The following books on education have been reviewed for the Harried Parent's Book Club. They are sorted by Guide Rating, with five stars being best.
11. The Pressured Child
Cover image courtesy of Michael Thompson
Do you remember what school was like? Not just the highs and lows, but the everyday boredom, the disinterested teachers, the meaningless homework? It's not a place many adults want to revisit. But author Michael Thompson suggests that reconnecting with that experience is essential to helping our kids with their own school days. 4 Stars
12. The Short Bus
Cover image courtesy of Jonathan Mooney
On a 35,000 round-trip across the U.S. in one of those stubby special-ed buses, Mooney meets people who vary from society's ideal of "normal" in various ways, from a deaf-blind child in Virginia to a transgendered artist in Maine to a young woman with Down syndrome in Ohio -- all of whom have in common difficult school experiences, and more comfort in their own skins than Mooney's been able to muster. If you've wondered where your child fits in the world, the lessons the author learns here may benefit you and yours as well. 4 Stars
13. Smart But Scattered
The cover of this book boasts that it will boost any child's ability to "get organized, resist impulses, stay focused, use time wisely, plan ahead, follow through on tasks, learn from mistakes, stay in control of emotions, solve problems independently, be resourceful." That's a tall order, but looking at these as executive-skills issues rather than bad attitude is the right idea -- whatever your child's particular cognitive abilities. 4 Stars14. Teaching Test-Taking Skills
The cover claims, "Training test-taking skills aims to improve the validity of the test. It makes scores more accurately reflect what students really know by making sure that students lose points only because they do not know the information, not because they marked an answer choice incorrectly or misinterpreted the test directions." If you've ever uttered the phrase "My child doesn't test well," you'll understand the need for books like this. 4 Stars15. Believe in My Child With Special Needs!
Cover image courtesy of Brookes Publishing Co.
When it comes to inclusion, author Mary A. Falvey is a true believer, convinced that children with disabilities can and must learn with their non-disabled peers. She makes a compelling case, and it's gratifying to read a book that's so relentlessly upbeat about our children's abilities. If your district has made a true commitment to inclusion, this will be an invaluable resource. If not, it may just break your heart. 3.5 Stars
16. IDEA 2004: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
Cover image courtesy of Shelley Smith
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act puts a high premium on parents' involvement in the special education process, but that doesn't mean that the school personnel who actually do the planning are going to make that easy. Knowing the law is a good place to start in making sure your child's -- and your -- rights are recognized and respected. This book lays it out. 3.5 Stars
17. Ready to Learn: How to Help Your Preschooler Succeed
Cover image courtesy of FSB Associates
The cover makes these promises: "Understand how children learn; Learn how to become a super teaching parent; Avoid current and lifelong emotional problems; Prevent learning problems in kindergarten; What to do now to make your child's future better." If that doesn't wear you out right there, the book might finish the job. It's packed with excellent learning strategies, but may make you feel like a bad parent if you're not on learning patrol 24-7. 3.5 Stars
18. The Shut-Down Learner
Book cover courtesy of Richard Selznick, Ph.D.
A better title might have been "The Visual Learner" or "The Spatial Learner," since that's the kind of shut-down learner this book is concerned with, and there are certainly others. If you've got what the author calls a "Lego kid" who can perform mechanical tasks with ease but chokes on reading and writing, you'll find some good clues and cues here. If your child shuts down for other reasons, you may get some hints here but no solid answers. 3.5 Stars
19. Wake Up Parents!!!
Cover image courtesy of JC Pennington
Do you believe that educators have your child's best interests at heart, that administrators work for the students, that report cards offer a true assessment, that academic or behavioral failures are your child's problem? This exposé suggests that those assumptions are not only naive but dangerous to your child's scholastic health. It's a call to arms for parents -- of special and regular education students alike -- to question, verify, confirm, and check up. 3.5 Stars
20. Copy This!
Cover image courtesy of Workman Publishing
Author Paul Orfalea, founder of the copy company Kinko's, is like a living embodiment of the theory of multiple intelligences. In this book that's a blend of biography and business philosophizing, he tells of his school tribulations and business triumphs, both entirely related to his learning weaknesses and strengths and ADHD energy. 3 Stars
