content is high interest for teens.
Recommended for high school collections where the issue of teen pregnancy can be explored honestly and openly. Naismith, Pat Teenage pregnancy fiction

Tayleur, Karen. Chasing Boys.

Tayleur, Karen. Chasing Boys.
Walker & Co 2009 244p 16.99 978-0-8027-9830-5 ms/hs
El must adjust to life without her father, a new school and a raging crush on the cutest boy at school who already has a girlfriend. She tries to keep her feelings under wraps, with the result that she often feels confused and conflicted about her life. This book captures the up-again, down-again moodiness of the typical teenage girl, especially when she is dealing with a life-altering crisis that has recently occurred in her family. The dialogue is realistic, the characters are well defined, and the chapters are short and easy. The end comes as a complete surprise, but it makes sense in retrospect. The book effectively conveys the sense of drama that teens feel regarding their friendships and romances. Kennedy, Carol