BN 978054 7854144; ebk. $7.99. ISBN 978 0547677477.
Gr 8 Up–Pregnant by her feckless boyfriend, Lam, the ever-rebellious and irreverent 16-year-old Elly insists on marrying him while her parents take off to work with AIDS orphans in Africa. Without options, the newlyweds begin their married life in separate cabins as counselors at Lam’s parents’ weight loss camp. Elly’s youthfully determined voice rings true.
RODRIGUEZ , Gaby with Jenna Glatzer. The Pregnancy Project. S & S. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781442446229; pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781442446236; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9781442446243.
Gr 7 Up–Latina teen Gaby made national news in 2011 with her senior project, an investigation of the stereotypes revealed when she faked a pregnancy and documented the response of her teachers, family, and classmates in her rural community. Daughter of a teen mom but also a student with college aspirations, Gaby wanted to demonstrate that determination can trump circumstances.
National Eating Disorders Association. NEDA. New York, NY. (Accessed 12/18/13).
Gr 7 Up –A clearinghouse for information on all types of eating disorders, along with links for those who need help and support, this site provides free toolkits for parents, teachers, and coaches as well as short informational videos.
National Gang Center. Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Washington, DC. (Accessed 12/18/13).
Gr 7 Up –It’s always good to start with the basics, and the FAQ page of this site provides answers to questions from “What is a gang?” to “What can be done about youth gangs?” Includes an extensive bibliography.
NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (Accessed 12/18/13).
Gr 7 Up —This comprehensive resource for teens, teachers, and parents provides straightforward information about drugs, questions real teens ask about drugs and drug use, and the Sara Bellum Blog, written by “a team of NIDA scientists, science writers, educators, and teens” to update readers on current news and research.
Race–The Power of an Illusion. PBS. (Accessed 12/18/13).
Gr 6 Up —“The online companion to California Newsreel’s three-part documentary about race in society, science, & history,” this intriguing site challenges assumptions about race through interactive quizzes, time lines, and slide shows.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry . www.aacap.org. AACAP. Washington, DC. (Accessed 12/18/13).
The Academy’s “Facts for Families” pages offer helpful, clear information on a range of tough topics, such as suicide, eating disorders, and bullying. Also available in Spanish.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Teen Pregnancy . www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy. CDC. Atlanta, GA. (Accessed 12/18/13).
Find statistics on teen pregnancy rates, information on prevention programs, and advice for parents and guardians. Don’t miss the “A Teen-Friendly Reproductive Health Visit” infographic (follow the link For Health Care Providers) and the Social Media Tools for heath communicators.
Southern Poverty Law Center: Teaching Tolerance . www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/teaching-tolerance. SPLC. Montgomery, AL. (Accessed 12/11/13).
Although their legal work is primarily focused on the southeastern United States, the Southern Poverty Law Center is nationally known for its Teaching Tolerance magazine, provided free to teachers. Additional no cost resources include lesson plans and film kits.