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School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-These series entries give YAs the opportunity to consider, evaluate, and ultimately develop a better understanding of important contemporary issues. The first book begins by examining both sides of the question, "Is violence a serious problem in America?" It discusses some of the possible causes and devotes particular attention to the problems of domestic and youth violence. The final section includes debates on policies to reduce violence, the use of anti-crime measures, increased gun control, and increased incarceration. 21st Century deals with an assortment of forecasts for the near future. The first section, "How will demographic trends affect humanity?" includes discussion of overpopulation, the gap between haves and have-nots, and teens vs. senior citizen as the dominant age-group. The impacts of new technologies and trends that might affect the global ecology are addressed. One section speculates on the future of international relations, and the final section contains a potpourri of "wild cards." Each book includes graphs, charts, statistics, cartoons, and bibliographies to support the varying viewpoints. Written in a popular style that makes the articles accessible to students, these books are valuable resources.-Dana McDougald, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Based on the premise that "those who do not know their opponent's arguments do not completely understand their own," the Opposing Viewpoints" series, of which this is the 38th volume, seeks to provide readers with a smorgasbord of contrasting intellectual discussions focused broadly on one of the main themes of the day; in this case the major issues facing the world on the eve of a new century. Five major sections concern demographic trends, new technologies, global ecology, international affairs, and projected trends and "wild cards." These group 16 issues, each with a "pro" and "con" point of view. Each section contains a brief periodical bibliography, and the editors attempt to focus the debates with a general introduction, an introduction to each article, a brief bibliography of books, and a selected list of future-oriented organizations. Inevitably, contributions vary in quality despite the editors' evident efforts to be scrupulously fair in the selection of viewpoints. Given the necessarily circumscribed space available (each article consumes no more than eight pages), most authors attempt to crowd in more argument than their cited research supports, leading in some cases to polemic rather than rational analysis. Nonetheless, anyone with any point of view regarding the 21st century will find ideological support somewhere in these pages. As with many such volumes, it will be interesting to see which views have held up best by, say, 2050! For general readers and undergraduate students. J. R. McDonald Eastern Michigan University

Booklist Review

Gr. 9-12. Will the earth be overpopulated in coming decades, or is that old warning just an empty fear? Is global warming less disastrous than we usually suppose? This Opposing Viewpoints title tackles these and many other futuristic issues. Five major topics are considered: demographic trends, impact of new technologies, global ecology, international relations, and "wild card" items that include effects of human longevity and the realms of robots and aliens. Thirty-two opposing viewpoints, originally published between 1990 and 1995, cover the issues. For its depth of coverage and provocative points, the Opposing Viewpoints series is hard to beat. As is customary, a short preface and a few guiding questions introduce each pair of viewpoints and help readers focus on main points. Students researching topics for speeches, science, social studies, and persuasive essay assignments on futuristic topics will find the readings and their supplemental bibliographies invaluable. Teachers will find much useful material for supplementary class readings as well. (Reviewed April 1, 1996)1565104153Anne O'Malley