At-Risk Kids
No Disposable Kids, by Larry K. Brendtro, Arlin Ness and Martin Mitchell, suggests ways to reach children whom everybody else has given up on. The authors intertwine advice with real life examples, contending that the best way to change a rebellious child is with love. Even those “too far gone,” the authors say, need to be led by the example of caring adults and, with the correct guidance, will become successful adults themselves. 220 pages. $22.50. Sopris West, 4093 Specialty Place, Longmont, CO 80504. (303) 651-2829, www.sopriswest.com.
Reclaiming Youth At Risk, by Larry K. Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg and Steve Van Bocker, is an effort to reclaim “at risk” youth by combining Indian philosophies with theories of youth workers from the European tradition. The book examines why children feel alienated and discouraged and concludes with suggestions for recreating a sense of purpose among youth. 160 pages. $21.95. National Education Service, 304 W. Kirkland Ave., Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404. (800) 733-6786, www.nesonline.com.
Community
Inside Full-Service Community Schools, by Joy Dryfoos and Sue Maguire, is a comprehensive look at the virtues of community schools and what goes into their successful development. The authors present the case for such schools and the general models used to construct them, then move to specific concerns such as staffing, partnership and parent involvement, and assessment techniques. Dryfoos and Maguire have put together a wonderful resource for youth work leaders who think a community school might benefit their area. 233 pages. $29.95. Corwin Press, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. (800) 818-7243, www.corwinpress.com.
Voices from the Field II: Reflections on Comprehensive Community Change, by The Aspen Institute, summarizes what 10 authors from Aspen and Chapin Hall have learned over a decade about improving poor communities. The gist: Invest in community-level actors internal to the neighborhood, but recognize that forces affecting the lives of families in poor communities are often external to the local setting. A brief read, "Voices from the Field” lays out the principles of community change
and the methods to improve the capacity of institutions and assertive residents. 125 pages. $12. The Aspen Institute Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives, 281 Park Ave. S., New York, NY 10010. (212) 677-5510, www.aspeninstitute.org.
Counseling
Autistic Spectrum Disorders, by Mitzi Waltz, is designed to help adults understand the issues that surround autism-related disorders through stories of families coping with the conditions. The book describes techniques to help parents deal with the medical conditions of the affected child, and where to go for help. Waltz concludes with lists of other resources, references and support systems available to the ASD community. 511 pages. $29.95. O’Reilly & Associates, 101 Morris St., Sebastopol, CA 95472. (800) 998-9938; www.patientcenters.com.
What Works When with Children and Adolescents, by Ann Vernon, is designed for counselors and social workers in school or clinical settings. Vernon uses anecdotes to help provide the basics of different counseling techniques, and addresses internalizing problems, developmental problems and emotive behavior. The book also includes suggestions for
well-crafted activities to supplement standard therapy techniques. 344 pages. $39.95. Research Press, 2612 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign, IL 61822. (800) 519-2707, www.researchpress.com.
Education
Standards For Our Schools, by Marc S. Tucker and Judy B. Codding, boldly attempts to tackle myriad problems within America’s school systems. The book centers on the “standards movement” and argues that, if applied properly, the movement can substantially and uniformly raise educational achievement. “Standards For Our Schools” is a helpful tool for both school administrators and teachers in search of ways to create better educational opportunities for youth. 366 pages. $20. Jossey-Bass, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (800) 956-7739, www.josseybass.com.
Faith-Based
Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry, by Doug Fields, draws on the author’s experiences in the youth ministry field to help and encourage youth workers and leaders. Targeting both paid and volunteer workers, Fields touches on subjects like staying “spiritually fresh,” working with difficult people and evaluating youth ministry projects and programs. Fields presents advice in a conversational piece that will not come off preachy to readers. 290 pages. $14.99. Zondervan Books, 5300 Patterson S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530. (616) 698-6900, www.zondervan.com.
Fiction
The Same Stuff as Stars, by Katherine Paterson, tells the story of a mature 11-year-old girl whose father is in jail. One day her mother packs up and flees, leaving Angel to live with her inept great- grandmother. The girl becomes responsible for taking care of herself and her younger brother, and life is bleak except for her one enjoyment: gazing at the stars. Paterson creates a steadfast character and an inspiring book for pre-teenagers struggling with the difficulties of growing up. 192 pages. $15. Clarion Books, 215 Park Ave. S., New York, NY 10003. (800) 225-3362, www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com.
Health
Don’t Sweat It! by Marguerite Crump, explores questions that pre-teens have about what their bodies are going through but are afraid to ask. The book discusses hygiene, health habits and body issues, reassuring children that what is happening to them is normal. There are also fun facts and quotes throughout the chapters that help make the difficult subject matter easier to approach. The book ends with lists of other helpful books and websites for kids and teens. 118 Pages. $13.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 Fifth Ave. N., Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (800) 735-7323, www.freespirit.com.
Mental Health
Anger Management: The Complete Treatment Guidebook for Practitioners, by Howard Kassinove and Raymond Tafrate, stresses knowledge development and behavioral practice as the keys to controlling disruptive and excessive bouts of anger. In seven sections, the authors take practitioners through the basics of anger problems and how to change and adjust the problem permanently, while also suggesting model programs and ways for practitioners to control their own anger. 304 pages. $27.95. Impact Publishers, P.O. Box 6016, Atascadero, CA 93423. (805) 466-5917, www.impactpublishers.com.
Ritalin Is Not the Answer, by David B. Stein, confronts the practice of medicating children to control behavioral problems. Stein says the majority of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) cases are misdiagnosed. He proposes that parents modify their own behavior to deal with their “uncontrollable” children instead of immediately turning to the behavior-altering Ritalin. Stein suggests new methods for caregivers to use as alternatives. 203 pages. $15. Jossey-Bass Publishers, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (877) 762-2974, www.josseybass.com.
Parenting
How to Talk to Your Children About Really Important Things, by Theresa Foy DiGeronimo, tries to help parents talk with their adult children about numerous issues, ranging from careers to alternative lifestyles and drug abuse. The key to talking to adult children, the author says, is to respect “their hobbies, talents, careers, ambitions, significant others, and them as individuals separate from us.” DiGeronimo explores issues to which a wide number of families can relate and suggests multiple ways of handling those situations. 309 pages. $17.95. Jossey-Bass Publishers, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (877) 762-2974, www.josseybass.com.
Philanthropy
September 11: Perspectives from the Field of Philanthropy, published by the Foundation Center, is a collection of essays by executives from the charitable sector, celebrating the role of philanthropic and nonprofit organizations after the Sept. 11 attacks. The book is intended to educate readers on the management, challenges and legal struggles the institutions face. The essays also show how groups most in need of assistance, such as children and families, should benefit from long-term developments that grew from the response to the attacks. 182 pages. Free. The Foundation Center, 79 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10003. (212) 620-4230, www.fdncenter.org.
Relationships
Boy V. Girl? by George Abrahams and Sheila Ahlbrand, is a hands-on examination of how teens view gender roles, relationships between the sexes and each other. The authors include interesting survey results, quotes, facts and tips, as well as questionnaires that allow the reader to become more involved with the subject matter. The book, written for pre-teens and teenagers, is an interesting look at difficult subject matter, and might help young people try to figure out where they fit in a society with established gender roles. 194 pages. $14.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 Fifth Ave. N., Suite 200, Minneapolis,
MN 55401. (800) 735-7323, www.freespirit.com.
Violence
Juvenile Sexual Offending: Causes, Consequences, and Correction, edited by Gail Ryan and Sandy Lane, is a comprehensive resource for identifying and dealing with sexually abusive youth. Written mostly by the editors, the text can probably be understood by youth workers with little experience. Beginning with a presentation of theories on early sexual development, Ryan and Lane tie in an understanding of the effects of abuse, how to intervene, and treatment and prevention methods. 491 pages. $47. Jossey Bass, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (877) 762-2974, www.josseybass.com.
Love to Hate, by Judy M. Roy, is a commentary on America’s obsession with violence. Divided into three sections, the book explores violence and hatred in everyday life, the origins of hate, and possible solutions. Roy uses examples of pop music, movies, language and stories of recent hate crimes to argue that the nation has begun to idolize violence. The book calls for adults to recognize the presence of hate in culture and make a change for the sake of youth. 202 pages. $22.50. Columbia University Press, 61 W. 62 St., New York, NY 10023. (800) 944-8648, www.columbia.edu/cu/cup.
Welfare
Work, Welfare and Politics, edited by the University of Oregon Press, is an assessment of welfare since the landmark federal reforms of 1996. The book examines welfare reform through four lenses: family well-being, caregiving, moving from welfare to work, and the social controls of welfare. Through detailed text combined with data charts, the editors present a valuable resource as Congress debates welfare’s future. 364 pages. $21.95. University of Oregon Press, 5283 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403. (866) 672-8527, www.uopress.com.
Videos
Substance Abuse
Alcohol, by Cambridge Educational, looks at the patterns and circumstances of early adolescent drinking. The video balances the personal accounts of teens who have faced drinking problems with frank discussions by adult counselors about parental responsibilities. The video demonstrates how quickly a teen can get addicted to alcohol and how damaging that addiction can be. 20 minutes. $79.95. Cambridge Educational, P.O. Box 931, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. (800) 468-4227, http://www.cambridgeol.com
Never Again, by the Volunteer Center, is a simple but direct appeal to think before getting behind the wheel after drinking. Combining stories from those who have lost loved ones to drunken driving accidents with recent alcohol-related statistics, the center has put together a brief but effective presentation. 20 minutes. Free. Volunteer Center, 174 E. Market St., Sandusky, OH 44870. (419) 627-0074.
The Courage to Speak, by Aquarius, features a mother telling high schoolers the story of her teenage son, who died from a drug overdose. Ginger Katz tries to educate and warn her audience about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, entreating them to have the courage to speak in a way that her son could not. The video ends with information on The Courage to Speak Foundation, which Katz started. 30 min. $99. Aquarius Health Care Videos, 5 Powerhouse Lane, P.O. Box
1159, Sherborn, MA 01770. (888) 440-2963; www.aquariusproductions.com.
Smoking
Tobacco, by Cambridge Educational, examines the core issues of teen tobacco use in a similar fashion to its “Alcohol” video. Youth interviewed for the piece attribute their initial experiences with smoking to two predictable sources: peer pressure, and watching the grown-ups close to them. More effective are their descriptions of the grotesque aspects of smoking: waking up with a hacking cough and being unable to do physical activity. 20 minutes. $79.95. Cambridge Educational, P.O. Box 931, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. (800) 468-4227, www.cambridgeol.com.
Teens
Teen Talk: Jealousy, produced by Knowledge Unlimited, is a short film that simulates real life teenage interaction to show teens the correct way to deal with feelings of jealousy. The film portrays a teenage relationship and the problems that arise when the couple breaks up. The poor acting, however, is more apt to make kids laugh than listen, and the video offers little in the way of a solution to handling jealousy. 20 min. $49.95. Knowledge Unlimited, P.O. Box 52, Madison, WI 53701. (800) 356-2303, www.ku.com.
CD-ROM
Careers
Career Ideas for Kids Roadmap, by Cambridge Educational, is an interactive CD-ROM that will help children at the elementary school level discover the importance of a career. This CD has a neat section where children can write down their favorite activities, then receive a personal assessment on the next screen. There are explanations of the correct way to interview and descriptions of careers in every field. Links on the resource page help get children more interested in learning about careers they can pursue. The CD-ROM is fun and teaches children about a subject that is not usually explained to them. $49.95. Cambridge Educational, P.O. Box 931, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. (800) 468-4227, www.cambridgeeducational.com.
Music
Smoking
Unfiltered Facts, by Sterlen Barr, is a music CD constructed completely around anti-smoking themes. Using simple beats, Barr presents songs that range from catchy to corny, incorporating a number of compelling anti-smoking messages. By far Barr’s best effort comes when he displays his “beat-box” skills to demonstrate what clear lungs can do for a person. No youth would listen to the disc in its entirety, but a lot of the tracks could be effective supplements to a program with an eye toward anti-smoking messages. 45 minutes. $11.95. Rapping About Prevention, P.O. Box 22355, Philadelphia, PA 19110, SterlenBarr@aol.com
