This book will be helpful for anyone who wants a better understanding of the specific stage of development that adolescents' brains are going through. It's backed by science and written by a renowned psychiatrist. If you would like to know more about why your own period of adolescence was so tumultuous, or if you are experiencing the roller-coaster ride of another teen in your life, this book will explain what's going on in the brain so that you can make informed choices. This is a must-read for anyone who is in the human services, the health care professions, program development, or policy making, and would like an introduction or refresher on why youth seem to be so vulnerable to problems like unexpected pregnancy, drug abuse, and other high risk behaviors.

This book is poorly written. It contained very little practical and sensible advice for living with teens. I think that the professionals who praised this book are likely friends of the author. It is written for an 8th grade reading level, and it reminds me of the worst of "new age" literature.