Library Media Connection

The titles in this series cover hot topics that begin with history and background of the controversy, present viewpoints on both sides of the issue, and conclude with an annotated list of organizations to consult, source notes, and index. A glossary in the science-related topics would have been helpful. Excellent graphic organization includes vibrant color photographs, quotations on “sticky notes,” concise viewpoints in sidebars, and quick facts at the end of each chapter. One drawback is that pro and con viewpoints are intermingled within the text, not segmented like the Opposing Viewpoints series (Gale). The use of opinion polls in the fact boxes provides a teachable moment of what is fact and what is opinion. While the text of the book is heavily sourced, studies and the fact boxes are not. However, most of them can be found easily by using keyword searching on the Internet. The cited sources are very recent, most from 2007 to 2009.