Juvenile Violence

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Two competently done series entries. Barden objectively defines and describes a variety of violent behaviors involving or affecting juveniles. Alternating information with advice to the abused, he covers violence in the home, at school, in the street, toward women and girls, and that which has a racial basis. While there is much information relevant to teens and some good suggestions for avoiding potentially dangerous situations, some will take exception to the philosophical stance that any corporal punishment in the home breeds violence in the child. This volume will be best used for reports. Sirimarco presents her subject in a lively style with an emphasis on reasons for the disorders. Definitions and characteristics of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and compulsive eating are explained, followed by three chapters on underlying problems, such as low self-esteem and various societal pressures. The concluding chapter looks at the decision to change destructive behaviors with suggestions for places to go for help. Similar in scope to Rachel Epstein's Eating Habits and Disorders (Chelsea, 1990), Barbara Moe's Coping with Eating Disorders (Rosen, 1991) and Nancy Kolodny's When Food's a Foe (Little, 1987), this title will be useful where additional information about eating disorders is needed. In both books, poor-to-average quality, black-and-white photographs, many of which are posed, illustrate topics and serve to break up the texts.-Lois McCulley, Wichita Falls High School, TX