Megan's Law: Protection or Privacy (Issues in Focus) [Library Binding]

Margie Druss Fodor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grades 7-10--Fodor lays the foundation of her discussion of laws regarding police registration and community notification of sex offenders with her coverage of the story of seven-year-old Megan Kanka's abuse and murder. She uses the heartrending stories of children who were victims of unspeakable crimes to discuss the history of laws to protect children and to describe characteristics of a child molester. The author examines the case for and against Megan's Law and its federal version as protection for children versus privacy violation. Concluding the volume is a commonsense chapter entitled "Teaching Children to Watch Out for Themselves." Fodor uses relatively straightforward language throughout and explains such terms as bill, sentence, and victim in the glossary. However, employing the same few cases of molestation and murder to illustrate varied points may make the text repetitious for some readers. Average-quality, black-and-white photos are scattered throughout. Extensive chapter notes complete this work.
Joanne K. Cecere, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Central Valley, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. Much of this Issues in Focus title focuses on the case of seven-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and murdered by a previously convicted sex offender living in her neighborhood. Out of this case and others like it came federal and state legislation requiring that members of a community be notified when there is a convicted sex offender living in their midst. The rights of parents to keep their children safe, however, must be weighed against the privacy right of persons who have already served time. The book examines the arguments on both sides, covering many of the nationally known cases that involved young victims of sex crimes. Although somewhat disorganized, this is an up-to-date, informative examination of a controversial area of the law. Back matter includes safety tips for children and parents, extensive notes, a glossary, suggestions for further reading, and Web resources. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Publishers (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766015866
• ISBN-13: 978-0766015869
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,553,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Biased, April 19, 2006

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M - See all my reviews

This review is from: Megan's Law: Protection or Privacy (Issues in Focus) (Library Binding)

Although this book is informative, it gives a biased look at the issues of Megan's Law. The book focuses solely on child molesters and does not talk about the consequences the law has on other sex offenders, like people convicted of statory rape. Opposing Viewpoints Sexual Violence is a much better source for unbiased information.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning more about Megan's Law, October 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Megan's Law: Protection or Privacy (Issues in Focus) (Library Binding)

This is an excellent, well-researched book about a compelling subject-Megan's Law and other similar laws designed to protect America's children. It sensitively tells the story of the families of murdered children all over the country and how they handled their loss. It writes insightfully about the history of the sex offenders involved in an attempt to understand why they turned out the way they did. A helpful chapter, called Teaching Children to Watch Out For Themselves includes tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The book provides thoughtful coverage of a controversial law, why it was written and what its critics have to say about it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Information For Children And Adults, November 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Megan's Law: Protection or Privacy (Issues in Focus) (Library Binding)

Although designated for young adults, parents, too, will find this a compelling read. This is a fact-filled account of the tragic abduction of Megan Kanka and the sex-offender notification law that arose from the case, as well as other nationwide laws that protect children. As the title indicates, readers get a balanced and detailed discussion of the delicate balance of protecting citizens and ensuring the privacy rights of offenders who have served their time in prison. Equally important, the book offers a whole chapter on ways to help parents protect their children from sexual predators.