From School Library Journal Grade 9 Up-This volume presents debates on current pressing social issues such as gun control, abortion, affirmative action, alcohol, the death penalty, euthanasia, genetic engineering, and public health. Each section presents a chapter overview and six brief readings about the topic under discussion (three in support of and three in opposition to). Each essay is prefaced by a set of questions that guides students to examine critically the various issues. Written by journalists, professors, researchers, medical ethicists, a rape victim, a Catholic nun, and others, these articles are clear and concise. Though most of the pieces were originally published within the last three years, a few date back to the early '90s. A list of organizations to contact, an extensive bibliography, and a detailed index make the information easily accessible. An excellent resource for debate and speech classes.
