February 1, 2006
Gr 9 Up -The -180 - of the title refers to experiencing an about-face -revolution - toward personal sexual ethics and behavior, based on a biblical understanding of sexuality. Ingram is president of a Christian broadcast and teaching ministry, and Walker is senior editor of "YouthWalk" magazine, published by the same evangelical organization. Abstinence is the clear message here, whether guarding one -s virginity until marriage or forsaking current sexual activity to become chaste once again. The authors write with gentle humor and obvious compassion and avoid slipping into the -too cool - vernacular that tries too hard to appeal to teens. Including young people -s comments and questions garnered from the "YouthWalk" Web site and other first-person interactions, they recognize the raging hormones of their readers, as well as the -go ahead and do it - message common in popular media, and share stories of their own struggles. The primary reason they offer for choosing abstinence is to please God, who has shown in the Bible that sex is sacred and serious. Practical suggestions for remaining chaste within a range of relationships are offered. Kindly written and well developed, "Sex 180" may be a useful book in public libraries to balance out the spectrum of opinion on teen sexual behavior. Eleanor Ayer -s" It -s Okay to Say No: Choosing Sexual Abstinence" (Rosen, 1997) covers much of the same material regarding the benefits of abstinence without making reference to religion." -Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS"
Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.