Reviews

Gr 7 Up-Three titles designed to help teens deal with problems. Many of the chapters begin with an italicized "quote" from a victim/survivor. Other omniscient narratives are sprinkled throughout the chapters. These first-person vignettes seem to ring true, but there is no indication as to whether they are the thoughts of the author, of a real victim, or just imagined scenarios. Black-and-white photographs accompany the narratives and subtly underscore the fact that people from any background can find themselves in similar situations. Addictive Personality offers good, sound advice. The author of Sexual Assault is a survivor of this all-too-common situation. Two other strong points that set this book apart are the three-page table comparing myths with facts and a script that one might use when trying to help a friend who has been assaulted. Dealing with Losses is unique in its breadth of types of losses. The narratives are lengthier and more emotional in this title than in the other two.-Marilyn Fairbanks, East Junior High School, Brockton, MA