On the Mend: Getting Away from Drugs

School Library Journal

Gr 5-10-- Rosenberg tells the stories of eight young drug addicts (four girls and four boys) who to outsiders appear to be part of ``normal families'' growing up in suburbia. But as their tales unfold, readers discover family turmoil, confusion, and lack of communication. Chapters are organized to show the progression of the addiction--background of the family, beginning abuse, how the youngsters managed to maintain their habits, the worst times, what made them decide to get treatment, and the recovery process. Especially interesting are the accounts of how these adolescents fooled those trying to help them, and their anger at adults who looked the other way. A follow-up note ten months later shows that all but one are still in treatment and have hopeful futures. The personal narratives are easy to read and involving, but the organization sometimes makes it difficult to follow a particular individual's progress. Black-and-white photographs of four of the eight young people as they look today neither add nor detract from the text. There are also photos of crack paraphernalia. Suggest this to readers of Gilda Berger's Patty's Story (Millbrook, 1991) .--Martha Gordon, South Salem Library, NY