Book Review - Inside the Teenage Brain

As adults we have long forgotten what it was like to be a teenager.  We often have erased the memories of a rapid changing body and raging hormones.  Sheryl Feinstein in her book, Inside the Teenage Brain, does an excellent job of reminding us of the internal roller coaster that each person who passes through the teen years must endure. This is a must read for parents, school teachers, and anyone who works the teenagers.

Feinstein does an excellent job of presenting the facts of why teenagers behavior and think the way they do.  Her writing is supported with scientific research, however she does not lose the reader with a lot of jargon the reader cannot understand.

The first three chapters go into detail about the human brain and the phases of development.  Feinstein explains why teenagers act and think differently than adults.  Chapters 4 thru 11 covers the different topics and circumstances that teenagers and parents go thru.  After each topic, there is a section, What Should Parents Do, which gives the adult some ideas of how to interact with teenagers.  Feinstein does a great job of covering a variety of topics from dating to cell phones to dirty rooms.

A major theme throughout the book is that if the adult will attempt to understand the teenager and then communicate effectively, the two can have a much better productive relationship.

The only part of the book that I have reservations about is when Feinstein discusses the topic of homosexuality and transgender behavior.  I would not agree with her approach on dealing with those two issues.  With that aside, I would highly recommend, Inside the Teenage Brain, as a must read for anyone who has or works with teenagers.

In Christ,

Pastor Greg