Brain Tools For Teens

The pros of this book:
The bulleted tips
Organized sections for quick access to information "on demand"

The cons:
I don't really see our high school students sitting down to read through all of the 'testimonials.' While I see where they might take comfort in knowing there are others that struggle in similar ways (like group therapy), I think the student that picks this book up is going to want concise, action oriented text (hence the bullet points).

Thanks for the ARC!

Well thought out and researched book, it starts by explaining what happens to the brain during teenage years before tackling 7 areas where Teens can do something to help themselves. Each chapter has a mind map, a written explanation, a list of tips and things to try and sometimes a case study. It makes its easier to absorb, models one of the main points about studying in manageable chunks of time and also that you can easily dip in and out or return to chapters as required. There is also a useful summery at the back for parents with advice on how they can support teens especially in this age of social media and digital overload. Recommended for Teenagers, parents of teens and therapists especially those working with teens, although I used it with adults too.

With thanks to Net galley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

As a YA Librarian I speak with many high school students overwhelmed with studies, important tests, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and family responsibilities. Add to all that the tension and prominence and tension of social media and we find that today’s teens reporting being overtaxed. how might teenagers and young adult conquer all their obligation in the healthiest way, both physically and mentally? One idea would be understanding how the teenage brain works, and how to best utilize that central unit.

Summary

In this quick read, which is well-supported with valid sources (scientific studies, peer-reviewed information, and accounts from actual teenagers) readers learn about the brain. Gutestam explains the parts of the brain, how they work, what changes the brain, and what teenagers (and parents) might expect in these critical years. The text manages to be interesting to lay-readers while also not “talking down”. In fact this title would be as useful and understandable a read from junior high, high school, college students, and adults. Personally, I found several tips that are useful for my own workday. Certainly, this book is useful to people of all ages.

This was really interesting in trying to better understand my teenager. She has yet to read it but I am constantly encouraging her to pick it up. Fascinating and well written while not being bogged down with boring facts my teenager wouldn’t care for.

This is a great book, but is quite a big read, and I am not entirely sure that the teens in my life would actually plough their way through it. Having said that, it is structured into very sensible and attractively presented sections with excellent summaries and recapped strategies to help try over come problems. I like the fact that it is not patronising and is written in a very accessible way. Gutestam explains the 'science' behind an issue or area being discussed eg Blood sugar: why it is important, how it works, what it does, how it feels when it is out of balance, where you get it from. The author will then share tips on how to improve the situation ('Things to Try') and often backs up the suggestions by quoting from research to support the recommendations being made.

This is definitely a book to have on the shelf if you have teens in your life. You may find it laborious to read from cover to cover, but I think would be an excellent source of information if you needed ideas to address difficulties such as sleep issues, work/life balance, best learning/study/revision practices. There is a wealth of information available backed up with good suggestions and research.

Love it much about how our brain works and took a lot of the tips in my daily life my productivity and mood have improved since reading this book. My students were greatly interested when I commented about my recent reads and will surely reread through the years and made sure my students know about this wholesome interesting book. Brain Tools for teens definitely got it to spot on how most teens act and give them guidelines to work on their own mindfulness and psychologically wellbeing by being able to understand their own feeling and thought at teenhood and later on in adulthood which are both hard for different reasons

I am glad to have volunteered to read this book as it was truly beautiful. I surely do not identify as a teen anymore as I am just about to turn 22 but I believe this book offers insights for everyone despite their age. The writing was beautiful and well researched. Super glad to have read it.