For parents, there are few childhood diagnoses more frightening than a brain tumor. This is exactly the book to have in that situation. The latest entry in the excellent "Patient-Centered Guides" series, it maintains a nice balance between providing solid clinical information and sharing stories of emotional support. Chapters cover basic information about central nervous system (CNS) anatomy and physiology, types of tumors, and common procedures and treatments. Also discussed are personal and family issues such as dealing with school absences, making sure that siblings are not overlooked, asking for and accepting help from friends and family members, dealing with the emotional and financial disruptions brought on by illness, and facing death. Each chapter is sprinkled with small vignettes, told in the first person by parents of children with CNS tumors and at times by the children themselves. Appendixes include books, organizations, and web sites to consult for further information, as well as normal blood values for many commonly done tests. The authors include nurses experienced in caring for children with such tumors and the mother of a pediatric patient. Highly recommended for all public and health-related libraries. Eris Weaver, Redwood Health Lib., Petaluma, CA

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Maria Sansalone has a Bachelor's in English from American International College, and an Associate's in Science degree. She has worked in the past in hospital settings in the area of health information management, and for the last ten years as a Cross Reference editor for Merriam-Webster, Inc., the dictionary and reference publishers. Her position allows her access to information from almost every field. But, nothing, she says, prepared her for her son's diagnosis of an optic glioma. "It was a completely shocking and shattering experience, and it's taken many years to find a balance. Listening to families relate their own experiences for this book was immensely influential. I think it helped to bring things back full circle."

Patsy Cullen received her BSN in nursing from the University of California, her MS from the University of Kansas, and her pediatric nurse practitioner training from the University of Colorado. She has worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner in Pediatric Oncology for more than 20 years and is currently a member of the staff of Childhood Hematology-Oncology Associates and the Rocky Mountain Children's Cancer Center in Denver, Colorado. She has published extensively in the areas of general pediatric oncology, radiation oncology and neuro-oncology. She has been a member of the Children's Cancer Group for twenty years, has served on the Nursing Discipline committee as Vice-Chair and now chairs the clinical trials subcommittee. Additionally, Patsy is now a Principal Investigator in the Children's Oncology Group, administratively heading the program at Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center and was recently elected to serve on the group's Nominating Committee. She has held nursing appointments on many national pediatric CNS tumor trials and is currently on the CNS Tumor Steering Committee for the Children's Oncology Group.

Tania Shiminski-Maher received her BSN and MS in pediatric primary care from Columbia University. She is a certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner, clinical neuroscience registered nurse, and pediatric oncology nurse. She has worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner in pediatric neurosurgery and pediatric neuro-oncology for the past fifteen years. She has published extensively in the area of pediatric brain tumors, hydrocephalus and multidisciplinary team communication. She has been a member of the nursing committee of the Children's Cancer Group for the past fifteen years and a member of the nursing steering committee for ten years. She holds academic appointments to the faculty of New York University School of Nursing and Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing.