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- The Owner’s Guide to the Teenage Brain Reviewed By Sue Ayers of Bookpleasures.com
The Owner’s Guide to the Teenage Brain Reviewed By Sue Ayers of Bookpleasures.com
- By Sue Ayers
- Published January 15, 2012
- General Non-Fiction
Sue Ayers
Reviewer Sue Ayers: Sue is a freelance writer
residing in Richmond, VA.  She is a graduate of Virginia
Commonwealth University where she received a bachelor’s degree in
English. Ayers is a frequent contributor to many popular sites and
also blogs about staying sane in a crazy world at her WEBSITE
View all articles by Sue Ayers
Author: Derek Pugh
ISBN: 9781742840802
In The Owner’s Guide to the Teenage Brain, author Derek Pugh gives an interesting and in-depth analysis of what goes on in a teenager’s brain that will be helpful to both teens and parents alike. Early on, Pugh explores the brain and gives a summary of each section in simple terms. He also spends a little time explaining how it works.
He then delves into the important aspects for teenagers who want to keep their brains healthy and functioning at capacity. He explores the importance of sleep and how “sleep thieves” such as video games affect one’s ability to sleep soundly. He explains the importance of diet and nutrition, hydration and exercise, not just to say they are important but to explore why they are important, in terms teens can understand.
Each chapter explores a topic and Pugh utilizes humorous cartoons to emphasize his points. At the end of each chapter, he writes a message to the teen’s teacher and parents further explaining the topic and how it relates to the teenager so they can both have a clearer understanding of why their student/child may be acting the way they do. He adds helpful hints so that teachers and parents can follow up on his suggestions.
After exploring how to get the brain to work at capacity, Pugh delves into some inhibitors such as stress, hormones, risky behavior including drug use and other confusing changes that occur during the teenage years. Finally, Pugh ends up offering a host of references and resources that both parents and teenagers can utilize to further their knowledge. He also adds a chart of conditions that can affect the brain complete with symptoms and explanations. He includes information on Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, Epilepsy, Dyslexia, Anorexia and more.
Pugh’s research is very thorough and he communicates in a witty, charismatic manner that teenagers can relate to. His notes to parents and teachers are informative and make the book a great purchase for both teens and adults. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your teenager changes moods suddenly, embarks in risky behavior, acts out, talks back, forgets where he puts everything he owns or just generally acts like an alien sometimes, pick up a copy of The Owner’s Guide to the Teenage Brain. Most likely, you’ll find the answers you are seeking plus a whole lot more.