American Values

KLIATT

This excellent anthology series presents both pro and con opinions on a variety of current issues. For example, Problems of Death examines whether suicide is immoral, whether society should condone physician-assisted suicide, whether abortion is ethical, and whether capital punishment is just, with between 4-6 brief article excerpts on each topic offering contrasting views. For instance, the executive director of the Hemlock Society urges the legalization of physician-assisted suicide; the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention weighs in against it. Other authors are newspaper reporters and professors. The introduction to the book sets out the issues, and chapter prefaces provide an overview of the opinions expressed in the essays. Each article is introduced with a brief summary and information about its author, along with questions to consider. Editorial cartoons provide other perspectives, and there are boxed quotes here and there. Periodical bibliographies at the end of each chapter are intended to supplement the views presented. Questions for discussion are offered at the end of the book, along with an annotated list of organizations to contact. The other books in the series have similar formats, exposing students to different sides of the various debates and promoting discussion and critical reading skills. Titles to come in 2001 include Endangered Species, Feminism, Gangs, Genetic Engineering, Islam, Police Brutality, Political Scandal, Race Relations, Russia, Teenage Sexuality, and Terminal Illness. (Opposing Viewpoints). KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Greenhaven Press, 224p, 99-088159, bibliog,indexes, 23 cm, $14.86. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick; January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-An examination of a wide range of complex issues confronting our culture and society. Primary-source articles explore two sides of such specific questions as whether or not public schools should provide character education, if religion is important to a moral society, and the role of the traditional family in maintaining our culture. Given the difficulty of the writing and subject matter, the questions that begin each article will be useful in helping readers to focus on essential points. However, the book is limited in that only two or three aspects of these complex questions are examined. A supplemental purchase.- William C. Schadt, Glacier Park Middle School, Maple Valley, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.