Tuesday, March 22, 2016

How Are You Smart?

Dr. Kathy Koch explores the variety of ways someone can be smart in the new edition of her book How Am I Smart?: A Parent's Guide to Multiple Intelligences. This book does a great job of bringing Dr. Howard Gardner's concepts of Multiple Intelligence to a level understandable and applicable to all. Dr. Koch spends several chapters introducing the concept of various smarts and then delves into each of the 8 smarts individually. Throughout the book she gives many examples of how student lives have been changed by realizing they are smart in various areas as well as how this information has changed adults as well.

This an an updated edition of the previous 2007 publication. The major differences seem to be new examples that incorporate more social media and other technology that has become even more common place. A new companion website exists which contains a free smarts assessment available via the passcode contained in the book. This book was an easy read but gives good ideas of how to find the different ways in which children are smart and suggestions on how to encourage them. I recommend this book for parents of young children who are in pre-school through early elementary. While there is some worthwhile information for parents of older children, it is definitely aimed for parents of youngers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley and Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Where Is Your Hope?

During the current election year, I'm reminded of the hymn "My Hope is Built."

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus and his righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

I'm reminded that as believers our hope must be firmly placed on Christ and built on what He has done for us. Humankind has accomplished many things, but none of them measure up to the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ. Too often, we place our hope on the right political leader, right educational qualifications, or whatever "right" set of circumstances come we feel are needed to accomplish the task at hand. While I long and pray for peace in the world and in our country, I know that peace can only be found through Christ. No matter who wins the presidential nominations, the election in November or anything else that may seem important, build your hope on Christ.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Playing the Part

Jen Turano's newest book Playing the Part is a light, enjoyable read in the Christian historical genre. Actress, Lucetta Plum, must leave New York quickly and takes on a new identity in a hidden location, hence the name of the book. Under her new identity, she and her companions have all sorts of crazy mishaps and the identity of several characters is revealed. In addition to hidden and mistaken identities, a dash of romance and mystery is added along with several other plot twists. Readers must stay on their toes to keep up with the crazy antics.

Playing the Part is the third in a series of books titled A Class of Their Own. Readers familiar with the other books in this series will already be familiar with some of the characters. However, Turano does a good job of introducing the characters to new readers sufficiently enough to move the plot along and to encourage readers to pick up the earlier novels. The two main characters are developed just enough to pull you into the plot and to be satisfied with the conclusion but not so much that you clamor for a sequel. Likewise, the plot demands the reader pay attention but is light-hearted. The characters' faith is incorporated into the story as part of their daily life but doesn't move the plot along significantly.

Overall, this book is a quick, fun read for individuals who like Christian inspirational literature. Appropriate for teens and older.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Untangled: Reads Like a Chat with an Experienced Mom-Friend

The description of Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Dr. Lisa Damour caught my attention immediately since I do have a teenage daughter. I was not disappointed!

In Untangled, Dr. Damour emphasizes that separation is a normal and vital part of adolescent development and the road to adulthood. However, how parents choose to deal with these issues is important to long-term relational health. Dr. Damour outlines what parents can expect as their daughters transverse their journey in seven chapters, or transitions, entitled Parting with Childhood, Joining a New Tribe, Harnessing Emotions, Contending with Adult Authority, Planning for the Future, Entering the Romantic World, and Caring for Herself. The content of each chapter deals with topics that are pertinent to teens as they age with the later chapters dealing with weightier issues. Although not quite yet to some of the later chapters, I frequently found myself nodding in agreement concerning situations we've experienced or thinking that's why this or that happens.

While Dr. Damour is a highly qualified psychotherapist and brings with her research and insight from her practice at the Laurel School for Girls, reading Untangled feels like sitting down to talk with a good friend who journeyed farther down the path than you. As she is a parent herself as well as a practitioner, her writing and the ideas shared are intensely practical and have passed the "real life" test in addition to the ivory tower. I would caution that Untangled is from a secular viewpoint and thus shares about topics such as sex and substance abuse. I found Damour's approach fair and appropriate and found much that is applicable.

This book is highly recommended for parents of pre-teen or tween girls as well as teenagers. Reading the book when your daughter is 10 or 11 is ideal so that you are prepared when those first transitions begin. If your daughter is past those first transitions, you still need to read Untangled to help accompany you along the remainder of your journey.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”