Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Health

This series addresses tattoos and body piercings ranging from ancestral origins to pending medical applications. Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Health presents physical damages associated with adornments, and guidance for selecting qualified artists. Especially interesting is the discussion of tattoos and piercings used to cover scars, skin disorders, and other medical issues. Current research also indicates that tongue piercings can assist paralyzed individuals’ communication. Removing piercings and tattoos likewise receives significant coverage. Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Teens focuses upon contemporary scenarios, with decorated individuals and celebrities sharing their experiences as in previous volumes. While not against adornments, consideration of permanency, eventual appearance changes, and professional situations where visible tattoos or piercings are questionable is strongly advised. Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Art features historical information, although piercings is limited to one chapter. Also examined are past and current reasons for adornment, profiles of those having multiple decorations, plus the industry and its artists. These volumes’ covers and formats are identical, with each containing an introduction, five chapters, and supplemental information in eighty pages. Attention-grabbing graphics abound, housing interesting little-known information over chapter topics. The numerous color photos,, however, feature extreme adornments, depicting groups like Samoans or Maori, as well as industry-noted individuals, not average adolescents. Overall, these volumes are essentially written for adolescents, rather than about them. Depicting typical teens and their commentary regarding deliberating a first tattoo or piercing, rationale for or against proceeding, the procedure, and afterwards would be invaluable for those planning an adornment. As written, these are best for general information or reports

The series provides quality, balanced, and accessible information on a very high interest topic. Each title discusses the topic from an historical and/or cultural context as well as discussing the practices from psychological and personal health points of view. The books include photos as well as many personal stories which personalize the factual information. The books are not didactic which students will appreciate, but provide pros and cons. The writing is conversational though the content and vocabulary makes it a high school selection. Titles include a further reading section, making them good for research as well as interest reading. For schools with “i-search” projects, this will be a great addition. Index.

Gr 8 Up–These books are well written, well researched, and engaging. Reluctant readers will be drawn in by the snappy, funny sidebars and clear photos, which are gorgeous and, at times, gory. Some students will be intrigued and others will be repulsed by images of flesh-eating diseases. The authors take a largely nonjudgmental tone as they describe the reasons teens and adults permanently alter their bodies. This series is nothing if not surprising and refreshing, with each page packed with information that teens will want to repeat and share. For example, naval piercing became fashionable “as the bikini culture took root in the 1950s.” Health discourages teens from body modification more than the others in the series, but it also makes an argument for the mental-health benefits some experience from body modification. Crammed with facts, anecdotes, and research studies, all of which are referenced, this set explores the complexity of a topic that might seem narrow at first glance.

These books are well written, well researched, and engaging. Reluctant readers will be drawn in by the snappy, funny sidebars and clear photos, which are gorgeous and, at times, gory. Some students will be intrigued and others will be repulsed by images of flesh-eating diseases. The authors take a largely nonjudgmental tone as they describe the reasons teens and adults permanently alter their bodies. This series is nothing if not surprising and refreshing, with each page packed with information that teens will want to repeat and share. For example, naval piercing became fashionable “as the bikini culture took root in the 1950s.” Health discourages teens from body modification more than the others in the series, but it also makes an argument for the mental-health benefits some experience from body modification. Crammed with facts, anecdotes, and research studies, all of which are referenced, this set explores the complexity of a topic that might seem narrow at first glance.