Have you ever known that you shouldn't do something, but just couldn't stop yourself? Of course you have! Perhaps you couldn't resist having one more piece of birthday cake. Maybe your brother or sister made you so mad that you couldn't help yelling. Everyone experiences uncontrollable impulses like these sometimes. But what if these impulses happened to you all the time? How would you interact with your family, do your work at school, or make friends if you couldn't control your impulses?...

Today, obesity—the state of being very overweight—is a problem that gets worse each year, particularly as many people spend less time exercising and more time on the couch or sitting at a computer. The health risks caused by excess weight and obesity are numerous and can be deadly. While we're learning more and more about the harmful consequences of excess weight, many people still have a hard time slimming down. Real, healthy weight loss can seem like a mystery. Explore the causes of the ...

The incarceration system plays important punitive, rehabilitative, and protective roles in North American society. But despite its indispensable nature, the incarceration system is fraught with complications and problems. This book teaches readers about the complex social, economic, and moral costs that are inevitably associated with the placement of human beings behind bars.

Not every sickness goes away in a few days or weeks. Unfortunately, some can last for months, years, or even the rest of a person's life. When this happens, it is called a chronic illness. It can cause many difficulties in people's lives, besides the illness itself. With some determination and help from friends and professionals, though, people with chronic illnesses can learn to face these challenges. Every young person faces challenges as they grow up, but those who have chronic illnesse...

Did you know that poor dental hygiene can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke? Or that the incidence of cavities and tooth decay increases in the teenage years? Did you know that countries with a higher standard of living (like the United States, Canada, and England) actually have higher rates of tooth loss and decay than countries with a lower standard of living? Or that dental drills existed for thousands of years before people even had electricity? Dental hygiene is extremely ...

New parents who find out they're going to have a child with intellectual challenges are faced with many questions: Will she be able to function in the world? Will she have the same hopes and dreams as other children? Will her life be happy—or filled with sadness and failure? Along with the Brown family, you'll discover the answers to these questions as you read the story of Penelope Brown, a girl with Down syndrome. You'll see Penelope struggle to overcome others' ignorance and prejudice—a...

Our bodies are constantly reacting to mental stimulation. When reliving the winning goal you made in the hockey game, your face might flush, heart race, and muscles tense. A child who is being bullied at school might feel sick every morning before leaving home. A passionate kiss in the movies might make your own lips tingle. These are examples of psychosomatic reactions: physical reactions to mental or emotional symptoms. Sometimes a person's psychosomatic reaction to mental stress may be ...

Obesity—the state of being very overweight—is more than a problem in the world today; it's a crisis. One out of every three adults is obese. Childhood obesity is a major health concern as well. Experts agree that fast food is one of the most significant factors behind bigger bodies. For many people, fast food has become more than a quick way to grab a meal; it has become a way of life. Learn how fast food and the fast-food industry have shaped not only our bodies but also our lifestyles. D...

Being a teenager is never easy. This phase of life is filled with changes, and new, unexpected challenges are always presenting themselves. For someone who has trouble controlling her emotions, these challenges can be especially hard to handle. As you read the story of Sheila, a teenager with an emotional disturbance, you will find out what it means to live with these extra challenges. You'll learn about some of the systems in place to help kids like Sheila, as well as some of the strength...

Around the world, many people face discrimination because of the shapes of their bodies, their weight, or the way they look. People who would never discriminate against others because of skin color or some physical challenge often think it's perfectly okay to judge others based on weight. Many of us don't think twice about judging other people's appearance—but most of us also know the pain of feeling bad about the way we look. Learn about the ways in which our culture discriminates against...

In a world where most educational and social systems are designed for people who can hear, being deaf or hard of hearing presents young people with a unique set of challenges. They must find ways to communicate and overcome discrimination. In this book you will read about Denzel, who has never missed being able to hear. He was born deaf, and the idea of "sound" is confusing to him. As you follow Denzel's journey through a world designed for the hearing, you'll see him find ways to overcome...

Everyone told Sandra she would be happy. People described in rapt detail the overwhelming feeling of love and purpose that would envelop her at her daughter's birth. Nothing prepared Sandra for the heavy fog of dread and loss that descended upon her in the delivery room on the day she gave birth. When the nurse handed her the crying, bruised, purple-pink bundle, Sandra had to fight the urge to hand the bundle back and run. She wanted to turn the clock back nine months before any of this ha...