Friedman, Mark. The Democratic Process.

Friedman, Mark.   The Democratic Process. Scholastic/ Childrens Press 64p     $27.00      978-0-531-23055-8       elem/ms      Series: Cornerstones of Freedom (Scholastic/Childrens)      Good       

Published in a national election year, The Democratic Process is a timely volume. 

The text provides basic information about the creation of the democratic process, including a short discussion contrasting democracies and republics.  Key figures involved in shaping the United States government, such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison, are described.  Influential documents that impacted the development of the democratic process in the United States are reviewed, and links to some of them (the Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, U.S. Constitution, and the Patriot Act) are provided, but the discussion of the democratic process would have been more complete if the Articles of Confederation had also been included among these links. 

The text contains useful information, and the layout is appealing, including colorful photographs and illustrations, a timeline, glossary, index, and sidebars.  The text, however, is choppy, interrupted by the layout and sidebars.                                       --Hilary Welliver

Friedman, Lauri S. Web 2.0 Writing the Critical essay

Friedman, Lauri S.     Web 2.0 Writing the Critical essay 

Cengage (Gale,Lucent,Kidhaven/Blackbirch          2011   119p   31.80  978-0-7377-5026-3           

ms/hs Opposing Viewpoints#4  (Gale/Cengage) VG-BNS           This title in

Greenhaven╒s ╥Writing the Critical Essay╙ series presents opposing viewpoints

about Web 2.0 and the effects of social networking sites. The author also

explains and shows techniques about how to write essays. The format includes 

supporting research material, a bibliography, and an index. Recommended for

Tristate Books of Note.          This very good title in Greenhaven╒s ╥writing the

critical Essay╙ series presents opposing viewpoints about Web2.0 and the effects

of social networking sites. The editor, Friedman, offers various viewpoints in

six essays from various authors about the topic. Section Two of the book

elucidates the particulars of the five paragraph essay, the persuasive essay and

then gives examples and pointers on how to do one╒s own, with exercises to

assist. Section Three contains the supporting research material that includes

appendixes with facts, how to find resources, MLA style, and sample essay topics

on the subject. Helpful sidebars and examples will assist readers in their

projects. Additionally, the format includes: lists of organizations to contact,

a bibliography, and an index. Photographs, diagrams, and charts are placed

within the text  at the appropriate places to elucidate and develop interest in

the text. This well organized and informative book would be a very good addition

to most middle school and high school libraries; it will be very informative and

helpful to students preparing to do a research paper regarding a current subject

that will definitely be of interest to them. School librarians will find this

book useful and should be sure to tell the subject  teachers about this book

when they add it to the library collection. This title is recommended for

Tristate Books of Note, Series.

            This Gale/Greenhouse series on the Critical Essay includes many other

titles on topical issues that include: The BP Oil Spill, Gays in the Military,

Terrorism, Gay Marriage, and Bullying.      Weinraub, Tina

Friedman, Lauri S. Cyberbullying

Friedman, Lauri S.     Cyberbullying           

Cengage (Gale,Lucent,Kidhaven/Blackbirch

2011   114p               978-0-7377-5117-8           

ms/hs             Introducing Issues w/Opposing Viewpoints(Gale)         VG-BNS          

Utilizing expert opinions on both sides of the subject, this volume examines cyberbullying, and provides young readers with opportunities to express their own opinions.

This highly acclaimed series

tackles a difficult subject, that of cyberbullying, a growing concern in 21st

century society.  Using the tried and true Opposing Viewpoints format of

presenting conflicting opinions in companion articles, this series goes further,

by Evaluating Author╒s Arguments boxes at the end of each article.  Each of

these boxes contains thought-provoking questions and activities that will

further the readers╒ knowledge of the subject and help them to form informed

opinions of their own.  

The excellent choice of pro/con articles, inserted fact boxes and Evaluating

Author╒s Arguments activities, are pertinent charts and graphs, statistical

information, and include some first hand accounts.  Supplemental information

includes facts about cyberbullying, organizations to contact, bibliographical

references and an extensive index.  This is a very valuable addition to any

middle and high school social issues collection.

            This book is part of the Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints

series.  The series consists of 112 books at this time.  The focus of the series

is to present opinions in a pro/con format, to promote issue awareness as well

as critical thinking.    Naismith, Pat

Friedman, Lauri. Dangerous Dues: What You Need To Know About Gangs.

Friedman, Lauri. Dangerous Dues: What You Need To Know About Gangs.
Compass Point Books/Capstone 2010 48p 27.99 978-0-7565-4253-5 ms/hs

What’s the issue (Compass Point) A chilling look at gang involvement based on teen interviews. This book does much to dispel the myth and glamour gangs have received in popular culture. Why does someone join a gang? Several reasons are given in answer this question. Some join a gang to substitute for a family others join to gain a feeling of power and respect and still others are compelled to join. Those that feel compelled to join do so for protection or because another family member was in one already. Sometimes people think they will like the lifestyle which they perceive as one of parties, money and ‘bling.’
Sadly, gang membership is not a benign brotherhood and children find out the costs too late. Gang initiation can include beating, rape and sometimes being made to commit a crime. Once in a gang it can be difficult to leave.
The final message here is that it is possible to find a better life and the experience of several individuals are given as a message of hope. To get the support needed to leave a gang contact information for several organizations are listed.
There is a brief glossary and index included as well are references to other sources.
Spadaro, Trish

Rejected tales of the Failed, Dumped, and Cancelled.

Friedman, John ed. Rejected tales of the Failed, Dumped, and Cancelled.
Villard Books/Random 2009 249p 14.00 978-0-3455-0096-0 hs/adult

An entertaining collection of essays by writers or performers that either received rejection notices or stories of how that author had been rejected at the outset of their career.
Anyone who has suffered rejection will be reassured and entertained by the stories in this book. Each one tells about a painful story, in a humorous manner. In, "A Little Bad" Meredith Hoffa tells how life was good in the sixth grade ... that is until she got a bad haircut and the boys at a party told her they didn't think she was pretty anymore. Her solution was to focus on growing her hair. As if she could make it happen. Meredith is a former journalist and is now performing comedy in L.A..
Several of the stories are more than memorable. Peter Hyman's, "You are the Most Obnoxious Person Alive." describes an article written for New York Magazine. A month after the publication of this self-described, "lightweight, modestly funny ... story with a mix of facts and frivolity he received an E-mail describing him as the most obnoxious person alive. Hyman responded by preparing a PowerPoint addressing each of the letter writer's key points.
The variety of rejection is wide in scope and should provide a balm for those who's feeling are tender. TS