Adolescents Books

This is an extraordinary book for parent's who have cancer. It is insightful, honest, and a very good read.
Jo Ann Namm

I read this book while awaiting biopsy results. It helped prepare me for a possible cancer diagnosis as it related to my family. It even provided a feeling of anticipation of growing closer ties with my children through cancer. This is a very well written book to help parents as they struggle with cancer and balancing life/children/therapies.

I came across this book after I was asked to give a presentation to parents at Gilda's Club about talking to children when you have been diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Wendy Harpham has lived the experience she writes about. This book is a remarkable resource providing invaluable information and help to anyone wondering how to tell his/her children he/she has been diagnosed with cancer and how to help the children deal with the ongoing challenges a family faces when a parent is fighting for his/her life.

Not only does this book deal with a very sensitive and difficult topic in a very intelligent, straightforward, sensitive, and psychologically healthy manner, but it teaches extremely valuable skills for parenting and coping with ANY troubles life may throw your way. The companion book for children does the very same thing, and very effectively teaches children coping skills in an encouraging, realistic, and safe way. Both books excel in highlighting and addressing differences between the ways adults process thoughts and emotions and the way children do this.

When my husband was diagnosed with cancer our children were 5 and 7 years old. This book gave us the tools to use to talk to them about cancer. Illness, chemotherapy and even death were topics that we suddenly had to confront. Dr. Harpham's book provided insight in dealing with a frigtening topic in a calm and reasuring manner.

Stacey Roberts writes a very nice two prong book. On the one hand, she explains to the reader just what's going on with their daughter. On the other hand, Roberts offers tips on how to help your daughter with this knowledge. With an approach of positive interaction and being prepared, Roberts offers sample conversations to help the reader start discussions even if the daughter appears uncommunicative. This is an excellent book for anyone who is stuck on how to approach their daughter, isn't sure what she's going through, or both.

Kudos to the Breast Fairy author! My daughter, who had her own supreme struggles with the Breast Fairy as a teen, is now the mother of three girl-women (ah, justice!). We've both prayed for a book like this! Seldom does one find such an honest, clear, practical guide such as Stacey Roberts has written. Too bad this book can't be "required reading" after the baby shower, but then this gives loving mothers like myself a great gift for our daughters (and their daughters) when it's most needed! A grateful grandmother.

Stacey Roberts is a trainer /coach /physical therapist/ counselor/ friend who has worked with adolescent girls for 15 years. She writes with wit and compassion about girls' teen years and their need for relationships to help steady down the turmoil in family and the developing self. While she cites various authorities on teen years, she has developed her own compassionate authority from her experiences. She is, in a sense, a "natural" therapist, one of those genuinely helpful persons who has great empathy for teens.

It is not so much a "survival guide" as an affirmation of how important relationships are, especially when they change during a girl's maturation. Roberts is clear about the importance of fathers in this affirmation. In a divorce situation, she astutely observes that girls often reserve their anger and confusion for their moms and hold back on their (more distant) dads. Her recommendations make good sense--talking things through, affirmation, being clear about limits, asking about the girl's feelings.

I think men will get a lot from this book, also. We know that when fathers pull back from daughters in their teen years, many girls end up hurt/confused/wounded/angry, so it is important to maintain an appropriate relationship with your daughter. Roberts is on the right track.

Kudos to the Breast Fairy author! My daughter, who had her own supreme struggles with the Breast Fairy as a teen, is now the mother of three girl-women (ah, justice!). We've both prayed for a book like this! Seldom does one find such an honest, clear, practical guide such as Stacey Roberts has written. Too bad this book can't be "required reading" after the baby shower, but then this gives loving mothers like myself a great gift for our daughters (and their daughters) when it's most needed!

When The Breast Fairy Comes covers the struggles faced by every parent of adolescent girls and provides practical advice based on parental experiences, the distilled thoughts of more than 200 adolescent girls, and child development specialists. When The Breast Fairy Comes applies to girls of all ages and prepares parents for the beginning, middle and end of adolescence. This is a compendium of sound, helpful, insightful, highly recommended information that can serve as a basis for establishing a rapport between parent and child that will last a lifetime.

This book was recently brought to my attention during a problem between my son and his preschool teacher. It has brought great light to the issues and I have information now to better understand my son's behavior, for which we now know is "normal and age-appropriate." Cudos!! I'd suggest getting one of these books for every age of your child to better understand behaviors.

I recommend these books (Your ONE Year Old, Your TWO Year Old, Your THREE Year Old, Your FOUR Year Old, Your FIVE Year Old, Your SIX Year Old, Your SEVEN Year Old, Your EIGHT Year Old, Your NINE Year Old, Your TEN-to-FOURTEEN Year Old. These books were writtten by Louise Bates Ames, PhD, Fances L. Ilg, MD and Sidney M. Baker MD of the Gesell Institute of Human Development. They are NOT a "how to" book for parents -- but rather provide a perspective of life from the child's various ages. I found the books to be of such value that I purchase the entire series for new parents. Somehow I forgot to purchase these books for my niece when she started her family. She expressed some concerns about her seven year old son's behavior (that I knew from experience to be that typical of seven year olds). I purchased the books from the series that will help my niece from here on. She LOVES them! I have a feeling she will use them and pass them along to other parents. My original set are part of my permanent library. I highly recommend these books for your permanent library as well!

The series is a good crash course on normal development; it helps to know that your kids is going through the same thing everyone else's is; worthwhile if you can get past some of the dated old fashioned stuff.

Although some of the passages in this book and it's companion volumes are quite dated, it is still one of the most helpful parenting books that I have found in 25 years of teaching preschoolers. Many parents through the years have breathed a sigh of relief after reading these books which start with "Your One Year Old" and go all the way up to "Your Ten to Fourteen Year Old".

When I gave birth, I hoped the manual would have popped out right after the baby, alas,I was wrong. We used The What to expect books until they no longer covered our age group. A local bookstore suggested Dr. Ames' books and they have been a GOD SEND! These books are the best from 2 to 5 so far they have been right on the money...Our son turns six in March and we are buying the 6 book tomorrow. My husband & I can not think of any other book(s) that has been more helpful or informative, than those written by Dr. Ames. Kudos to her and her easy to digest books.

I ordered this book a couple of months ago after reading part of the e-book version. It is such a valuble resource in helping my whole family understand what is going on! The author describes the condition (ADHD) in a clear voice, easy to read, yet so very informative. I've read parts of it to my son (age 9) and heard him exclaim, "That's just how it feels to me, Mom!". Both my husband and I have found this book to be so helpful as we learn to interact in a positive way with our children. This is one resource book that we will likely wear out as we read and re-read it. In fact I am ordering a copy of it to send to my parents so they can better understand what we're going through.

I own literally dozens of books on ADHD and have read dozens more. This slim book (only about 125 pages) is absolutely one of the best. I ordered it on the recommendation of a friend and when it arrived I was disappointed to see such a thin book. How could it add anything I didn't already know? Well, it did! It sums up the latest in scientific approaches to ADHD, de-bunks the myths and presents it all as clearly and concisely as I have ever seen. An excellent investment!

I only wish this book was available for me when my daughter was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome back when she was 12. By the time ADHD was diagnosed she was 19 and we had gone through many years of disruption and blame. I will recommend this book to family and friends.

Carol Goldberg Maeder, Mother

This book is easy to understand for the layman or professional. It addresses everyday problems and how to deal with them by a doctor who is not only intelligent, but compassionate.

An excellent, concise, no-nonsense, inspirational book. Superb as both resource and guide to help us do just what we want to: LIVE RIGHT NOW! Thank you very much indeed, Dr. Kutscher.

I have recommended this book to parents in our school system that I know need it. The problem is the kids continue to manipulate them and lie about their drug use. This book is a life saver! It takes you through the initial assessment of the problem, to teaching you how to live with it. It is easily readable and so much of it applied directly to our situation.

This book is replete with good quality advice and information, The short personal anecdotes compliment the central narrative convincingly, rather than as mere literary frills. It deals with the problem from both the drug user's perspective and importantly also from that of the family. Often overlooked in the whole troubling saga is the need for the family to continue functioning even without the presence of the drug abuser. The book is strong in this area and many parents will nod their heads in agreement with its points. All in all a very useful guide.

I can't say enough for this book! It was clear, easy reading that helped me to understand what it means to be an addict. I have recommended it to other family members who are dealing with just this problem. It has been hard watching them struggle with this problem. I truly believe that they can begin to empower themselves and help their addicted adolescent if they read this book. I think that they could eliminate a lot of the misery that they go through by learning about their son/daughter's addiction and how it effects all family members. I learned about the role I play as an extended family member and how not to be an enabler. I recommend this book not only to parents, but to grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This is the most important book they will read to learn how not to enable their loved one to continue their addiction. The resources are valuable to those who don't know where to turn for help in dealing with addiction. The author, Nikki Babbit, not only has professional experience and training in working with adolescence and families; she, also, is the mother of a recovering son. I would highly recommend this book to all parents, not just those who are dealing with a teenage addict, because it will help you to be aware of and spot the signs of drug abuse before it becomes a problem in your family. Like the book says, it can happen in any family. Once again, BUY and READ this book! You will be thankful you did.

Dr. Babbit's book for parents with children who have a problem with alcohol and drugs is accessible and comprehensive, covering the disease concept of addiction, nature of assessments and treatment for children, and tools for personal recovery for parents. The book's appendices provide an excellent overview of descriptions of drugs and their effects, along with a guide on resources for further reading. Babbit brings to life this roller coaster ride parents experience from having children who abuse alcohol and drugs by providing the voices of parents who have gone through it. Information is always essential for recovery, but the private hell parents experience often entails isolation, guilt, and despair. And there is nothing more powerful than identifying with others who have rode that same roller coaster-a crucial step for parents' own recovery in gaining the awareness that they are not alone with and not unique in their feelings. But why this book is a must for parents with or without children abusing alcohol/drugs is Babbit's insistence on parents taking care of themselves. This recurrent theme of taking care of yourself at the end of each chapter is the constant reminder needed to parents that getting off the seemingly unstoppable, uncontrollable roller coaster is possible. Babbit's book is empowering to and breaths hope for parents in knowing a new freedom and a new happiness.

In a nutshell, this book was one of the elements that SAVED MY SON'S LIFE!! If I hadn't read about the stages of addiction (easily described and organized within the book for quick intervention)I wouldn't have realized how serious a situation he was in already. There he was, crashing through the wall to the final stage (despair/suicidal)of addiction and, because he had woven such a web of chaos (balls in the air for me to keep busy catching)I was totally missing the desperate truth, that he was going to die if he wasn't stopped! If I hadn't reacted quickly I truly know he would not be here today.

Babbit describes the ways addicts and abusers foil our best efforts to find out what they're up to. Our kids are experts at manipulation, and will go to great lengths to "protect" their addictions. They distract us from our instincts, avoid our attention, and unfortunately can plummet downward in a deathly spiral, under our very noses. Babbit describes ALL THE POPULAR DRUGS, the corresponding paraphernalia that can identify each one's use, and the symptoms displayed by someone using them. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED as you read the myriad of ways our children have found to get high! Have you ever grabbed a can of whipped cream out of the fridge only to find it's gone flat?? (they "huff" the gas out of the can!)...some even unscrew the gas cap and huff gas fumes right out of your car (keep a locking cap on yours!)

Nikki Babbit's well written, non-judgemental book is an ESSENTIAL primer for Parents of substance and alcohol abusing teenagers!! This is NO-NONSENSE, "IN YOUR FACE" information, effectively organized for quick reference to deal with your individual situation (stage of chaos) quickly! I am ordering several copies now to distribute to those is immediate need, and to display while speaking at parent's groups/community outreach, etc. Sometimes the despair and pain we parents go through is best channeled back into the world by sharing a story or insight or knowledge. Once you've "interrupted" their progression and gotten them help, your kids basically have a long process to recovery and have to work their programs on their own. If parents then try to channel their pain and worry back into community involvement it helps keep you a little more sane and helps the effort to reduce the distribution of drugs. God bless, and good luck to you!

I thought that the book provided good examples. I work with adolescent offenders and this book was helpful in providing ideas that could work with them (sometimes). Well naturally they would not work on every adolescent that came through but it was good experimentation.

This book came in a timely manner and is in the condition I expected. No complaints.

Really good book. Esseential resource for all clinicians

I'm still working my way through the book; but what I like is that its an easy read and you can incorporate it in to practice as you are going along. Its an excellent way to learn specific ways to use Cognitive Therapy with both children and adolescents. They do a good job of disinguishing between the two, which is important when you work with the two age groups. If you like specific techniques, and easy to follow explanations this is a worth while book.

This book is ideal for anyone with some knowledge about psychology. It provides some general information regarding cognitive-behavioral theory, but it does so in almost a "need to know" format; as the book goes through the outline of how to conduct a session according to the cognitive-behavioral formati, it explains the rational behind the design in a clear and intelligent way. A great supplement to a Master's level education.

This very well written book outlines how the brain developes and integrates what we know about the impact of life experience with the unraveling mysteries of the brain. Emotional disorders such as PTSD are informed by Siegel's elegant discussion of how memories are created. This is a challenging book; each sentence is packed with important information. While the subject matter may not be familiar to the reader, Siegel presents this valuable information in a very accessable manner. Very Strongly recommended to therapists and counselors.

As I start this review, I want to say that I'm not a mental health professional. I'd been so used to psychological texts falling into 2 distinct categories: texts written by MD's explaining how everything wrong with you involves an excess of seratonin (or some other chemical) or books written by clinicians talking essentially only about their personal clinical experiences. This book breaks (or combines maybe..?) these stereotypes in a readable, detailed, and very well-supported (~500 references) account of how experiences actually create biological malfunctions.

A brief note to other readers who might also not be mental health professionals: While this book doesn't really assume you know anything at all, it can be dense at times. However, Dr. Siegel goes out of his way to make sure that you can follow along by rehashing earlier points that might have been easily confused.

Outlining important points in italics, Dr. Siegel proceeds through the entire range of mental development. He starts out with the more basic processes involved in mental functioning (memory, attachment, emotion, states-of-minds) and shows how these systems are shaped in an infant by a responsive caregiver into forming an emotionally healthy adult. He also talks about how mental disorders can develop when these various systems are either inadequately stimulated or actively stimied.
I found the chapter on attachment particularly remarkable. As he explained the various types of attachments and how they were dependant on parental-child interactions (all backed up, of course, by various clinical data), I felt like I could make sense of some events from my own childhood.

This book should DEFINITELY be read by the hordes of biologically oriented psychiatrists out there. Its also a wonderful read for people who might want some insight into why they've always had problems making friends, controlling their emotions, or repeating the abusive behavioral patterns of their parents.

Siegel writes clearly and accurately. He is passionate about the mind and it's development. This book is written at a college level which means your average reader won't be picking it up. You'll take a grand tour of brain/mind development, memory,attachment, emotion and interpersonal relationships. This is must reading for the clinician and parents who want to do it right. This book deserves 6 stars but there are only five to offer. This was a wonderful read! Kevin Hogan,...

This book is a heavily research based volume detailing the ways in which parenting styles affect brain development, brain wiring structure with the implications for our lives and civilization. Although it's sometimes a bit redundant and disorganized in presentation, the information is potent and important and the quantity of research staggering. This is truly worth reading - for those who may prefer a less academic presentation, try it anyway. The value of this book is extraordinary.

This is a uniquely important book! Maybe those who so vividly expressed their disappointent in their reviews, misunderstood the title! The book is about DEVELOPING MIND, which means about how certain class of brain processes we call 'mind' come into being as the brain rewires itself.

Most of the literature seems to be assuming that these proceses somehow come into being and focus on deciphering their meaning and purpose assuming the 'mind' to be like a computer in the skull we are born with which is ready to use and it is suficient to switch it on.

But clearly, this less ingteresting frame, since the 'mind' never remains the same as a kind of static 'thing.' What is fascinating, is its continuous development process. The book presents very readable explanatory model. Minsky says that "brains use processes that change themselves[...] The principal activities of brains are making changes in themselves." Siegel explains how this happens and this is a fascinating narration.

This is a must have text for anyone who administers the WISC IV. It is thorough and well documented. It is an excellent reference.

The item arrived in great condition and in just a few days. I was very pleased.

I found that this text was a great resource to add to my professional library. As a previous student of Dr. Kaufman, I have found that the "Essentials" series has helped me stay current with recent changes in test development and assessment. I really enjoy the way that the texts are structured and easy to use in a private practice setting. My special thanks go to Alan Kaufman and to all of the authors who have contributed to this wonderful series. Sincerely, Norman D. Severe, Psy.D.

The Essentials of WISC-IV Assessment book is an excellent resource for school psychologists and students. It is a must-have for your library. I recommend this book to everyone!

I'm a fan of these sorts of texts having found the Essentials of the WAIS-III a great resource I keep returning too. I imagine it will be the same with this text as I found it really easy to use and easy to read. Perhaps my only complaint is that there is little discussion about interpretation. Otherwise a great resource in scoring up your WISC-IV.

The stories that make up the bulk of the book are compelling and heart-wrenching. Anyone interested in the problems of youth or in our attempts to provide psychiatric services will find this a fascinating book. I found myself drawn into as if I were reading a good novel. And afterwards I found myself dwelling on the issues and lessons the book addresses. A very good book - I highly recommend it.

Is it really the right answer to send a kid away from home when they have a mental problem? "The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis" is an examination of children throughout the country who are suffering from mental disorders - and are placed in mental hospitals, foster homes, boot camps, and other 'treatment' solutions so often suggested by professionals. Are these solutions actually solving anything, or could they be feeding the very problems they've set out to cure? Calling for improvements in the mental health care system, "The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis" is highly recommended for community library psychology collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This narrative non-fiction is gripping and informative about the untold problems with our psychiatric care when it comes to adolescents. I did not know about these issues before reading this book but it has appauled me that we, as a nation, have not done more to remedy this issue. This book is a must read for anyone who has a teenager or is concerned about the mental health care of our future.

I normally read fiction, and I have to say that this book is not only educational and certainly a must for anyone who has troubled children, but also reads like a novel. An excellent read and a valuable font of information on this subject. I was especially impressed to see the sections on what to look for in an institution if you are contemplating getting your child help in this fashion. This really should be a textbook for people in the field of adolescent psychology. I highly recommend this book to professionals and laymen alike.

Writing a book about troubled teens has been an enormously challenging task. While pulling together the notes-to-self that I had written and saved over the years, I found myself re-experiencing many of the emotions I felt as I worked with the kids. It was as if time had not passed, as if I could hear the kids talking, laughing, acting out, threatening, pleading, sobbing--as I were once again in a position of wanting to help but often not knowing the best way to do so. Being constrained by my role and hoping with all my heart that what I had learned--and continued to learn every day--would carry us through. Hoping that the hurt and the pain and the trauma experienced by so many could recede, would recede, back in their minds to a place where each child would become his or her best self. Fearing that would not happen but hoping that the care each child received might make a difference in their lives. Coming to learn that the system of care which I had so believed and trusted in was often a system that I did not know or understand.

The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis tells the stories of a handful of young people with whom I have worked over the years. You will hear them speak and feel their pain and you will come to hope for the best for each of them. You will learn the magnitude of the problem facing America as we deal with and help troubled children to grow and become our leaders: our doctors, teachers, legislators, electricians, mothers and fathers, and others. With an estimated twenty percent of America's children under the age of 18 afflicted with emotional and behavioral disorders, hundreds of thousands of these young people are confined each year to psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, therapeutic foster homes, boot camps, and behavioral academies. While in some cases children may very appropriately be referred to and treated within inpatient psychiatric facilities, one must question the benefit of many of these out-of-home placements.

The Forgotten Future offers an unprecedented eye-opening look into the lives of a group of seriously-troubled teens whose families have entrusted them to the care of inpatient psychiatric hospitals. You may come to question whether our hospitalized children are really receiving the best mental health treatment available, while at the same time you will be encouraged to learn of the dedication and hard work of individuals who work with our children despite the many challenges of their chosen profession. You will come away convinced that our nation must rally to provide a mental health care system that truly works, and you will agree that our children deserve a chance to reach their goals and live to their greatest potential. Their futures must not be forgotten.

This book is an excellent read for those of us who continually make stupid relationship decisions. Why do I let myself fall for the same type of person over and over when I know it will only lead to emotional pain for me? This book tells us so much about the ways of getting into these kinds of patterns, how to recognize them, and then how to move on. Everyone should give this book a try, even if you think you've never had any problems.

I really liked this book. I am an avid reader and would recommend adding this book to your must read list. Another book that really impressed me is Psychic Gifts in the Christian Life - Tools to Connect, by Tiffany Snow, pub. 2003. In this time of increasing awareness for the need to help our relationships, workplace, family, self and environment, these two books are at the forefront of giving us the tools to do so - not only by positive reinforcements, but in the case of "Psychic Gifts," showing we have a Divine birthright to access the supernatural in our lives, and how to tap into that. I encourage you to Keep Reading, apply what you learn, and be a force for good in your part of the world.

So many of us are damaged in childhood, many times carrying around unresolved baggage that keeps us stuck and unable to live our best lives. This delightful and insightful book helps us understand what has molded us into who we are, and then gives us the tools to move towards a more rewarding and fulfilling life. 'Healing the Sensitive Heart' compassionately takes us on a journey of a millions miles by encouraging us not to be afraid of taking the first step.

Jacqueline Marcell, Author, Elder Rage

Healing the Sensitive Heart: How to stop getting hurt, build your inner strength, and find the love you deserve by Debra Mandel, Ph.D.

I thought I would be the worst candidate to get something out of reading this book. I am not one of the sensitive hearted people that Dr. Mandel is referring to, but there are many such people in my life. I may be a magnet for sensitive hearted people. I learned from reading this book that I can help my sensitive hearted friends.

I have friends and relatives whose sensitive hearts have kept them trapped in a fantasy world. They sell themselves short because they have been "taught" that their own feelings do not matter-they exist to serve the will of their parents or some other childhood character. Dr. Mandel shows a path that sensitive-hearted people can follow to become Thrivers. Thrivers enjoy life and give back to the world more than they take. Thrivers have a balance between serving their own needs and responding to the legitimate needs of others.

I recommend this book for the happy soul mates and friends of sensitive hearted people. We can benefit when we understand the likely genesis and resolution of behaviors that are so odd to those of us without sensitive hearts. Thank you Dr. Debra.

As a therapist myself, I am on the look-out for books that would be helpful to my clients. "Healing the Sensitive Heart" is an outstanding resource! Written with clarity, compassion, deep respect for people, and belief in their capacity to change and grow, it resonates with authenticity. It provides an excellent analysis of the inner life and behaviours of the "sensitive-hearted", and clear, effective strategies for restoring balance and achieving a healthy relationship with self and others.
I highly recommend this book!