Everything You Need to Know about Creating Your Own Support System

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10These two hi/lo titles offer valuable information in easily understood language, illustrated with appealing black-and-white and full-color photographs with a nice mix of genders and ethnic groups. The pictures and situations used as examples involve high schoolers, but younger students can learn much as well. Kreiner describes how teens can create a support system of friends, neighbors, relatives, clergy members, and teachers. The need to include different kinds of people and to find support outside one's family, especially if it isn't offered at home, is stressed. Because this is a less familiar concept to young people, the book may not be selected by students without some guidance. In addition, the text is repetitive. Conflict Resolution presents ways to solve disagreements through words and mediation instead of force. Different kinds of conflict are described and its inevitability in life is emphasized. Skills, such as active listening, brainstorming, and seeing the other side of an argument, are presented. Both books have useful appended information, including pertinent organizations.Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME