Brownlie, Ali  Why Do People Abuse Human Rights?
Gr. 4–6  48 pp.  Raintree

Senker, Cath  Why Are People Refugees?
Gr. 4–6  48 pp.  Raintree

Woolf, Alex  Why Are People Terrorists?
Gr. 4–6  48 pp.  Raintree

Woolf, Alex  Why Do People Commit Crime?
Gr. 4–6  48 pp.  Raintree

Exploring Tough Issues series. These well-organized books examine their subjects in depth—no mean feat, given the short length of the books and how complex the subjects are. Well-chosen (if not always well-reproduced) photos feature both individuals known for their social action (or deviance) and everyday people who unite to work for what they think is right. Abuse and Refugees list relevant resources. Reading list. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Social issues; Crime; Human rights; Refugees; Terrorism

DiPiazza, Francesca Davis  Friend Me! 600 Years of Social Networking in America
Middle school, high school  112 pp.  Twenty-First Century

From early Native American cultures to present-day scientists hoping to interact with possible extraterrestrial beings, people continue to reach out to others for a variety of purposes. Black-and-white photographs and diagrams combine with sidebars and a well-researched text to present the history and future of social networking and the means employed to connect with individuals and groups. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.
Subjects: Social issues; History, American; Communication; Technology; Internet

Gay, Kathlyn  Food: The New Gold
Middle school, high school  96 pp.  Twenty-First Century

Maps, stock color photographs, and sidebars combine with a detail-rich text to present a comprehensive look at the world food crisis. Imbalances in access, quantity, and quality along with production, distribution, and ownership are fully explored; the influence of politics, technology, and climate on the food markets today and in the future are also addressed. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
Subjects: Social issues; Agriculture; Farms and farm life; Food; Food relief

Gerber, Larry  Torture
Middle school, high school  64 pp.  Rosen

Jones, Molly  Health Care for Everyone
Middle school, high school  64 pp.  Rosen

Headlines! series. These useful hi-lo volumes address timely topics in the news. Health Care begins with President Obama's 2010 legislation then discusses problems within the industry. Torture looks at the history and modern practice of torture, ending with discussion of Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo. Good organization, clear writing, captioned photos, and sidebars deliver the information cleanly. The bibliographies (including many websites) are up-to-date. Reading list. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Social issues; Medicine; Crime; Violence

Serres, Alain  I Have the Right to Be a Child
Gr. K–3  40 pp.  Groundwood (House of Anansi Press)

Illustrated by Aurélia Fronty. Each spread in this picture book begins with the line "I have the right…” Serres emphasizes that all children have the same freedoms, including the right to food, clean water, shelter, and a peaceful existence. Vivid colors in Fronty's naïve-style paintings enliven the occasionally ponderous text. A helpful author's note discusses the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Subjects: Families, children, and sexuality; Books in translation; Children's rights

From the June 2013 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.