Book Reviews

• Mind Fields: Adolescent consciousness in a culture of distraction by Thomas Cottle (2005)

  The author asserts that the work of adolescence is to construct an identity or sense of self—worth that hinges on deep reflection. He posits that we live in a culture that takes adolescents away from such deep thought with a constant barrage of artificial values. Adolescents are distracted when they focus on the trivial and superficial, missing what is deeply important.

• Reinventing Childhood: Raising and Educating Children in a Changing World By David Elkind, Ph.D. (2001)

  Noted child psychologist, David Elkind, discusses the current stress on children, saying that they are forced to grow up too fast and their needs are no longer given precedence in the family. Consequently, today’s families are raising a generation fo angry, lovely, and displaced children.

• Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer (2002)

  Lit Your Life Speak is a book about vacation—about the decisions we make that lead us to destinations that sometimes turn out to be unfulfilling and disappointing. Parker Palmer’s theme that we should live and make decisions based on inner truth and awareness rather than on outer “oughts” weaves throughout this gentle, reaffirming work.