Use this alphabetical index to find books that have been reviewed for the Harried Parent's Book Club.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J-L | M-N | O | P-Q | R | S | T | U-V | W-Z
Genius!: Nurturing the Spirit of the Wild, Odd, Oppositional Child
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
By George T. Lynn with Joanne Barrie Lynn; 269 pages. From the Book Cover: "An inspiring guide to nurturing the remarkable abilities of 'attention different' (AD) children diagnosed with conditions such as autism, Asperger syndrome, AD/HD, bipolar disorder, or Tourette syndrome."
Bottom Line: If your child exhibits odd, frightening, disturbing behavior, casting it as the dark side of genius is certainly more appealing than seeing nothing but damage and doom. The authors, parents of a son with Tourette's, share the strategies and concepts that have worked for them, although "success" is a slippery concept.
Bottom Line: If your child exhibits odd, frightening, disturbing behavior, casting it as the dark side of genius is certainly more appealing than seeing nothing but damage and doom. The authors, parents of a son with Tourette's, share the strategies and concepts that have worked for them, although "success" is a slippery concept.
Get a Healthy Weight for Your Child
Cover image courtesy of Firefly Books
By Dr. Brian W. McCrindle and James G. Wengle; 301 pages. Subtitle: A Parent's Guide to Better Eating and Exercise.
Bottom Line: It's hard to pick up a newspaper these days without being reminded that children are too fat, too fat, too fat. There's a whole lot of alarm but not a whole lot of useful how-to, other than saying, "Put down the Twinkie and turn off the TV!" If you need something more specific than that, this book has the details. You still have to get off the couch, though.
Bottom Line: It's hard to pick up a newspaper these days without being reminded that children are too fat, too fat, too fat. There's a whole lot of alarm but not a whole lot of useful how-to, other than saying, "Put down the Twinkie and turn off the TV!" If you need something more specific than that, this book has the details. You still have to get off the couch, though.
Getting the Best for Your Child With Autism
Cover image courtesy of The Guilford Press
By Bryna Siegel, PhD; 280 pages. Subtitle: An Expert's Guide to Treatment.
Bottom Line: More a guide to finding a treatment approved of by the author than an examination of all treatments out there, Getting the Best for Your Child With Autism will probably appeal most to those with young children and recent diagnoses, who have not yet had time to open the Pandora's box of websites and parent support groups and special diets and insufficiently research-based options. Those who have cast their net wider and found things of value may feel insulted by the author's flip and dismissive remarks.
Bottom Line: More a guide to finding a treatment approved of by the author than an examination of all treatments out there, Getting the Best for Your Child With Autism will probably appeal most to those with young children and recent diagnoses, who have not yet had time to open the Pandora's box of websites and parent support groups and special diets and insufficiently research-based options. Those who have cast their net wider and found things of value may feel insulted by the author's flip and dismissive remarks.
Gifts 2
Cover image courtesy of Woodbine House
Edited by Kathryn Lynard Soper; 337 pages. Subtitle: How People With Down Syndrome Enrich the World.
Bottom Line: The first edition of Gifts, published in 2007, had the subtitle, "Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives." This second edition broadens that to fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, family and friends and teachers and anybody who's life has been touched by a person with Down syndrome. If you're looking for positive, hopeful stories about Down Syndrome, you'll find them here in abundance.
Bottom Line: The first edition of Gifts, published in 2007, had the subtitle, "Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives." This second edition broadens that to fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, family and friends and teachers and anybody who's life has been touched by a person with Down syndrome. If you're looking for positive, hopeful stories about Down Syndrome, you'll find them here in abundance.
Great Books About Things Kids Love
Cover image courtesy of Random House
By Kathleen Odean; 439 pages. Subtitle: More than 750 Recommended Books for Children 3 to 14.
Bottom Line: Picking a book on a subject your child is interested in -- even if it's nonfiction, a picture book, a movie tie-in, a magazine -- is one of the great keys to motivating reluctant readers. If you're reluctant to read another education book, rest easy knowing that you don't have to go through this entire volume to get some use from it. Just pick a topic your child likes, pick a title that fits, and go.
Bottom Line: Picking a book on a subject your child is interested in -- even if it's nonfiction, a picture book, a movie tie-in, a magazine -- is one of the great keys to motivating reluctant readers. If you're reluctant to read another education book, rest easy knowing that you don't have to go through this entire volume to get some use from it. Just pick a topic your child likes, pick a title that fits, and go.
