A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology questions the reliability of computerized tests used by high schools, colleges and professional sports, on determining brain health following a concussion.  Click here to read more of this article

An intersting take on teen-parent relationships: treating your teenager as as if you were trying to sell them something. If parents can communicate with their teens as they would a potential business customer, a trusting, non-judgemental relationship can be established. To read more click here.

The New York Times reports that in an effort to boost their ranking on the lists of “Best of Colleges” (such as U.S. News & World Report)  several universities,  have been caught ”gaming the system” by providing misinformation about SAT scores, the number of applicants and percentage of full time professors.  Click here to read the more of this aritcle.

In an effort to alleviate the stress of getting dinner on the table in a timely manner, one working Mom discovers, not only can her sons cook, but it isn’t always easy to let go. To read more about author Leslie Kaufman’s journey click here.

Twitter is becoming the hot social media for teens. For some it’s to escape their parents “creeping” on them through facebook, for others it’s a chance to follow their favorite celebrity or voice their opinion on an issue. However, Twitter’s locked accounts (another popular draw) are not as private as some believe. Click here to read the entire article

Your Teen’s new web feature: A Parent/Teen Book Review: Looking for a new way to connect with your teenager or to share your love of great stories or just for your own or your teen’s pleasure?  Check out Your Teen Magazine’s Book Review: Montana 1948

Montana 1948
Teen and Adult Reviews

Teen Review
by Katie Harris 

Books have been my constant companion for as long as I can remember. As soon as I learned to read, I began taking books with me everywhere. I always have a secret joy in being introduced to a new piece of literature. Unlike me, however, many teens greet reading with a certain dread, finding books  “boring” or “too long.” Montana 1948 is neither. At the tolerable length of 175 pages, this book is the right size and the right interest level for all.

Montana 1948 captured my interest from the start. The story has a mysterious undertone, beginning with its narration by David Hayden, a relatable, all-American twelve year-old wrapped up in the hazy and suspicious incidents occurring in his home in the fictional town of Bentrock, Montana. It begins when his housekeeper, a Sioux girl named Marie, falls ill. David’s Uncle Frank, a local physician and war hero, is called upon to diagnose the illness. When Uncle Frank shows up, Marie accuses him of rape. David’s mother convinces her husband Wesley, the town sheriff, to look into these allegations about his brother.  In an attempt to cover up the accusations, Frank murders Marie, declaring that her death is a relapse of her illness.

Meanwhile, David witnesses a suspicious occurrence that will prove Frank’s guilt. David bravely informs his parents.  When Wesley confronts Frank, Frank doesn’t deny the accusation. Frank feels entitled to do whatever he pleases to the local Indian women. Throughout the story, the reader discovers that everything might not be what it seems at first, and sometimes it is the underdog who has to rise to power. In this case, David’s father has always been second best in his family. Wesley has to be brave enough to ignore the wants of his own parents, and do what he feels is right in arresting his own brother, ignoring loyalty over justice.

Montana 1948 is definitely attention grabbing and constructive. Upon finishing a book, I always try to understand the “lesson learned.” The one in this story is clear. With David, I learned that regardless of his illusions, he is finally able to see things as they really are, and the slightest bit of evidence can be the difference between innocence and guilt. One of the most difficult lessons of this novel is, of course, that sometimes one must make the choice between morality and loyalty in order to do what is just.

Adult Review
by Jody Podl

I love reading with my kids.  I love that we know the same characters, or that we make up sequels or new endings.  More importantly, sharing this experience unites us.

Reading the same novel creates opportunities to discuss difficult topics. When we dissect a character’s motive, argue about the ending or share delight with the plot, we are talking about other people but we are also talking about ourselves. We often have similar reactions to the same material, but even when we don’t, I still gain insight about my children while sharing my limited wisdom.

Montana, 1948 is one book that parents should read with their teens.  Writing in a deceivingly simple style, Larry Watson tells a suspenseful local tale that raises some universal questions about human behavior.

The story focuses on the powerful Hayden family living in a small, insulated town in Montana.  David Hayden, the narrator, recalls the events that occurred when he was twelve and his beloved caretaker, Marie Little Soldier, dies.  David’s uncle Frank is a decorated war hero and well-liked physician who has been molesting Native American women, including Marie. David’s father, Wesley, is the town sheriff who reluctantly begins an investigation into his brother’s behavior. As the investigation continues, David witnesses his uncle leaving the house just prior to Marie’s death and suspects that his uncle is guilty of foul play. In the ensuing events, David Hayden comes of age as he learns about both justice and courage.

The characters face powerful moral dilemmas. Should David reveal information that would pit brother against brother?  Should Wesley use his badge to prosecute his own brother or protect him?  Should David’s mother insist that Frank be punished when it will destroy the family?  With each decision, there will be repercussions.  I feel for this family; their struggles make me want discuss speaking out against evil, the struggle between justice and family loyalty, and the unpredictable consequences of our actions.

As an adult, David reflects on the events of this summer and realizes that he had idolized his uncle at the expense of his father. He also recognizes that prejudice against Native Americans combined with the “old boy” network in his hometown prevented true justice in Montana during the summer of 1948.  Most importantly, he demonstrates that telling the truth is rarely easy, but it is always the right thing to do.

Order your copy of Montana 1948 Click Here.

Trending Today

Eric James Borges, a 19 year old gay teen, who produced the video “It Gets Better” in support of LGBT youth took his own life recently.  Reporter Melanie Nathan shares excerpts from Eric’s suicide note and commments from friends.  Click here to read more about this story

The recent issue of Your Teen Magazine had as it’s feature story, teens and technology.  Obviously technology is a huge part of all our lives but one point in the article really intrigued me. Dr. Georgette Constantinou, a pediatric psychologist, stated:  “Technology is overwhelming our teenagers’ lives. We need to ask: ‘Are we giving our teenagers time to be real?’”

So I pose that question to all of you, including Dad – is technology taking over too much of your life?  Do you have enough face to face, uninterrupted time with actual people?

As a follow up, I recently heard of two strategies designed to control cell phone use in social situations. The first, called the Phone Stack, takes place when a group of friends are at a restaurant.  All cell phones are placed in the middle of the table, whoever answers their phone, picks up the bill.  The second was suggested by a teen: when hanging out with friends if you send or receive a text you must read it out loud to the group.  What do you think?.

Like most of the questions you ask us, it all depends on the person. If you have a son or a daughter that can’t function without having an Ipod at all times, or can spend a whole day staring at a TV playing Call of Duty without blinking, then maybe you have a problem. But I feel like technology is just a part of our world now. And frankly, it’s not just kids that are becoming obsessive; I see parents just as Iphone savvy as their kids.

The one way technology has affected me negatively definitely would be the fact that guys are SO attached to their video games. I mean if I hear another guy tell me what his Call of Duty rank is or that he is going to be a professional gamer I think my eyes will pop out from all the rolling they have done over the years. I mean seriously guys, what is up with the obsession? I like video games too, but reality seems a little more important than how many fake bad guys you can shoot in ten minutes. Just saying.

I have never heard of the phone stack thing before. Sounds interesting… though what happens if no one picks up there phone, who pays for dinner?

I doubt many of my friends would be down for playing that though… maybe just leaving all our phones on off… but I don’t know any college student who would be willing to pay for everyone’s dinner like that.

Technology is here, and our lives are just going to get more and more intertwined with the latest options. Not only that, most of us (adults too) love it, and want more of it. There’s relatively few of us who don’t want the latest Iphone, Ipad or app to go with it. The key is developing appropriate social etiquette (which we’ve discussed before – please stop texting while I’m trying to talk to you! and deciding how to intermingle technology with our own lives.

There’s probably a lot to be said for a leisurely train ride across country or the excitement of receiving a telegram – but I’ll probably never know nor do  I want to know. I happen to like having “time outs” from technology where I will have no cell phone/ email/ or even television for a short time….but I may be like those “old” people who don’t have DVR and still watch commercials. Times change and most of us adapt. But my suggestion to you kids, is to make sure that you have at least some actual face time (not just face book time) with your friends and family. (And I love the idea of a cell phone tower to see who pays for dinner!)

To me, I see the overwhelming use of technology in teenagers today as just another way the world is changing. Teachers in school often tell us that in the near future, text books will be tools of the past. Tablets that are capable of surfing the web will replace the old-fashion text book that we have all come to know. So I think that the huge increase in the use of technology is unavoidable. The world is changing, everything is becoming more advanced, so why not use the new stuff? As for the question of face to face interaction with real people,  school  five days a week does that enough for us. Not to mention hanging out with friends on the weekends. Yes, I agree that technology might be “taking over the lives of our teens” as some people would say, but to me it is nothing more than the world continuously improving and advancing.

My friends and I don’t have any “rules” for technology when we’re together.  But I do like the phone stack idea because I am not on my phone 24-7 and I like when other people pick up the tab.

I definitely feel that technology is being abused in social settings. For me, getting together with friends for fun or dinner is a special event – it’s a time for me to put aside daily rituals (this includes social networking and texting) and devote my time to a few other people. When other people start pulling out their phones and texting in the corner of the room for five minutes or showing everyone a comment someone left on their wall, I find myself feeling like social gathering is a lost art. All the wireless temptations are an addiction, and I think everyone has felt that urge to randomly pull out their phone or check for notifications at inappropriate times. What I try and do is reach an agreement with everyone to turn their phones off, unless it needs to be on for a purpose. All that kids and adults need to do is exert a little will power for a few hours when they’re with other people. It really makes all the difference, because it’s important for us to know that with the rise of virtual connectedness we can still do things the natural way.

Amnon

Trending Today

A humorous, but oh so true, look at the similarities between  parenting teenagers and parenting toddlers. Click here to read this article by mommy blogger, Alphamom.

Trending Today

“What happens when children reach puberty earlier and adulthood later? The answer is: a good deal of teenage weirdness. Fortunately, developmental psychologists and neuroscientists are starting to explain the foundations of that weirdness.”  Click here to read the Wall Street Journal article.

Trending Today

A short video on how today’s advertisers objectify women and create unrealistic, unachievable images for our daughters.  This negatively impacts self-esteem and health issues, such as eating disorders. We recommend sharing it with your daughters.

http://bit.ly/wIfWxH