From School Library Journal Grade 6 Up?One in eight children between the ages of 12 and 15?this book's target audience?is the victim of violent crime. Chaiet and Russell present a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to safety issues using four key elements?awareness, body language, self-esteem, and boundaries?to guide readers through any threatening incident. Each of these key elements is well explained and amplified with direct examples both in the general introduction and as it relates to specific situations such as dealing with bullies and strangers, or safety at home when alone. "What If...?" examples set the stage for the authors' discussions. "What If...you are walking home from school and you notice a person following you?" becomes the prompt for advising students how to protect themselves when faced with a similar scenario. The many vignettes of students coping with threatening situations adds a rich context to the overall discussions. A resource bank of toll-free hot lines, Web sites, and print resources for further assistance and information conclude the book. The frank discussions and on-target advice may go a long way toward making young people less vulnerable to those who prey upon them.?Jerry D. Flack, University of Colorado, Colorado SpringsCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From
