(4) 4-6 Matters of Opinion series. Each slim volume models persuasive essay writing and broadly introduces an oft-debated school-related social issue. Chapters open with a key question, followed by arguments (first "Yes," then "No") that advance a thesis. Follow-up sections highlight the debate techniques implemented. Relevant stock photos break up the somewhat choppy texts. Essay-writing guidelines are appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Matters of Opinion titles: School Violence, Bullying, and Cell Phones.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) YA Issues in Society series. The author expresses the certainty that climate change exists and moves on to other questions: Will plants and animals survive? How will human health be affected? What will extreme weather mean for Earth? What can halt or control climate change? Color photos and occasional "Viewpoint" sections add interest to the dense prose and dull, textbook-like layout. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Issues in Society series. Each volume opens with an introduction explaining the title issue. After presenting facts, current statistics, and research, the authors then delve deeper into issues such as the role of video games in violent or addictive behaviors; each book's final chapter explores possible ways to resolve or mitigate problems. Color photos and occasional "Viewpoint" sections add interest to the dense prose and dull, textbook-like layouts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Issues in Society titles: Do Police Abuse Their Powers?, Are Mobile Devices Harmful?, Are Video Games Harmful?, and Is Social Media Good for Society?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Issues in Society series. Each volume opens with an introduction explaining the title issue. After presenting facts, current statistics, and research, the authors then delve deeper into issues such as the role of video games in violent or addictive behaviors; each book's final chapter explores possible ways to resolve or mitigate problems. Color photos and occasional "Viewpoint" sections add interest to the dense prose and dull, textbook-like layouts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Issues in Society titles: Do Police Abuse Their Powers?, Are Mobile Devices Harmful?, Are Video Games Harmful?, and Is Social Media Good for Society?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Thinking Critically series. Diagrams and sidebars (Social includes one stock photo) support these well-organized models for classroom discourse. First chapters introduce the debates surrounding cell phones, social networking, and gun control; subsequent chapters present pro and con responses to four key questions. Despite lots of graphic elements, the text-heavy pages may be off-putting. Two pages of facts and a list of related organizations are appended. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Thinking Critically titles: Cell Phones, Gun Control and Violence and Social Networking.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Thinking Critically series. Diagrams and sidebars (Social includes one stock photo) support these well-organized models for classroom discourse. First chapters introduce the debates surrounding cell phones, social networking, and gun control; subsequent chapters present pro and con responses to four key questions. Despite lots of graphic elements, the text-heavy pages may be off-putting. Two pages of facts and a list of related organizations are appended. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Thinking Critically titles: Cell Phones, Gun Control and Violence and Social Networking.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale