Loneliness

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10A brief discussion of lonelinessits causes and methods of dealing with it. Large print; occasional bold type; wide margins; and good-quality, full-color photographs combine with a clear, direct writing style to make this book useful for quick, simplified answers to readers' problems. It will not, however, lead them to more information, since it includes no references to hot lines (in spite of the series name) or to organizations that might provide assistance. There is an odd selection of five entries under ``If You'd Like to Learn More.'' The 18-word glossary serves as a sort of index, as well, listing page numbers that reflect each term's first mention in the text. Average fare for reluctant readers.Dona Weisman, Northeast Texas Library System, Garland

Stephanie Zvirin

Part of the Hot Line series (see also Beckelman's "Anger" ), this slim, to-the-point book validates a commonly experienced emotion, explaining what it is; how it manifests itself in dealings with family and friends and in romantic relationships; and how to handle it. Beckelman cites intriguing information from authorities but, unfortunately, offers no specific documentation. There's some good common sense here, however, and there's no cloying encouragement in the author's tone or false comfort in her analysis or in her suggestions for helping oneself. Bright color photographs of teens are attractive and plentiful, and the slightly enlarged typeface and extra leading will appeal to reluctant readers. Significant terms (including a few psychological descriptors) are set in boldface, then repeated in a combined glossary/index. This glossary/index combo won't serve students very well, but that may not matter as the 48-page book is more likely to be read for personal interest than used as resource material. The list of further resources is brief and scattershot. Other series titles are listed in the Series Roundup in this issue.