AIDS: Choices for Life

VOYA - Marilyn Brien

These three books on AIDS provide completely different approaches to AIDS education and will appeal to different audiences, as suggested by their distinctive titles. The DiSpezio book is directed particularly to readers who are faced with questions that are difficult to answer without a handy resource. A subtitle of this book might be "Just the facts, please." This book will be enthusiastically received by educators for its in-depth information on cell biology, virology, and immunology, as well as information on AIDS itself. This one tiny book is a gold mine of information and includes diagrams to illustrate difficult science concepts. An example of information that would be difficult to locate concerns the possibility of infection by insects. Although the book is directed to young people, I suspect they might have to be encouraged to do more than get the information they require at the moment. The bibliography includes Internet as well as print resources. Just as the above book might be a science or health teacher's dream, the Opposing Viewpoints book is a social studies or debate teacher's dream. If you are familiar with the series, you will anticipate the format of this book, with four basic questions about AIDS: the severity of the epidemic, and policies for testing, prevention of spread, and treatment. Each question is addressed with several viewpoints from sources as varied as the American Civil Liberties Union, the New York Bishops, and Harvard AIDS Review. The question on treatment includes the use of marijuana and other alternative therapies. The bibliography is extensive and includes descriptions of organizations to contact (with World Wide Web addresses), periodicals, and books. The young reader will probably have a goal in mind before tackling this book or will need to be directed to it by a librarian or teacher. The third book is in the Issues in Focus series. It will be welcomed by students who want to become involved with the experiences of AIDS patients, and by adults seeking the attention of youth to address this serious threat. The theme of this book is stated in the acknowledgments: "Special thanks go to all who shared stories and information believing that knowledge saves lives." Reinforcing that thought, the first sentence of the book reads, "If my son had learned about AIDS in school, he would be alive today." There is factual information here, but the primary focus is on and the impact comes from the personal stories of those afflicted with AIDS. Some of theses stories are told by those who have lost loved ones, while others are autobiographical. The chapter notes give the sources of the stories, which include interviews on the Oprah Winfrey show and articles in popular magazines. The topic of condoms brings out the differences in the books. DiSpezio answers questions on condoms, including female condoms and oral dams, in four pages of explicit information. Choices for Life devotes a couple of sentences to condoms, including a statement to use latex condoms with water-based lubricants, and a note that condoms sometimes fail. The Opposing Viewpoints book has a considerable discussion of condoms that includes the notion that condom use can reduce the spread of AIDS, the notion that condom use will increase the spread of AIDS, and the suggestion that precautions for gay men are badly flawed. If I were limited to one of these books, DiSpezio's would be my pick, because it will reduce the need to search several books from several disciplines. But that might be my bias as a science teacher. All three of these books will find their devotees. Index. Illus. Photos. Biblio. Source Notes. Note: This review was written and published to address three titles: AIDS: Opposing Viewpoints, The Science, Spread, and Therapy of HIV Disease: Everything You Need to Know But Had No Idea Who to Ask and AIDS: Choices for Life. VOYA Codes: 4Q 3P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, Will appeal with pushing, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8, Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9 and Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up--Well-researched titles. Family Abuse starts with a real incident involving a child beaten to death and then progresses into a history of family violence, myths about abuse, and how to recognize the problem. Further chapters run the gamut from elder, to child, to spousal and sibling abuse, both physical and emotional. This is not a self-help book but it offers a means of understanding the damage caused by abuse and the community resources available to help stop it. The subject matter is handled in a sensitive and honest manner. Nash begins with one man's personal history with and ultimate death from AIDS. Coverage includes the epidemiology of the disease, information about contracting and preventing its spread, tests available, current research, and a list of agencies and assistance organizations. This title effectively conveys facts in a nonintimidating manner. The presentation is punctuated with diagrams and black-and-white cartoons that serve to educate teens at all levels of literacy and interest, or even denial. Readers interested in learning more about AIDS and other wide-spread infectious diseases could supplement this text with James Cross Giblins's When Plague Strikes (HarperCollins, 1995). There is a need for books about these topics in libraries, and these titles more than adequately give accurate information and, more importantly, provide a catalyst for thought and dialogue.--Joan Soulliere, University of Pittsburgh