Alcohol Addiction: Not Worth the Buzz

Children's Literature - Elizabeth Leis-Newman

Alcohol is a tough topic to teach, as teachers must find the balance between explaining what is safe and legal and what can lead to addiction. This selection in the "Illicit and Misused Drugs" series tackles alcohol's chemistry, such as the difference between wine and beer; the early history of alcohol use; alcohol in the "New World" such as the temperance movement; how alcohol affects the body; alcohol addiction; teens and alcohol; and treatment of alcohol addiction. The early chapters that focus on the history are reasonably interesting and free of preaching, such as the different ways on how Christian and Jews incorporated alcohol into rituals. The later chapters devolve into eye-rolling, sanctimonious prose, or making huge leaps, like a caption that reads "the teen years are a time of rebellion, when young adults are pushing limits and trying to express themselves. Sometimes this involves getting tattoos or piercings, and often drinking is a part of it as well." It's also overstocked with text, some of it to the point where it feels like the author was trying to fill space. While the name of the series consultant, a Johns Hopkins professor, is put in bold letters across the cover, the same introduction letter runs throughout the other books in the series, which does not instill faith in his vetting the information for accuracy or clarity. All in all, teachers and librarians may find it helpful to refer students to the history chapters, but should investigate other books covering alcohol addiction. It is part of the "Illicit and Misused Drugs" series from Mason Crest. Additional components include a glossary, bibliography and further reading section. Reviewer: Elizabeth Leis-Newman