From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-An excellent look at epilepsy and its impact on diagnosed teens, their families, friends, and communities. The authors set the groundwork with an explanation of the various forms the disease takes and give basic information on the brain. A look at the history of and folklore about this affliction follows. McGarrahan, an epileptic since age 16, describes his own experiences, lending the book a personal perspective. Methods used to diagnose and treat epilepsy are thoroughly covered. Considerable space is given to the many issues of the illness that affect teens, including school and jobs, driving, dating, and sports. The need for them to cope with the mass of misinformation surrounding seizure disorders is addressed. In addition, the text examines the health issues specific to girls: hormonal changes, fertility, and pregnancy. The final chapter looks at research and the future possibility of a cure. Readable, well organized, and well documented, this title is an important addition to school and public libraries.
Sylvia V. Meisner, Greensboro Montessori School, NCCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Reviewed with Mark Powell's
Stress Relief.Gr. 7-12. These books in the Ultimate Teen Guide series deal with issues related to health and contentment. Insightful and informative, Stress Relief examines the causes of stress most likely to affect teens--dating, homework, tests, relationships with peers and parents, working a part-time job--explaining how teens can recognize and cope with everyday stresses through such methods as meditation and creative visualization. Except for occasional instances when the author's earnest desire to sound hip comes off as corny or phony, the informal, conversational style generally works well, and the book is filled with accessible and practical information. epilepsy, which emphasizes that with proper management, teens with epilepsy live perfectly normal lives, is equally informative and better written. Coauthor McGarrahan, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in his teens, offers personal insight, and there's some interesting historical background that deflates many myths related to the illness. Photographs, charts, and sidebars are effectively used in both books; chapter notes, a glossary, and Web sites are appended. Good choices for both public and school collections. Ed Sullivan
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