Reviews (1)

Juvenile Delinquency Theory, Practice & Law
Very fascinating book, it's easy to read and very interesting. There are great pictures and interesting stories which made it difficult to put down! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. Criminal Procedure    3. Criminology    4. Juvenile delinquency    5. Juvenile justice, Administration of    6. Law    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. Juvenile offenders    11. Law / Criminal Procedure   

Reviews (10)

Inspiring and Enlightening
Melissa Fay Greene's book is a voice for the millions of orphans unable to speak or understand the brutal reality that is their everyday life. Her diligent research and personal observation has given us insight to a devastation so alarming that it seems incomprehensible that humanity hasn't moved beyond the table talk to actively control the "pandemic". The author introduces us to a woman of remarkable courage, service and commitment as she struggles to heal from her personal losses by opening her heart to orphaned children with a renewed spirit and purpose. I am grateful to the author for tackling a social issue of perplexing magnitude with respect, sincerity and fact.

Heartbreaking, powerful & moving
For years, I have thought about adopting a child from Africa, and this book confirmed for me that this is something I will, and need to do in the near future.This book was heartbreaking, heartfelt, and also showed the power of what simple woman with endless love in her heart can do.Haregewoin Teferra is a true angel here on earth - she took in orphans, some of them infected with HIV, in a country where such a disease is stigmatized.She overcame her own personal heartbreak over losing her husband and daughter and transformed that pain into something amazing and beautiful. She is a true inspiration to me.To hear the statistics of poverty and disease in Africa is mind-boggling.It humbles me and makes me want to do more.We should all want to do more.

Fantastic page turner
First, a confession:My family, joined together through adoption, is mentioned in this book.I admit to wanting to like this book, beginning to read with a certain prejudice, wanting the book to be good.Instead I discovered that Melissa Fay Greene's latest book is fantastic, a page turner, a book that I began one night and then continued to read into the wee hours, finding myself unable to put it down.You will laugh, you will cry, you will be amazed and depressed and convicted and yet you will be so glad you read this book.
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Subjects:  1. Addis Ababa    2. Aids (Psychosocial Aspects)    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Children of AIDS patients    5. Children's Studies    6. Diseases - AIDS & HIV    7. Ethiopia    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health/Fitness    10. Humanitarians    11. Orphans    12. Philanthropy & Charity    13. Services For Children    14. Services for    15. Social conditions    16. Women    17. Social Science / General   

Reviews (13)

Really important stuff, especially "moralistic therapeutic deism"
A sociological analysis of conducted between 2001 and 2005 at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill under the title, "National Study of Youth and Religion."
soul searching...
excellent content.
National Survey of the Spiritual Lives of Teens
Chris Smith did a marvelous analysis of the religious and spiritual life of teens in the United States.I am using this comprehensive research to assist us as we plan for the teens in our parish.The analysis is "user friendly" and certainly touches on a very important part of the lives of our teens. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. Religious life    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Sociology of Religion    6. Spiritual life    7. Teenagers    8. United States    9. Adolescents    10. Religion & Theology | Sociology of Religion    11. Social Science / Sociology of Religion    12. Spirituality   

Reviews (38)

A Decent Read
Reading about some of these kids, especially Frank, made me thank God I had parents who thought I pushed myself too hard, who told me to relax. However, Robbin's solutions seem too thrown out there. Most of them are a lot easier said than done. Like throwing out the SAT. That won't happen anytime in the forseeable future. I also would have liked to see a more-balanced argument. More input from admissions officers who count on all of the overachiever activities. It definitely would have made for a more engrossing read.

Recollections from an "average" kid...
The author's writing style does an excellent job of bringing these young people to life, and it seems easier to feel sympathy for these youngsters than it was to empathize with the rather bitchy young adults she described in "Pledged".
A real eye-opener
This books offers an insider's view of driven kids and their crazy over-achieving lifestyle.I grew up in a relatively small city in the South, and we had just a few of these type of over-achievers at our school.It was alarming to see what lengths these kids go to to get ahead and pad their transcripts and resumes.It also details many of the problems with the education system today.I highly recommend for anyone interested in the problems facing education in the US. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Case studies    3. Children's Studies    4. Cultural And Social Anthropology    5. Overachievement    6. Secondary Education    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (85)

Heartbreaking, but true...
This book shows there could be millions of minorities living in a stagnant way of life, where they're not able to achieve or dream of the so called American dream. I loved this book, I felt this book, this book is important and it should be read by anybody that cares for those living a life that's unimaginable to many of us. Through everything Lafayette and Pharaoh were still children, I felt a lot of hope in this book. Through it all there was some kind of peace. This is my favorite book from Alex, I've read his other book The Other Side of the River and There Are No Children Here is his absolute best.

Welcome To The Real Word
One of the best books that I read this year. "There Are No Children Here" is about two brothers try to fit into there world. These two brothers are deciding who they are.The two brothers are Lafeyette and his younger brother Pharoah. This book takes place in the Chicago projects. At the Henry Horner Homes. Everyday these boys only see violence. They see drugs, gangs, and murder. Lafeyette and Pharoah mother LaJoe talks to a report who is a writer for magazines.The report ask LaJoe "Can I talk to the children here" she says "There no children here" As Lafeyette and Pharoah grow up they only have a mom. So Lafeyette is a father figure to his younger brother Pharoah. As Lafeyette goes to his teen years he starts to hang with gang members and goes to jail a few times. Is Lafeyette a good father figure for is brother? Pharoah the younger brother is very dedicated young man he will always put a 100% in no matter what. He will never give up. What will happen to these two brother while grow up in the Chicago projects? Will they hang with Gangs and do drugs or will they try to make it out of the Projects and be someone. While read this book you feel like you are in the story, you feel like you are the report write everything. You could really see this really happen. I enjoy this book because it talks about the real world that we do not see ever day.

There Are No Children Here
There Are No Children Here
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Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Chicago    3. Children    4. Children's Studies    5. Ethnic Issues    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Family    8. Illinois    9. Inner cities    10. Social Science    11. Social conditions    12. Sociology    13. Sociology - Urban    14. Modern fiction    15. Social Science / African-American Studies   

Reviews (4)

Inspiring and touching- an amazing community!
I just finished reading Hope Meadows, and I amexcited about this book, and the community it represents.The book tells the stories of children, adoptive parents, and older adults who live in a community that focuses on family.Seniors in the community volunteer to work with the kids, who, in turn, help out the seniors.Most of the children at Hope Meadows come from abusive backgrounds and have a multitude of behavioral and physical problems.Wes Smith has done an excellent job bringing these stories to life for the reader- you feel as though these are your neighbors.I HIGHLY recommend this book!....I actually cried reading some of these stories- if this book doesn't move you, nothing will!

Profiles of Caring Adults Providing Hope for the Unadopted
I have always thought that good foster parents deserved to be viewed as heroines and heroes by our society.Those who do even more and help the children with the greatest needs perhaps qualify as saints.And if they do more than that, I'm afraid that my language skills fall short of being able to capture my full respect and admiration.Naturally, there are never enough of such wonderful people.Unfortunately, many children cannot get foster care and live in orphanages.Others are abused in foster care in various ways.Others live in homes where parents do not take good care of them. Beautifully written, heartfelt truelife stories
A beautifully written book by a talented author about an inspirational community started by a remarkable woman!Wes Smith's writing brings to life the story of Brenda Eheart's noble efforts to build a successful innovative alternative to foster care and adoption. As Smith so eloquently describes "It is a deceptively simple approach crafted by an improbable advocate in a most unlikely place."I couldn't put the book down! The brown-toned portraits collaged on the inside covers initially caught my eye because of their beauty, but by the end I could look at those same pictures and feel like I knew those faces, those smiles.I find myself wishing that I did know them or that I might meet them someday.Smith writes each chapter focusing on a single family/resident of Hope Meadows.Each chapter is an intriguing story in its own right, yet the stories interweave the lives of other residents as well, just as all the lives interweave at Hope Meadows to create the success of this inter-generational, inter-racial community.Smith writes in his introduction "In a world that often seems self-absorbed and hard-hearted beyond belief, it restores your faith in humanity to find that there are still people who believe they can make things better by reaching out and giving of their talents and their time." You will come away inspired by the human spirit and grateful that you had the opportunity to read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abandoned children    2. Abused children    3. Adoption    4. Children    5. Children's Studies    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family/Marriage    8. Hope Meadows (Rantoul, Ill.)    9. Illinois    10. Institutional care    11. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    12. Rantoul    13. Services for    14. Sociology   

Reviews (8)

Friendship clearly plays a vital role in a child's emotional health and well-being
The most telling and obvious challenge to children, are their inability to make and maintain appropriate friendships. Children want and need to have friends. Some just don't seem to have the broad social skills necessary to successfully negotiate and maintain mutually satisfying and lasting peer relationships. Cathi Cohen, in her book: Raise Your Child's Social IQ, refers to a low 'Social IQ'.Children with a low Social IQ have difficulty listening and maintaining eye-contact with others, using appropriate conversational pleasantries, talking to people -- not at people, taking another person's perspective, demonstrating empathy, and resolving conflicts with others. In school, these children have difficulty relating to others in the classroom, at lunch and recess, and on the school bus.For a child with a low Social IQ, going to school can cause fear, anxiety and panic. Social interaction with peers is often something that is to be avoided.
mother of two children
Of all the books written to guide parents in navigating the social world of their children, this one is the best. The author has many, many examples of how parents/families can talk to children to coach them - from how to praise your child to raise self esteem, to how to talk to your child about teasing, to how to coach your child to be a more desirable playmate, this book is full of examples and practical advice. Also, unlike other books, this one does not catagorize childen with social issues into "shy" children, or "pessimistic children" and therefore, doesn't look to label children negatively, or artificially catagorize multidimentional individuals.
Not that helpful
It just didn't click with the challanges that we are trying to address. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Development    3. Child Development And Rearing    4. Child rearing    5. Children's Studies    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family/Marriage    9. Handbooks, manuals, etc    10. Parenting    11. Parenting - Child Rearing    12. Parenting - General    13. Social Interaction    14. Social skills in children    15. Reference / General   

Reviews (30)

Loved the courage of this child
It Seems like everyone is trying to compare him with his brother. It shouldn't matter who got beaten the worse, their both strong and brave because they survived. I think the brothers should have help each other alot more. And their dad was a disgrace. It's just ashamed the community let this happen, And did not put her in jail for all the harsh stuff she did and they also had proof of it.
Following his brothers footsteps
I read all of David's books and was very moved..however Richard's seemed to hit alot of the same incidents..in either case I can't believe no one ever spoke up to help..I do feel David's books were better written .. I feel bad anyone would have to go through life as they did.. I wouldn't pass this book as I feel it almost reads the same as David's

Amazing story
This book was amazing. The hell Richard Pelzer and his brother David were put through makes you wonder how a mother could ever harm their child. I couldn't put this book down as I couldn't put David Pelzer's books down either. As soon as I recieved the book in the mail, I started to read it and was done in 2 days, which was disappointing because now I have nothing to read! Order this book, you won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Abused children    3. Adult child abuse victims    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. California    7. Child Abuse    8. Childhood Memoir    9. Children of alcoholics    10. Children's Studies    11. Daly City    12. General    13. Pelzer, Richard B    14. Social Science    15. Sociology    16. Specific Groups - General    17. United States    18. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (25)

GREAT STORY!
Enrique has always known life to be absent of his mother's presence. Having left him at just 5 years old, his mother embarks on the dangerous, and sometimes life ending journey, to begin a new life. A journey to the United States of America. Broken promises to return home slip by one after another as Enrique realizes that there is only one way to reach her. Take the journey himself.
About to be HBO TV Series based on Pulitzer newspaper seroes
This is written by a LA TIMES reporter who writes 'projects' -- born in Argentina and raised in Kansas to educated parents, the author is a good point person to look at this subject of illegal immigration and migrant children who risk life and limb to be reunited with their families. It is based on a Pulitzer prize winning newspaper article series...the books get off to a slightly slow start as the author admits to the reader she wasn't sure how to even write the book/series and how much she was going to get involved personally...she ended up actually taking the same route that her focus Enrique (a 17 year old Honduran boy) does in his quest to find his mother in North Carolina who came to the US more than a decade ago as a illegal. The book takes you along the amazing journey on the top of freight cars and trains from Honduras to Mexico to Laredo Texas and Enrique's 8 attempts to get to the USA....What's so surprising is that Enrique is depicted just as he is -- no angel-- a glue sniffing teen who smokes marijuana and isn't an especially hard worker...but who is determined to make it to the USA to see his mother again....the best part of the book is probably when the author talks about her own re-enactment of Enrique's journey and how she traced the facts in the book-- I'm impressed as a journalist with the whole section that answers how does she know what Enrique and others around him, family, friends, girlfriend are telling the truth...how does she know the stats on migrant children who come by theirselves illegally to the USA...She admits there is an O'Henry type ending to the story (spoiler here) -- where Enrique once united with his mother is not HAPPY with the reunion and finds his quest to find out why she left him is futile...not surprising he represents some 30,000 plus kids who face the same situation-- and many of which wish they could live with their parents/moms back in their homeland versus getting the gifts of Barbie Dolls and Starwars characters and clothes their parents sent to them from the US ...it's a constant circle of challenges...and basically involves a sociological shift in our worldwide society where as much as 1/4 of the GNP of some 3rd world countries like Honduras comes from remittances from illegals who live in the USA or immigrants who have obtained citizenship. My concern was that there was little emphasis on getting citizenship legally..there was lots of talk about scams to get relatives over to the USA and about how these migrants live in the USA -- many spending excessively on alcohol or drugs or luxuries--even sending $400 back to their homeland for a kid's birthday...and the beat goes on -- there seems to be no solution to this challenge -- amnesty is what the moms seem to want...but how that will help them with jobs is a big question...since they are uneducated and unskilled in most cases.In fact WEST magazine has a similar story this week...in the LA TIMES....maybe it falls to churches to help solve this-- like in some of the cities in Mexico where they have built migrant housing etc...and classes in how to survive in the USA without getting ripped out...yes, we can say tighten the borders, build the fences but it sounds like they will still come...especially in cities like LA and Miami -- where Hispanics are beginning to outnumber caucasians...maybe a better underground railroad....I'd love to see what the author has to say about potential solutions but that is not this book....eye-opening but warning it may make you angry....I'd love to know where their money is going -- it says that Enrique is spending $600 month for a used truck and insurance in North Carolina...how about an old beat up car...how about a city bus? He pays his mom $200 a week for lunch and dinner when he visits her daily. $200 for a 17 year old boy's lunch and dinner-- 1 person...hmm I spend $50 a week on food MAX....something's wrong here...$800 per month must be enuf to feed a family of 4 comfortably...some stuff just doesn't add up and you want to knock on the author's door and say -- what's up here...so it's VERY FRUSTRATING...

Thoughtful and thought-provoking
Rarely does a book so fiercely change my way of thinking.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Children's Studies    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. Emigration And Immigration    5. Hondurans    6. Illegal aliens    7. Immigrant children    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Current Events / General   

Subjects:  1. Child rearing    2. Children's Studies    3. Developmental - Child    4. Early Childhood Education    5. Education    6. Elementary    7. Family    8. Psychology    9. Socialization    10. Sociology - Marriage & Family    11. Sociology Of Children    12. Education / Elementary    13. Industrial or vocational training    14. Parenthood    15. Personal awareness: family, relationship & social issues   

Reviews (28)

Powerful Book!Highly Recommend it.
I read this book in one setting.I couldn't put it down.Mrs. Twenge is a brave woman.She writes with such clarity on thestate of Generation Me, of which I belong to.She goes to great lengths to document the differences between our generation and the generations before us.A must-read!

challenging theme, bad writing
For those who feel the dramatic difference between the 1950-1960 generation, and that of 1970-1980,and are troubled by it, this book is the answer. It compiles all the possible reasons - psychological and sociological, explaining why the young are what they are and behave these days. The facts and figures cited are interestingand convincing.
I thought it was going to be good....but....
I was very excited to read this book after perusing all of the positive reviews on Amazon and other sites.As I began the book, it did not disappoint.The author seemed to have a real insight into generational differences, and had fantastic research to back up many of her points.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. Demography    3. Psychology Of Adulthood    4. Research    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - General    8. Sociology Of Adulthood    9. United States    10. Young adults    11. Youth    12. Social Science / Demography   

Editorial Review

Building on the success of his guide to raising healthy young boys (Read more

Reviews (14)

Makes Boys Sound Like Wreckless Hormone Driven Monsters,
Basically to make a long story short he gives boys A Clinical Psychologist's View
I find Gurian's cross-cultural perspective fascinating, and he does a better job in this book than in "The Wonder of Boys" of suggesting actions that can be taken and changes that can be made to help our young men.As a mentor and a clinical psychologist who works with children and their families, I see far too many boys trying to figure out how to become men with little or no input from men.Growing up just happens as boys grow older, but maturing is another matter; maturing or developing into adulthood requires guidance and/or examples to follow. Mothers do all they can, but boys need men they respect who will teach them how to become men, or at least lead by example.This is highly recommended for mentors, educators, and parents.

Good but left me longing for more
I have 2 boys 12 and 14. I hunger for books on this subject. I liked this book better than others. I chaff at the sterotypes necessary in this sort of book although Gurian handled this issue gracefully.The book is dense on theory and philosophy and more articulate and complete and thought provoking than most. I liked his list of characteristics and attributes of the fine young man. The sections on practical hints, while much more complete than most other books on the subject could certainly bear some fleshing out especially for parents who not are well connected with adequate male models.It made me grateful I have a great husband and a circle of good friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boys    2. Child Development    3. Children's Studies    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family/Marriage    7. Life Stages - Adolescence    8. Psychology    9. Teenage boys    10. Adolescent children    11. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Editorial Review

Building on the concepts they first developed in Read more

Reviews (63)

A Snapshot in Time
If I would have read this book when it came out in 2000, I probably would have been completely blown away by it.As it is, in 2006, it is still a pretty good read.
Can you guess what generation the author's kids are
No doubt the 4th turning was a refreshing revelation.And the more dated predecessor Generations was a great secondary read.From that I gathered there was a sort of synergistic relationship with each skipped generation.Boomers relating to GI generation and Silent relating to the 13th generation, simply stated, a reciprocating bond of grandparents and their grandchildren.Parents sure didn't like the antics and conduct of their children but they sure love those amazing grandchildren .So it all makes sense that we get this tertiary and purely subjective read from Howe about what essentially are his darling grandchildren.
Poor Book
I read the Millenials Rising book and I have to say that I found that a lot of the things that were said in this book to be very dated and, for the most part, not revelant to today's teenagers and young adults. One thing that I've noted is that a lot of things have happened since the publication of this book, 9/11, the war in Iraq, etc. and it doesn't jibe with me that the authors stated that the entertainment the Millenials enjoy are "squeaky clean" which doesn't explain the popualrtiy of subsequent shows such as "Chappelle's Show", or "Boondocks" both of which are highly controversial.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Studies    2. General    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Sociology - General    6. Sociology Of Youth    7. United States    8. Youth    9. Adolescents    10. Social Science / Demography   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (59)

Major Disagreements
While I realize that many readers enjoy approaching a topic through the author's personal experiences, people like myself will find much of this book self indulgent.
Great informative book with heart and facts about adopting in China.
This book is very easy to read if you are thinking of adopting or are adopting from China.It is full of information on chinese culture, the adoption process, and what may happen after you get back home.Some parts brought tears to my eyes, but I am a bit sappy.I would recommend this book to people adopting, thinking of adopting from China, or those who have already adopted.It really gives a lot of information on Chinese history and why so many little baby girls are abandoned shortly after birth.My heart goes out to all the lost daughters and I hope they are all given the chance to find a forever family.

ten thousand stars
This is one of those rare books that I can't praise highly enough.I won't summarize it because others have done so.
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Subjects:  1. Abandoned children    2. Adoption    3. Asia - China    4. Children's Studies    5. China    6. Chinese    7. Family & Relationships    8. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    9. Family/Marriage    10. Minority Studies - General    11. Orphanages    12. Sociology    13. United States    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Biography: general    16. Family & Relationships / Adoption    17. Women's studies   

Reviews (12)

Stressing the point about Stress
I read this book a few months back and I'm still not decided on whether I 'loved' this book or not.I did like the book.It provided a lot of information I wasn't aware of, but I'm not sure I really liked the set-up of the book or some of the content.The main focus of this book is basically what hidden aspects of growing up stress a child out, and how that stress affects a childs development.He touches on some of the basic aspects like divorce, and death, but most of the book focus's on things that force a child to grow up too quickly.The main conclusion of every single argument in the book is anything that forces a child to grow up too quickly or puts pressure on a child beyond their natural capabilites is stressful for a child.
Keen Insite
Elkind shows a keen insite into the brain of youth.A must read for parents concerned about the progress of their child.

The Hurried Child by Elkind
The author cautions against rushing life f