Carman, L. Kay & Reich, Carol S., eds. Reaching out to religious youth; a guide to services, programs, and collections.

CARMAN, L. Kay & REICH, Carol S., eds. Reaching out to religious youth; a guide to services, programs, and collections. Libraries Unlimited. 222p. bibliogs. notes. index. c2004. 0-313-32041-1. $38.00.

The editors have put together this book as a resource for librarians who want to provide books for every patron, including those young people devout in their various faiths. Nearly every contributor to the collection is a member of the faith discussed. Each section consists of background on each faith, a brief history, a summary of doctrine, and also includes "common misconceptions and stereotypes" before proceeding to list books, videos, DVDs, and services that religious youth might seek in a local library. Religions covered are Protestantism, Evangelical Christianity, Roman Catholicism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Orthodox Christianity, Seventh-day Adventist, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. While acknowledging that religious youth are more apt to look for reading and other materials within their own communities, the editors and contributors attempt to provide a foundation of sources for such teens. The lists provided are basic, and the literary quality of materials is apparently not a consideration. Nevertheless, teenagers seeking reflections of themselves and their values in their reading materials may well feel comfort and pleasure at finding them in the library. Myrna Marler, Assoc. Prof. of English, BYU, Provo, UT