Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Teens

Humans have played games for centuries, and the thorough titles in the Video Games and Society series explore some of the numerous issues related to today’s popular pastime. The History of Video Games provides a detailed look at the nonlinear growth of the video game industry, beginning with the earliest video games developed as an accidental offshoot of initial computer research and noting such important factors as big personalities and market economics. How Do Video Games Affect Society? discusses the conflicting research regarding physical and social costs and benefits associated with gaming, as well as how gaming can become an addiction. Video Games and Youth focuses on the divided research concerning gaming and its effect on children and teens, especially the impact of playing violent games and connections between gaming and health and learning. Video Games, Violence, and Crime examines the relationship between gaming and mass shootings, antisocial behavior, and mental illness, highlighting the disagreement on a cause-and-effect relationship between violent games and violent crimes. A final chapter in this book addresses legal responses to gaming issues. Accompanied by color photos and related quotes and sidebars, these titles offer a balanced view of the topics, while additional back matter presents resources for these useful debate guides.

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.

Tackling an on-trend topic, this entry in the new series The Library of Tattoos and Body Piercings offers a readable, if inconsistent, introduction to diverse body modifications, from ear sculpting to scarification and piercing techniques. Along with exploring reasons behind teens’ interest in the practices—celebrity influence, self-expression, rebellion—the book addresses risks, such as infections, tattoo removal costs, or how modifications may hamper employment. Some elements are definitely not for the faint of heart, including graphically detailed content like a sidebar describing tattooing the whites of eyes, or a discussion (and accompanying color photo) of tongue splitting. The often anecdotally related information, including teens’ stories or experiences, isn’t always specifically or consistently attributed or documented. Also, some broad generalizations may make this not a good report choice. However, careful consideration of the topic gives those interested much to ponder.

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.