Goths

Gr 9 Up—This is an exceptionally interesting book for readers who are intrigued by Goth culture. A time line is provided, going back to A.D. 238 and moving through the centuries to Germany's largest dark music festival in May 2010. The text is filled with all sorts of information, including an extensive Goth history, an exploration of this subculture's music, an examination of fashion and beauty, and an overview of Gothic-inspired films and writing. In addition to an extensive annotated bibliography, the book includes biographical sketches of major Goth figures and interviews with influential personalities. It is well written, well organized, and extensively researched. The one shortcoming is its lack of illustrations, except for a very few small black-and-white photos. Still, this is a great book for teens who want to know about Goth culture.—Carol Jones Collins, Hanover Park High School, East Hanover, NJ