CAN YOU HELP ME GIVE A SH*T?

In Block and Edwards’ nonfiction book, teenagers explain what they need to stay motivated and engaged.

As a university professor, Block noticed that many first-year students showed up to her introductory writing class with no greater goal for themselves beyond passing the class. Ultimately, she realized that she needed to explore ways to help kids care about their work before they get to college, which inspired her to leave academia and work for organizations that support K-12 educators. As she studied youth development, she realized that the first step in helping students thrive is simply to listen to their wants and needs. Edwards was one of Block’s interview subjects before she became a coauthor, and she details her difficult transition from high school to higher ed. After spending five years observing and talking with young people and their parents, they compiled their insights into this book; they also include observations from a child psychiatrist and other educators. The anonymized voices are diverse throughout, and include Muslim, Catholic, gay, straight, cisgender, and transgender kids, among others; some are struggling academically, while others are high academic achievers. Block and Edwards offer analysis throughout, and they helpfully shape their interview excerpts into discrete chapters on topics such as student-teacher relationships and screen-time distractions. Their choice to let their interviewees speak for themselves effectively reinforces their overall theme, and their stories are engaging and enlightening; at one point, for instance, a high schooler dealing with her parents’ divorce: “I remember writing in my journal: ‘This moment where you are struggling is temporary, fleeting. This momentary struggle will pass away. It won’t last forever.’” Some readers will benefit from this book’s insights and take notes along the way. However, the authors’ choice to forgo some devices employed by self-help authors, such as bullet points and brief chapter summaries, may make this book less appealing to overworked teachers and others with significant time constraints.

A book with rich content about teen life that’s hampered by suboptimal presentation.