Staying Safe on Dates

School Library Journal

Gr 6 UpA hi/lo series that concentrates on violence prevention for teenage girls in a variety of situations. Home presents information on stalkers and peeping Toms; domestic violence; and protection through seven suggested principles of personal defense. Dates pays particular attention to verbal/physical abuse, invasion of boundaries, and acquaintance/date rape. Streets discusses situations to avoid, as well as protection mechanisms. Shopping outlines strategies for verbal and physical self-defense in situations such as being robbed, being stalked/followed, and being attacked in a public place. The seven aforementioned principles appear in this book as well. Sample scenarios encourage discussion on what the young woman could do or did correctly in various situations. A further help/information list concludes each book. Barbara Moe's Coping When You Are the Survivor of a Violent Crime (1995) and Jed Palmer's Everything You Need to Know When You Are the Victim of a Violent Crime (1994, both Rosen) contain similar information, but Chaiet's titles focus on specific issues for a more specific audience. A mixture of black-and-white and full-color photographs enhance the large-print, easy-to-read presentations. All young women should be encouraged to browse through these books in an effort to keep themselves aware and informed on personal safety.Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library System, FL