AIDS

School Library Journal

ea. vol: charts. diags. illus. bibliog. index. (Opposing Viewpoint Series). CIP. Green haven Pr. 1987. PLB $13.95; pap. $6.95. Gr 8 Up Both books have articles dated no earlier than 1983, with the majority dated 1986 or 1987. Both contain intro ductions, chapter prefaces outlining the issue covered, and critical thinking activ ities between chapters, such as ``distin guishing between fact and opinion'' and ``distinguishing primary from secondary sources. '' Both have lists of organiza tions to contact, book and periodical bib liographies, and incomplete indexes. Each chapter covers a different aspect of controversy surrounding the issue. Edito rial-page cartoons are the only illustra tions. Strongly subjective viewpoints from non-mainstream sources are includ ed, such as pro-marijuana arguments from High Times and anti-homosexuality rantings from The Wanderer. A variety of religious, political , and moral viewpoints are represented, each juxtaposed with an excerpt that seems chosen for its direct opposition to the first. The entire argu ment is given, although carefully abridged, as it appeared in the original ar ticles from newstand magazines. These volumes have neither separate title and author and magazine-title lists nor thor ough indexes. As it is, the only reference to particular articles are in scattered foot notes. Very little factual information is included; prior knowledge is needed on the scientific aspects, although the social impacts are well-covered. The arguments against homosexuality as a moral outrage are contrasted only with civil rights argu ments; there are no pro-homosexual ar guments. Walter Isaacson's excellent Pro and Con (Putnam, 1983; o.p.) condenses the arguments on many of the ``Opposing Viewpoints'' issues, but does not cover AIDS or drugs and sports. Anne Os born, Riverside Public Library, Calif.