Legalizing Marijuana ISBN 978-1-60152-782-0 / eBook: 978-1-60152-783-7
Distracted Driving ISBN 978-1-60152-780-6 / eBook: 978-1-60152-781-3
School Library Journal, February 1, 2015
Many controversial and emotionally charged issues face society. With vehement supporters and opponents on both sides of arguments, facts often give way to personal bias and opinions. In this collection of standalone volume-series, each volume debates controversial topics such as biomedical ethics, climate change, euthanasia, illegal immigration, online privacy, renewable energy, and video games and violence. Two of the hottest topics facing society refer to texting while driving and legalizing marijuana. Legalizing Marijuana creates a context for the arguments surrounding legalizing and regulating marijuana consumption, as well as addressing claims of potential health risks. Distracted Driving explores the act of texting and driving and provides pro and con discourse centered on safety, laws, and responsibility. Volumes identify the most common arguments for and against each issue and explore the most prominent reasoning coupled with research and facts to allow critical discourse.
Information found within each volume successfully explores multiple aspects of controversial topics to create a more holistic view of each argument. Each chapter alternates a pro/con format with a clear and concise writing style and language, allowing readers to synthesize information in a logical, organized manner. Each chapter also serves as a standalone that offers quick reference to facts. Research included within the text proves current and relevant through the use of user-friendly pictographs. Source notes and annotated bibliography provide additional resources for further research. This would be a useful series for classrooms and libraries to introduce research techniques, as well as legitimate academic, argumentative writing.
—Courtney M. Munday
Legalizing Marijuana ISBN 978-1-60152-782-0 / eBook: 978-1-60152-783-7
Distracted Driving ISBN 978-1-60152-780-6 / eBook: 978-1-60152-781-3
School Library Journal, February 1, 2015
Gr 7 Up–More high-quality fare in this series on current events, which SLJ previously called “exceptional in both writing and design.” Well researched and presented, these titles offer questions for readers to ponder and offer main points for each side of the debate. Each chapter contains information for both sides of the issue, and there are plenty of quotes from experts included and relevant research cited. Wonderful sources for essay writers or budding debaters.