Review by Choice Review
This book's editors and contributors address the growing problem of children affected by HIV/AIDS. One focus is the specific religious, governmental, and nongovernmental programs that help families in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and New York City to obtain assistance such as small loans, day care, housing, food, and clothing. Contributors make strong recommendations for extended family assistance or sustainable community-based assistance, rather than institutional care or services that label, relocate, or isolate children and separate siblings. They promote national planning and multiagency networking to prevent worsening of problems such as unwanted teen pregnancies, malnutrition, abandonment, and child prostitution. The book includes a resource guide, brief chronology of important events from 1981 to 2004, tables, figures, and very extensive references. This reviewer's main criticism is the heavy use of acronyms (e.g., FBOs, RCBs); although they are spelled out initially in the text, their meaning is difficult to recall. With a focus on childhood rights, strengthening household income, international policy, and research priorities, this book will be useful to advanced students and scholars. For more statistical information and a cross-cultural comparison of selected case studies from places including Europe, Australia, Brazil, and China, see HIV and AIDS: A Global View, edited by K. McElrath (CH, Oct'02,40-0942). Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. E. R. Paterson SUNY College at Cortland
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
