Step Talk

Block and Bartell lay it on the line for the burgeoning number of young people facing the uncertainties of stepliving such as what you call your new stepparent or what you do when rules change. Capitalizing on group-therapy techniques, the authors address pressing issues from a can-do perspective, using the voices of several teens and parents who have gone through it all. Providing more than just scenarios and outcomes, the authors go through the decision-making process showing how to face problems or fears and overcome them. Strong on communication, they appeal to teens to open up and talk about their feelings. They provide lawyer-inspired "form letters" with fill-in-the-blank customizations for dealing with parents calmly and rationally. The writing style is relaxed, entertaining, often humorous, yet highly informative. The fonts and graphics embellish the text. A guidebook to return to again and again, this is a must-have for all libraries serving teens.