PDF - Christian Library Journal

HIGH SCHOOL
NONFICTION
with a Christian perspective, the book has solid
advice for any high schooler with postgraduation
life to consider. Those who
appreciate the writing style found in popular
Christian magazines Campus Life, Brio, or
Breakaway will likewise enjoy this humorous
approach to a serious subject.
Pam Webb, Library Technician, Sandpoint, Idaho
300’s—Social Sciences
Sex smart : 501 reasons to hold off on sex,
by Susan Browning Pogány. LCCN
98019179. Minneapolis: Fairview Press,
1998. ISBN 1577490436, PAP, $14.94.
306.7’0835. Sexual ethics for teenagers; Teenagers--
Sexual behavior; Sexual abstinence; Youth--Sexual
behavior. 213 p. High school.
I didn’t count exactly 501 reasons for holding
off on sex, but Susan Pogány’s Sex Smart
provides many excellent points for abstaining
from sex before marriage. The book is designed
to answer the most basic questions that a teen
may have regarding sex. Pogány wrote the book
in hopes of reaching young people directly or to
help the parent who must answer the inquiring
minds of their children. The book starts right off
with definitions of love versus sex and how sex
can actually ruin a relationship. Pogány goes on
to explain how the sexes are not ”wired“ the
same regarding how sex is perceived.
Throughout the book, in appropriate locations,
Pogány discusses the truths and myths regarding
sexual activity. The answers are graphic and
direct but never out of line. Chapter six is
written by Susan’s sister, Attorney Anne
Browning Wilson, who wrote a brochure that is
distributed in Kansas high schools titled ”If We
Make a Baby, Do I Have to Pay?“
Pogány presents information over many topics
as diverse as masturbation, abortion, double
standards, date rape, how to say no, and sexually
transmitted diseases. The theme of abstinence is
never ignored and is emphasized by direct
quotes from males and females who have
suffered from premature sexual activity. There
are numerous tables and practical suggestions to
help drive home the information. There are
letters from young people sprinkled throughout
the book to make sure the reader knows how the
young person feels about the specific situation.
There is a detailed note section as well as a
bibliography. This would make a ready
reference book for public school counselors and
sex education personnel as well as any and all
private school settings.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Easy credit, by Ann E. Weiss. LCCN
99462150. Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First
Century Books, The Millbrook Press,
2000. ISBN 0761315039, HBB, $22.40.
332.7’43. Credit; Credit cards. 128 p. High school.
Easy Credit is an excellent book in which Ann
Weiss presents an easy to read and
understandable overview of credit written with,
to, and for youth. The concise chapters deal
with the history and current conditions of using
credit in the United States. The book starts out
with how certain young people in the 1990’s
were given credit and the results of their
experiences. The book then provides the history
of credit starting in times of old, making this
review neither dry nor boring. Whenever there
may be a section that could be misunderstood,
Weiss provides either a past or current example
of the concept for clarification of the point.
Weiss anticipates the questions of the reader and
not only asks them, but answers them clearly
and cogently. Weiss could have stopped there
and had a wonderful book but she takes the
reader to the next logical consequence of
credit—consumer protection. She discusses
topics such as privacy, who is granted or refused
credit, plus detailing of the laws and regulations.
She ends her book with a chapter on consumer
education that she has presented in the
preceding pages.
The book is well constructed and ready for
considerable use. The print is easy to read and
the sections within each chapter are precise and
useful. This should be a required text for public
and private libraries.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Civil liberties : opposing viewpoints,
Tamara L. Roleff, book editor. (Opposing
viewpoints.) LCCN 98011808. San Diego:
Greenhaven, 1999. ISBN 1565109368,
PAP, $28.70.
342.73’085. Civil rights--United States. 208 p. High
school.
Opposing Viewpoints is written to provide the
reader with the wherewithal to determine his/her
position and consider other positions to major
current issues. The editors seek out
knowledgeable people as well as those with
vested interests in the topic or issue covered.
Views from those not usually heard in the
mainstream media are also presented. As a
result of these objectives, Civil Liberties:
Opposing Viewpoints has a reputation of being a
good resource. This book is like the others in
the series in that it will make the high school
student think and consider the position they
espouse. There are many excellent study
features such as end notes, questions for
consideration that begin every essay, visuals,
cartoons, and a periodical bibliography at the
end of each section. The end of the book has a
further discussion section, an annotated
organization to contact section, bibliography,
and a detailed index.
Having said this there are a few areas of
concern. There are references to racist speech
made within certain essays. Additionally, the
sections dealing with pornography are strongly
worded. The words used in that section are
clinical and descriptive. In the chapter dealing
with religion, the editors created an atmosphere
that is non-religious and therefore not offensive
to any one sect.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Pregnant and single : help for the tough
choices, rev. ed., by Linda Roggow and
Carolyn Owens. LCCN 98021074.
Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1998. ISBN
0836190920, PAP, $9.99.
362.83’92’08352. Unmarried mothers--United States;
Pregnancy, Unwanted--United States; Teenage
mothers--United States; Teenage pregnancy--United
States. 160 p. High school.
The word ”pregnancy“ can be frightening to an
unmarried teenager. In the midst of trying to
live up to all kinds of expectations, a pregnancy
during this delicate time in a young girl’s life
can be devastating, perhaps even more so to a
Christian who may feel as if she not only failed
herself and her parents, but God as well. To help
guide them toward making decisions they can
live with, Linda Roggow and Carolyn Owens
have written a gentle yet serious book designed
to inform, provoke honest soul-searching, and
help young mothers look reality straight in the
eye.
In simple language, Pregnant and Single
includes short personal stories and comments
from girls of all walks of life and in various
circumstances, helping the reader to identify
with others who have faced an unplanned
pregnancy. Among the topics discussed are the
shock of discovering the pregnancy, dealing
with the reactions of others, health and finances,
the practical aspects of taking care of a baby,
whether or not to marry, and the process of
adoption. The roles of the father and
grandparents are explored, and caution is given
to take time to carefully consider each option
thoroughly. Pregnant and Single also serves as
both a personal and practical workbook, asking
detailed questions concerning all possible areas
of conflict, bringing focus not only to the
pregnancy, but to the bigger picture of the young
woman’s life as a whole. The final chapter
entitled ”Faith Helps,“ gives scripture that
speaks about the sanctity of all life, both that of
mother and the child, and of the forgiveness and
guidance that God gives through his Son Jesus.
Roggow, a social worker, and Owens, a library
clerk and mother, emphasize that objective
counseling is essential, including an index of
pregnancy care centers with addresses and
phone numbers throughout the United States
and Canada. An easy-to-read book with a
colorful cover, the authors have written a much
needed tool for anyone who needs help or wants
to offer it. With over half a million teen
pregnancies in 1999 (49.6 births per 1,000
females aged 15-19 according to thr Centers For
Disease Control and Statistics August 8,2000
issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports
(Vol. 48 number 14)), chances are someone you
know can benefit from this book.
Denise Griffin, Freelance Writer, Pfafftown, North Carolina
★
Leaving Cuba : from Operation Pedro
Pan to Elian, by Kathleen Gay. LCCN
99462149. Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First
Century Books, The Millbrook Press,
2000. ISBN 0761314660, HBB, $22.90.
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