Dealing with Secrets

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-With their large print, wide margins, and full-color photographs, these series entries are attractive introductions to difficult subjects. Middleton's style is workmanlike and sometimes didactic, as he provides a constant stream of advice and information: "When we compete, somebody often wins while another person loses" (Competitiveness) or "When we are able to keep secrets, people learn to trust us" (Secrets). He uses fictional anecdotes to illustrate his points. In Competitiveness, he is so encouraging that he fails to make the point that sometimes no amount of practice will make you a winner if you lack talent or aptitude for a particular activity. The full-page photos feature children of both genders and varied races. Overall, these titles provide solid information that may be useful as a discussion starter.-Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA