ANIMAL RIGHTS

Discusses the ways in which animals are used from medical research, food, education, and entertainment, and presents the views of some people concerned with the treatment of animals.

Grade 5-7-There are few contemporary issues more controversial than the right of animals to a safe and natural life. Patterson presents a fair, thorough examination of the subject, offering a history of animal-rights movements; anecdotal stories of children and adults confronting cruel practices; and some basic, nonradical solutions. He addresses dissection in the classroom, the use of animals for entertainment, medical research, eating meat, and wearing fur, among other topics of concern. There is no advocacy of activism, but facts are given that will allow most children to make informed decisions. Average-to-poor quality black-and-white photographs appear throughout.
Eva Elisabeth Von Ancken, Trinity Pawling School, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Beginning with the strong influence of Australian philosopher Peter Singer's 1975 book, Animal Liberation, on the current movement, Patterson discusses animals as companions, as prey, as entertainment (in circuses and zoos), and as subjects in medical research, weaving into her presentation achievements of such individual activists as an 11-year-old who refuses to drink Coke because its manufacturer sponsors rodeos; a man who infiltrated an NIH lab to expose mistreatment of monkeys; and Jama Hedgecoth, who founded Noah's Ark, a sanctuary for orphaned and injured animals. The book covers both medical dilemmas related to research and the problems of animal overpopulation more fully than Cohen's (above); Patterson also goes into useful detail on the ``3 R`s'': replace (substitute computer models for vivisection); reduce (use fewer animal products); refine (decrease pain). Fair-minded and informative. Notes; resources; bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 6-10. Assuming the animal-rights controversy will intensify in the years ahead, Patterson presents a gruesomely factual but also somewhat superficial overview of the movement. He includes discussion of the founding of anticruelty societies in England and America and chronicles episodes of identified and contested abuse to animals in pet stores, animal shelters, educational settings, research laboratories, and factories. He also looks at abuses on farms, during hunting and trapping, and in circuses, rodeos, and zoos. Several rescue and refuge centers are highlighted in the last chapter. The majority of examples present the pro animal rights stance, while the other side of the argument receives minimal coverage. Chapter notes and a list of further readings are appended. Photos are not for the fainthearted. Patricia Braun