Children's Literature - Elizabeth Leis-Newman

Caffeine, mineral supplements, vitamins and herbal remedies are all covered under this look at ?natural' drugs. A good portion of the book is devoted to caffeinated beverages. The writing ranges from online testimonials of children who drink coffee, to lists of amounts of caffeine, to news transcripts about teenagers and coffee. At 128 pages, much of the book feels like overkill, with the last chapter veering into body image and a tacked-on sidebar on the last page on caffeine that should have been included in a chapter on "Teens and Caffeine." However, the text is reasonably accurate, and certain sidebars feel fresh, such as the ones about natural drugs—aloe, dandelion, guarana and guar gum—are used and abused, feel fresh. There is a positive, upbeat style to the writing that encourages teenagers to be responsible for themselves. However, the most useful part of the book for teachers will likely be the glossary, or students may find certain chapters helpful in its explanations of different sources of caffeine or drugs such as salvia. Unlike other books in this series, such as the ones on marijuana or ecstasy, librarians may seek this book out as a way to fill a gap in resources on alternative medicines. It is part of the "Illicit and Misused Drugs" series from Mason Crest. Reviewer: Elizabeth Leis-Newman