Why Do People Drink Alcohol?

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-- Of these two titles, Why Do People Harm Animals? is the better one. Almost every form of animal abuse is discussed, from the use of animal furs as clothing to pet abuse. Some statements are open ended--``Should we use animals to test drugs?'' Some photos, such as one of rabbits in individual boxes showing only their heads, may be disturbing to some children. However, the subject is important, and children need to be aware of it. Why Do People Drink Alcohol? is less clear. While trying to simplify the concepts for younger readers, some needed explanation has been ignored (``There are many kinds of yeasts including drink and paraffin''). A sexist bias is evident in the comment that ``certain boys think that drinking alcohol makes them more like a man. Girls might drink to show they can keep up with the boys.'' Addresses are given only for Al-Anon in New York and the Women's Alcoholism Center in San Francisco. Nowhere are readers informed that they can find addresses and phone numbers for AA and it's affiliations in their local phone book. --Diane Pozar, Morse Elementary School, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.