Books published by publisher Scarecrow Pr

Social networking is now an entrenched activity for nearly every teen in the country. A recent study showed that nearly 75% of American teens use an online social network, a percentage that continues to rise. Librarians, such as the author herself, are often asked by young adults for help and advice on social networking, but teens also turn to their friends for information, which can be inaccurate or incomplete.Social Networking: The Ultimate Teen Guide helps young adults make the most of their online experience, giving them a complete understanding of social networking while also addressing online safety. Author Jennifer Obee helps teens navigate through the challenging intricacies of social networks, covering such topics as:FacebookYouTubeTwitternetspeakblogsprivacycyberbullyingvideochatsmartphones. With quotes from teenagers about their favorite sites and personal stories, Social Networking is the perfect resource for teens trying to gain a better understanding of the vast online world.

Teens don't often realize that their daydreams can be transformed into real accomplishments. If they take those dreams seriously, and turn thoughts into action, even some of the wildest notions can become reality. Reaching Your Goals: The Ultimate Teen Guide show readers how important setting goals can be to accomplishing whatever they want to.Through the use of "No Sweat Quizzes" and other unique methods, such as creative visualization and affirmations, Anne Courtright provides teens with the tools to help them achieve not only short-term goals but to realize their greatest potential. Filled with commentary from notable figures in sports, music, film, and business, this book also shows teens how to turn failures into positive stepping-stones to future success.Through examples, activities, and sample action plans, Reaching Your Goals: The Ultimate Teen Guide will help teens map their own paths to success, both in school and life.

While many people appreciate cultural, social, political, and religious diversity, there are others who feel compelled to express their intolerance for others through cruel words and actions. Their behavior often stems from ignorance and insecurity, and they demonstrate their prejudices by belittling others who are different from them. These narrow-minded individuals attack others based on any number of reasons, including religious beliefs, sexual orientation, cultural background, social standing, or physical appearance.In Bigotry and Intolerance: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Kathlyn Gay looks at the various reasons why people of all age levels and backgrounds feel the need to disparage others. This book also offers help to teens who are the object of fear and hatred by showing them how to combat such behavior. Topics covered in this book include:the meaning of bigotry and intolerance types of bigotry—from religious bigotry to homophobia the difference between bigotry and racismwhat it feels like to be the target of bigotry how to cope with discriminationindividuals and groups that advocate tolerance and appreciation of cultural diversity Aimed at young adults who are interested in fighting bigotry and intolerance, this book will help teens who suffer from the small-mindedness of others. It might also help those who are less tolerant find some common ground with those who are different from them—and lead to a better understanding of how diversity makes for a richer, more interesting world. Featuring commentary from several young adults, Bigotry and Intolerance: The Ultimate Teen Guide will be welcomed by those who want to turn the tide of prejudice and fear in their schools and in their communities.

The United States is perhaps the most culturally diverse nation in the world, and has frequently been called a "melting pot," "tossed salad," or "multicultural society" to reflect that diversity. However, since it's founding, the country has experienced conflicts―many of them violent―due to intolerance of values and views different from those of the majority. Cultural Diversity is a teen guide showing how cultural differences may be at the root of conflicts that crop up daily in high schools, on the job, in the courts, and even within families. In some cases these conflicts are the result of extreme racism, religious bigotry, or outright hatred for a particular group of people. This young adult resource is volume six in a new series entitled It Happened to Me, featuring teen voices. Topics such as prejudice, religious bigotry, racism, gender bias, sexual orientation, scapegoating, and stereotyping are presented with stories about young people who have faced problems and with forthright views from young people who have worked to foster respect for diversity. Along with anecdotes are historical perspectives.Each chapter begins with a quote, usually from a teenager whose words reflect the focus of the chapter. Numerous sidebars provide factual information about the causes of cultural conflicts, how stereotypes are perpetuated, the kinds of discrimination that various groups have suffered, and how hate groups operate. Scattered throughout the book are features that present conflict situations and ask readers: "What do you think?" In addition, readers are challenged to check out factual statements, to read other books that focus on cultural diversity issues, and to take action to instill respect for cultures different from the American mainstream.

There are a host of books on dieting, nutrition, cooking, and all other areas related to food, yet books targeted to teens tend to emphasize weight and the dangers of unhealthy eating. Food Choices: The Ultimate Teen Guide provides teens with a new look at food and eating. In this book, author Robin Brancato chooses not to dwell on food-related pathologies like anorexia, bulimia, or obesity. Instead, she guides teens into a greater knowledge and enjoyment of food and healthy eating.This book discusses numerous topics related to food and eating, including the biological and chemical reasons we prefer certain foods and the eating habits that are unique to teens today. This book also covers the latest medical research, the vast amount of literature on weight loss and dieting, and the cultural influences that affect what food we eat. Throughout, teens are presented with the best tips on how to develop healthy eating habits for a lifetime of enjoying food.

While many people appreciate cultural, social, political, and religious diversity, there are others who feel compelled to express their intolerance for others through cruel words and actions. Their behavior often stems from ignorance and insecurity, and they demonstrate their prejudices by belittling others who are different from them. These narrow-minded individuals attack others based on any number of reasons, including religious beliefs, sexual orientation, cultural background, social standing, or physical appearance. In Bigotry and Intolerance: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Kathlyn Gay looks at the various reasons why people of all age levels and backgrounds feel the need to disparage others. This book also offers help to teens who are the object of fear and hatred by showing them how to combat such behavior. Topics covered in this book include:the meaning of bigotry and intolerance types of bigotry—from religious bigotry to homophobia the difference between bigotry and racismwhat it feels like to be the target of bigotry how to cope with discriminationindividuals and groups that advocate tolerance and appreciation of cultural diversity Aimed at young adults who are interested in fighting bigotry and intolerance, this book will help teens who suffer from the small-mindedness of others. It might also help those who are less tolerant find some common ground with those who are different from them—and lead to a better understanding of how diversity makes for a richer, more interesting world. Featuring commentary from several young adults, Bigotry and Intolerance: The Ultimate Teen Guide will be welcomed by those who want to turn the tide of prejudice and fear in their schools and in their communities.

The United States has more religious groups than any other country in the world. Religion and Spirituality in America: The Ultimate Teen Guide provides an introduction to some of the diverse religious practices, traditions, and expressions in the United States and focuses on how teenagers view their particular religious faith (or lack of it), what they believe, what conflicts they encounter, and how they relate to others whose religions differ from theirs.This book is designed for the inquisitive youth searching for answers to life's most difficult questions related to religion and spirituality. Whether these young people are well into their teen years or just entering them, they will gravitate to this book because of its direct, up-to-date information, riveting teen views, and lively illustrations. Besides highlighting singular facts, author Kathlyn Gay offers the latest reading lists, web sites, and an index for quick reference. Perfect for browsing, there's loads of expert information to help parents, guardians, and especially teens understand and respect the vast religious differences that exist in the United States.

Chris Crutcher is a literary icon in the field of young adult literature. With his first book, Running Loose published in 1983, Crutcher established a reputation for giving young adults a voice in realistic fiction. Since then, Crutcher has written a number of books with spot-on depictions of young adults growing through hard times, including Ironman, Whale Talk, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, and Stotan! In Chris Crutcher: A Stotan for Young Adults, Bryan Gillis and Pam B. Cole examine the life, career, and works of this young adult advocate.This volume opens with a never-before-published comprehensive portrait of the author’s life, gleaned from numerous conversations with Crutcher. The authors explore Crutcher’s childhood, his adolescent years, his life as an adult, and his career as a family counselor and examine how those experiences became fodder for his stories. The authors also discuss Crutcher's encounters with censorship and his philosophical stance. Gillis and Cole also analyze Crutcher’s novels, short stories, and novellas, examining his literary craft and such social themes as bigotry, identity, sexuality, relationships, and loss—themes almost always positioned within a sports story.The most comprehensive study of Crutcher’s life and work to date, this book benefits tremendously from the cooperation of Crutcher himself. Generally reserved about private matters, Crutcher talks candidly about his life and how his experiences helped shape his character and his stories. His cooperative spirit gives voice to a book that will appeal not only to teachers and librarians but to students who have been enthralled by the works of this generous writer.

Teens live in an imperfect world where people judge each other on looks, popularity, bank accounts, or clothing styles-a world where people are not always treated fairly. But animals do not care about poor test scores or bad skin; they simply love unconditionally. Such devotion makes the human-animal bond so special.In Animals and Teens: The Ultimate Teen Guide, author Gail Green illustrates various situations in which young adults become involved with animals, including providing foster care, pursuing career opportunities, or simply raising pets at home. Green shows how animals can enhance teens' lives and how teens can improve the welfare of animals that face abuse or live in shelters and wildlife preserves. Green discusses what is involved in the handling of service animals, such as dogs that provide physical assistance or horses that help with therapy. Animals and Teens also covers such basics as caring for animals and dealing with the loss of a pet. The voices in this book come from a large cross section of teens and young adults whose stories will resonate with anyone who loves animals. From helping with animal rescue to overcoming learning disabilities, these heartwarming experiences demonstrate how each of us can make a difference through the incredibly rewarding human-animal bond.

All human beings encounter loss and death, as well as the grief associated with these experiences. It is therefore important for children and adolescents to understand that such events are inevitable and to learn how to accept loss and cope with their emotions. In order to help children through their pain, parents and caregivers need access to the proper resources that will help them discuss these topics, and educational professionals need reliable resources for creating courses of study on these subjects.In Death, Loss, and Grief in Literature for Youth, Alice Crosetto and Rajinder Garcha identify hundreds of resources that will help educators, professionals, parents, siblings, guardians, and students learn about coping with the loss of a loved one and the grief process. These resources include books, Internet sites, and media titles aimed at students and those helping them through the grieving process. Chapters in this volume include fiction and non-fiction titles about the loss of a family member, a friend, and a pet, as well as general reference resources, curricular resources, and websites.Annotations provide complete bibliographical descriptions of the entries, and each entry is identified with the grade levels for which it is best suited. Reviews from recognized publications are also included wherever possible. Anyone interested in locating helpful resources regarding death and grieving will find much of value in this essential tool.

New in paperback! This book comes at a time when opera-lovers, singers, directors, and critics alike are taking a new look at the dramatic soprano heroines created by Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini, endeavoring to delve beyond inherited scholarly interpretation and gain a richer understanding of these compelling female characters. Artistically limited by the bel canto musical tradition popular at the time, Verdi launched a new style dramma per musica which also demanded a new soprano archetype. This book illustrates the musical evolution of the Verdi and Puccini soprano while illuminating the dramatic scope and power of these great heroines. Avoiding critical reductionism, Verdi and Puccini Heroines provides an unprecedented and probing discussion of how these great soprano roles were conceived and executed. Accordingly, the authors take a three-dimensional look at these heroines, examining seven operas: Il Trovatore, La Forza del Destino, Aida, La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot. The chapters, which are fully self-contained analyses, contain translations, illustrative musical examples, supplementary notes, and references to each opera's literary sources. The musical analysis, while thorough, is descriptive and accessible to all levels of readers.

It is difficult enough for teens growing up today to deal with the regular issues arising from family, school, and relationships, regardless of whether they have physical disabilities or not. Add to those problems the extra obstacles that visual, hearing, and physical impairments present some teens, and the road to adulthood just got exponentially more complex.Physical Disabilities: The Ultimate Teen Guide provides a roadmap through these additional tribulations teens with disabilities face by showing the methods, mechanisms, and resources other teens are using to cope with their disabilities. Discussing everything from going away to college to living independently to traveling internationally, this book is filled with stories from active teens who have vision, hearing, and other physical disabilities.Interviews with teens who are meeting the challenges of living with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Osteosarcoma, amputations, visual impairment, Rellex Sympathetic Dystrophy, paralysis, hearing impairment, and deafness are included along with more than 40 photos of these teens participating in various activities. Author Denise Thornton has organized the book into eight categories: School, Tools and Technology, Transportation and Access, Sports, the Arts, Relationships, Independence, and Advocacy. Each chapter combines the experiences of teens and young adults in all these spheres with up-to-date information on the resources that readers can call on as they follow their own dreams. Teens, parents, teachers, and medical professionals will find this to be a valuable resource.