Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

America’s Youth, edited by Jamuna Carroll. 230 p. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2008. ISBN 13: 978-0-7377-3735-6. ISBN 10: 0-7377-3735-2. $36.20.

One of the many rewarding experiences working with teens comes from helping them articulate and defend their values and beliefs. Developmentally, as students begin to view the world less in black and white and more in shades of gray, an intrinsic motivation may arise to seek out information to clarify or support some view of the world. Such teachable moments allow school librarians and classroom instructors to help their students develop a critical approach to evaluating information, finding the best evidence in support of a position and constructing persuasive arguments. This volume from Greenhaven’s Opposing Viewpoints series provides pro and con essays on a range of issues of concern to teens. The first chapter, “What Values Do American Youth Hold?”, explores young people’s attitudes about voting, religion, technology and volunteerism. The second chapter asks what behaviors young people engage in, with opposing perspectives offered on the topics of juvenile crime, oral sex and the general motivation or initiative adolescents exhibit. The third chapter looks at potential risks to which our youth are exposed, including online sex predators, school violence, suicide (among gay teens) and peer pressure. The final chapter examines health and safety issues related to teens, with a focus on how and when it is best to distinguish between teens and adults. Topics include inpatient drug programs, emergency contraceptives, parental consent for the purchase of violent video games and the need for parental involvement. Each chapter begins with an overview of the topic and guided questions precede each essay. Chapters end with bibliographies of related periodical articles and the volume concludes with questions for further discussion, contact information for relevant organizations, a brief bibliography of books and an index. Recommended for high school libraries and community college libraries.
—Doug Achterman