Breaking the Cycle is an Adult Literacy Cost Shared Project between the British Columbia Ministry of Education, Skills and Training and the National Literacy Secretariat. It is the result of a series of workshops put on by Project Literacy Victoria. Its aim is to provide information and activities for adult learners and their children and to help build support and success within families who worry about the cycle of illiteracy.

The plain language, large clear print and clutter-free pages make for easy reading. Each section is organized with bold headings often written in question form, and the corresponding information is given in clear statements that are often bulleted or numbered for easy reference.

The chapter on learning disabilities can be used as a springboard for lots of discussion and follow up. The signs of a possible learning disability and AD(H)D are listed, along with coping strategies and sources of further information. After reading this chapter, one student felt so encouraged, he wrote, "I found the manual well written and easy to understand and gave me a lot to think about in my problems...I will do what it takes."

The chapter on Learning Together is also useful for any parent. Although the community activities focus specifically on the Victoria area, plenty of suggestions are given for inexpensive or free summer fun in any community. Library visits, crafts, make believe, hobbies, art, music and museum trips are all suggested; creativity and curiosity are emphasized.

Although Managing Anger is a rather simplistic treatment of the styles of anger, it provides an excellent springboard for further discussion and study. Learners can enjoy doing the thirty question quiz to determine their style, and may then choose to engage in follow-up work to understand, learn from and manage their anger.

I am delighted to have several copies of this publication in my classroom and happy that parts may be copied for classroom or tutorial use. Learners have read all or parts, and like it. One said,

"I've found the information very helpful in my own growth in learning and my self-esteem has increased! I would really recommend the contents of this book as a learning tool for all those concerned."