Conflict Resolution: Communication, Cooperation, Compromise

Children's Literature

This title addresses the forms, causes and results of conflict in the life of teenagers. It includes what conflict is, how it happens, how conflict becomes violence and how behaviors such as substance abuse, violence in the media or child abuse can exasperate the situation. A chapter about forms of rape and what rape entails is particularly clear, helpful and sensitive. The book is well organized and includes a helpful table of contents, a glossary, a bibliography and an index. Also provided are Internet sites, hotline/crisis addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The photography nicely supports the text in getting across the point. Other features include chapter overviews and summaries that will greatly assist teens in research, "Teen Self-Assessment" sidebars for readers to test their understanding of conflict issues, "Teen Talk" quotes from teens, "Did You Know?" fact boxes, and colorful index cards that illustrate examples of conflict. An exceptional title from the "Life Skills" series. This is a good addition to middle or high school libraries for teens conducting research or just trying to find answers to life's conflicting messages. 2000, Capstone Press, $22.60. Ages 9 to 15. Reviewer: Betsy Barnett