This is an important new reference book about aging that is written for the general population by a group of authors who know geriatrics and gerontology well. As the title states, the book offers practical information on a wide range of issues concerning aging, including important medical, social, legal, financial, and ethical considerations for growing old responsibly and successfully. The chapters are nicely divided into short sections, with visually appealing text tables throughout. An effort has obviously been made to create a user-friendly reference book that is informative, but not intimidating, to the uninformed.

Daneman, Denis, Marcia Frank, and Kusiel Perlman. When a Child Has Diabetes. (Illus.; from Your Personal Health Series.) Willowdale, ON: Firefly, 1999. xiv+217pp. $14.95. ISBN 1-55209-331-X.

When a child develops diabetes, the family as a whole must learn to live with the disease. This book can be a valuable asset to the learning process. At several points in the text, emphasis is put on the importance of a diabetes team--an interdisciplinary group of health care professionals that includes physicians, nurses, dietitians, and behavioral specialists. The book was written by members of such a team, and in a way, it is like having their support at your fingertips 24 hours a day. The volume is designed primarily for the parents of diabetic children, but anyone who has any contact with these children will benefit from it. Clearly written, well organized, and extremely thorough, the book provides needed information without overwhelming the reader.

MacGregor, Graham A., and Hugh E. de Wardener. Salt, Diet, and Health: Neptune's Poisoned Chalice: The Origins of High Blood Pressure. (Illus.) NY: Cambridge, 1998. xi+233pp. $64.95. ISBN 0-521-58352-7.

Occasionally, one can find in print a terse and intelligently written monograph that helps summarize and clear the air in a medical area hotly debated for many years. Such is the impact of this excellent text about salt and hypertension. Obviously, the cause or causes of this common disorder are not easily pinned down, but these well-known authors add considerable clarity to the claim that dietary salt intake could play a major role. They present a succinct summary of the commercial, political, and medical aspects of the history and use of salt over the centuries. College-level or even first-year medical students would find this an excellent supplemental text, given its scope and references. However, even lay readers with an interest in nutritional health would find both the historical and current medical opinion enlightening.

Milunsky, Aubrey, M.D., D.Sc. Your Genetic Destiny: Know Your Genes, Secure Your Health, Save Your Life. (Illus.) Cambridge, MA: Perseus, 2001. 410pp. $27.50. ISBN 0738203777.

With the dramatic increase in knowledge about the human genome has come a large number of books dealing with human genetics. Your Genetic Destiny looks at the subject from the viewpoint of how genes influence health. The work is an introduction to genetic disorders written for lay readers, particularly those with a history of genetic disease in their families. It describes a large number of disorders and provides information on how common each is, whether it is currently possible to test for the gene or genes responsible, and what, if anything, can be done to prevent or ameliorate the disorder. There is also advice on when genetic counseling is called for and what to expect from genetic counseling sessions.

Spark, Richard F. Sexual Health for Men: The Complete Guide. (Illus.) Cambridge, MA: Perseus, 2000. vi+440pp. $20.00. ISBN 0738202061.

The book focuses on critical issues associated with a man's reproductive health: infertility, hypogonadism, male contraception, prostate disease, erectile dysfunction, and andropause, also called the male menopause. Although the section on prostate diseases and andropause are brief, they are excellent and include an important discussion regarding informed decision making in choosing PSA testing. The section on andropause is important, given the emergence of new androgen replacement therapies targeted to older men. This is an excellent book that covers the field of a man's sexual health and provides scientific insight into the mechanisms, diagnoses, and available treatments therefore.

Stoppard, Miriam. Healthy Weight Loss. (Illus.; from the Healthcare Series.) NY: DK Publishing, 1999. 96pp. $7.95. ISBN 0-7894-3757-0.

Dr. Miriam Stoppard has a knack for presenting potentially complex material in a "digestible" form, with a no-nonsense guide for weight loss that follows conventional wisdom and regimens that have made best sellers for many reputable authors. Nearly all her fundamentals are practical and sensible, and certainly, all of us can find 15 to 20 minutes each day to exercise moderately. Using this book conscientiously might prevent one of those medical episodes that will force you to follow its instructions anyway, so why not put aside those poor eating habits and give the nicely produced and well-written, compact, and affordable book a try. It has the right stuff for adults, as well as special sections for the young, the elderly, and pregnant, and contains several nutritional gems not often found in similar books.

Taguchi. Yosh, M.D. The Prostate: Everything You Need to Know. (Illus.; from the Your Personal Health Series.) NY: Firefly Books, 2001. 216pp. $14.95. ISBN 1552095533.

The subtitle of this book says it all: Everything You Need to Know. It's what you'd want to hear from your doctor if he or she had an unlimited amount of time to spend with you explaining the ins and outs of the diagnosis and treatment of an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, or prostate cancer. The bulk of the volume deals with the disorders of the prostate and their management. Throughout, examples from the author's clinical experience are designed to put the reader suffering from prostate disease at ease by explaining all that he is likely to experience and the possible consequences to his daily living. There is a wealth of medical information here, and the presentation is such that the layperson should have no difficulty understanding it.

Young Adults and Junior High School Students

Although its title suggests a mere collection of trivia, 1001 Facts about the Human Body is actually an engrossing compilation of anatomical, physiological, and historical information. The younger reader would certainly find aspects of this book to be fascinating, and adults could use 1001 Facts to gain basic medical knowledge. The contents of this book are straightforward enough appeal to the elementary school reader without insulting the intelligence of the adult reader.

Brill, Marlene Targ. Tourette Syndrome. (Illus.) NY: Twenty-First Century Books, 2002. 112pp. $26.90. ISBN 0-7613-2101-2.

The book is divided into six chapters: case histories of Tourette’s, symptoms, causes, treatments for reducing tics, Tourette’s in the home and school, and learning to live with Tourette’s. The reader will appreciate the discussion of symptoms, such as the various types of common motor and vocal tics, the diagnosis of the syndrome, and several related conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, and sleep and conduct disorders. Also informative is the section on therapies and treatments to reduce tics, dealing with antitic medicines, medicines for conditions related to Tourette’s, diet and food supplements, surgery, cognitive therapy, and biofeedback. The book is written in a basic, easy-to-read format so that the reader will have a better understanding of the scope of Tourette’s syndrome and its related conditions.

Brynie Faith Hickman. 101 Questions About Food and Digestion That Have Been Eating at You...Until Now. (Illus.) NY: Twenty-First Century Books, 2002. 176pp. ISBN 0-7613-2309-0.

In light of the numerous research reports on the poor nutritional habits and frequency of obesity among teenagers, it is not a bad thing to see another book on nutrition published, especially one that is addressed to young people. This book contains solid nutritional information, including all the basics on nutrients, how to eat properly, problems with food safety, and what to do about food supplements. This book provides a useful and relatively interesting approach to nutrition, and it is written at the right level for high school students and even junior high school students.

Brynie, Faith Hickman. 101 Questions About Your Immune System You Felt Defenseless to Answer…Until Now. (Illus.) NY: Twenty-First Century Books, 2000. 176pp. $23.90. ISBN 0761315691.

The immune system and how it functions in healthy or ill people are a mystery to most people. Youths have many questions about disease and body defenses to disease that their parents may be unprepared to answer. This book is designed to answer those questions. It is part of a series entitled 101 Questions about..., aimed at junior high and high school students. The author talked to a number of students, gathered their most frequently asked questions, and then went to experts in the field to get their best answers. The book includes a list of articles, books, and videos that provide additional information. This volume would be a useful addition to the school library at the middle or high school level and could support the general science or health curriculum at that level. The information is both accurate and interesting, and many parents would probably gain from it as well.

Bunch, Bryan. Diseases, Volumes 1-8. (Illus.) Danbury, CT: Grolier, 2003. 134pp (each). $299. ISBN 0-7172-5688-X (set).

Diseases is an eight-volume set that provides a comprehensive reference guide to a number of disorders. The series is well written and provides a consistent organizational pattern throughout the eight volumes. Additional sources are provided for individuals seeking more in-depth information concerning the various disorders. The series covers disorders from abscess to zoonoses. A wonderful feature of the series is the small drawings (icons) that appear frequently and consistently in the right-hand margin. These icons direct the reader to perform certain actions in response to the symptoms that are experienced in the case of the particular disorder. Such activities include telephoning a doctor, calling an ambulance, and calling the poison control center. The entire series focuses on prevention, with discussions of exercise, diet, and use of over-the-counter medications.

Fortin, Francois. Major Systems of the Body. (Illus.; from the 21st Century Science Series.) Milwaukee, WI: World Almanac Library, 2002. 64pp. $21.95. ISBN 0-8368-5007-6.

The Structure of the Body. ISBN 0-8368-5008-4.

These books make a valuable contribution to learning for students starting as early as elementary school age. The illustrations and descriptions are excellent, correct, and informative, enabling the student to quickly understand and visualize the structure and function of various parts of the human body. The first book begins with the building blocks of the body; adds the architecture of the bones, muscles, and joints; and then advances to the cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine, and urinary systems. The second book continues with the respiratory and digestive systems, the five senses, and the nervous system, ending with the reproductive system. Each of the books contains beautiful, exact, and informative illustrations.

Gay, Kathlyn. Encyclopedia of Women's Health Issues. (Illus.) Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2002. xvii+300pp. $69.95. ISBN 1-57356-303-X.

In the Encyclopedia of Women's Health Issues, Kathlyn Gay provides the long-awaited accomplishment of presenting both descriptive summaries and a resource directory for a wide variety of health topics. Nearly 200 issues are described in alphabetical order, with references following each topic. Readers are given easy access to a thorough bibliography, selected Web sites, and organization addresses. The text would serve best as an initial directory from which readers can be pointed towards more specific references. The book is well organized and easy to use. It is recommended for members of the young adult population in high school who are seeking resource information about women's health issues.

Landau, Elaine. Head and Brain Injuries. (Illus.; from the Diseases and People Series.) Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 2002. 112pp. $20.95. ISBN 0-7660-1473-8.

This is an excellent book. It covers every aspect of traumatic brain injury (TBI), from causes to effects, from pathology and symptoms through treatment, and even future advances in the field. While intended for readers from junior high school and beyond, it is of special interest to everyone concerned with this major problem, especially those people who have sustained TBI and their families and friends. The book shows clearly how TBI affects not only the patient, but also all those involved in his or her recovery. It demonstrates the role of the nonsurgical staff physiatrist; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; psychologists; and many others, including the family of the patient, which is most essential to the patient's recovery.

Levy, Lance. Understanding Obesity: The Five Medical Causes. (Illus.) Willowdale, ON: Firefly, 2000. 200pp. $14.95. ISBN 1552094790.

Overweight and obese are we as a society. Diabetes, a variety of cardiovascular diseases, and arthritis, among other physiological and anatomical problems, are on the rise. Diets abound, but work only for a minority. Regular exercise regimens with conscientiously adopted meals at regular intervals will help, but until the underlying causes of obesity are addressed, the affected person will not fully succeed in combating his or her weight problem. In addressing this issue, Levy's authoritative, commonsense, and easy-to-comprehend book is successful, whereas others' efforts have failed. Emotional or psychological issues that stand in the way of successful treatment are rarely examined, if detected at all, by popular weight-loss clinics or insufficiently trained advisors, let alone the one needing help. Levy's target audience includes virtually anyone who wishes to be updated on fads or unsuccessful drug and surgical treatments, as well as those with medical issues that have not yet been adequately addressed by qualified and competent specialists or clinics.

Walker, Richard. Encyclopedia of the Human Body. (Illus.) NY: DK Publishing, 2002. 304pp. $29.99. ISBN 0-7894-8672-5.

This very readable book written by doctors and biologists presents detailed information and terminology on the structure and function of the human body and major medical advances. The book is divided into six major sections that discuss human cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, diversity, evolution, development, aging, diseases, parasites, nutrition, metabolism, fertility, and inheritance. Each section provides some interesting history of human structure and function and medical advances by focusing on famous clinical cases and discoveries and the doctors and scientists involved. The book is profusely illustrated with excellent color photographs, drawings, diagrams, tables, graphs, and micrographs (LM, SEM, and TEM).

Your Brain. ISBN 0-7368-1147-8.
Your Heart. ISBN 0-7368-1148-6.

Understanding how our bodies work is an important part of learning about who we are as humans as well as individuals. The books in the Your Body series provide an excellent introduction to the major body systems that most young children want to know more about. The series includes books on muscles, lungs, the heart, the brain, bones, and the stomach, and, although short (24 pages each), they each contain a very good description of the body part and how it works. Drawings superimposed over actual pictures of children locate the organ being described and help the reader visualize what is being discussed in the text. Each book also contains vocabulary, some as footnotes and some in a glossary; an activity for the reader to do; fun facts; and a list of books and Internet sites for further information.

Gold, Susan Dudley. Asthma. (Illus.; from the Health Watch Series). Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 2000. 48pp. $18.95. ISBN 0766016560.

This book fosters an awareness of what asthma is, how it develops, and how people who have asthma cope with the condition. The volume is well written, informative, and presented at a level appropriate for children. Simple explanations of medical and physiological terminology make the text easy to understand. The author introduces a boy who developed asthma at the age of 5 and uses his case history to explain the chronic nature of the disease. The discussion includes how asthma is diagnosed, how it physiologically occurs, and what triggers it.

Gordon, Sharon. Bruises. (Illus.; from the Rookie Read-About Health Series.) Danbury, CT: Children's Press, 2002. 32pp. $19.00. ISBN 0-516-22568-5. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.

Chicken Pox. ISBN 0-516-22567-7.
Cuts and Scrapes. ISBN 0-516-22566-9.
Sunburn. ISBN 0-516-22569-3.

These four books have a readability level varying between the first- and second-grade level. They are extremely well illustrated, with photographs that are designed to accompany each of the sequences of sentences. Words that are new or novel to the reader are provided with a phonetic pronunciation so that the reader can sound out the words (e.g., “Oint-muhnt” for the word “ointment”). There is also a pictorial summary of the new words, labeled “Words You Know,” in which an illustration is provided to describe each word. In addition, the text has an index, as well as a short description of the author. The books have a very nice flow of language and cover topics to which students normally do not get exposed. These books would make a very useful addition to the array of books available on health and health issues in elementary school libraries.

LeVert, Susan. Bones and Muscles. (Illus.; from the Kaleidoscope Human Body Series.) Tarrytown, NY: Benchmark Books, 2002. 48pp. $15.95. ISBN 0-7614-1309-X. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.

The Brain. ISBN 0-7614-1308-1.
The Heart. ISBN 0-7614-1306-5.
The Lungs. ISBN 0-7614-1307-3.

The four titles in this series focus on different aspects of human anatomy and physiology. Each volume begins with a simplified discussion of the role that the featured structure plays within a human body system. The author uses descriptions and examples that are easily understood by the younger student. Photographs as well as labeled diagrams clearly illustrate the text. Next, LeVert addresses "What can go wrong?". For each system, common pathologies, such as fractures and arthritis, headaches and epilepsy, heart murmurs and arrhythmias, and asthma and the common cold, are discussed.

Following the sections on pathology are suggestions for keeping the system healthy and safe. Diet, exercise, and commonsense precautions are illustrated.

These books would be a valuable asset to any children's library and a good resource for a science student to have at home.

Royston, Angela. Why Do Bones Break? And Other Questions about Movement. (Illus.; from the Body Matters Series.) Westport, CT: Heinemann, 2003. 32pp.$22.79. ISBN 140340201-9. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.

Why Do Bruises Change Color? And Other Questions about Blood. ISBN 140340202-7.
Why Do I Get Sunburn? And Other Questions about Skin. ISBN140340203-5.
Why Do I Sneeze? And Other Questions about Breathing. ISBN 140340205-1.
Why Do I Vomit? And Other Questions about Digestion. ISBN140340206-X.
Why Do My Eyes Itch? And Other Questions about Allergies. . 1403402207-8.
Why Does My Body Smell? And Other Questions about Hygiene. 2002003549. ISBN 140340208-6.
Why Do I Get a Toothache? And Other Questions about the Nervous System. ISBN 140340204-3.

The eight-volume Body Matters series is well organized and clearly and colorfully illustrated with photographs, diagrams, charts, body maps, and boxed lists of examples. All of the books have a consistent length and format of contents page; 29 text pages, with defined words in bold; about 15 terms in the glossary; three sources for further reading; and about a 40-entry index. Minority children, families, some adults, pet cats, and athletes are represented in the pictures. Both boys and girls are pictured doing many different kinds of activities. This series is recommended for intermediate school libraries.

Walker, Richard, with Dr. Gabrielle Murphy, consultant. Brain: Inner Workings of the Gray Matter. (Illus.; from the Secret Worlds Series.) NY: DK Publishing, 2002. 96pp. $14.95. ISBN 0-7894-8527-3. Glossary; Index.

This well-organized and lavishly illustrated volume focuses on the nervous system. It starts with a phylogenetic approach to brain structure, moves to some basic neurobiology, and then discusses the functional organization of the brain and the concept of mind, all in the first 39 pages. As unlikely as this arrangement seems, this overview is not badly diluted, and the reader will come away with a good basic understanding of core concepts. The material is presented in a way that will give the child a sense of wonder, but the text never slips into a “Gee whiz!” approach. Discussion of the senses follows, with emphasis on smell, taste, hearing, vision, and how the senses can be fooled by optical illusions. Color illustrations on every page provide important supplementation to the text. This book is an excellent resource for elementary school and junior high students and actually would be of interest to older children and adults who want a brief survey of the workings of the brain.

Zonta, Pat. Jessica's X-ray. (Illus.; by Clive Dobson.) NY: Firefly Books, 2002. 28pp. $8.95. ISBN 1-55297-577-0. C.I.P.

Children are interested in what goes on inside their bodies. This book, full of real X-rays, will fascinate them. Children are also often afraid of going to the doctor or dentist, this book might help the parent to ease some of that fear. The illustrations of normal parents and children getting medical care are well done and clearly show the entire process. The text does not make fun of the real fears that children have, but instead offers reassurance. The book includes X-rays, ultrasound images, MRI images, CAT scans and dental X-rays. There are even a few mysteries for children to solve by looking at the images, such as find the broken bone, find the swallowed coin, see the baby on the ultrasound, or find the baby teeth in the dental X-ray. The book includes questions and answers about imaging procedures, such as how a doctor or dentist decides to use an imaging procedure.