Books in What's the Issue? series

Health care is a complicated topic that many adults struggle to understand. However, young readers need to know the facts about an issue that directly affects them now and will continue to directly affect them throughout their lives. This volume was designed to give young readers a basic understanding of the concept of universal health care and why people support and oppose it. Readers are presented with concise, unbiased information about both sides of the universal health care debate. The accessible main text is accompanied by informative fact boxes, graphic organizers, and full-color photographs.

Cyberbullying is a new issue that adults might be unfamiliar with, so young readers need a helpful, fact-filled resource to guide them through this challenging aspect of growing up in the digital age. As young readers explore this informative book on a sensitive issue, they're provided with facts about this problem and advice for what to do if they or someone they know is being cyberbullied. Fact boxes provide relevant, up-to-date statistics on this issue, graphic organizers engage critical-thinking skills in a creative way, and relatable photographs help readers feel less alone.

Income inequality is a complex topic, but readers are able to explore this issue using language and examples they can easily understand. The economic, social, and political realities of income inequality are explained through simple main text, fact boxes filled with helpful statistics, and accessible graphic organizers. Detailed photographs are included to give readers a clearer picture of this important issue. Young people are also introduced to ways they can do their part to take on this issue and make the world a more fair place.

Being a guy can be rough. Messages in the media, and even from your friends, can make you feel like you don’t measure up. Do you feel too tall? Too short? Out of shape? Not coordinated enough? Many things go into shaping you and your image of yourself. Genetics has something to do with it, of course. So do hormones, as you get older. The media has a big influence, constantly urging you to buy products so you look better. What you do, from sitting around all day to working out a lot, also plays a role. This book in the What’s the Issue? series explores body image and looks at ways you can maintain a healthy one.

Your feet are stinky, your face is breaking out, and an alien seems to have invaded your body. What's happening? Welcome to adolescence, the time when you grow into a sexual adult. This book will help you navigate that change, whether the topic is puberty, dating, sex, or how to stay safe. This book in the What’s the Issue? series also offers stories from other teens about their experiences, quick facts, and self-help resources.

The birth of the Internet revolutionized communication, information, social networking, shopping and crime. Thieves, predators, and bullies have all made the Internet their new pipeline to find victims. Part of the What’s the Issue? series, Virtual Danger Keeping Safe Online explores the tricks that criminals use to prey on unsuspecting Web users and identifies ways to avoid becoming a victim. Personal stories, quizzes, and places to get help are included.

Everyone feels sad sometimes. Depression goes deeper than that. It’s an illness that affects nearly 20 percent of teens across the United States. It doesn’t matter who you are, depression can strike anyone, anywhere. But there is hope. Part of the What’s the Issue? series, More Than the Blues: Understanding Depression explains what depression is and offers practical tips and resources for dealing with it.

This series provides informative and supportive reading on complex and sometimes painful issues and situations that teenagers encounter and need to be informed about. The approach, positive rather than problem-focused, is designed to equip the reader with the facts, familiarize them with a wide range of points of view and perspectives in difficult issues. This enables them to come to their own balanced conclusions. The books include: case studies; revealing facts and figures; tips, tactics and points of view; and useful contact names and addresses of support agencies.