Understanding Child Custody

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-- Fact-filled and easy to understand, this instructive book informs YAs of their custody rights and responsibilities. Giving full attention to the subject, which is usually given cursory coverage in most divorce books, Terkel explains the different types of custody, the written agreement, how children can be involved in the decision, and provides hints on how to cope through it all. Child-snatching and court-shopping (looking for a more agreeable location in which to be awarded custody) are both thoroughly discussed along with the relevant federal regulations. Toll-free numbers for young people already facing this turmoil are included, as are a sample custody agreement and questionnaires an investigator might use. Obviously well researched from recent sources, this will be useful for reports, but will be especially valuable for those readers who are involved in this situation and are feeling overwhelmed. The fictionalized presentations only further enlighten readers. Divorce proceedings are followed from the first filing to the final decree and all the steps between that affect custody. A boon for all libraries serving minors. --Kathryn Havris, Mesa Public Library, AZ