Consumer Critique: How Children Succeed

I recently had the chance to review How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by the appropriately-named Paul Tough. This book is very encouraging for parents who may have a child who is not naturally gifted, and also offers a chance to help bolster the chance of success for those who are.

I was bright. I can attest to the fact that if things always come easily, there will come a point where there's a struggle, and I've seen too many bright kids fail because they didn't know how to work. So it's good to introduce the concept of effort to all kids, and show the perseverance and struggle are actually a benefit.

The book, which is a great read for educators and parents, draws on a wealth of scientific research, but doesn't come across as stuffy and pretentious. Rather, it clearly lays out some of the strong traits that really impact future success. It's a great read, and a relatively easy read.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of the book to facilitate this review.