Staying Safe While Shopping

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-A 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