Pringle (Fire in the Forest, 1995, etc.) offers a brief, readable account of smoking and its consequences and the mind- altering effects of nicotine and addiction. Chapter headings- -``Innocent Bystanders,'' ``Death in Small Doses,'' and ``Promoting a Product that Kills''—do not conceal the author's position. Especially interesting is the story of the tobacco industry, its lobbying efforts, publicity campaigns, secret experiments, and courtroom battles over product liability. Also described are efforts to sell to young people and minorities through publicity, sports promotions, and premiums, as well as attempts to develop markets abroad. The final chapters discuss efforts to create a smoke-free society and give advice on how to stop smoking. Though lacking footnotes or references, this is a useful title, which includes addresses to write for more information. (index, b&w photos, not seen, glossary, further reading) (Nonfiction. 8-14)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-688-13039-9
Page Count: 120
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A legend in her own mind, former New Yorker Mary Elizabeth (“My true name is Lola”) Cep sweeps into her new suburban New Jersey high school and runs smack into a stone wall named Carla Santini: class queen, beautiful, clever, and vicious. In a series of sharp skirmishes, both teenagers display generous quantities of grit and ego, and though Lola beats out Carla for the lead in the school play, she also, thanks to a positive penchant for embellishing the truth, maneuvers herself into a reckless nighttime junket into Manhattan with her mousy friend, Ella. Hours later, the two find their wildest dreams coming true as they accompany a popular, very drunk rock star to a hot post-concert party. Sheldon (Boy Of My Dreams, 1997) gives her fast-talking protagonist a winning supporting cast (led by Ella, who turns out to be unexpectedly levelheaded and loyal in the crunch), a worthy rival and triumphs that are not easily won; readers will cheer the high spots, groan at the low, and applaud Lola in general for her grandly disarming style. (Fiction. 10-13)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7636-0822-X
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1999
After her mother’s death at the hands of her abusive father, African-American eighth grader Serenity Evans and her younger brother go to live with their loving grandfather, a pastor, and grandmother, a church volunteer, in this enlightening debut novel. To deal with her worries—grief; her neighborhood, where drugs and violence remain a constant temptation; her feelings for a boy involved in both; her brother’s poor choices; her questioning of God—she turns to her journal, which begins each chapter and includes assigned poems and quotes from the Bible and Maya Angelou. Surrounded by strong women who remind the young teen that she always has options, Serenity grows in quiet fortitude as she becomes more committed to her church and personal ethos and tries to find her momma’s legacy beyond shoes, nightmares and secrets. By facing difficult questions, she discovers that individual moments in life, like the ingredients in her favorite red velvet cake, may be unsavory, but combined together, they create a delicious experience. Warm, rich and satisfying. (recipe) (Fiction. 10-14)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59990-446-7
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
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