booklist reviews & New Releases
Confronting Sexual Harassment in School: What Every Student Needs to Know
This excellent production clarifies for teen viewers what constitutes sexual harassment and offers information and advice for handling and responding to difficult situations. Hosted by two teenagers, the program defines sexual harassment, explaining the differences between physical (touching, groping) and verbal (jokes, rumors, gay-bashing) incidents, including cyberbullying. Culturally diverse teens talking about their experiences, and reenactments of various harassment situations intersperse the commentary. Sometimes perpetrators or bullies say they are “just joking” or “trying to be friendly,” but the program stresses that behaviors that make you feel uncomfortable are not funny or welcoming. Identified as a sexuality expert on teen issues, Elisabeth Schroeder explains victims’ rights and offers information about seeking and finding support. Animated backgrounds transition between segments in this helpful video. — Lucinda Whitehurst, Booklist
Programs Recently Reviewed by booklist
Puberty Workshop and Curriculum
Booklist March 2012
Click to read review
Kids have plenty of questions about puberty, many of which are answered in this reassuring five-part program that relies on solid facts and light touches of humor. Teen hosts share their feelings and offer an overview of the process in What Is Puberty? In a question-and-answer format, middle-schoolers are asked what they know about each topic before two pediatricians (a man and a woman) gently dispense information and dispel both fears and myths. Part 2 (Girls and Puberty) and part 3 (Boys and Puberty) discuss female and male anatomy in more depth, with onscreen graphics helping to clarify information. Part 4 (New Emotions, New Feelings) talks about the emotional ups and downs that often accompany body changes, and HIV and AIDSdispenses basic information on these topics. The packaging includes two identical DVDs for instructors who want to show the titles simultaneously to boys and girls in separate rooms. The straightforward and reassuring coverage reminds youngsters that the timetable of growth is different for everyone. Includes an educators’ resource book and pre- and post-tests.
— Candace Smith, Booklist
Me and My 500 "Friends": Staying Safe on Social Networks
Booklist June 2012 Starred Review
Click to read review
Social networking is a fun and popular way for teens to expand their world of friends and feel connected. However, social networking is “not a place where privacy is possible.” Using real-life examples and featuring teen host Samara Amat and nicely shot interviews, this alerts teens to the potential risks of putting themselves out there on Facebook and other sites. Rumors spread quickly, bullying becomes faceless, reputations are easily tarnished, and sexual predators can hide their true identities. It’s a cyberjungle out there! Teens tell of instances where social sites have hurt rather than helped. Brent, who now identifies as gay, was bullied and called homophobic names, and Allie sent her boyfriend a nude photo that went viral and ruined her reputation. The saddest story is that of Arkansas teen Kacie Woody, who was abducted and killed by a 47-year-old man (who said he was 17 years old) she met on Facebook. Kacie’s father and her best friend achingly recount the events. A compassionate psychologist emphasizes precautions that should be taken to stay safe and briefly discusses legal and privacy issues. Short interviews, teen comments, and dramatizations are sprinkled throughout this teen-friendly program, which concludes with a list of commonsense advice. This well-paced, expertly produced must-have video includes a 36-page PDF teachers’ guide.
— Debra McLeod, Booklist
Learn more about this program.
The Latest about HIV and AIDS: What Every Student Still Needs to Know
Booklist February 2012 Starred Review
Click to read review
Despite new medical treatments, there is still no cure or vaccine for AIDS. This excellent program introduces HIV and AIDs, including testing, treatment, risk-factors, myths, and more. Two teen hosts explain terminology and introduce segments, including What Is AIDS?, Who Can Get Infected with AIDs?, Risky Behaviors, among others. Crisp computer animation shows how the virus invades cells and weakens the immune system. Filmed in various settings, four HIV-positive young adults tell their stories, while health professionals stress the importance of using condoms, avoiding risky behaviors, and getting tested when necessary. The teen hosts summarize the information, continually emphasizing that despite medical advances, AIDS is still a serious medical condition. Viewers will empathize with HIV-positive young adults, all of whom tell of initial feelings of isolation and loneliness. The message that HIV-positive people need compassion and support comes through loud and clear. This short program covers a lot of ground in a succinct, professional manner that will not turn off the intended teen audience. Includes a PDF teachers' guide and two supplemental programs, How to Use a Female Condom and How to Use a Male Condom, both of which feature simple animated black-and-white line drawings. New Releases
