AMACOM

ADD/ADHD drug free; natural alternatives and practical exercises to help your child focus.

For parents, teachers, and counselors, this guide presents activities to help children ages nine to 13 who have ADD/ADHD improve their learning and behavior without using medications. It also discusses the diagnosis of ADHD and other attention disorders, how the brain causes these problems, and gives examples of children the authors have worked with. They then outline seven different learning styles (based on the work of Howard Gardner and Thomas Armstrong) and how to work with children, and present the activities, which draw from their own work and the perspective that activities that exercise the brain will lead to behavior changes. Activities are organized by learning style. Jacobelli has treated children and adults in inpatient psychiatric, private practice, and community mental health settings. Watson has worked as an early-learning education director, educator, special education administrator, and resource specialist. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Food fray; inside the controversy over genetically modified food.

Author Weasel, scientist and educator (biology, Portland State U.) cuts through the hype regarding genetically modified food and related ethical and political issues. The author notes that 80 percent of all corn and 92 percent of all soybeans grown in the United States are products of genetic engineering and that more than half of Americans surveyed believe they have never eaten a genetically modified product and wouldn't if they were given a choice. The well-written and well- researched book combines interviews with scientists, activists, farmers, and consumers with scientific insights into this contemporary controversy. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The stress-free pregnancy guide; a doctor tells you what to really expect.

Livoti, a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, teaming with Topp, a nonfiction writer and filmmaker, debunks common myths about pregnancy and explains what to really expect. The authors offer chapters on normal experiences and abnormal signs for each trimester, allowing squeamish readers to skip upsetting and probably unnecessary information. In addition, there are chapters on the period before conception, conception, delivery, and the postpartum period. The book explains why a pregnant woman's body experiences certain changes, gives advice on exercise and diet, explains medical tests and results, and shows how to recognize unusual symptoms. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)