Education
Building a Community School, by The Children’s Aid Society, is a practical manual for school reform. The book provides innovative suggestions for integration, restructuring and community support. This manual is a case study of the CAS Community School model. 119 pages. Free. The Children’s Aid Society, 4600 Broadway, New York, NY 10040. (212) 949-4800, www.childrensaidsociety.org.
Health
35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child, by The Dougy Center, is a guide for family, friends and youth workers helping a child cope with loss. The book presents and explains 35 constructive coping mechanisms that are easy to understand and implement. The Dougy Center also incorporates personal testimonials of children that illustrate the efficacy of each technique. A valuable tool for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one. 51 pages. $9.95. The Dougy Center, P.O. Box 86852, Portland, OR 97286. (503) 775-5683, www.grievingchild.org.
After a Murder: A Workbook for Grieving Kids, by The Dougy Center, is another tool for children dealing with the murder of a loved one. The workbook presents suggestions for coping with grief and activities that help children express their feelings. Each page includes stories from children who lost family members. A useful resource for young children and pre-teens. 68 pages. $12.95. The Dougy Center, P.O. Box 86852, Portland, OR 97286. (503) 775-5683, www.grievingchild.org.
Recovering from Sexual Abuse, Addictions, and Compulsive Behavior: “Numb” Survivors, by Sandra Knauer, presents a comprehensive explanation of numerous self-destructive behaviors that result from sexual abuse. The book is a compilation of more than 15 years of case studies that encompass a wide range of causes and effects. The author identifies common patterns of abuse, explains typical destructive and negative behaviors and offers encouragement to begin healing. A useful resource for survivors and mental health professionals. 367 pages. $34.95. The Haworth Social Work Practice Press, 10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY 13904. (800) 429-6784, www.haworthpressinc.com.
Leadership
A Good Place to Be: A Leadership Guide for Making Your Vision a Reality, by Mary Curtis Aranha, is a detailed account of the author’s complete transformation of Maryland’s award-winning Benjamin Foulois Elementary School. Curtis Aranha provides sensible and realistic suggestions for improving oneself and the environment through strong leadership and strength of character. 110 pages. $14. National Professional Resources, 25 S. Regent St., Port Chester, NY 10573. (800) 453-7461, www.nprinc.com.
Connecting Leadership to the Brain, by Michael Dickman and Nancy Stanford-Blair, is a technical but worthwhile read on the link between intellectual aptitude and the ability to lead. The authors present a scientific explanation as to how each portion of the brain functions to facilitate leadership skills, including some introductory sections with more basic analysis. “Connecting Leadership to the Brain” broaches a largely ignored thesis on the origin of sound leadership ability. 263 pages. $29.95. Corwin Press, 2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. (800) 818-7243, www.corwinpress.com.
Mentoring
Being Mentored: A Guide for Protégés, by Hal Portner, provides insight into effective teaching and mentoring. Concepts range from taking the initiative to asking for help when overwhelmed. Portner includes helpful bulleted lists and a series of introspective questions that allow the reader to personalize the material. Though the book is geared toward first-time teachers, the material is applicable to all youth workers. 76 pages. $24.95. Corwin Press, 2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. (800) 818-7243, www.corwinpress.com.
Mentoring Answer Book, by Cyndi Klapperich, addresses the concerns of new mentors in a question-and-answer format. Veteran mentors offer creative problem-solving strategies. The author stresses the importance of building and maintaining a healthy mentor-mentee relationship through honest communication, mutual trust and respect. An extensive list of enjoyable low-cost activities and service projects is also provided. Klapperich employs an easy-to-read tone to advise current and future mentors alike. 79 pages. $7.95. Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County Inc. 3430 W. Elm St., McHenry, IL, 60050. (815) 385-3855.
New Directions for Youth Development: A Critical View of Youth Mentoring, edited by Jean E. Rhodes, is a technical mentoring journal for youth professionals. The book critically examines many approaches to youth mentoring. Recognizing that mentoring can be found within any youth-adult relationship, the journal questions the effectiveness and possible dangers of mentoring programs operating with little guarantee of sustained participation by its volunteers. Youth workers will glean useful tips about turning day-to-day experiences into mentoring opportunities. Rhodes has woven together several highly technical chapters that could be used for program design and enhancement. 131 pages. $28.00. Jossey-Bass, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (415) 433-1740. www.josseybass.com.
Parenting
Dads and Daughters: How To Inspire, Understand, and Support Your Daughter When She’s Growing Up So Fast, by Joe Kelly, is written by one of the nation’s leading advocates for strengthening father/daughter bonds. Kelly, a former journalist who runs the national group Dads and Daughters, sets out to help fathers forestall the drift that often develops between them and their daughters, especially in adolescence. The book helps men think through issues such as body image, sexuality, substance abuse, power struggles, emotional distance, touching between fathers and daughters, and girls’ self-confidence. Weaving in research, his experience as the father of girls and the frank musings of other dads, Kelly offers a valuable guide for helping men navigate a relationship that is easily blown off course. 252 pages. $23.95. Broadway Books, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. (800) 733-3000, www.randomhouse.com.
Off Road Parenting: Practical Solutions for Difficult Behavior, by Caesar Pacifici, Patricia Chamberlain and Lee White, is a guide for all parents dealing with the day-to-day challenges that affect the parent-child relationship. The authors present common problems, solutions and suggestions for permanent remedies. All recommendations in the book are geared toward different specified ages. The book is illustrated with comics and comes with a DVD of interactive family simulations. 128 pages. $24.95. Northwest Media Inc., 326 W. 12th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401. (800) 777-6636, www.northwestmedia.com.
Philanthropy
The State of Philanthropy 2002, by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, features 17 essays from a number of executives at the forefront of youth service and philanthropic work. Topics vary from modern economic developments and their impact on philanthropy to government regulation of grant-making organizations. Contributing writers include the late Lisa Sullivan, director of LISTEN Inc., and former Center for Community Change Director Pablo Eisenberg. 85 pages. $25. National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, 2001 S St. NW, Ste. 620, Washington, DC 20009. (202) 387-9177. www.ncrp.org.
Sex
Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children From Sex, by Judith Levine, presents a controversial approach to juvenile sexuality by encouraging safe and educated intimacy. Levine facilitates an open dialogue about the dangerous ramifications of sex education in America using current and historical examples to illustrate her perspective on the detrimental effects of repressed sexuality. The book provides valuable insights for parents, youth workers and health care professionals dealing with the sensitive subject of teenage sexuality, but to some readers crosses the line in arguing that some adult/child sex does not always traumatize the child. 296 pages. $25.95. University of Minnesota Press, 111 S. Third Ave., Ste. 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (612) 627-1970, www.upress.umn.edu.
Teens
How to Keep Your Teenager Out of Trouble and What to Do If You Can’t, by Neil Bernstein, offers insight into the thought processes and behaviors of teenagers. The book differentiates between typical erratic teenage behavior such as rebellion and that which is violent and destructive. Bernstein provides suggestions to parents handling any type of behavioral problem, mild or severe, and also includes numerous resources for parents struggling with troubled teens. The book is a useful guide for parents trying to navigate youth through the teenage years. 518 pages. $14.95. Workman Publishing Co., 708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. (212) 254-5900, www.workman.com.
Teens 911: Snowbound: Helicopter Crash and Other True Survival Stories, by Deborah Morris, illustrates the bravery of teens in times of disaster. The book includes accounts of being stranded in snow, escaping a fire, surviving a helicopter crash and more. Morris concludes each chapter with quizzes and useful survival information for the related disaster. A wonderful tool for youth empowerment. 188 pages. $12.95. Health Communications Inc. 3201 SW 15th St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. (800) 441-5569, e-mail: paolaf@hcibooks.com.
Violence
Peacing It Together, by the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention, explores many methods of youth violence prevention. The manual extensively describes common causes, manifestations and detrimental effects of violence, building a strong suggested framework for program improvement. “Peacing It Together” is an excellent resource for youth workers searching for concrete suggestions. 122 pages. $35. Illinois Center for Violence Prevention, 220 S. State St., Ste. 1215, Chicago, IL 60604. (312) 986-9200. www.violence-prevention.com.
Welfare
Faces of Change: Personal Experiences of Welfare Reform in America, by the Alliance for Children and Families, is a compilation of research on welfare reform. The collection vividly illustrates cases of low-income families from 19 states and Washington, D.C., and their struggles to make ends meet in light of drastic welfare reform. The stories seek to replace the stereotypical welfare recipient images with examples of hard-working parents trying to provide for their children in the face of governmental opposition to public assistance. The book is supplemented by an analysis entitled, Faces of Change: Welfare Policy Through the Lens of Personal Experience, which supports the case-studies with data and theoretical models. A candid portrait of the day-to-day challenges facing the often invisible and underrepresented economic minority. 231 pages. $15.95 each. Alliance for Children and Families, 1170 W. Lake Park Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53224. (414) 359-1040, www.alliance1.org.
Videos
Family
Divorce: A Survivors Guide for Kids, speaks to divorcees and children by providing understanding and support for the complications surrounding divorce. With testimonials from divorced parents as well as children of divorce, the video adequately touches on the entire range of emotions associated with such a great loss. It reassures viewers that divorce is common and that the feelings they are experiencing are normal and healthy. Most importantly, it reiterates that divorce is not the child’s fault. A great tool for youth and adults. 15 minutes. $89.95. Cambridge Educational, PO Box 931, Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852, (800) 468-4227, www.cambridgeol.com.
Education
Inclusion: A Service, Not a Place, provides teachers and administrators with suggestions for integrating general and special education students into a collaborative learning environment. Early education specialists Alan Gartner and Dorothy Kerzner-Lipsky present and illustrate their opinions through the example of Public School 217 in New York City. This community school has successfully integrated its classrooms through collaborative and communicative planning, critical adaptation, technology and new programs. An excellent tool, complete with an instruction manual, for administrators, parents and teachers working toward inclusive learning environments. 35 minutes. $149.95. National Professional Resources Inc., 25 S. Regent St., Port Chester, NY 10573. (800) 453-7461, www.nprinc.com.
The Genius in Every Child: Early Childhood Version, profiles the Montessori approach to early education. Thomas Armstrong, an alternative education guru, defines the term genius as “giving birth to the joy of learning” and thus identifies anyone who possesses this joy as a genius. Armstrong esteems curiosity, imagination, humor, vitality, creativity and sensitivity as more indicative of a child’s intellectual and educational value than more traditional attributes such as focus and discipline. Several Montessori schools provide teacher and administrative testimonials regarding the efficacy of their approach, which turns this film into more of an infomercial than an objective look at alternative education. An elementary school version is also available. 34 minutes. $129.95. National Professional Resources Inc., 25 S. Regent St., Port Chester, NY 10573. (800) 453-7461, www.nprinc.com.
Health
ABC’s of STD’s: Straight Talk about Sexually Transmitted Diseases, combines the work of the Springfield (Mass.) Community Health Project with expert testimonials to frankly discuss common STDs. While doctors explain the technicalities of each disease, youth actors simulate real-life situations where they can use prevention techniques. The video stresses knowledge and communication as the two most important factors in STD prevention. Appropriate for high-school-aged youth. 23 minutes. $99. Aquarius, 5 Powderhouse Ln., P.O. Box 1159, Sherborn, MA 01770. (888) 440-2963, www.aquarius productions.com.
Smoking: The Toxic Truth, is a classic scared-straight approach to hitting youth over the head with the consequences of smoking. Several youth who have smoked to some degree are shown real samples of a pink non-smokers lung and the blackened, tar-filled lung of a smoker. By far, the most effective moments include a man who quit smoking who developed larynx cancer and now breathes through a hole in his throat. Although a bit long to maintain the attention of youth, the video includes content that should at the very least make kids think twice. 30 minutes. $149. Discover Films, P.O. Box 24758, New Orleans, LA 70184. (888) 649-6453, www.discover-films.com.
PreTeens
Your Reputation: Make It, Change It, depicts interwoven parallel situations of rumors, gossip and tarnished reputations in an all-American middle school. The characters restore their reputations by the end of the film by following four steps conveniently presented to the audience: finding a mentor, making the necessary effort to change their actions, gaining support from friends and being prepared for some peers to give them a hard time. The film depicts middle-school kids and would not be taken seriously after the eighth grade. 23 minutes. $109.95. Sunburst, 101 Castleton St., Pleasantville, NY 10570, (800) 431-1934, www.sunburst.com.
Substance Abuse
Real People: Club Drugs: What You Should Know, combines testimonials from drug experts and former users to deliver a realistic and powerful statement against the use of club drugs. Six primary substances and details of their harmful side effects are discussed: ecstasy, RHB, GHB, ketamine, speed and LSD. This video succeeds by communicating with high school youths in the most powerful way possible – through their peers. Any youth can sympathize with the serious and often tragic consequences these former users have dealt with. Appropriate for high-school-aged youth. 20 minutes. $119.95. Sunburst, 101 Castleton St., Pleasantville, NY 10570, (800) 431-1934, www.sunburst.com.
The Truth About Marijuana, chronicles the challenges faced by a middle-schooler when he begins to use marijuana. As can be expected, the youth can conceal his drug use for a time, but parents and teachers intervene as his life begins to unravel. Poor acting makes this film hard to swallow, but the underlying message is important. This film is geared toward a middle-school audience and would be ineffective for kids over 14. 20 minutes. $109.95. Sunburst, 101 Castleton St., Pleasantville, NY 10570, (800) 431-1934, www.sunburst.com.
