danoreading's review against another edition

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3.0

Started on audio then finished on eBook. Pretty interesting stuff, though not entirely new concepts for me.

belwood303's review against another edition

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4.0

When I first came across this book I thought it was a modern parenting guide to help raise kids to be more successful but after reading it I find myself more motivated to personally be more successful. I don't know that there is any real advice for parents but I think middle schoolers and especially high schoolers (if it’s not too late for them to change their attitudes) would really benefit from learning about how character is developed.

Found it very interesting how some high school students are literally being protected from failure and how that paralyzes them later in life from even attempting to do things they want because of the possibility of failure (or success in the unknown). I really identified with that fear as a quarter-life crisis survivor and think this book has something to offer others who might be struggling with similar feelings.

emilybriano's review against another edition

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5.0

A must-read for teachers and parents.

meglybcoul's review against another edition

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2.0

This may have seemed more enlightening if I actually had children. The book seems to consist of a list of findings from various studies and summaries with some arguments thrown in, but those arguments sometimes feel lopsided. Tough appears to give schools most of the responsibility when it comes to raising successful children; why weren't parent/child relationships examined more?

thehosk's review against another edition

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4.0

a great book which will make you stop and think about children and education and what they should be taught.

the book focuses on the education of under privileged children and how to close the educational gap between poor and rich children. this is an impossible subject to come up with an answer or plan.

the book is well written and I enjoyed reading it, the children whose stories are followed are motivating to read.

one of the premises if the book is children (and adults) will benefit from learning to deal with failure and children shouldn't be protected from it. this is the grit people need to be successful

read it, you will be rewarded for your effort

cooskruisenga's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

lace_m_3's review against another edition

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5.0

Great quote:

"...science suggests a very different reality. It says that the character strengths that matter so much to young people's success are not innate; they don't appear in us magically, as a result of good luck or good genes. And they are not simply a choice. They are rooted in brain chemistry, and they are molded, in measurable and predictable ways, by the environment in which children grow up. That means the rest of us- society as a whole- can do an enormous amount to influence their development in children."

I found this book full of information paired with hope- hope that we can help the youth of our country to grow and succeed through hard work and character. Lots of good helps and hints for parents.

If you have a kid, are a teacher or are just interested in helping people- check out this awesome book by Paul Tough.

sassysparky's review against another edition

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3.0

Anecdotal

Some decent descriptions of studies, but much of the book was anecdotal and only described a few special schools ... not much of a parenting book more a treatise on education in America

zenareads's review against another edition

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3.0

read for my urban education course

jstein8283's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely fascinating. Could not put this book down. I'm inspired and feel fortunate to work in education policy having read this book, encourage all to read.