Everything You Need to Know about Media Violence

Children's Literature - Shalini Murthy

One in a series of special interest books, this volume addresses the topic of media violence in a systematic and comprehensive manner. The book introduces the reader to the media violence debate with a focus on the gratuitous nature of media violence. The discussion highlights the fact that it is the lure of advertising dollars that drives the media to showcase such violence. Subsequent chapters discuss violence portrayed on the news, television and film. Violence in other media such as the music industry and the Internet is also discussed. An interesting component of the book is the chapter on "What You Can Do" which can spur the reader to activism on the issue. The book contains a glossary, an index as well as a section on "Where to go for help". A well researched and written book, this volume can help middle school children become more media literate.

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-The debate over whether violence in the media encourages similar behavior in society is not new, and this volume suggests that media violence is indeed mirrored in today's world. Edgar explores its use in film, television, radio, music, and the Internet. The section on movies covers cartoons, horror, and martial-arts films. Soap operas, talk shows, the news, and sports are discussed in relation to television. Explanations of ratings systems are given. The author clearly believes that the media instills violent behavior in people, but she supports this view with only a few studies. She states, "Money drives the media," and is particularly harsh in her criticism of the news, including alleged media distortion of the facts and "irresponsible reporting." The black-and-white photographs are of poor quality and a few look as if they were taken in someone's basement. Students would be better served by Carol Wekesser's Violence in the Media (Greenhaven, 1995), which cites both pro and con arguments.-Kristen Oravec, Woodridge Middle School, Peninsula, OH