Today's plugged-in youth are bombarded from all angles with the latest health stories. Communicable diseases, from avian flu to HIV, make for shocking headlines; teens may try a crash diet or drugs to attain the looks of the hottest celebrities, and will almost certainly encounter peer pressure to try illicit substances. At the same time, they may ignore the studies proving that diabetes and heart disease are running rampant due to poor diet and lack of exercise, and not understand terms like "BMI" or "insulin." Reflecting new science and changing attitudes, as well as increased demand for accurate information, these series touch on all aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

Preschool - Grade 4

CLEARY, Brian P. Apples, Cherries, Red Raspberries: What Is In the Fruits Group? ISBN 978-1-58013-589-4. ISBN 978-0-7613-6332-3. LC 2009049582. ————. Black Beans and Lamb, Poached Eggs and Ham: What is In the Meat and Beans Group? ISBN 978-1-58013-591-7. ISBN 978-0-7613-6334-7. LC 2009049572. ————. Green Beans, Potatoes, and Even Tomatoes: What is In the Vegetables Group? ISBN 978-1-58013-588-7. ISBN 978-0-7613-6338-5. LC 2009049592. ————. Macaroni and Rice and Bread by the Slice: What is In the Grains Group? ISBN 978-1-58013-587-0. ISBN 978-0-7613-6333-0. LC 2009049194. ————. Oils (Just a Bit) to Keep Your Body Fit: What Are Oils? ISBN 978-1-58013-592-4. ISBN 978-0-7613-6336-1. LC 2009046349. ————. Run and Hike, Play and Bike: What is Physical Activity? ISBN 978-1-58013-593-1. ISBN 978-0-7613-6337-8. LC 2009046353. ————. Yogurt and Cheeses and Ice Cream that Pleases: What is In the Milk Group? ISBN 978-1-58013-590-0. ISBN 978-0-7613-6335-4. LC 2009049195. ea vol: illus. by Martin Goneau. 32p. (Food is CATegorical Series). chart. diag. illus. Millbrook. 2010. PLB $25.26. ebook $18.95. K-Gr 2—A multi-hued crew of cartoon cats presents the various food groups and the practices of a healthy lifestyle. Each book reports which foods are in the titled group and provides simple explanations of how they affect the body. Cleary's consistent reminders to children to help the adults in their lives eat better are helpful, too. The books also provide servings guides, recommended intake levels, and a "MyPyramid" chart. Overall, the scientific material in these books is slim, and their attempts to be informative are overshadowed by their simplicity. Also, like the titles, the narratives are written in goofy verse. The meter is often uneven and the rhymes forced. DICKMANN, Nancy. Fruits. ISBN 978-1-4329-3978-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-3985-4. LC 2009045461. ————. Grains. ISBN 978-1-4329-3980-9; ISBN 978-1-4329-3987-8. LC 2009045481. ————. Meat and Protein. ISBN 978-1-4329-3981-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-3988-5. LC 2009045482. ————. Milk and Cheese. ISBN 978-1-4329-3982-3; ISBN 978-1-4329-3989-2. LC 2009045483. ————. My Food Pyramid. illus. CIP. ISBN 978-1-4329-3983-0; ISBN 978-1-4329-3990-8. LC 2009052659. ————. Vegetables. ISBN 978-1-4329-3979-3; ISBN 978-1-4329-3986-1. LC 2009045480. ea vol: 24p. (Healthy Eating Series). diag. photos. glossary. index. Heinemann Library. 2010. PLB $21.50; pap. $5.99. PreS-Gr 1—Reducing nutrition to the most basic of elements, each volume presents a food group in no more than two sentences per page, printed on white space below color photographs and illustrating healthy foods being enjoyed by a multicultural array of people. The vocabulary and sentence structure are ideal for beginning readers but the frequent oversimplification of concepts (e.g., "Milk is a drink that is made by some animals") pushes these books from being scientifically informative to an experience resembling a phonics lesson. The publishers acknowledge that the books' best use is as part of a more extensive nutrition curriculum: tips to parents and teachers are included in each title, as well as a picture glossary (again, very simple) and a quiz based on the text. HUNT, Jamie. Getting Stronger, Getting Fit: The Importance of Exercise. diags. ISBN 978-1-4222-1709-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-1897-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-9624-0. LC 2010017921. ————. Tired of Being Teased: Obesity and Others. ISBN 978-1-4222-1711-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-1899-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9622-6. LC 2010012759. ————. The Truth about Diets: What's Right for You? diags. ISBN 978-1-4222-1710-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-1898-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-9623-3. LC 2010010014. SIMONS, Rae. At Home in Your Body: Care for the Shape You're In. ISBN 978-1-4222-1715-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-1903-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-9618-9. LC 2010015436. ————. Bigger Isn't Always Better: Choosing Your Portions. ISBN 978-1-4222-1706-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-1894-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-9627-1. LC 2010028159. ————. Does Television Make You Fat?: Lifestyle and Obesity. ISBN 978-1-4222-1712-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-1900-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-9621-9. LC 2010022849. ————. I Eat When I'm Sad: Food and Feelings. diags. ISBN 978-1-4222-1714-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-1902-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-9619-6. LC 2010007065. ————. Too Many Sunday Dinners: Family and Diet. ISBN 978-1-4222-1713-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-1901-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9620-2. LC 2010019188. THOMPSON, Helen. Cookies or Carrots?: You Are What You Eat. ISBN 978-1-4222-1707-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-1895-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-9626-4. LC 2010025502. ————. Weighted Down: When Being Overweight Makes You Sick. ISBN 978-1-4222-1708-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-1896-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-9625-7. LC 2010022266. ea vol: 48p. (Kids & Obesity Series). charts. illus. photos. reprods. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Mason Crest. 2010. PLB $19.95; pap. $7.95; ebook $19.95. Gr 3-6—Focusing on obesity prevention in older elementary school children, this series presents the expected information about the food pyramid, the need for physical activity, and the influence of the media on our psyches. Where the material shines is in its holistic approach. Readers are encouraged to develop their inner lives as much as their physical selves and to take responsibility for their own health and eating habits. The authors also include healthy self-esteem as a factor in obesity prevention: an entire volume is devoted to the link between food and emotions, a topic not often seen in health literature for children. The conversational texts render tough concepts comprehensible, and, on each page, jovial cheeseburger and heart characters hold up signs displaying important bullet points, and defining important words and terms. This brightly-colored, ego-boosting, responsibility-championing series is a winner. STEWART, Sheila & Rae Simons. A House Between Homes: Kids in the Foster Care System. charts. ISBN 978-1-4222-1692-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-1905-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-9617-2. LC 2010012756. ————. I Don't Keep Secrets. ISBN 978-1-4222-1698-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-1911-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-9611-0. LC 2010029357. ————. I Like Me. ISBN 978-1-4222-1699-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-1912-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-9610-3. LC 2010029722. ————. I Live in Two Homes: Adjusting to Divorce and Remarriage. ISBN 978-1-4222-1694-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-1907-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-9615-8. LC 2010012757. ————. My Feelings Have Names. ISBN 978-1-4222-1697-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-1910-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-9612-7. LC 2010029349. ————. A Place Called Dead. ISBN 978-1-4222-1701-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-1914-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9608-0. LC 2010029366. ————. Sometimes My Mom Drinks Too Much. ISBN 978-1-4222-1704-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-1917-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-9605-9. LC 2010029378. ————. What's Going to Happen Next?: Kids in the Juvenile Court System. ISBN 978-1-4222-1693-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-1906-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-9616-5. LC 2010017063. ————. When Daddy Hit Mommy. ISBN 978-1-4222-1696-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-1909-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-9613-4. LC 2010029346. ————. When Life Makes Me Mad. ISBN 978-1-4222-1700-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-1913-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-9609-7. LC 2010029723. ————. When My Brother Went to Prison. ISBN 978-1-4222-1695-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-1908-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-9614-1. LC 2010029345. ————. When My Dad Lost His Job. ISBN 978-1-4222-1703-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-1916-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-9606-6. LC 2010029700. ————. When My Sister Got Sick. ISBN 978-1-4222-1702-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-1915-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-9607-3. LC 2010029722. ea vol: 48p. (Kids Have Troubles Too Series). illus. photos. further reading. index. Web sites. Mason Crest. 2010. PLB $19.95; pap. $7.95; ebook $19.95. Gr 3-6—These slender volumes open with fictional vignettes followed by honest discussions of the facts in order to inform and reassure kids in tough situations, as well as help children not undergoing these troubles empathize with those who are. The prose is respectable in its dialogue, character development, and pacing; the nonfiction sections are conversational in tone but include enough facts for research. Unfamiliar words are defined in sidebars. This series will be well placed in a school media center, as well as in any institution that serves high-risk children.

Grades 5 and Up

AMBROSE, Marylou. Investigating Diabetes: Real Facts for Real Lives. diags. ISBN 978-0-7660-3338-2. LC 2008030778. ————. Investigating Eating Disorders: Real Facts for Real Lives. diags. ISBN 978-0-7660-3339-9. LC 2009006492. ————. Investigating STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases): Real Facts for Real Lives. diags. ISBN 978-0-7660-3342-9. LC 2008050061. KELLY, Evelyn B. & Claire Wilson. Investigating Influenza and Bird Flu: Real Facts for Real Lives. charts. diags. ISBN 978-0-7660-3341-2. LC 2009014802. MEISEL, Abigail. Investigating Depression and Bipolar Disorder: Real Facts for Real Lives. ISBN 978-0-7660-3340-5. LC 2008050060. ea vol: 160p. (Investigating Diseases Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Enslow. 2010. PLB $34.60. Gr 9 Up—Students assigned a project on any of the topics covered in these titles need look no further. The authors thoroughly examine each disease from all conceivable angles, including mention of celebrities who have publicly disclosed their relationship to the illness, a feature that may help reduce stigmatization. Each volume dedicates an entire chapter to the chronological history of the illness, the day-to-day life of the afflicted, the treatment—both medical and psychological (where applicable), and the outlook for the future. Extra materials include an extraneous time line of the disease's history, a wide range of resources for further consultation, and an extensive glossary (though vocabulary words are not in bold in the text). Drier but more informative than "USA Today Health Reports" (21st Century Books), this series is best for collections with high research use. COSTER, Patience. Smoking. ISBN 978-1-84837-707-3. LC 2010012717. KRAMER, Ann. Drugs. ISBN 978-1-84837-704-2. LC 2010010639. POWELL, Jillian. Puberty. chart. diag. illus. ISBN 978-1-84837-706-6. LC 2010012715. ROONEY, Anne. Alcohol. chart. diag. illus. ISBN 978-1-84837-702-8. LC 2010010638. ————. Bullying. ISBN 978-1-84837-703-5. LC 2010014143. ————. Keeping Healthy. chart. ISBN 978-1-84837-705-9. LC 2010012716. ea vol: 46p. (Teen FAQ Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Arcturus. 2010. PLB $32.80. Gr 5-8—The plentiful sidebars in the magazine-style pages of these books are filled with "Dear Abby"-type letters, personal anecdotes, primary-source factoids, and blurbs from doctors and other experts. The strongest volume is Drugs because of its realistic examination of the issues. Kramer provides unbiased details on nicknames, forms, effects, and dangers, and, while encouraging teens to avoid the substances, acknowledges that some readers are already experimenting and provides crucial safety tips. Alcohol also resists passing judgment on tempted readers and reminds them that while one drink a day is fine for adults, and even healthy, teens younger than 16 should abstain. Both volumes champion resisting peer pressure, a theme that carries into Smoking and Bullying; while the latter does not offer any new advice to victims, it reminds bystanders that they are complicit, and raises the idea that no one is just a bully or a victim—we are all a bit of both. Keeping Healthy and Puberty are too short to do the topics justice. DE LA BÉDOYÈRE, Camilla. Balancing Work and Play. diags. illus. ISBN 978-1-60753-083-1. LC 2009047569. ————. Personal Hygiene and Sexual Health. diags. ISBN 978-1-60753-087-9. LC 2009047571. DICKER, Katie. Diet and Nutrition. charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-60753-085-5. LC 2009044219. ————. Exercise. charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-60753-086-2. LC 2009047566. GIFFORD, Clive. Sports. diags. ISBN 978-1-60753-088-6. LC 2009047567. ROONEY, Anne. Dealing with Drugs. ISBN 978-1-60753-084-8. LC 2009047570. ea vol: 46p. (Healthy Lifestyles Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Amicus. 2010. PLB $32.80. Gr 8-10—It hardly seems fair that kids are expected to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, social situations, and perhaps a job, all while coping with hormones and strange new emotions. This series focuses on managing a life that is already filled with these common stressors, emphasizing the importance of thinking of one's long-term health. All of the books are well written and satisfyingly informative, but Balancing Work and Play and Personal Hygiene and Sexual Health stand out for providing concrete lists of ways to improve one's lifestyle: learning how to do laundry, developing successful study skills, and reducing stress, for example. The books' magazine-like format includes numerous sidebars, color photos, and charts. FARRAR, Amy. ADHD. 112p. reprods. ISBN 978-0-7613-5455-0. ISBN 978-0-7613-6372-9. LC 2010000870. GOLDSMITH, Connie. Hepatitis. 128p. diags. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-0-8225-6787-5. ISBN 978-0-7613-6375-0. LC 2009020720. ————. Influenza. 128p. maps. notes. ISBN 978-0-7613-5881-7. ISBN 978-0-7613-6376-7. LC 2010001030. ————. Skin Cancer. 128p. diags. reprods. notes. ISBN 978-0-7613-5469-7. ISBN 978-0-7613-6377-4. LC 2010010003. LANDAU, Elaine. Food Poisoning and Foodborne Diseases. 128p. map. reprods. notes. ISBN 978-0-8225-7290-9. ISBN 978-0-7613-6374-3. LC 2009020325. SONENKLAR, Carol. Anorexia and Bulimia. 128p. map. ISBN 978-0-8225-6786-8. ISBN 978-0-7613-6373-6. LC 2009052608. ea vol: (USA Today Health Reports: Diseases and Disorders Series). charts. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. 21st Century Bks. 2010. PLB $34.60. ebook $25.95. Gr 6 Up—This series mimics USA Today in its readability, though the books' length and breadth render them more suited to fact-finding than to pleasure reading. The language is straightforward and objective. Each well-researched volume is liberally sprinkled with relevant articles and "snapshots" (graphs showing statistical breakdowns of the topic at hand) from the newspaper, providing a competent introduction to primary-source material. Maps, charts, and color photographs make frequent appearances, adding a strong visual component. MARKLE, Sandra. Bad Burns: True Survival Stories. ISBN 978-0-8225-8702-6. ISBN 978-0-7613-6308-8. LC 2009034439. ————. Faulty Hearts: True Survival Stories. ISBN 978-0-8225-8699-9. ISBN 978-0-7613-6309-5. LC 2009033980. ————. Leukemia: True Survival Stories. ISBN 978-0-8225-8700-2. ISBN 978-0-7613-6318-8. LC 2009034441. ————. Lost Sight: True Survival Stories. ISBN 978-0-8225-8701-9. ISBN 978-0-7613-6312-5. LC 2009034443. ————. Shattered Bones: True Survival Stories. ISBN 978-0-8225-8703-3. ISBN 978-0-7613-6313-2. LC 2009034442. ————. Wounded Brains: True Survival Stories. ISBN 978-0-8225-8704-0. ISBN 978-0-7613-6310-1. LC 2009034440. ea vol: 48p. (Powerful Medicine Series). diags. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Lerner. 2010. PLB $27.93. ebook $20.95. Gr 5-8—These narratives read like information from the Discovery Health channel, for kids: part fascinating science, part human interest story, and part "Eew, gross!" Markle devotes each volume to a severe injury, describing the nature of the accident, the damage inflicted, and the cures that saved the victims' lives. Clear, straightforward prose is supplemented by definitions and explanations of medical techniques and jargon. The numerous color photos and medical images will satisfy readers' curiosity. Each book concludes with an explanation of how to avoid the featured condition. While too slight for research, these books will hook interested readers. The Bottom Line

---

All of these series are adeptly researched and all nutritional guidelines are aligned with current dietary recommendations. Libraries with a limited budget should select Mason Crest's "Kids & Obesity" series for elementary school children, and for teens, Amicus's "Healthy Lifestyles." Both devote equal space to physical, mental, and emotional wellness, providing a more inclusive view of what it means to be healthy than is often available. Institutions with larger budgets will want to include 21st Century Books's "USA Today Health Reports" for school work and Lerner's "Powerful Medicine" for casual reading.