Truce

School Library Journal

Gr 7-12-- Bode has produced another topnotch effort using her familiar technique of recording case studies and personal interviews and combining stories of real teens with professional analysis and potential solutions. In a friendly, supportive, and forthright style, she discusses issues such as self-esteem, birth order, jealousy/rivalry, divorce, poverty, stepfamilies, and violent and incestual relationships. Commentary from experts appears frequently, providing understanding, answering questions, and offering resolutions. Advice on coping mixes with tips for resolving conflicts and taking control of one's life. Adding a personal touch are textual insets of actual teens discussing their situations. Finally, Bode extends an invitation for correspondence. This a good companion to Shari Cohen's Coping with Sibling Rivalry (Rosen, 1989); both books cover similar material, but Cohen's demands a greater time commitment from readers. Bode's is a quick, nonthreatening approach for times of crisis. A concise, well-written, and user-friendly title offering a balanced perspective and hope. --Celia A. Huffman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland