Making Tough Decisions: Working Through Hard Choices

Children's Literature

This title deals with decision-making and how it affects the lives of teens. The six chapters discuss the nature of decision-making, making a plan, knowledge vs. skill, setting goals, dreams of the future, and achievement planning. One self-assessment activity and a sample self-improvement contract are included. Many quotes, sidebars and brief anecdotes about teens are interspersed throughout the book to break up the text and attempt to make the book more appealing. Chapter overviews at the beginning of each chapter and questions at the end tend to make this book seem more like a textbook than something teens might choose to read on their own. It may be useful for counseling and classes in life management. An index, glossary, list of Internet sites, useful addresses and further reading and color photos are included. Part of the "Life Skills" series. 2001, LifeMatters/Capstone Press, $23.93 and $8.95. Ages 11 to 17. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-These titles are neither didactic nor simplistic in the way they examine methods of handling difficult situations and people. The first book defines conflict and offers suggestions for resolving and avoiding it in situations ranging from minor annoyances, such as teasing, to major violence. The second book explains a six-step method of decision making and emphasizes the importance of setting long- and short-term goals and having a plan to reach them. Both books include quizzes, self-assessments, and sample contracts that readers can use in problem solving. Lists of useful addresses, hot lines, Internet sites, and print sources are appended. Examples of hypothetical people and predicaments are positioned throughout. Color photographs of teens of many ethnic groups add visual appeal. Useful additions.-Elizabeth Stumpf, Clearfield Middle School, PA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.