What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids

With over 220,000 copies in print, the original What Kids Need to Succeed is a proven best-seller. Communities across the nation have embraced its quick-read, common-sense suggestions for helping kids lead healthy, productive, positive lives and stay out of trouble. The first edition identified 30 Developmental AssetsTM essential to promoting success and preventing at-risk behaviors. This revised, expanded, updated edition, based on findings from a recent nationwide survey conducted by Search Institute, includes the latest information on asset-building and expands the original 30 assets to 40. It describes new assets including caring neighborhoods, community service, integrity, cultural competence, and peaceful conflict resolution, then gives specific suggestions for building all 40 assets at home, at school, in the neighborhood, and in the faith community. With over 700 ideas to try, What Kids Need to Succeed makes anyone an asset-builder and a positive force in young people's lives.

Peter L. Benson, Ph.D., has been president of Search Institute since 1985. He received his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Denver, his M.A. in psychology from Yale, and his B.A. in psychology from Augustana College.

Judy Galbraith, M.A., has a master’s degree in guidance and counseling of the gifted. She has worked with and taught gifted children and teens, their parents, and their teachers for over 20 years. In 1983, she started Free Spirit Publishing, which specializes in Self-Help for Kids® and Self-Help for Teens® books and other learning materials.

Pamela Espeland has authored, coauthored, or edited over 200 books for Free Spirit Publishing on a variety of subjects. Pamela graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and currently lives in Minneapolis.