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Summary: Reality check from a guy who was part of Reston "Tribe"
Review: "A Tribe Apart" made a very interesting read for me since I was a member of the class of 1994 at the high school about which Hersch writes. As a person who was "there," I must caution that Hersch managed to latch onto some of the most atypical (though, admittedly, intriguing) stories. She downplays the fact that there were a lot of "normal" students out there. It's not so much the case that teenagers as a whole constitute the "tribe apart;" rather, there is a only a subset of teenagers for which it is justifed to ring the alarm bells as Hersch does. This "tribe apart" subset isn't even all that new, as the author seems to suggest. The teenage years have always been "crazy." To come to the conclusion that the 1990s represents a new crisis point for teenagers idealizes the past. One need only think of kids growing up in the 1960s and 1970s has also having such seeming problems. The fact is that those teenagers managed to survive, and so too will those of the 1990s. The lesson here is beware of the overgeneralizations emerging from this book about the teenage population in general and the teenagers of Reston. While the book presents a vivid representation of the events it covers, it does not represent a complete picture of what was really going on in that high school and town during the years in question.
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Summary: Think you really know your teenager? Read this book!
Review: A powerful and intimate look inside the world of American adolescence. Hersch takes us closer into the hearts and minds of teenagers than most of us parents get even with our kids eating at the same table or sleeping in the next room. Magnificently written. James A. Levine, Director, The Fatherhood Project, Families and Work Institute, New York City
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: A Tribe Apart covers adolescence in-depth. The diversity (and yet, also the commonalities between) of the real-life characters was astounding. There are many ideas in this book that I had never considered. As a future teacher, I am glad that I had the opportunity to read this thought-provoking reality check.
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Summary: An important work from an author who has earned respect
Review: A Tribe Apart is an important and valuable contribution in the contemporary and vital study of adolescence in America. If you are interested in the subject enough to be reading this -- you should read IT. The author has earned her praise (from book reviewers nationwide and her many readers) and built her place as an expert in the field from the ground up -- not by studying the subject academically from a distance, but by being there, living it, and knowing. Her front row seat -- her intimate, behind-the-scenes observations and experiences -- means that she's THE ONE to talk to and listen to on the subject. And there's no better time than now. Reading this book will educate you, affect you, and move you. It's a must for anyone with an interest or need in the area of adolescence. (Additionally, the author, Patricia Hersch, is an excellent and much sought after speaker. She has a unique perspective and firsthand knowledge that can really make a difference.) There is no other book that compares and offers such valuable, rare insight. As an exceptional contemporary journalist, author and speaker, her following of readers and influence among the experts will only grow. [From the author of Earth Angels: True Stories About Real People Who Bring Heaven To Earth]
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Summary: Slightly off - center
Review: A Tribe Apart was a well written and researched book, but like mentioned above, "misses the point" to some degree. Reading about the individuals featured seemed at times to much like a soap opera - the adolescents analyzing themselves and justifying their actions seemed immature and childish, and aspects of their lives were rigidly broken up into "School", "Peers", "Family" etc, without really making any sociological connections between. The book seems to strenghten phrases like "teenagers really are a tribe apart" by the rash actions of some of the individuals (drug dealers and widespread drug use in middle school, grafitti, random 'acting out') that confuses you even more. As a 16 year old, I didn't feel like I could relate or really understand the characters, even though the enviroment described could be identical to where I live. I believe the individuals in the book were exceptional and unique, but shouldn't represent the 'average teenager' in the general standard.
Rating:
Summary: Slightly off - center
Review: A Tribe Apart was a well written and researched book, but like mentioned above, "misses the point" to some degree. Reading about the individuals featured seemed at times to much like a soap opera - the adolescents analyzing themselves and justifying their actions seemed immature and childish, and aspects of their lives were rigidly broken up into "School", "Peers", "Family" etc, without really making any sociological connections between. The book seems to strenghten phrases like "teenagers really are a tribe apart" by the rash actions of some of the individuals (drug dealers and widespread drug use in middle school, grafitti, random 'acting out') that confuses you even more. As a 16 year old, I didn't feel like I could relate or really understand the characters, even though the enviroment described could be identical to where I live. I believe the individuals in the book were exceptional and unique, but shouldn't represent the 'average teenager' in the general standard.
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Summary: A Tribe Apart: Embracing a Neglected Generation
Review: After reading A Tribe Apart and the many customer reviews on this book, I am struck by the claim that what Ms. Hersch documents is not "new" in adolescence. Yes, sex, drugs and suicide have been with us and will probably increase in frequency over time. As a baby boomer, I rebelled and dabbled in these things myself. However, the stark difference between my generation and the "millenials" of this decade is that they have no one to rebel against, because no one is there. And even if sex and drugs never enter into the adolescent experience of the fortunate among today's youth, very few of those "normal" teens can say that a parent is waiting for them when they come home from school. Undoubtedly, the loneliness of today's youth will one day be redressed by the abandonment of their aged baby boomer parents, and rightfully so.
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Summary: A Compelling and Frightening Look into the Lives of Teens
Review: As a middle school teacher, I am always searching for insight into the lives of my students. Not only did this book offer insight, it took me to the core of the modern adolescent experience--an experience fraught with pain, confusion, wonder, and triumph. The eight children that Ms. Hersch worked with gave her an all-access pass to their lives, and their compelling, often shocking stories are recounted in readable and engaging language. While Ms. Hersch intermingles statistics and germaine research with the stories, she successfully walks the line between objective reportage and outright proselytizing. What the reader comes away with, however, is the alarm-call that we must reconnect to our kids as often--and in as many ways--as we can. This book should be required reading for all middle and high school teachers nationwide.
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Summary: What a pitiful world it will be when these children grow up.
Review: As a non-parent, I can't say for sure how I would raise children if I were to have them myself...but I would most certainly try to raise them, rather than ignore them, give them mixed signals, or at worst, condone that they break rules, regulations, and laws both in school and out of school. Apparently, this would place me in the minority.Although I think Hersch does some sensationalizing, the warnings are clear: In a society that seems to reward selfish indulgence and the pursuit of material goods, many parents are leaving child-rearing on the back burner. And when these children grow up and are imparted with the responsibility to run our corporations and government, we are all going to be a heap of trouble. Great book. Should be required reading for all parents.
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Summary: Nothing New; Disturbing Thoughts
Review: As a parent of a high-school student, this book caught my attention while shopping in a bookstore coincidentally, at Reston Town Centre. Living in the Washington DC suburbs and formerly in Fairfax County, I was not at all surprised at any of the experiences of the kids discussed in Hersch's book. Also, as still a "young" parent (mid-thirties), the experiences of today's adolescents do not appear to be that different from my experiences in the late 70's-early 80's. What I found disturbing in this book was the portrayal of the influence of African-Americans in today's youth. I felt that Hersch uses the influence of African-Americans and the so called "hip-hop" culture as part of the problems facing today's youth. C'mon. Every generation has a radical form of music which that generation has often been defined by - 60's rock and roll, 70's disco, etc. The hip-hop culture is nothing more than entertainment and music for the today's kids. Of course we like to dress and imitate our music heroes. I used try and dress like KISS and dance like Tony Manero (aka John Travolta)! Frankly, I think that the highlighting the African-American influence and particularly hip-hop and the hip-hop "culture" as a negative effect on today's kids is racially offensive.
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