From School Library Journal:
Grade 5-8-- Explaining the many factors that can influence a person's personality, style, attitudes, and interests, LeShan encourages readers to realize that it is impossible to be just like anyone else, and that, more importantly, it is our differences that make us special. The author speaks directly to her audience without being condescending, patronizing, or didactic. She illustrates the effects of one's genetic makeup, family history, childhood, environment, and experiences upon the resulting individual, pointing out that most people have a mix of good and bad influences. She stresses that although they cannot change what has happened, individuals can develop a positive attitude about themselves, regardless of their past, present, or future circumstances. Encouraging readers to see parents, teachers, and friends as less than perfect, LeShan further explains how they were affected, and continue to be, by the same influences. Although the lack of an index and bibliography makes this book difficult to use for reports, its reassuring text will be welcomed by children (and adults) trying to understand themselves or to build self-confidence. --Dona Weisman, Northeast Texas Library System, Garland
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Publishers Weekly:
Guiding youngsters toward an understanding of themselves and others, LeShan ( When Grownups Drive You Crazy ) treats her audience with considerable respect in discussing mature subjects without resorting to psychological jargon. In exploring the ways in which genes and environment relate to individuality, LeShan acknowledges that youngsters may not want to be different and often commends what parents fault, e.g., daydreaming. Using her own life experiences (different, certainly, in contrast to today's more tumultuous times), common tenets such as the need for family connection nonetheless emerge. Many of her examples of children's backgrounds are engrossing and extraordinary: separated twins, a Southeast Asian refugee, children living in cars. Unfortunately the cases often plop on top of one another and children may have trouble grasping the various points. Still, LeShan's compassion is evident as she encourages children to find their way to friendship with themselves. Bibliography. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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