Book recommendations

In "Slaying Goliath", Diane Ravitch writes of a true populist movement sweeping the country, a movement dedicated to protecting public school education. "Slaying Goliath" is about the power of democracy, about the dangers of plutocracy, and about the potential of ordinary people to prevail against those who are trying to take away our common system of tax-supported education.

As a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with girls, Lisa Damour, Ph. D., has witnessed this rising tide of stress and anxiety. As readers move through the layers of girls' lives, they'll learn about the critical steps that adults can take to shield their daughters from the toxic pressures to which our culture -- including we, as parents -- subjects girls.

"Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month" is a trusted resource from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Using the latest research and drawing on their experience caring for millions of pregnant women, the nation's obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) provide answers to your questions about pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

This fifth edition includes updated and expanded information on mental health issues, including postpartum depression and anxiety, for both moms and partners; hot topics such as immunizations, breastfeeding, and coping with inconsolable crying; best-practice guidelines for car seats, safe sleep, babywearing, and fall prevention; the value of having effective support during labor, birth, and the postpartum period; and insurance coverage, including the Affordable Care Act, and medical assistance for low-income pregnant women.

In the Third Edition of the topically organized "Child Development: An Active Learning Approach" authors Laura E. Levine and Joyce Munsch invite students to take an active journey toward understanding the latest findings from the field of child development. Using robust pedagogical tools built into the chapter narratives, students are challenged to confront myths and misconceptions, participate in real-world activities with children and independently, and utilize video resources and research tools to pursue knowledge and develop critical thinking skills on their own.

The Sixth Edition of the topically organized "Children's Thinking" presents a current, comprehensive, and dynamic examination of cognitive development. The book covers individual children and their developmental journeys while also following the general paths of overall cognitive development in children.

A study by Kaiser Permanente and the Centers for Disease Control of more than 17,000 adult patients has led to our understanding that "adverse childhood experiences" -- like abuse, neglect, parental addiction, or mental illness, and even divorce -- can have lasting affects on human health. But the stunning news of Burke Harris's research is just how, and how deeply, our bodies can be imprinted for life by these ACEs.

"Education Professionals: A Practical Career Guide", which includes interviews with professionals in the field, covers three main areas of this field that have proven to be stable, lucrative, and growing professions: early childhood education; primary education; and secondary education.

Any conversation about effective teaching must begin with a consideration of how students learn. However, instructors may find a gap between resources that focus on the technical research on learning and those that provide practical classroom strategies. "How Learning Works" provides the bridge for such a gap. In this volume, the authors introduce seven general principles of learning.

Nine out of ten children and adolescents play video games, and some degree of gaming is normal. But excessive playing can negatively impact schoolwork, kids' social lives, and even their health. "Pause and Reset" is for parents concerned about the role of gaming in their children's lives.

"Queen Bees & Wannabes" is the definitive guide for parents to crack the "girl code" and understand the powerful role that cliques play in shaping every aspect of adolescent girls' lives. Now at the cutting edge of how girls communicate today, "Queen Bees & Wannabes", third edition, is packed with insights about technology, early puberty, and how teens today are defining gender.