Bullied; Young Offender

Here are two titles in a series that so far runs to eight 'issue texts'. The style is in the reality documentary/interview mode that is currently so popular on TV. In this instance it works incredibly well and has resulted in two very clear-headed, informative, intelligently formatted and utterly compulsive reads that do their job with commendable skill.

The technique is to interview young people variously affected by the issues and to add input from friends, parents and those directly involved in providing support. Apt photos, fact boxes, talking points, glossaries, contact information and future action advice all add to the worthy usefulness of both books.

The bullying title includes such aspects as being the victim because of your intelligence, because of being a slow learner and being on the receiving end of that unique brand of female emotional cruelty. But for balance, the bullies do get their say and we get the parents' perspectives too.

Young Offender follows the same format with the crimes quite predictable, though I hadn't anticipated the illegal graffiti artist. The really moving story here was that of Tom, a victim of a beating who has never really recovered and bears debilitating mental scars.

I'd like to see both titles, and probably all the series, in every secondary school.