Community
School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action, by Joyce L. Epstein, Mavis G. Sanders, Beth S. Simon, Karen Clark Salinas, Natalie Rodriguez Jansorn and Frances L. Van Voorhis, presents tools for strengthening family, educational and community relationships by adhering to simple methods. Authors present eight elements as a framework for change, including leadership, funding and continuous planning. Each concept is presented as a theoretical model and then illustrated with a successful example. This useful guide for youth workers, parents and teachers presents realistic suggestions for enhancing partnerships. 392 pages. $34.95 soft cover, $75.95 hard cover. Corwin Press, 2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. (800) 818-7243, www.corwinpress.com.
Education
New Directions for Library Service to Young Adults, by the Young Adult Library Services Association and Patrick Jones, is a comprehensive guide to enlightening youth by improving community libraries. The book presents 12 goals and 10 values conducive to an interactive and positive library experience, plus 18 success stories to serve as models for change. A wonderful resource for library professionals searching for creative and strategic methods to improve youth services. 146 pages. $32. American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. (866) 746-7252, www.alastore.ala.org.
Lessons Learned: What the WAY Program Can Teach Us About Program Replication, by Nan Dale, Amy J.L. Baker and David Racine, details the replication of the Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) program. Developed by the Children’s Village for youth in residential treatment programs, WAY was replicated and studied in four urban community-based environments. The program is deemed partially successful in some settings, unsuccessful in others, while numerous changes and modifications are suggested. A helpful resource for youth professionals and community-based organizers considering the replication of the WAY model. 26 pages. $4. American Youth Policy Forum, 1836 Jefferson Pl., NW, Washington, DC 20036. (292) 775-9731, www.aypf.org.
When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers: How To Meet Their Social and Emotional Needs, by Jim Delisle and Judy Galbraith, is a guide for parents, teachers and youth workers in dealing with gifted children. Beginning with definitions and examples of typical gifted behaviors, the book delves into different aspects of day-to-day life with a gifted child, including difficult challenges. They cover issues such as socialization, peer relationships, emotions and teaching strategies. A comprehensive resource for teachers and youth professionals in understanding and tailoring educational programs to fit the needs of gifted kids. 277 pages. $17.95. 217 N. Fifth Ave., Ste. 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (612) 338-2068, www.freespirit.com.
Innovative Approaches in Working with Children: New Lessons From the Kibbutz, Edited by Yuval Dror, brings together essays from numerous kibbutzim and their alternative approaches to education. Topics covered include caring for students with special needs, foster care, integrated learning environments and youth services. This compilation of essays provides fascinating insights into holistic and inventive methods of education that have been proven effective. 161 pages. $29.95. The Haworth Press, 10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY 13904. (800) 429-6784, www.haworthpress.com.
Families
Divorce, Family Structure, and the Academic Success of Children, by William Jeynes, comprehensively explores the effects of divorce and broken homes on the academic performance of children. Jeynes reviews prominent studies on the topic, and intertwines studies with his own findings. This extremely technical book demonstrates a clear relationship between family structure and academic achievement, providing insight into the harmful ramifications of divorce. 205 pages. $24.95. Haworth Press, 10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY 13904. (800) 429-6784, www.haworthpress.com.
Health
America’s Youth: Measuring the Risk, by the Institute for Youth Development, provides data and statistics describing the harmful consequences of risky behavior. The guide also offers powerful information on topics such as drugs, alcohol, sex and tobacco, and suggestions for avoiding the dangers of each. A comprehensive tool for youth professionals with up-to-date statistics and research. 169 pages. $20. The Institute for Youth Development, P.O. Box 16560, Washington, DC 20041. (703) 471-8750, www.youthdevelopment.org.
Inspiration/Self-Help
Unfinished Miles: One Man’s Unthinkable Journey, by Mark Manion, is a remarkable story of one man’s recovery from a paralyzing bicycle accident involving a drunk driver. Manion describes his life in phases: as an athletic and outgoing college student, as a quadriplegic and now as a husband and father. The book testifies to the power of the human spirit overcoming physical hurdles. An inspiring account and sobering testimony of the harmful consequences of drinking and driving. 235 pages. $13.95. Black Forest Press, P.O. Box 6342, Chula Vista, CA 91909. (920) 583-2491, www.drunkbusters.com.
Knowing Me, Knowing You: The I-Sight Way to Understand Yourself and Others, by Pamela Espeland, is a guide for teens to get to know themselves and in turn respond more appropriately to others. The book covers major psychological movements, then segues into a fun and quick personality test. I-Sight breaks down the personality into four major types: Direct and Active, Interested and Lively, Steady and Cooperative, and Concerned and Correct. Espeland includes suggestions for interacting with others based on personality types, and illustrates the ideas through fictitious vignettes. 116 pages. $13.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 N. Fifth Ave., Ste. 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (800) 735-7323, www.freespirit.com.
Organizational Development
Sources of Funding for Youth Services, by the Leonard Resource Group, is a comprehensive guide to community service funding. The guide breaks down how a grant application is written and what should be included, and provides contacts for individual organizations. 91 pages. Free online. The Leonard Research Group Inc., 1199 N. Fairfax St., Ste. 702, Alexandria, VA 22314. (703) 548-8535, www.lrginc.org.
Why Bad Ads Happen to Good Causes and How to Ensure They Won’t Happen to Yours, by Andy Goodman, is a compilation of findings from the Starch Readership Study. The report dissects and analyzes numerous advertisements from major nonprofit and public service organizations and is numerically ranked by reader response. Goodman provides an easy-to-follow guide for nonprofits in creating effective ad campaigns. 58 pages. Free. Andy Goodman, 3250 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90010. (213) 386-9501, www.agoodmanonline.com.
Race Relations
Leading for Diversity: How School Leaders Promote Positive Interethnic Relations, by Rosemary Henze, Anne Katz, Edmundo Norte, Susan E. Sather and Ernest Walker, is a guide to facilitating meaningful inter-group dialogues. Originating from the work of a group of San Francisco Bay Area principals, this resource gives educators and leaders innovative ideas for inclusion, exercises and programs. Case studies and statistical charts illustrate the effectiveness of the approaches. 204 pages. $34.95. Corwin Press, 2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. (800) 818-7243, www.corwinpress.com.
Sexual Assault
Top Secret: Sexual Assault Information For Teenagers Only, by ACT for Kids, is a manual for teenagers to guard against rape and sexual assault. Numerous simulated situations illustrate helpful defense mechanisms and self-protection tips. One section features questions submitted by teens, with answers from child protection professionals. This book provides teenagers with honest information in a realistic easy-to-read format. 32 pages. $5.95. ACT for Kids, Symons Building, Ste. 200, 7 S. Howard St., Spokane, WA 99201. (866) 348-5437, www.actforkids.org.
What’s the Big Deal?: Sexual Harassment Information for Teens, by Gayle M. Stringer, is an interactive manual for teenagers coping with common forms of sexual harassment. The manual reviews specific situations and offers suggestions for appropriate and safe coping mechanisms. It also provides space for teens to write their thoughts, respond to certain incidents and check their reactions against the suggested tactics. This resource is simple and informative, and addresses the types of harassment that teens encounter most often. 32 pages. $5.95. King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, PO Box 300, Renton, WA 98057. (425) 226-5062.
How Long Does it Hurt?: A Guide to Recovering From Incest and Sexual Abuse for Teenagers, Their Friends, and Their Families, by Cynthia L. Mayer with Kristina E. Debye, paints an honest and sympathetic picture of the numerous manifestations of sexual abuse and rescue, recovery and suggested healing mechanisms. Mayer, a sexual abuse survivor, combines her first-hand knowledge with hundreds of teenage testimonials to present a fresh outlook to a sensitive and secretive subject. An inspiring tool for teenage victims of incest and sexual abuse. 265 pages. $17.95. Jossey-Bass Publishers, 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. (888) 378-2537, www.josseybass.com.
Sexuality
Adult Communication and Teen Sex: Changing a Community, by Public/Private Ventures, profiles the Plain Talk program of teen pregnancy prevention in four urban areas. Plain Talk educates adults, promotes open communication between youth and adults and provides information about contraception. The data highlight the program’s efficacy and illustrate the need for effective communication to maintain sexual health. A helpful tool for youth workers and health professionals in designing and implementing a sensible sexual health program. 28 pages. $8.50. Public/Private Ventures, 2000 Market St., Ste. 600, Philadelphia, PA 19103. (215) 557-4400, www.ppv.org.
In the System and in the Life: A Guide for Teens and Staff to the Gay Experience in Foster Care, by Youth Communications, is a compilation of stories written by gay youth depicting their struggle for acceptance in the context of foster care, family life and school. The stories are simplistic and poignant, resonating the message of tolerance and mutual respect. This book provides comfort, hope and support for all youths struggling to come to terms with their sexuality in the face of discrimination. 111 pages. $16.95. Youth Communications, 224 W. 29th St., 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10001. (212) 279-0708, ext. 100, www.youthcomm.org.
Lesbian and Gay Youth Issues: A Practical Guide for Youth Workers, by Gerald P. Mallon, is a resource for youth professionals dealing with the sensitive subject of sexual orientation. Mallon presents basic information about homosexuality, from genetic predispositions to lifestyle, in an easy-to-read format. Personal testimonials from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens illustrate the confusion and social ostracism that often accompanies the coming-out process. The book also provides a comprehensive list of definitions and resources. An excellent tool for LGBTQ teens and youth workers. 121 pages. $14.95. Child Welfare League of America, 440 First St. NW, 3rd Fl., Washington, DC 20001, (202) 638-2952, www.cwla.org.
Teens
More Than a Label, by Aisha Muharrar, is self-help guide for teens trying to combat the rampant labeling that occurs in America’s middle and high schools. This book provides a unique perspective on the complicated world of social stereotypes and cliques. Muharrar began writing as a high school sophomore and collected hundreds of testimonials and examples to illustrate her theories. A powerful resource for teens, parents and youth professionals that encourages individuality, tolerance and non-conformity. 144 pages. $13.95. Free Spirit Publishing, 217 N. 5th Ave., Ste. 200, Minneapolis, MN, 55401. (612) 338-2068, www.freespirit.com.
Treatment
Skillstreaming the Adolescent: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills, by Arnold P. Goldstein and Ellen McGinnis, illustrates innovative techniques for teaching social skills to chronically aggressive teens. The book lays out the physiological, environmental and parental factors that contribute to adolescent aggression, then presents methods for correcting the tendencies and behaviors. This resource comes equipped with a youth manual and a notebook with program forms for reference and reinforcement. Skill Cards and an audio CD are also available. 338 pages. $67.35. Research Press, 2612 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign, IL 61822. (800) 519-2707, www.researchpress.com.
The Juvenile Justice and Residential Care Treatment Planner, by William P. McInnis, Wanda D. Dennis, Michell A. Myers, Kathleen O’Connell Sullivan and Arthur E. Jongsma Jr., guides youth professionals through numerous juvenile justice and residential treatment related issues. This technical resource offers suggestions for program development and improvement while meeting federal and insurance guidelines. A complicated read, yet extremely informative for mental health and youth professionals from diagnosis of disorders through the formulation of effective treatment centers. 412 pages. $49.95. John Wiley & Sons, 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10158. (800) 225-5945, www.practiceplanners.wiley.com.
Stress Management for Adolescents: A Cognitive Behavioral Program, by Diana de Anza, presents a stress management program founded on four basic principles, including calming the body, clearing the mind, pacifying behavior and problem-solving actions. The approach begins with explanations of the physiological origins of stress, then moves into relaxation techniques. The book comes with an audio CD. Also available is a youth manual that provides reinforcement and additional exercises. 141 pages. $32.95. 2612 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign, IL 61822. (800) 519-2707, www.researchpress.com.
Helping Schoolchildren Cope with Anger: A Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention, by Jim Larson and John E. Lochman, details the Anger Coping Program, structured and designed for chronically aggressive 8- to 12-year-olds. Larson and Lochman explore the origins of youth anger and aggression, then trace the manifestations of these behaviors to appropriate methods of treatment. Case studies illustrate the suggested techniques. The book includes a complete treatment manual and guides the reader through implementation. 190 pages. $30. The Guilford Press, 72 Spring St., New York, NY 10012. (800) 365-7006, www.guilford.com.
Spirituality
Practice Unbound: A Study of Secular Spiritual and Religious Activities in Work with Adolescents, by Melanie Wilson, presents research on the impact of spiritual and religious practices in youth services. The study closely examines rehabilitation programs for troubled and at-risk youth from 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. Spiritual and religious practices include meditation, yoga and partnerships with local churches. At a time when faith-based initiatives are hotly contested, this study directly address the value of spiritual and religious practices. 74 pages. $19.95. New England Network for Child, Youth and Family Services, 25 Stow Rd., Boxboro, MA 01719. (978) 266-1998, www.nenetwork.org
Videos
Education
A Look at Productive Tutoring Techniques: Millennium Edition, by the Undergraduate Tutorial Center at North Carolina State University, provides instructive training for current and future tutors with footage of actual tutoring sessions. The three-tape series is broken into eight modules, each focusing on a different aspect of tutoring. Topics include helping students become better learners, honing questioning skills and providing positive reinforcement. Though aesthetically unrefined, these videos adequately teach and train through case-in-point illustrations. The tapes come with a tutor’s manual for additional reinforcement. 104 minutes. $359. Undergraduate Tutorial Center, North Carolina State University, Box 7105, Raleigh, NC 27695. (919) 515-3163.
Parenting
Active Parenting Now, by Active Parenting Publishers, speaks to parents of children ages 5 through 12. The videos provide dramatized situations to illustrate behavior modification techniques, and cover methods of discipline, parent-child respect and rewards. Unrealistic acting detracts from the principles, which are simple yet informative. The video set is supplemented by a leader guide and a parent’s manual/workbook. 155 minutes. $389. 810 Franklin Ct., Ste. B, Marietta, GA 30067. (800) 825-0060, www.activeparenting.com.
Self-Help
Skillstreaming the Adolescent: People Skills – Doing ‘Em Right, by Research Press, demonstrates the Skillstreaming method of behavior modification by illustrating how to effectively handle group pressure. The Skillstreaming method includes lessons, group discussion and role-playing to implement the newly learned skill. In this video, the instructor taught a group of middle-school kids four principles for combating group pressure. The methods taught could be applied to any social situation. The skills demonstrated were useful yet rudimentary, and would only be appropriate for middle-school-aged youth. 17 minutes. $95. Research Press, 2612 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign, IL 61822. (800) 519-2707, www.researchpress.com.
Respect: Keep It Real, by Sunburst, offers three short vignettes of teens dealing with respect of themselves and others. The cast in includes a duplicitous teenager and her unsuspecting boyfriend, an unscrupulous employee and her fed-up boss, and an overweight basketball player and his unsupportive team. Each character is forced to come to terms with the need for respect, and is taught a valuable and painful lesson. An honest look at the day-to-day challenges facing high-school-aged youth. 26 minutes. $109.95. Sunburst, 101 Castelton St., Pleasantville, NY 10570. (800) 431-1934, www.sunburst.com.
Substance Abuse
Alcohol: True Stories, by Family Health Productions, documents four young people and their adverse experiences with alcohol: a potential Olympic soccer player who lost his leg in a drunken driving accident, a teenage girl who lost two family members from alcohol-related deaths, a recovering teenage alcoholic and a sober break-dancer. Each brings a unique and poignant perspective that will make all youth take notice. These honest and harrowing personal accounts carry a strong warning against alcohol abuse. The video comes with a program guide, poster and bookmark. 20 minutes. $99.95. Family Health Productions, PO Box 1799, Gloucester, MA 01931. (978) 282-9970, www.abouthealth.com.
Violence
Boys and Guns, by ABC News, addresses the grave social concern of gun violence among teenage boys. In the light of high school shootings, the video attempts to identify the root of teenage gun violence through the expert testimonials of three panelists: an NRA spokesman, a judge and a neuropsychiatrist. The panel reviews footage of experiments that simulate young males discovering hidden guns. Although each testimonial explains the disturbing behavior from different and valid perspectives, the panel does not provide suggestions for behavior modification. The video thus can be a catalyst for analysis of youth gun violence, but doesn’t follow through in a practical way. 22 minutes. $89.95. Films for the Humanities & Sciences, PO Box 2053, Princeton, NJ 08543. (800) 257-5126, www.films.com.
CD-ROMs
Substance Abuse
Smoke Screen: An Interactive Look At Tobacco, by Cambridge Educational, illustrates the dangers of smoking through a series of interviews and expert testimonies. Issues include the origins of tobacco in the United States, addiction and the government’s role in the tobacco market. Youth are able to customize their interactive experience by focusing on the subtopics that interest them most. The CD-ROM is easy to navigate and has a closed-captioning option. 45 minutes. $89.95. Cambridge Educational, P.O. Box 931, Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852. (800) 468-4227, www.cambridgeeducational.com.
Under the Influence, by Cambridge Educational, brings to life the dangers associated with alcohol consumption. Viewers can choose which aspects of alcohol abuse concern them the most and customize their lessons accordingly. Each subsection is illustrated by data and footage of testimonials. Though the content is timeless, the aesthetic presentation is antiquated and may detract from the learning experience. 40 minutes. $89.95. Cambridge Educational, P.O. Box 931, Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852. (800) 468-4227, www.cambridgeeducational.com.
