Diabetes; Dyslexia

Aimed at Key Stage 3 & 4 pupils and part of a major new series on health concerns ('Health Issues'), these two books provide detailed and sometimes complex information on their subjects. Diabetes claims not to provide health advice, believing that best got from a doctor or clinic, but gives clear explanations of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the use of insulin and other drugs, symptoms, the control of blood glucose levels, diet and health risks. Dyslexia looks at myths and issues surrounding the condition, shows clearly the process of assessment, and explains many of the different problems that people with complex 'wiring' in their brains can suffer. The language in both books is sophisticated; there is some emphasis on research, and examples are given of young people coping. We meet famous people who have had both conditions, though in the case of the dyslexics named (eg. Churchill, Hans Andersen, Agatha Christie, etc.) it may be queried as to whether they were actually dyslexic as none of them could have been assessed. The level of complexity in both books will take a certain amount of maturity, and, in fact, teachers and parents could well find them useful as general introductions. Websites, indexes and glossaries provide further help. A welcome new series that will be of real use, both to schools and to individuals.