Fathers and daughters

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Nancy Pearl

The response to Nancy Pearl's surprise bestseller Book Lust was astounding: the Seattle librarian and winner of the 2004 Women's National Book Award even became the model for the now-famous Librarian Action Figure. Readers everywhere welcomed Pearl's encyclopedic but discerning filter on books worth reading, and her Rule of 50 (give a book 50 pages before deciding whether to continue; but readers over 50 must read the same number of pages as their age) became a standard MO. Once again organized by topic, this sprightly follow-up includes an array of titles in nearly 150 eclectic categories, including Plots for Plotzing (highly unusual storylines), Animal Love (in which humans fall in love with animals), The Autobiographical Gesture (memoirs about complex lives), Child Prodigies (child characters who are called on to perform great and sometimes heroic acts), Nagging Mothers, Crying Children (true tales from the frontlines of parenting), and Libraries and Librarians. Both a valuable reference and a vastly enjoyable read, More Book Lust offers a wealth of enthusiastic, quirky reading recommendations.

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Judith Widener Muir

In our competitive, digital world, parenting has become increasingly goal-oriented. Teens and parents alike are plagued by anxiety arising from the ultra-competitive college admissions process. Debates rage over best practices for guaranteeing prestigious Ivy-League admissions, and the age-old question of nature versus nurture still sparks battles among scientists, educators and parents. In this charged environment, how do we insulate our children against the forces of college frenzy, achievement mania and media explosion and still ignite the passion for learning and life that will bring them success? From her perspective as an educator, college counselor, parent and grandparent, Judy Muir uses the latest neuro-scientific findings to provide a voice of reason in the heated debate. She reminds us that?whether we act in the name of ego, fear or love?our children are not science projects to manipulate for optimum results. Each child is born with a specific set of genes. Only through understanding how these genes wire the brain can we create the environments that allow our children to attain the greatest genetic flourish possible. When we understand the real relationship between experience and the brain, we can help teens maximize their potential without harming them.

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Jann Blackstone-Ford and Sharyl Jupe

Written for both biological parents and stepparents, this helpful guide provides the tools necessary to raising well-adjusted children after a stressful divorce. Innovative in its technique and cowritten by a certified divorce and stepfamily expert and her own stepchildren's mother, this etiquette book provides an authentic guide for ex-spouses to interact on a civil and healthy level. Sample conversation for everyday scenarios help exes create a positive environment and ensure the mental and physical well-being of the children. Whether it's coordinating discipline between households, introducing a new partner, dealing with late child support payments, or providing a regular schedule for children, this guide empowers parents to change what they can—their attitudes and communication skills. In doing so, divorced parents can increase their self-esteem and personal growth and emerge confident that they can handle awkward situations and powerful emotions while keeping the children's best interests a priority.

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Anne Manne

Controversial, unflinching and intelligent, Anne Manne discusses the big issues surrounding motherhood and childcare and proposes radical new directions for social policy.