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Reviews

"I have been reading about child and adolescent development since my graduate school days. Later, when my children were born I was also a voracious reader of all the major writers on child and adolescent development. How I wish I had this book when my kids were in junior and senior high school! Dr. Walsh has absolutely nailed adolescence. Amazing. He has taken an enormous amount of scholarly research and delivered it to us in readable and useable form. He clearly loves what he does and his passion for kids shines through in every chapter. It is a joy to read such a powerful combination of scholarship and common sense. Someday I would love to meet this man. I am sure I would learn a lot. I recommend this book without reservation to every parent and teen out there who wants to understand these years. "

"This will likely benefit anyone who is a parent of an adolescent. I think that it would also be helpful to adolescents themselves (if they would read it) in understanding some of their own behavior. Walsh provides a lot of information on the latest research in brain development from adolescence to adulthood and its effects on attitudes, behavior, etc. He also discusses hormonal changes as well as cultural and other influences that are helpful in understanding the teen years. Along with the scientific research he provides, Dr. Walsh also compares parenting styles, discusses activities for kids that can help in the short and long term, and provides realistic ideas for parenting during these tumultuous years. One of his particularly good suggestions is behavioral contracts. He provides a couple of specific examples of these, which are quite good. One great quote that he has to start off chapter one makes it clear that surviving adolescence has been an issue for millennia: "Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers". This is attributed to none other than Socrates in the fifth century, B.C. Walsh clearly defines adolescence: "it begins at puberty and ends ... sometime". Interwoven with the scientific information and helpful tips, he relates some stories, funny and otherwise, that most parents of those in this age group will be able to understand. One that I found particularly humorous related to ultra cold weather and adolescent dressing habits. This can be found on page 214. I recommend this book. "

"Dr. Walsh must have known my son. I felt like he wrote this book for my family. His explanations were easily understood and very insightful, but, not an excuse for the teen's behavior. It was hard at times to put the book down. I really wish my parents had read this book. Thank YOU, Dr. Walsh. Thank you, thank you, thank you. "

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in two sittings. There were so many good and funny examples of real life situations that as a parent of a teenager, one can relate to all too well. The author is well informed and the information about the human brain development is critical to understanding how to connect and deal with you teenager. Highly recommend to all. "

"I was a hard sell when given this book. I was concerned that it was going to offer One Big Excuse for sorry teen-age behavior. I was already seeing the headlines: Teen Not Guilty; It wasn't his fault; His PFC made him do it! Instead, I learned a great deal from this book. I wish the science had been there years ago. Besides getting a peek into the seemingly unfathomable teen-age brain, Walsh gave valuable information about how to handle the problems that come up as a result of the difficult transition known as adolescence. I see this information not so much as an excuse for poor behavior as it is a guide to lead people away from it. I recommend this book to teachers or anyone who has a child younger than 25! "

"Dr. Walsh, relying on the most up to date science, gives us a tour through the complexities of the adolescent brain. He has been able to successfully connect behavior to the physical changes occurring in within the mind of the teenager. This is a fourteen-chapter, 276-page book that is written for the general reader. The intended audience are parents of teenagers and others that come into intimate contact with them. After reading this book my body of knowledge, as it applies to teenagers, has expanded. The information as been so intertwined within my original consciousness that I hardly know what is new and what is not. I find this type of information absorption highly valuable. I am certain that should I take the time to re-read this book in the future even more could be gleaned and would be well worth my time and effort. I am so impressed with this books content that it should be recommended reading for any class, whether for foster parents or others learning to understand and successfully deal with teenagers. Each chapter is arranged around a topic and then is concluded with either a punctuated do vs. don't list or a yes or no questionnaire. This is an efficient method of examining our own beliefs, reviewing relevant information or confronting new ideas. I found these lists insightful and helpful. Rather than do a chapter-by-chapter review of this book I would like to talk about different portions of the book over the next few weeks, so that I can take time to look at a subject in more depth. To conclude, let me give this the highest possible rating when it comes to the value vs. time investment for parents, foster parents or others that come in contact with teenagers. I hope you run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and order up yourself a copy! "