People often tend to link their personal identity to their physical body. Two reader's theater-style plays focus on both male and female characters and their body images. Clarisse believes she is too fat and becomes obsessed with dieting. Sam's story focuses on a males impatience for change to occur - will he always be 411 and 98 pounds? Young people will learn that they may have more control over self-image than they imagine.
For adolescents, a sense of belonging to a group is an essential step in self-discovery. And yet not all popular kids are stress-free. How others view us is important, but these two reader's theater-style plays help readers distinguish the difference between social acceptance and personal acceptance.
Resentment and compassion link these two reader's theater-style plays that help teach young people how to deal with real situations. Both deal with traumatic changes within a familya separation between the two most important people in a childs life and the loss of a home and a beloved furry family member.
A flashpoint is the critical stage in some process at which action - often violence - occurs. As young people will learn in these two reader's theater-style plays, however, flashpoints can also trigger change. The plays focus on both physical and verbal outbursts of anger and ways to regain control of ones emotions.
Studies indicate that verbal bullying is more than twice as common as physical bullying. It occurs across all age groups, genders, economic classes, and ethnic groups. Verbal bullying can inflict long-term emotional scars. This informative title examines the causes and consequences of verbal bullying. Readers will learn to identify different kinds of verbal bullying and discover concrete strategies to prevent it.
Studies indicate that approximately four percent of adolescents experience serious depression. Depression and other mood disorders such as bipolar disorder occur across all age groups, genders, economic classes, and ethnic groups. This informative title examines the causes and symptoms of depression and other mood disorders and provides information about treatment options. A chapter on caring for others discusses the difficulties young people encounter living with or caring for siblings or parents who are depressed or have a mood disorder.
An estimated 40,000 children are born with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the United States each year. The impacts on school and family, and social life are immense. FASDs are a group of disorders and conditions that occur in people whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. This useful title gives an overview of the mental, behavioral, and physical impairments of FASD, as well as new research, treatments and methods for managing behavioral issues. A chapter on caring for others addresses children dealing with parents, siblings, or foster siblings with an FASD diagnosis.
Social bullying involves hurting someones reputation or relationships. Also called relational bullying, it includes acts such as social exclusion, spreading rumors, and embarrassing a person in public. It also includes nonverbal acts such as staring, pointing, and making gestures. This revealing title examines why social bullying occurs and provides effective strategies to confront it.
Physical bullying is the most blatant form of bullying. It includes hitting or kicking the victim, or, taking or damaging the victim's belongings. Physical bullying is more common among males, however females can also be the perpetuators or victims of this form of bullying. This informative title addresses physical bullying from the perspective of the target, the bully, and the bystander. Case studies, statistics, and thought-provoking questions shed light on this issue and provide actionable strategies to prevent it.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a term used to describe a group of developmental disorders that include autism, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and others. Many people with these disorders struggle with social interaction and communication. This informative book provides insight into how people diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder experience the world around them and promotes understanding and acceptance. A chapter for friends and family discusses how to handle autism spectrum disorder and its effects on siblings and relatives.
This insightful book examines different types of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating, and discusses causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Up-to-date information and firsthand accounts shed light on body image and eating disorders that are becoming increasingly common in adolescence. Practical advice on developing a positive self-image is also included.
Youth gambling has become a serious concern. From online poker and card games, to sports pools and lottery tickets, gambling is more accessible than ever before. This informative and timely book explores the different forms of gambling, reasons why young people gamble, and the dangerous consequences of compulsive gambling. Compelling real-life stories, recent statistics, and research help readers make informed and educated choices about gambling.
Current statistics indicate that nearly one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. As a result, many young people find themselves dealing with issues surrounding divorce, remarriage, and blended families. This candid and informative book addresses the myriad of emotions young people may experience during a divorce and the unique challenges blended families face.
This fascinating title chronicles the U.S. bombing of these Japanese cities during World War II. Topics include the development of the atomic bomb, Truman's decision to drop the bombs, and the long-term consequences of this historical event. Primary source accounts present reactions from both sides.
The forced removal of the Cherokee from their land changed not only the lives of the Native people, but also the course of American history. This gripping title examines the events leading up to the removal of the Cherokee from their native lands, the suffering endured on the Trail of Tears, and the struggles they faced once reaching their new land in present-day Oklahoma. The book also includes information about the Cherokee nation today.
This engaging title begins with a recount of the events of October 29, 1929, better known as Black Thursday, to mark the dawn of the Great Depression era. Readers will discover the causes of the depression, its affect on people across North America, and how governments responded to it. Readers will also draw comparisons to modern-day economic trials.
This modern-day pirate tale details the recent hijacking and daring rescue of the Maersk Alabama and places its gripping story in context with the evolution of piracy on the high seas.
In 1692, two young girls in Salem, Massachusetts, were diagnosed by the local doctor as being bewitched. Hysteria over witchcraft reached a fever pitch leading the Puritan townsfolk to accuse friends and neighbors of being under Satan's influence. This book tells the unbelievable, yet true, story of how innocent people were jailed on the evidence of dreams and visions, and how the legal system allowed nineteen people to be hanged before the governor of the state brought the people of Salem to their senses.
First-hand accounts, historical photographs, and engaging text combine to explore the experiences of immigrants to North America during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This fascinating title details the reasons for immigration and the challenges faced and contributions made by immigrants. In addition to Ellis Island, Angel Island, Grosse-isle, Quebec, and other immigration points in North America are discussed.
On January 24, 1848 a man named James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. This compelling title explains how Marshalls discovery sparked gold fever and lured thousands of people west in search of great fortunes. Primary source accounts and historical photographs trace the history of the gold rush in California as well as the later Klondike gold rush.
This title takes us behind the scenes into president Abraham Lincoln's decision to end slavery 150 years ago.
As the 50th anniversary of the 1963 march for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C. approaches, this timely book looks at its organization, the key players, and why it is still relevant today.
This fascinating title takes the reader to one of the most isolated prisons on the planet where some America's worst criminals were held. This is the story of how Alcatraz was created, what it was like to live there, and why it was virtually impossible to escape from.
From oil spills to water shortages, the world's natural habitats seem to be constantly under assault from both natural and human activity. Thirteen kinds of disasters are featured in this informative book, showing the process and science of the disaster from the action that triggered it to its dire consequences. Topics include global warming, ocean blooms, desertification, deforestation, over fishing, and waste pollution.
In March 2011 the worlds second-largest nuclear disaster occurred on the eastern coast of Japan. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake caused a nearly 50-foot tsunami that flooded the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The devastating tidal wave caused equipment failures that led the nuclear reactors to overheat to the point of meltdown. Dangerous radioactive materials released into the air continue to threaten the health of the ocean and people around the world today. Topics include how movements in the earth's crust below water can cause seismic waves , the evacuation of more than 300,000 people from their homes near the power plant, contamination of crops and water, decontamination and repair work, and continued concern about leaking radiation from the power plant.