Know the Facts About Diet

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8–With titles formatted to look like those of case files bursting with information, this is a visually appealing series. Straightforward coverage includes almost all conceivable aspects of the subject, resulting in a broad spectrum of overviews. Diet, for example, covers how to decipher labels, food hygiene, body image, and even water consumption. Despite the lack of depth, the books’ conversational language will help promote interest and independent learning. Sidebars designed to keep readers involved are the “Speak Your Mind” quotes (which, since they are unattributed, are for interest more than research), “What Would You Do?” multiple-choice quizzes, and “It’s a Fact” informational tidbits. “What Would You Do?” features invite discussion and thought with their realistic (for the most part) situations; answers are provided in the back matter. The “It’s a Fact” sections work like quick sound bites but the sources are unclear. Further-reading recommendations consist of a few print resources and a reference to a webliography on the publisher’s Web site. These features (along with an inordinate reliance on British statistics in Drinking and Smoking) make the books more amenable as a starting point for research, reports, and self-help rather than as sole sources.