The Minds of Boys

August 15, 2005
In this follow-up to his best-selling "The Wonder of Boys", therapist and "social philosopher" Gurian, along with Stevens, a specialist in education and child development, makes a strong case for an educational crisis. The nature of "boy energy" and boys' general needs require mentoring and hands-on learning, but the typical classroom setting is still that of a lone teacher lecturing to a large group of students. This mismatch, according to the authors, leads to a frustrating educational experience for many boys, overdiagnosis of ADD and ADHD in others, and even lifelong repercussions for some. Thankfully, solutions are offered: advocacy and modifications to traditional educational methods by parents and teachers that in no way threaten the progress made recently in the education of girls. Gurian covered similar ground in "Boys and Girls Learn Differently!: A Guide for Teachers and Parents", but this book stresses how boys are lagging behind girls in the classroom. Logically organized, readable, and meticulously documented, it would make a useful addition to parenting and education collections in any library. -Kay Hogan Smith, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib., Lister Hill

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2005
Gurian, author of " The Wonder of Boys "(1996), and Stevens investigate the "male learning style" that is so often at odds with current educational practices, leaving the mistaken impression that boys are difficult to manage and teach. The authors begin by detailing the crisis faced by boys--lower grades, greater discipline problems, higher dropout rates. They then explore research on the differences between the male and the female brain that account for their differences in conforming to current teaching methods. Throughout the book, Gurian and Stevens offer advice to parents and teachers on how to encourage learning based on the particular strengths of boys, from bursts of attention and physical play with infant boys to appropriate discipline as they grow older to developing a more boy-friendly curriculum at schools. The authors emphasize that their strategies are aimed at boosting the learning and academic performance of boys without disadvantaging girls in any way. Parents and teachers concerned about teaching and disciplining boys will appreciate this thought-provoking perspective.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)