Making a Difference: The Changing the World Handbook.

As part of the Really Useful Handbooks series, published by Crabtree, these three titles provide guidance for teens on specific life topics on which there is currently little available at this reading level.

Each book has an identical format comprised of 48 pages, short chapters, and plentiful bright photographs from commercial agency stock, depicting teens from a variety of backgrounds. The high interest, low readability text is broken into approachable bite-size segments, using small separated areas within each page. There are simple charts, graphs, and sidebars as well as a glossary, index, and a list of websites in every book. Canadian readers need to be aware that the slant is American. 

In Making a Difference,teens are encouraged to assess their role in influencing change in the world, especially where the environment is concerned. Much of the focus is on the green movement, with advice on topics such as how to reduce one’s carbon footprint, recycling, saving energy and water, etc. But the book goes further than the obvious and is interestingly and positively presented, providing many little known facts about the effects of consumerism.

In I’m Broke, teens are given guidance on earning and spending money wisely. There is also advice on budgeting, banking, the use of credit, and appropriate borrowing. The book is set within the context of American financial and employment systems but this should not detract from the common sense, easily digested concepts presented.

In Too Fat? Too Thin? readers are encouraged to be realistic about their body image by ignoring societal pressures and maintaining good health through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Extreme eating disorders are dealt with, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and compulsive eating. Coping strategies are offered. The book could have been more rigorously proofread in two minor areas, but that does not detract from overall merit. Somewhat more concerning is that the majority of pictures reflect slim, trendy teens, perpetuating the message the book intends to refute.

These three volumes, with some minor reservations, do live up to the name of the series they represent and will fill a niche in public and school libraries as well as the classroom. Their attractive and readable format make them a great resource for those less academically gifted but would also appeal to any Grade 7–11 student.

Recommended.