The Primal Teen

For anyone who has ever puzzled over the mysterious and often infuriating behavior of a teenager comes a groundbreaking look at the teenage brain written by the medical science and health editor forThe New York Times. While many members of the scientific community have long held that the growing pains of adolescence are primarily psychological, Barbara Strauch highlights the physical nature of the transformation, offering parents and educators a new perspective on erratic teenage behavior. Using plain language, Strauch draws upon the latest scientific discoveries to make the case that the changes the brain goes through during adolescence are as dramatic and crucial as those that take place in the first two years of life, and that teenagers are not entirely responsible for their sullen, rebellious, and moody ways. Featuring interviews with scientists, teenagers, parents, and teachers,The Primal Teenexplores common challengeswhy teens go from articulate and mature one day to morose and unreachable the next, why they engage in risky behaviorand offers practical strategies to help manage these formative and often difficult years.

<b>BARBARA STRAUCH </b>is the medical science and health editor of the <i>New York Times.</i> She previously covered science and medical issues in Boston and Houston and directed Pulitzer Prize-winning news at <i>Newsday. </i>She is the mother of two teenagers and lives in Westchester County, New York.<br><br><br><i>From the Hardcover edition.</i>