Adolescence now lasts longer than ever, and the adolescent brain is surprisingly malleable. These new discoveries make this time of life crucial in determining a person’s ultimate success and happiness.
Read about it in The New Yorker here.
Read a conversation with the author here.
"Simply the best book I have ever read about adolescence, and I say this as both the father of seven and as a scientist who works in this field. With gentle wisdom, Steinberg guides us through truly novel findings on what happens during adolescence and tells us how, as parents and teachers, we should change our ways." — Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph.D., author of Learned Optimism and The Optimistic Child
"By page 2, I was underlining almost every sentence. By page 5, I was reading it out loud to my husband. As a mother of two boys and an educator, I am so grateful Laurence Steinberg has written this amazing book. He not only clearly and elegantly communicates the newest insights into understanding teenagers' brains but also shows how adults can manage ourselves when we get frustrated with teens' behavior." — Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes and Masterminds and Wingmen
"If you need to understand adolescents—whether your own or anyone else’s—you must read this book. Drawing from cross-cultural studies and the latest research in neuroscience (much of it his own), Laurence Steinberg explains why most of our presumptions about adolescence are dead wrong and reveals the truth about this exciting and unnerving stage of life. Written with warmth, lucidity, and passion, Age of Opportunity will fill parents with relief by demystifying their children. Educators and policy-makers should study it carefully." — Jennifer Senior, author of All Joy and No Fun
"I love this book! Steinberg has blended the latest research with his decades of expertise to give us a bold new view of the perils and promise of adolescence. Using the information and wisdom he provides, you can better support adolescents along their journey. You’ll also be fascinated—and comforted—by a fresh, deep understanding of that journey’s purpose." — Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine, and author of Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
"When parents are frustrated with, or anxious about, our kids, we long to know what’s going on inside their heads. Steinberg takes us in there, and what he finds isn't only fascinating; it can make us more compassionate and effective parents. If society as a whole took its lessons to heart, we could reverse troubling trends in drug use, suicide, and all the other ills that befall our kids." — David Sheff, author of Beautiful Boy and Clean.
“A deeply scholarly, readable, and important book. What every parent, teacher and counselor MUST know about the adolescent brain, its vulnerabilities and its tremendous possibilities.” — Carol Dweck, Ph. D., Professor of Psychology, Stanford University, and author of Mindset
“Clear, evidence-based, and solutions-oriented, Age of Opportunity is the roadmap you need whether you already have a teen or young adult, or are preparing for one.” — Madeline Levine, Ph.D., author of The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well
“This fascinating book gives us cause for concern, cause for hope and cause for celebration. Whether you’re a parent or an adolescent yourself, you should read it. There’s information in these pages that could change and improve your life.” — Peg Tyre, author of The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve
“A masterful summary of what science has recently discovered about adolescence. I learned something new on every page.” — Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., MacArthur Fellow and Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
“Steinberg explains how ‘abnormal’ adolescent behavior is actually ‘normal.’ This book belongs on the shelf of every parent, teacher, youth worker, counselor, judge—heck, anyone interested in pre-teens and teenagers." — David Walsh, Ph.D., author of Why Do They Act That Way?
"Based on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of a leading authority in the field, this magnificent book will captivate a wide audience: parents, teachers, policy-makers and adolescents themselves." — Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Ph.D., Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London
"This study will be gratefully received by many for its advice on how our increasing understanding of adolescent development can be put to practical use in helping adolescents through the emotional and behavioral tumult. . . . Steinberg’s audience is as broad as his approach and includes parents, educators, politicians, businesspeople and health care professionals. . . .A clear and canny look into the adolescent brain that will help influence adolescent lives for the better." — Kirkus Reviews (Read the full review here.)
"Explaining complex brain science in a clear-cut manner, Steinberg offers parents and educators practical advice, as well as innovative ideas about how society can better support its youth and adapt to the times. . . .This is a convincing and eloquent call for change." — Publisher's Weekly (Read the full review here.)
"Steinberg has waded through thousands of clinical studies, amassed hundreds of surveys, and conducted his own research to compile this handbook for the care and treatment of adolescents. He makes it perfectly clear that this information is intended to inform the entire village—parents, educators, coaches, etc.—that interacts with young people. Steinberg sheds some much-needed light on a too-often ignored, or worse, maligned, phase of life." — Booklist
"A fascinating book parents and teachers ought to read." — Atlanta Journal Constitution
"Steinberg focuses on aspects that others ignore—e.g., the “reminiscence bump” (how and why we remember distinctly events from adolescence), the extreme importance of self-regulation (motivation), and why high schools must become more academically demanding and less boring. Be warm, he advises; be firm, be supportive. VERDICT Adolescence starts early and lasts a long time. Steinberg’s book is fresh and new; essential reading for parents, teachers, and counselors." — Library Journal (starred review)
"Powerful . . . . gives us fresh answers . . . .essential." — Huffington Post (Read the full review here.)
"Finally, a game changing book in understanding the developing brain of millennials." Getting Smart (Read the full review here.)
"Authoritative." — Wall Street Journal
"Steinberg’s message is clear: Anyone working with teens should know the science and adjust their behavior and policies accordingly. His book is a great place to start." Greater Good. (Read the full review here.) (Listed as one of the best books of 2014.)
"Engrossing" — The Globe and Mail
"Steinberg has good advice for anyone living or working with adolescents." — School Library Journal (Read the full review here.)
"[A] book that allows researchers to ask new questions about youth, invites new forms of collaboration, and encourages new modes of interacting with teens. -- Teachers College Record
"Well-written, easy to digest, often entertaining, and impossible to ignore." -- Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
