Under Whose Influence

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Under Whose Influence

Author: Judy Laik

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: parent/children relationship problems

Year of Publication: 1993

Publisher & Location: Parenting Press

ISBN#: 0943990971

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 64

Quality of Illustrations: Illustrations are age appropriate.

Brief Summary:

"The Decision is Yours" series of books addresses common issues faced by elementary and middle school children. These books are interactive, and the reader is given a chance to make a decision that will affect the outcome of the story. After making their choice, readers follow the story to its conclusion, based on their decision. In Under Whose Influence? a young girl’s friends get into their parents’ liquor cabinet and begin drinking, placing the girl in the awkward position of having to make difficult choices.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I like that this book focuses on choices and decisions in relating with parents. Parents often talk about consequences and so this book would lend to a great discussion about choices and consequences.

Activity: Make your own book about yourself with a choose your own ending option. This would look different for younger grades (one specific event and decision) and older grades (a time line activity showing long term consequences).