Abortion: Rights, Options, and Choices

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-This readable overview presents historical perspectives, current concerns, and thoughts for the future. Discussions focus on legislation related to and following Roe v. Wade, such as husband and parental-consent issues, public funding and facilities, and state attempts at restriction and circumvention of the federal mandates. Information is presented on medical procedures as well as on psychological effects and responsive counseling. Differing ethical and religious considerations are introduced. The philosophical positions of various groups on both sides of the issue are described along with their focal activities. Individual attention is given to the political climate from the early 1970s to the present, showing the central position this controversy has played in political and ideological debate. Archival black-and-white photos support the presentation, which is marred by the more than occasional use of emotionally charged adjectives. Andryszewski employs the descriptive phrase "anti-abortion" rather than "pro-life" to characterize groups that oppose abortion, and she highlights the activities of the radical minority whose violent acts are decried by pro-life activists as a whole. Nancy Day's Abortion (Enslow, 1995) and JoAnn Guernsey's Abortion (Lerner, 1994) present more balanced perspectives and discuss alternatives to abortion, which are virtually missing in this text. Chapter notes/references, a brief bibliography, and a list of organizational contacts are appended.-Celia A. Huffman, Worthington Public Library, OH

Anne O

The ethics, availability, and funding of abortion continue to spark highly charged public debate, particularly in election years. This title in the Issue and Debate series joins a number of others on abortion, continuing to update the controversy and provide information and context for student research. The book opens with recent scenes of antiabortion violence at clinics and then explains the pre"Roe" v." Wade" scenario; "Roe"'s meaning, impact, and legal aftermath; the medical context of abortion; moral perspectives; and the various groups devoted to opposing or protecting abortion choice. Perhaps the best chapter is the concluding one, which examines the political context of abortion today. Although a clear and energetic writing style distinguishes the text and black-and-white photos illustrate opposing viewpoints, pro-life readers may feel the narrative is biased on the pro-choice side. Similar in its lower reading level to Nancy Day's "Abortion" (1995). Notes; bibliography; list of organizations.