Hot Issues, Cool Choices: Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure, Popularity, and Put-downs by Sandra McLeod Humphrey Ages 9-12 133 pages Prometheus Books November 2007 Paperback     Angelina and Erica are cousins with absolutely nothing in common. When Angelina comes to stay a few days in Erica’s home, events leave Erica wondering about her cousin’s sanity. Angelina gives her lunch away to a bag lady just because the woman looks hungry. Erica cannot imagine doing such a crazy thing. Should Erica tell Angelina to straighten up, or is Angelina doing the right thing? Eric and his buddies are out on the football field making plans for his great Halloween party. Jeremy, the new kid, is close by picking up trash and soda cans. Jeremy has overhead the conversation and asks Eric if he can come to the party. Eric thinks Jeremy is a really weird guy because he takes a stand for the environment, but almost everyone in his class comes to the party. What should he do? How will his friends feel if Jeremy is at the party? Sandra McLeod Humphrey, a retired clinical psychologist, has provided excellent materials for approaching the topics of bullying, peer groups, fear, even suicide with the imaginary students of Emerson Elementary. Although adults often like to pretend issues like this are not yet concerns at the elementary level, educators have long known that these issues need to be discussed. Humphrey presents the topics in brief stories followed by insightful discussion guides. This should be included in every elementary and middle school collection. Twenty-six topics are discussed, allowing for a great fit into a weekly schedule within a 36-week school year. Website recommendations for further study are included.     web reviews   Joyce Rice/2008 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)