Sports Injuries.

Langwith, Jacqueline.  Sports Injuries.  Gale/Kidhaven/Blackbirch/Greenhaven/Lucent 2014  135p  $40.45  ISBN 978-0-7377-6358-4      ms/jr   series: Perspectives on Diseases & Disorders   Nonfiction  VG-BNS    

This concise book provides detailed information about sports-related injuries; however, it is delivered in a manner that will not intimidate young readers.  The crisply written text is based on data, graphs, and research studies that will introduce the reader to informative non-fiction in a manner that is succinct, interesting, and understandable.  The book also cites well-known institutions when presenting controversies around sports injury.  The authors also responsibly include information on the prevention of these injuries.

In addition to the very informative text, the book has visual appeal.  Each new chapter is introduced by a blue page with a chapter summary and sources the author used for the chapter.  Colorful graphs, illustrations, and captioned charts are interspersed throughout each chapter.  There are also “Fast Fact” caption boxes that provide additional information.  The strong text combined with colorful graphics will engage and inform young readers without overwhelming them.

This book is also a very good resource for middle-school research.  The organization, detailed table of contents, glossary, chronology, list of organizations to contact, information for further reading, and comprehensive index will help young researchers easily find information.
     

This is one book in the Perspectives on Diseases & Disorders series. There are currently 60 volumes in the series, each describing a particular disease or disorder.  The consistency of format in all of the books makes this multi-volume set a valuable addition for middle-school libraries. 

Summary: This book describes sports injuries, with information about ACL tears and brain injuries as well as the treatment and prevention of sports injuries. 

Sports injuries                                 --Virginia McGarvey

Scherer, Lauri S. The Taliban.

Scherer, Lauri S.  The Taliban.  Gale/Greenhaven      2013  132p  ISBN 978-0-7377-6283-9  series: Introducing Issues With Opposing Viewpoints  ms/hs  VG-BN        

This series is very similar to the Opposing Viewpoints series with more colorful charts, diagrams and photos and simplified text.  There is an effort to encourage readers to think more deeply about the articles by reading questions that appear before the text and at the end of each article, questions that require the reader to consider the qualifications of the author and how two authors may differ in their viewpoints.  The articles are all from the last five years, with polls and statistics from the same time period.  The writers represent an international community, with western authors as well as authors who either are Middle Eastern by birth or have spent a great deal of time in Afghanistan and surrounding countries.  The book is perfect for report writing. The introductory segments at the beginning of each unit of articles give background for the novice researcher.  Quick fact boxes, polls, statistics, charts, an annotated list of organizations to contact, lists for further reading and an index complete the book.  

Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints provides multiple viewpoints by  international writers with colorful charts, photos and quick fact boxes.  It is a more lively, easier-to-understand version of the traditional series, Opposing Viewpoints. Gr 8+      

Summary: This book presents articles written in the last five years to support and refute basic ideas about the power of the Taliban, their influence in the drug trade in Afghanistan, and how the international community should negotiate with them. Grades 8-12.     

Taliban                                                           --Lois McNicol