Everything You Need to Know About School Violence

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-Young people looking for help will be well served by these easy-to-read titles. Kreiner describes the reasons for the increased violence in schools, and the ways that students can protect themselves and work for positive changes. Brief case scenarios give a personal touch to the information and enliven the text. This book supplements Maryann Miller's more thorough Coping with Weapons and Violence in School and on Your Streets (1993) as well as Donna Chaiet's easy-to-read Staying Safe at School (1995, both Rosen), which focuses more on young women. There has been little written about male victims of sexual assault for the YA audience. Beginning with short descriptions of young teens who have been victimized, La Valle attempts to put a human face on an under-reported and frequently misunderstood crime. He describes the different forms that sexual abuse takes, such as forcible rape or an adult taking advantage of a child's trust or vulnerability. The author stresses that the victim is never at fault, and suggests ways to stay safe and get help. The format and numerous black-and-white photographs will appeal to reluctant readers.Susan R. Farber, Chappaqua Library, NY