The Safe Zone: A Kid's Guide to Personal Safety

Discusses various self-defense options which may be used when in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation and suggests what solutions might work in real life

Grade 6 Up?One in eight children between the ages of 12 and 15?this book's target audience?is the victim of violent crime. Chaiet and Russell present a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to safety issues using four key elements?awareness, body language, self-esteem, and boundaries?to guide readers through any threatening incident. Each of these key elements is well explained and amplified with direct examples both in the general introduction and as it relates to specific situations such as dealing with bullies and strangers, or safety at home when alone. "What If...?" examples set the stage for the authors' discussions. "What If...you are walking home from school and you notice a person following you?" becomes the prompt for advising students how to protect themselves when faced with a similar scenario. The many vignettes of students coping with threatening situations adds a rich context to the overall discussions. A resource bank of toll-free hot lines, Web sites, and print resources for further assistance and information conclude the book. The frank discussions and on-target advice may go a long way toward making young people less vulnerable to those who prey upon them.?Jerry D. Flack, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 4^-7. Chaiet, who previously authored the uneven Get Prepared Library series (1995), does a much better job in this one-volume joint endeavor, written for a younger audience. Noting right up front that "the best self-defense has nothing to do with hitting, kicking or punching," the authors acquaint kids with strategies to increase their ability to handle a wide variety of unpleasant, unexpected situations (including bullying) at home, at school, or in the community. They also set personal boundaries--the physical as well as the emotional kind. The many realistic "what if" scenarios are some of the best features of the book, not only serving to clarify the safety suggestions but also challenging children to increase their own awareness by putting themselves in the situation. The authors don't entirely discount physical response (a closing chapter consists of a cautious roundup of physical maneuvers), but it's definitely downplayed. With few books as wide ranging or as accessible for the target audience, this will be a welcome addition to many libraries. A bibliography and a listing of a few other helpful resources are appended. Stephanie Zvirin