Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught? [Paperback]

Bruce Weinstein (Author), Harriet Russell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

My teacher gave me an A... by mistake. What do I do? Teens face tough choices like this one every day. Help's arrived!

Whether it's about the use of the internet (downloading music? copying homework papers?) or sports (steroids?), friendship, family, school, or affairs of the heart, kids often find themselves asking: What's the right thing to do? With five simple and clear ethical principles as a foundation, and plenty of out-of-real-life dilemmas as examples, Dr. Bruce Weinstein offers answers and an approach to things that teens will find useful, reliable, and commonsensical.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Weinstein, a professional ethicist, provides advice for teens based on five simple principles: do no harm, make things better, respect others, be fair, and be loving. Drawing examples from teen life, the nationally syndicated columnist offers specific questions, sample responses, and explanations of the ethical responses using his principles. His wide-ranging topics range from everyday matters of friendship, bullying, athletics, drugs, dating, social networking, and downloading intellectual property to larger issues such as dealing with grief. The text is direct and accessible, frequently broken up by black-and-white cartoons and changes in typography. He makes the important point that ethics require paying special heed to both oneself as well as others; it’s a matter of balance. In an afterword, the author gives credit to earlier ethical theorists as well as a group of high-school students who contributed questions. Readers looking for a game plan for their lives will be well served by this clearly articulated approach. Grades 8-12. --Kathleen Isaacs

Review

“Every family needs a copy of Is It Still Cheating If I Don’t Get Caught? by Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D.”—Family Circle

“This appealing guide speaks to the ethical dilemmas that all young people experience in their daily lives, and it should prompt considerable conversation and reflection.” —Kirkus Reviews

“… Readers will identify with many of the issues raised.” —Publishers Weekly

“The approachable tone of the book and the realistic scenarios make this a good choice for those teens who need some advice about how to deal with all that they face in their daily lives.” —School Library Journal

“The author, also known in Web circles as “The Ethics Guy,” is a well-known motivational speaker and syndicated columnist who has published other self-help books on life skills and cooking. It is highly readable, practical, economical, and sensible—perfect for all nonfiction collections.” —VOYA

“Drawing examples from teen life, the nationally syndicated columnist offers specific questions, sample responses, and explanations of the ethical responses using his principles . . . . Readers looking for a game plan for their lives will be well served by this clearly articulated approach.” —Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Flash Point (April 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159643306X
• ISBN-13: 978-1596433069
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Philosophy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richie's Picks: IS IT STILL CHEATING IF I DON'T GET CAUGHT?, April 17, 2009

By 

Richie Partington "Richie's Picks" (Sebastopol, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught? (Paperback)

What should you do when you hear people trash talking your best friend? What should you do if some of your teammates are using steroids and they encourage you to do likewise? What's the harm in sneaking into a second movie in a multiplex theater after the one you paid for has ended?

Sometimes figuring out the right thing to do feels as random as figuring out English grammar and spelling: It seems like there are a billion rules and a billion more exceptions to the rules. But in a great little book he's written, Bruce Weinstein, The Ethics Guy, brings some order and good sense to the insanity that we call Life.

In the introductory chapters of IS IT STILL CHEATING IF I DON'T GET CAUGHT? Weinstein introduces five ethical principles to be utilized as the foundation for how we should make decisions and live our lives:

1. Do No Harm.
2. Make Things Better.
3. Respect Others.
4. Be Fair.
5. Be Loving.

He then illustrates through dozens of scenarios how we can apply these five "Life Principles" to the sort of dilemmas which Twenty-first century adolescents (and adults) are commonly facing. Together, these Principles and the accompanying scenarios offer a great platform for contemplation and for thoughtful discussions about how to behave ethically.

In the introductory chapters, the author also defines ethics and takes apart three myths about ethics:
Myth #1: If It's Legal, It's Right, and If It's Illegal, It's Wrong.
Myth #2: If Everyone Is Doing It, It Must Be Right.
Myth #3: If It Feels Right, It Is Right.

What I particularly appreciate is how the author does such a great job of making you feel that who you are to the world -- how most people see and judge you -- is based upon your behavior. There is nothing more precious than your credibility and your integrity, and if you regularly make thoughtful decisions based upon these five Life Principles, then people are going to find you more attractive. And you'll be liking yourself a lot more, too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every family should own this book!, September 15, 2009

By 

Writer/Reader (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught? (Paperback)

This is a well written, important book for our time. Given our country's recent downturn created mainly by the unethical behavior of those in high places, it's necessary to give children guidelines for ethical behavior. Not to just tell them what is right and good but to enable them to figure it out by themselves. This book is the perfect way to start them talking and help them to reason through their decisions so that they can do the right thing for themselves and for others.
Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught should be in every family's library and every library in every school. It is an effective teaching tool in both situations and engaging reading for all.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely book for young people!, September 14, 2009

By 

Sherry Bajadek (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught? (Paperback)

A quick and timely read for young people and anyone who is interested in helping them to understand that they have an obligation to do what they know is right and have a responsibility to others to "do no harm." Our youth are inundated with information and much of what they are hearing is "do your own thing," or "it's ok if it doesn't hurt anyone." Our culture idolizes pop stars, movie stars and athletes who don't always do what is ethical and our kids see this. They are watching people like Kanye West and Serena Williams to see what happens next. Kids may think, "What's so wrong with taking steroids if it makes me a better athlete?" This book gives timely examples of what to do in specific situations and the five life principles are easy to apply to any situation or decision. Great illustrations too!