(3) YA Teen Issues series. Using stories of students who have been bullied, Hile describes what constitutes bullying, examines why and how one becomes a bully, identifies the types of people that bullies target, discusses both face-to-face and cyberbullying, and suggests ways to prevent this destructive behavior. Color photos and short sidebars supplement and break up the readable narrative. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) YA Teen Issues series. Combining stories of people who intentionally hurt themselves with information on why some feel compelled to self-harm, who is most vulnerable, and how they self-punish, Senker focuses on how to help oneself and others with this affliction. Color photos and short sidebars supplement the readable narrative. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This sensible look at teens and eating discusses healthy, unhealthy, and special diets; why we overeat; the importance of exercise; and eating disorders. Unfortunately, the book's creators subscribe to the kitchen-sink school of layouts: pages swarm with sidebars, keyword definitions, graphics, thought and dialogue balloons, and posed color photos of good-looking teens and even better-looking grub. Directory, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This look at teens and fitness describes the benefits of exercise, cautions against exercise addiction and steroid use, and suggests specific exercises. There's much of use here if readers aren't scared off by the frantic layouts featuring sidebars, keyword definitions, graphics, thought and dialogue balloons, and posed photos of both the buff and the unbuff. Directory, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This look at teens and sex covers predictable but essential ground, including puberty, deciding when to become sexually active, STDs, parenthood, homosexuality, and sexual violence. Pages are overrun with sidebars, keyword definitions, graphics, thought and dialogue balloons, and posed photos of good-looking style-conscious teens, but the content is consistently sound and the gently cautionary tone just right. Directory, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. These books devoted to three common addictive substances aren't scolds: the authors show compassion for affected teens, especially in sections describing social and cultural pressures that foster addictions. Unfortunately, the layouts, which bombard the reader with sidebars, keyword definitions, graphics, thought and dialogue balloons, and photos of adolescents ostensibly grappling with addiction, seem like a bad trip. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Teen Issues titles: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. These books devoted to three common addictive substances aren't scolds: the authors show compassion for affected teens, especially in sections describing social and cultural pressures that foster addictions. Unfortunately, the layouts, which bombard the reader with sidebars, keyword definitions, graphics, thought and dialogue balloons, and photos of adolescents ostensibly grappling with addiction, seem like a bad trip. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Teen Issues titles: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. Despite its drab black-and-white photos and occasionally awkward writing, this book is a useful coping manual for teens. Price covers nuts-and-bolts aspects of divorce (e.g., what goes on in court), but her primary interest lies in reassuring and empowering her readers (to express their feelings, ask questions, etc.). The book is replete with authentic (and authentic-sounding) teen testimonials. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. These books devoted to three common addictive substances aren't scolds: the authors show compassion for affected teens, especially in sections describing social and cultural pressures that foster addictions. Unfortunately, the layouts, which bombard the reader with sidebars, keyword definitions, graphics, thought and dialogue balloons, and photos of adolescents ostensibly grappling with addiction, seem like a bad trip. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Teen Issues titles: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. Despite the book's subtitle, the authors aren't just interested in spinning cautionary tales. They take a sociological and occasionally humorous approach to their subject--although they do devote chapters to fallacies about fads and fads that have proven deadly. Keenly insightful about consumerism and loaded with specific examples, the book is illustrated with dull, grainy black-and-white photos of trendy teens. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This book examines the pros and cons of teens undergoing cosmetic surgery. The author supplies testimony of cosmetic surgeons and transformed teens, graphic but nonsensational descriptions of various procedures, and frequent reminders of the social and even familial pressures on teens to look perfect. Drab, staged, black-and-white photos diminish this cogent book. Directory, reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This look at self-injury discusses the reasons why people cut, burn, or otherwise physically hurt themselves; the behavior's link with mental illness; and the groups who disproportionately self-injure (women and girls, abuse victims). Scattered throughout are insights by mental-health professionals and self-injurers, as well as drab, posed black-and-white photos of ostensibly distressed adolescents. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA Teen Issues series. In an effort to define their slippery subject, the authors provide compelling examples of the ways that propaganda can be used for good (e.g., to stop pregnant women from smoking), or for ill (e.g., to fuel hate campaigns). This trenchant exposé will encourage critical thinking by the most reluctant reader. Scattered throughout are muddy black-and-white propagandist images. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This cautionary account emphasizes the dangers, discomforts, and difficulties associated with both forms of body art. In addition to interviews with practitioners and with those who have tattoos and piercings, the text relays medical information and sound advice regarding the appropriateness, legality, and morality of these practices. Charts, poor-quality black-and-white photos, and sidebars are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This lucid, well-researched book covers the usual terrain--race as a social construct, stereotypes, white privilege--but also less familiar topics. Altman shares numerous anecdotal examples and the insights of psychologists, scientists, and anthropologists. Also featured are dark, poorly reproduced photos of infamous bigots and cringe-inducing stereotypical images. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. A cautionary text describes the dangers of cyberspace, including computer crime, viruses, and potential adult predators. Tips for online safety and netiquette are included, although teenagers may generally be too sophisticated to need this information. The accompanying black-and-white photos, such as the picture of race cars illustrating the concept of the "information superhighway," often seem unnecessary. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This straightforward and psychologically astute guide punctures many of the well-meaning myths surrounding stepfamilies (e.g., that stepsiblings will feel like true siblings). Interspersed are interviews with real teens and suggestions about how to make the transition to a stepfamily easier for all involved. Only the dark, poorly reproduced photos of blended families mar this credible offering. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This introduction to money management explores the link between values and spending. Excluding a confusing delineation of spenders' four "temperament" types, the book is consistently instructive, covering topics such as how to earmark earnings (savings vs. necessities vs. "free money") and how to resist splurging. Included are teen and adult testimonials, worksheets, and black-and-white photos of--what else?--money. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. This look at the full spectrum of school violence, from bullying ("common in schools, but anywhere else, it would be considered criminal") to the Columbine tragedy, stresses teen prevention, from forewarning authorities to establishing "no put-down zones" to joining antiviolence groups. Scattered throughout are muddy black-and-white photos, some obviously staged, others of actual grieving teens. A list of resources is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Teen Issues series. With advice for teens (purportedly gay and straight) about navigating the highs and lows of dating, this book's less-than-original insights are mitigated by teen testimonials, fresh suggestions (the "breakup ceremony"), and high-mindedness ("the relationship should end after the first act of abuse . . . no matter what"). Unfortunately, the textbook format, featuring posed dark black-and-white photographs, isn't inviting. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram