Children’s Books
The Newberry and Caldecott Awards, by the American Library Association, is an excellent resource for any youth worker looking for books to read to children. The guide lists all winners and runners-up of the Newberry and Caldecott medals, given, respectively, to the best children’s book and best illustrated children’s book each year. Each entry provides brief information about the book, the author and the publisher. 160 pages. $19. American Library Association, P.O. Box 932501, Atlanta, GA 31193. (866) 746-7252, www.alastore.ala.org.
Crime
Student-Led Crime Prevention: A Real Resource With Powerful Promise, by the U.S. Department of Education, discusses and provides examples of how youth-led crime prevention can help make schools and surrounding communities safer. The pamphlet-styled publication lays out the benefits of student-led crime prevention – including reducing the fear of crime and promoting positive behavior – and discusses challenges to youth-led crime prevention, such as finding and enlisting the right champion. The book provides model approaches and a list of existing programs. 39 pages. Free. Ed Pubs, Education Publications Center, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794. (877) 433-7827, www.ed.gov/about/ordering.jsp.
Education
“Dear Josie”: Witnessing the Hopes and Failures of Democratic Education, by Joseph Featherstone, is a collection of essays covering democratic education over a 30-year period. Recent pieces profile outstanding teachers and give detailed descriptions of their classroom practices. Others focus on historical perspectives, such as the role British primary schools played in educational reform in the 1960s, and the school wars in New York and Boston in the 1970s. The book ends with a letter from Featherstone to a young teacher entering the profession today. 183 pages. $19.95. Teachers College Press, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027. (800) 575-6566, www.tcpress.com.
Emotions
How to Take the GRRRR Out of Anger, by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis, is written to help youth deal with and manage anger. The book provides steps, and through pictures and words, the authors provide strategies for taming a temper and steering clear of anger problems. Suggestions include eating right, learning relaxation techniques and writing about feelings. 118 pages. $9.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 Fifth Ave. North, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (800) 735-7323, www.freespirit.com.
Foster Care
Like Family: Growing Up in Other People’s Houses, A Memoir, by Paula McLain, tells the story of three young sisters who were abandoned by their parents and thrown into an overburdened foster care system. McLain describes how for 14 years, she and her sisters were put into different foster homes and had to learn to adapt to new families and habits. The realities of a chaotic, rootless and confusing life are illustrated as the sisters spend their childhoods looking for a place to call home, while building an unbreakable bond with one another. 260 pages. $23.95. Warner Books, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. (800) 759-0190, www.twbookmark.com.
Girls
See Jane Win for Girls: A Smart Girl’s Guide to Success, by Sylvia Rimm, offers tips, quizzes, activities and advice to help young girls grow up to be successful women. Based on more than 1,000 surveys of successful women, the book helps girls identify their talents and develop new interests. With true success stories from teens and inspiring words from women, the book also offers suggestions for reaching goals and achieving dreams. 130 pages. $13.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 Fifth Ave., Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (800) 735-7323, www.freespirit.com.
Straight Talk for Teenage Girls, by Annette Fuson, looks at important issues teenage girls face growing up, namely friendships and relationships. Fuson offers suggestions for dealing with problems, handling emotions and getting out of difficult situations, such as by talking to an adult or other trusted person. The book also features quizzes and a question-and-answer section compiled from interviews with teenage girls. 136 pages. $10.50. 1st Books, 2595 Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404. (800) 839-8640, www.1stbooks.com.
When We’re in Public, Pretend You Don’t Know Me: Surviving Your Daughter’s Adolescence So You Don’t Look Like an Idiot and She Still Talks to You, by Susan Borowitz, is a mother’s handbook for dealing with adolescent daughters. It tackles many of the standard mother-and-daughter issues: public behavior, clothes and shopping, beauty and body, and sex. Borowitz provides sound advice for moms (and dads) and backs up her thoughts with tips and strategies from a child psychologist. 274 pages. $12.95. Warner Books, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. (800) 759-0190, www.twbookmark.com.
Juvenile Justice
Securing Our Children’s Future: New Approaches to Juvenile Justice and Youth Violence, edited by Gary S. Katzmann, is a collection of essays that focus on the role of institutions in combating youth violence. Bringing together academic experts and skilled professionals, the essays propose new responsibilities for the federal government and revised roles for police, courts and schools. Among the proposals is a new agenda, centered on building bridges between the juvenile justice and child welfare protection systems. 444 pages. $22.95. The Brookings Institution Press, 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. (202) 797-6258, www.brookings.edu.
Learning
Teaching Youth Media: A Critical Guide To Literacy, Video Production, and Social Change, by Steven Goodman, explores the use of media education to help urban teenagers develop critical thinking and literacy skills. Goodman looks at changes that need to be made in schools and after-school programs, the intersection of literacy and culture, and the disconnect that results when teachers and curricula fail to recognize the social and cultural contexts in which urban youth live. The book includes case studies of students and teachers with the Educational Video Center in New York City. 129 pages. $18.95. Teachers College Press, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027. (800) 575-6566, www.tcpress.com.
When, Where, What and How Youth Learn, edited by Karen Pittman, Nicole Yohalem and Joel Tolman, is part of the New Directions for Youth Development series by Jossey-Bass. Eight essays from leading youth policy advocates expound on the common theme that traditional school roles are not enough, and community efforts to expand the scope of learning are crucial. Theories on learning-centered communities, free-choice learning and other lofty concepts are offered as directions for efficient expansion of the youth learning process. 149 pages. $28. Jossey-Bass, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (800) 956-7739, www.josseybass.com.
You’re Smarter Thank You Think: A Kid’s Guide to Multiple Intelligence, by Thomas Armstrong, explains the Theory of Multiple Intelligences in simple terms for kids. According to Armstrong there are different kinds of “smart”: word smart, music smart and logic smart, for example. This book explains each type of intelligence, uses quizzes to help kids identify where they are strongest, and offers suggestions for strengthening areas where they are not so strong. 186 pages. $15.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 Fifth Ave., Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (800) 735-7323, www.freespirit.com.
The ADHD Book of Lists: A Practical Guide for Helping Children and Teens With Attention Deficit Disorders, by Sandra F. Rief, provides wide-ranging information about Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in a simple list format. Topics include understanding, diagnosing and treating ADHD; collaborative skills and practices to support students with ADHD; and academic difficulties in reading, writing and math. Created for teachers, parents, counselors and mental health professionals, the book also offers reproducible forms and tools such as a homework assignment logs and a classroom behavioral chart. 412 pages. $29.95. Jossey-Bass, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (800) 956-7739, www.josseybass.com.
Minorities
Children of Color: Psychological Interventions with Culturally Diverse Youth, edited by Jewelle Taylor Gibbs and Larke Nahme Huang, pieces together the most recent research and findings about a wide array of minority youth populations. Beginning with assessments of specific groups (such as Native American, Asian and immigrant youth, as well as conflict survivors), the editors conclude with essays identifying the needs and shortcomings of health and justice services for minority youth. With a wealth of statistics and analysis presented in a clear style, “Children of Color” is an excellent reference for youth advocates. 501 pages. $35. Jossey-Bass, 989 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103. (800) 956-7739, www.josseybass.com.
Sex
Unmasking Sexual Con Games, by Kathleen McGee and Laura Buddenberg, is a curriculum for youth workers seeking to increase youths’ awareness of sexual con games. McGee and Buddenberg loosely define the term as a situation in which “someone is tricked into a sexual encounter by what another person says.” The package includes both a leader’s guide and a teen guide, identifying for youth certain verbal and written forms of emotional grooming that can put them in precarious positions. 199 pages. $29.95 ($5.95 for the teen guide). Boys Town Press, 14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010. (800) 282-6657, www.girlsandboystown.org/btpress.
Teens
Life Lists for Teens, by Pamela Espeland, provides more than 200 lists dealing with teens’ experiences and emotions. Lists include “11 Warning Signs You’re Under Too Much Stress,” “5 Ways to Build Your Self-Confidence” and “12 Ways to Keep Cool During Tests.” 264 pages. $11.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 Fifth Ave., Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (800) 735-7323, www.freespirit.com.
Violence
Evaluating Gun Policy: Effects on Crime and Violence, edited by Jens Ludwig and Philip J. Cook, is a collection of essays looking at different gun policy options and evaluating their effectiveness and consequences. The book attempts to provide empirical evidence and guidance for a pragmatic approach to gun policy. Essays cover restricting gun carrying, the prevalence of guns and regulating gun ownership. 469 pages. $24.95. The Brookings Institution Press, 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. (202) 797-6258, www.brookings.edu.
Youth Development
Walking Your Talk: Building Assets in Organizations That Serve Youth, by Neal Starkman, helps youth workers build developmental assets, positive relationships, experiences and values that contribute to healthy personal growth. The book identifies important developmental assets, such as family support and safety, and provides activities for both young people and adults to promote those assets. 169 pages. $29.95. Search Institute, 615 First Ave. NE, Suite 125, Minneapolis, MN 55413. (877) 240-7251, www.search-institute.org.
Videos
Health
Inside Out: Stories of Bulimia, by Fanlight Productions, is an eye-opening documentary that looks into the lives of youth struggling with the eating disorder bulimia. The film shows first-hand struggles with bulimia and its consequences on the health, work and relationships of those who suffer from it. 56 minutes. $199. Fanlight Productions, P.O. Box 1084, Harriman, NY 10926. (800) 937-4113, www.fanlight.com.
Juvenile Justice
Books Not Bars, by Witness, is a documentary about the youth-led movement against the increasing number of young people (especially minorities) being incarcerated. The video highlights misconceptions about youth, such as the percentage of violent crimes committed by youth, and looks at the correlation between increased spending on prisons and decreased spending on education. The video uses interviews with youth who have been incarcerated and with youth and adult leaders who are fighting for reform to dispel misconceptions about youth incarceration and to press for changes. 21 minutes. $50. Witness, 353 Broadway, New York, NY 10013. (212) 274-1664, www.witness.org.
Parenting
The Teen Files Flipped: Mother/Daughter, by AIMS Multimedia, helps promote communication and understanding between teens and parents. The reality-based video places Jill, a single working mother of three teenage girls, and her 16-year-old daughter Connie in each other’s shoes. The mother and daughter are having trouble getting along and understanding each other, but after spending a day as her mother, Connie appreciates what her mother does for her and the family. Jill does likewise. 21 minutes. $149.95. AIMS Multimedia, 9710 DeSoto Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311. (800) 367-2467, www.aimsmultimedia.com.
Violence
Real Life Teens: Bullies & Harassment on Campus, by TMW Media Group, uses interviews with teens to help viewers understand the motives behind bullying and how to deal with the problem. It offers simple solutions to victims of bullying: Ignore it, confront it nonviolently, and if those don’t work, get help from a trustworthy adult. The video also addresses racial and sexual harassment, damage to self-esteem, and methods for avoiding conflict and violence at school. 21 minutes. $59.95. TMW Media Group, 2321 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291. (800) 262-8862, www.tmwmedia.com.
The Teen Files Flipped: Gun Awareness, by AIMS Multimedia, places two gun-toting teens in fictional roles for 24 hours. Maurice spends the day as a homicide detective, where he faces the effects of gun violence on a victim, a parent and himself. Nick works as a surgeon, where he witnesses the physical effects of gunshot wounds. Both kids experience the grief that can result from gun violence and agree to mend their ways. 21 minutes. $149.95. AIMS Multimedia, 9710 DeSoto Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311. (800) 367-2467, www.aimsmultimedia.com.
CD-ROMs
Drinking
Alcohol 101 Plus: Making Safe and Responsible Decisions on Campus, by The Century Council, is an interactive CD-ROM aimed at helping students make safe and responsible decisions on college campuses. The CD focuses on certain at-risk populations, including athletes and freshman members of fraternities. The program is set on a virtual campus. Hosts Jim and Julie point out the highlights of the campus, including the quad, first-year student residences, Greek row and the student union. “Alcohol 101” highlights specific issues concerning at-risk populations and provides students and educators with thoughtful and realistic scenarios. Free. The Century Council, 1310 G St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. (202) 637-0077, www.alcohol101plus.org.
High School
ConGRADulations Class of 2003: Here We Go, by Interlinc, is an interactive CD with songs and music videos from today’s top Christian artists, including Newsboys, Supertones, Audio Adrenaline and Superchick. The CD encourages graduating high school seniors to think about the road ahead, with featured songs discussing friendship, future goals, success and personal faith. The CD also includes greetings from other 2003 class members, year-in-review news highlights and selected readings from the New Testament’s psalms and proverbs. $11.95. Interlinc, 5307 Leipers Creek Road, Franklin, TN 37064. (800) 725-3300, http://www.grad2003.comrad2003.com.
