Title: Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts
Author: Susan Cain, with the assistance of Gregory Mone and Erica Moroz
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 3 out of 5
Reviewer: Julia
Back in 2012, specifically the 24th of January, Susan Cain published her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. This book shook the world, and was listed as a bestseller and opened the minds of many. This book was for adults. But then, earlier this year (2016), Cain, along with the help of Gregory Mone and Erica Moroz, published another book on being quiet, only this time for teens and children.
This book is a guide for kids on how to navigate life - at school, home, in social groups, and activities - using and recognizing their quiet nature. With stories of real introverted kids, the book is designed to help teens and kids to take advantage of their quiet ways, and teaches them to be proud and to embrace it. There is also a section in the back for teachers and one for parents.
As an introvert myself, I found parts of this book to be a bit touching. It was nice to be understood because, most often, school and youth in general encourage and require kids and teens to be more talkative, and the extroverted are often praised. I'm sure that, if you are an introvert or have a bit of a "quiet nature", you have heard things similar to "Speak up more" in school. If you're like me, some curious kids might have walked right up to you and asked, "Why are you so quiet?" Of course, no one ever meant any harm, but it might have upset you. (I recently looked in an older journal of mine to find several long and angry entries in which I had complained how people were always thinking of my quietness as a negative thing.)
Some parts of this book were, and I'm sorry I can't think of a better way to put it, a bit too close to home. They sparked some troubled emotions and memories for me, and I suddenly got really mad, hurling the book across the room. But it was probably just because of what those silly kids from elementary school said. Not the book.
Something I did find to be rather helpful were the conclusions at the end of each chapter, in which there were organized tips on how to be quiet and still be productive and happy in school, at home, in activities/hobbies, and while socializing. Those would be good for quick and easy reference.
However, some of the tips and tricks that were in the book I had already thought out myself. For instance, the chapter on quiet leading in school groups wasn't all to helpful, for I had already figured out how to do my own "quiet leading". Still, the chapter was interesting due to the stories weaved in, and I always found myself rooting for the kids mentioned and cheering at their mini victories.
Overall, this book was alright. Not my most favorite book in the world, for I was upset with some parts and sometimes a bit annoyed with some repeated ideas (yeah, yeah, yeah: being quiet is alright, we get it), but it was still alright. In the end, this book is a beacon of hope and reassurance to those quiet kids buried in a book, sitting alone at lunch, reading this book review.
Author: Susan Cain, with the assistance of Gregory Mone and Erica Moroz
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 3 out of 5
Reviewer: Julia
Back in 2012, specifically the 24th of January, Susan Cain published her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. This book shook the world, and was listed as a bestseller and opened the minds of many. This book was for adults. But then, earlier this year (2016), Cain, along with the help of Gregory Mone and Erica Moroz, published another book on being quiet, only this time for teens and children.
This book is a guide for kids on how to navigate life - at school, home, in social groups, and activities - using and recognizing their quiet nature. With stories of real introverted kids, the book is designed to help teens and kids to take advantage of their quiet ways, and teaches them to be proud and to embrace it. There is also a section in the back for teachers and one for parents.
As an introvert myself, I found parts of this book to be a bit touching. It was nice to be understood because, most often, school and youth in general encourage and require kids and teens to be more talkative, and the extroverted are often praised. I'm sure that, if you are an introvert or have a bit of a "quiet nature", you have heard things similar to "Speak up more" in school. If you're like me, some curious kids might have walked right up to you and asked, "Why are you so quiet?" Of course, no one ever meant any harm, but it might have upset you. (I recently looked in an older journal of mine to find several long and angry entries in which I had complained how people were always thinking of my quietness as a negative thing.)
Some parts of this book were, and I'm sorry I can't think of a better way to put it, a bit too close to home. They sparked some troubled emotions and memories for me, and I suddenly got really mad, hurling the book across the room. But it was probably just because of what those silly kids from elementary school said. Not the book.
Something I did find to be rather helpful were the conclusions at the end of each chapter, in which there were organized tips on how to be quiet and still be productive and happy in school, at home, in activities/hobbies, and while socializing. Those would be good for quick and easy reference.
However, some of the tips and tricks that were in the book I had already thought out myself. For instance, the chapter on quiet leading in school groups wasn't all to helpful, for I had already figured out how to do my own "quiet leading". Still, the chapter was interesting due to the stories weaved in, and I always found myself rooting for the kids mentioned and cheering at their mini victories.
Overall, this book was alright. Not my most favorite book in the world, for I was upset with some parts and sometimes a bit annoyed with some repeated ideas (yeah, yeah, yeah: being quiet is alright, we get it), but it was still alright. In the end, this book is a beacon of hope and reassurance to those quiet kids buried in a book, sitting alone at lunch, reading this book review.
Nice review. Even though this book is for kids, I think it would be helpful for myself as well, because I consider myself an introvert, too!
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