School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up Club Drugs and Inhalants pose questions about these substances-how they are harmful, how they affect society, and how they can be controlled or their use prevented. Cocaine speaks not only to addiction but also includes sections on punishments, treatment, and the war on the substance. Each title has an overview, primary-source quotes that clearly express varied opinions, glitzy statistical charts, and illustrations. Concepts covered include common street names, how the drugs affect the brain, and how they are ingested. Each volume ends with a list of key people and advocacy groups, a chronology of important trends and legislation related to a particular drug, and a list of related organizations. The purpose of the series is to cull information and organize it into a “compact, relevant, intelligent” format. While that goal is met, at times the books can be too simplified and repetitive and tend to spoon-feed readers.