For anyone who has ever puzzled over the mysterious and often infuriating behavior of a teenager comes a groundbreaking look at the teenage brain w...
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reviews
Jul 26, 2011
Although of course, as the author herself implies, any book about neuroscience is going to be outdated by the time it hits the shelf, there is not much out there for the lay reader, especially on the new research into what's happening in the teen brain. Therefore, this book does fill a necessary spot in a parent's library. If the only function it serves is similar to the book "Yes, your teen IS crazy!" in helping relieve a parent's mind that *they* are not the one going insane--the h
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Dec 26, 2009
Barky
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An upbeat and often amusing look at some of the changes that take place physiologically in the brain during the teenage years. Explains why teens may engage in risky and thoughtless behavior, why they may stay up all hours of the night, and why they sleep like the dead. Chemicals in the brain may influence their behavior during these years, but a healthy family environment can go a long way to curbing/changing/softening some of that behavior. Parents will be relieved to know that they *do* gr
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Jan 28, 2009
Laura
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I love it when a book for a "popular" audience actually describes science well. I focused on developmental neuroscience in grad school and love that the author has taken scientific findings and presented them clearly. It is reassuring to parents of teens (as well as teens themselves) that their brains just aren't fully developed yet -- that they can be brilliant in numerous ways and yet still make stupid decisions, and it's to be expected, and we need to assume that will happen and d
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Dec 03, 2011
Gail
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This is a must-read for parents of teenagers. While I've heard and read much about the teenage brain, this book offers all the needed information in one place. Here's one of my underlined sections:
"...as the teenage brain is reconfigured, it remains more exposed, more easily wounded, perhaps much more susceptible to critical and long-lasting damage than most parents and educators or even scientists had thought. Adolescence, some neuroscientists now warn, may be one of the worst t More...
"...as the teenage brain is reconfigured, it remains more exposed, more easily wounded, perhaps much more susceptible to critical and long-lasting damage than most parents and educators or even scientists had thought. Adolescence, some neuroscientists now warn, may be one of the worst t More...
Oct 19, 2009
Michael
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Easy-to-read synthesis of new research showing that the teenage brain is still growing and fashioning itself. The author points out that "the new brain science gives us another arrow in our quiver of respsonse" to the turbulence of adolescence.
One of the new nuggets I gleaned: teenagers, because of the way that melatonin is secreted in their brains, are biologically wired to stay up late and sleep in. Strauch wonders if this was because their sharp eyes were needed to warn More...
One of the new nuggets I gleaned: teenagers, because of the way that melatonin is secreted in their brains, are biologically wired to stay up late and sleep in. Strauch wonders if this was because their sharp eyes were needed to warn More...
Mar 07, 2011
Susan
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I heard rave reviews about this book. I kept wondering when it was going to be so amazing. It was okay but not amazing. For being based in scientific research it is a easy read sprinkled with stories and mostly interesting research. Basically, the research isn't all out yet (surprise! Is it ever?) but what they do know is the teen brain is still forming and changing for sure. Sleep is hugely important, hormones affect it, drugs and alcohol may have lasting damage...all things I think I would'
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Dec 06, 2011
Mark
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The Primal Teen provides a good survey of some of the current research being done looking at how teenager brains are in the process of changing which helps explain some of the challenges that teenagers face. That said, I found the book's conclusions inadequate. I believe that even in the midst of the changing brain, there is much that can be done to help a teenager develop there character which can offset many of the things than are happening on the biological level.
Feb 19, 2011
Marla
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Everyone I've ever known points to the unpredictable actions of teens as the result of "raging hormones." Apparently that's only one part of the story. The Primal Teen cites research that shows massive brain changes in adolescence are both the cause and the result of experiences in the teen years. It's an accessible and eye-opening book for any parent or teacher who wants greater insight into their teenagers' actions and is looking for ways to help them transition into healthy, well-ba
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Nov 14, 2010
Ruthmgon
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This book was interesting. The writing is a bit rambling, but takes complex ideas and makes them easy to digest in laymans terms.
I dont have teenagers or work with them,but the main points from this book bear repeating: the brain does not stop growing until the early twenties. That the ability to reason well is not possible as a teenager because the frontal lobe is not fully formed is fascinating. The recent MRI scan studies that show the responses in the teenager being inside the am- More...
I dont have teenagers or work with them,but the main points from this book bear repeating: the brain does not stop growing until the early twenties. That the ability to reason well is not possible as a teenager because the frontal lobe is not fully formed is fascinating. The recent MRI scan studies that show the responses in the teenager being inside the am- More...
May 05, 2010
Suzie
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Oh my goodness! So insightful and fun. Whenever a teenager in our house flips out I have several new things to say. My favorite, "Since your pre-frontal cortex isn't fully formed, I will have to act as your rational, logical voice." I also look forward to saying, "That's just your amygdala talking."
Jun 09, 2010
Robin
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I had to read this for my IB Biology class in high school, but it was really, really interesting. I could hardly put it down, and even though it was kind of thick in the sceintific department (obviously), it wasn't a dull or boring read. A must read for anyone with teenagers or is a teenager themselves.
Jun 09, 2011
Mark
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A good explanation of the brain activity in teens. Highly technical and not for the average parent. I enjoy science, however explaining the scientific side of things loses interest in general conversation.
Nov 08, 2010
Erica
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This is a really readable book for anyone who works with or has teenagers. All about teen brain development and the discoveries that scientists are making that can explain why teens naturally may act a certain way and ways in which we can react helpfully.
Sep 09, 2010
Linda
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Lots of interesting brain scan results, adolescent rat studies, discussions with neuroscientists, and conversations with teens themselves. An engaging read.
Sep 07, 2009
Alayne
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It helps you understand some of what makes your adolescent
a little crazy. It helps to understand the science behind the
changes.
a little crazy. It helps to understand the science behind the
changes.
Oct 24, 2011
Adrienne
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"As teenagers begin to look like us, there is a tendency to exepect them to act like us. But that doesn't always work."
Jul 27, 2011
Tarah
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Contains the latest research on teen brain development and what that all means to parents and other significant adults!
Feb 07, 2011
Carla
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Fascinating research about the growth of teenage brains - explains a lot about how they make choices and do things.
Jan 16, 2009
Janice
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Great book for understanding teens. Not just more advice. Brain research that is enlightening!
Nov 30, 2011
Joy
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I didn't like the writing style, but the topic matter is interesting. I would recommend to parents.
Jul 12, 2010
Alisa
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sometimes i felt like the author put too much of herself into the book. but, i learned interesting things about the teenage brain. teenagers like risk but are more tied to fear, they need 9 hours of sleep and their prefrontal lobe is just not developed yet.
Dec 27, 2010
Ranjana
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It should be required reading for all high school teachers and definitely all parents.
Jan 04, 2011
Fascinating and insightful to dealing with both young children and teenagers
Dec 28, 2010
not enjoying it so far...3rd chapter...gonna try to get farther along...
Jan 22, 2009
Tricia
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Fascinating. Not only to me as a learning specialist, but as a mother of a 14 and a 12 year old. She describes my eldest in alarming detail in parts!
Jan 25, 2010
Amy
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I'm just reading this for one of my classes, but so far, it has some fairly interesting stuff in it.
Jun 16, 2010
Ronni
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another book you get at the library because the library doesn't have the book you wanted... i heard the author on the radio and wanted to read her new book but i'm reading her old book for now. it's pretty cool.
******
I really liked the science-y part but I could do without the anecdotal part. (I don't care if the author's husband has damage to the Broca region, you know?) Guess that's what makes science accessible for most readers, so I'll let it slide.
******
I really liked the science-y part but I could do without the anecdotal part. (I don't care if the author's husband has damage to the Broca region, you know?) Guess that's what makes science accessible for most readers, so I'll let it slide.
Sep 27, 2011
Darci
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I had to read this work but it had some good insights into the teenage brain and helped me get a little better glimpse into my own teenager's thougth process.
Sep 04, 2011
Bill
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So, when this is all done I will fully understand my boys??? Strauch does a good job introducing the subject. Already liking it after just shy of 90 pages.
