Reviews of Understanding Youth:

From Education Review:

“They have done an exemplary job of writing from their vast knowledge of adolescent development and of intellectually dissecting and reconnecting many theories of import, yet it is very obvious that they have written from their heart as well. Their desire for readers to see the possibilities public education can offer adolescents during this crucial time in their development is obvious to the reader.”
—excerpt from book review in Education Review, August 2008

From The Kelvingrove Review:

“‘Understanding Youth’ is undoubtedly a useful book for any adult working with secondary aged students. Ideal for teacher education programmes, it should be essential reading for newly qualified teachers and will serve as a refreshing stimulus for those more seasoned professionals. Written in a very straightforward and accessible style, it avoids the lecture-type tone of many similar textbooks and the authors demonstrate a genuine empathy with this demanding age group.”
—excerpt from book review in The Kelvingrove Review

From CHOICE:

“Nakkula and Toshalis (Harvard) have created a book that manages to thoroughly connect believable case studies to a range of significant educational and psychological theories in a way that is accessible and interesting. The title of this work accurately reflects its focus on interpreting the behavior and processes of adolescents.”
—excerpt from book review in CHOICE, June 2007

From Research & Reference Book News:

“Researchers Nakkula and Toshalis (both Harvard Graduate School of Education) provide educators and others who work with young adults with an overview of adolescent development. Drawing upon the work of psychological researchers and theorists, they explain how factors such as social class, relationships, gender norms, and the media shape adolescents’ sense of themselves.”
—excerpt from book review in Research & References Book News, February 2007

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