America's Defense

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-- Four titles that address controversial topics. All contain careful indexes and full bibliographies of books and periodicals, and have clear writing styles. The texts include critical thinking questions and cartoon illustrations that clarify major points. America's Defense examines the role of the U. S. in world defense, women serving in the military, and whether or not defense spending should be increased. America's Prisons considers the purpose of the institutions, their affect on criminals, and questions how prison overcrowding can be reduced. Privatization and alternatives to incarceration are also discussed. In carefully constructed and well-balanced chapters, Death Penalty looks at the history of the death penalty debate and the perennial questions that surround capital punishment. Racism in America tackles questions as to the seriousness of the problem, its role in causing minority poverty, and whether or not it can be halted. All four books pose tough questions and look, as promised, at conflicting views fully. Solid assets for student reports and debates. --Doris A. Fong, Benson Polytechnic High School, Portland, OR