"Could Do Better": Why Children Underachieve and What to Do About It [Paperback]

Harvey P. Mandel (Author), Sander I. Marcus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1996

Put your child back on the path to success

Two leading psychologists give you individualized, practical solutions tailored for: COASTERS: the ultimate procrastinators, usually described as easy-going and unmotivated, the most common type of underachiever

ANXIOUS UNDERACHIEVERS: want to do better but are too tense and uptight to work effectively

IDENTITY-SEARCHERS: so wrapped up in figuring out who they are that they become distracted from schoolwork

WHEELER-DEALERS: impulsive and manipulative, so intent on instant gratification that they see no point in doing well in school

SAD UNDERACHIEVERS: their depressed mood and low self-esteem rob them of the energy they need for schoolwork

DEFIANT UNDERACHIEVERS: they underachieve as an act of rebellion "A groundbreaking new approach to helping children work up to their potential."— River North News

"An eminently valuable resource for anyone confronted with the challenge of getting the best out of children and adolescents. It will be the book for this problem for a long time." —Anthony Moriarty, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, Principal, Homewood Flossmoor Community High School, Illinois

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Put your child back on the path to success

Two leading psychologists give you individualized, practical solutions tailored for: COASTERS: the ultimate procrastinators, usually described as easy-going and unmotivated, the most common type of underachiever

ANXIOUS UNDERACHIEVERS: want to do better but are too tense and uptight to work effectively

IDENTITY-SEARCHERS: so wrapped up in figuring out who they are that they become distracted from schoolwork

WHEELER-DEALERS: impulsive and manipulative, so intent on instant gratification that they see no point in doing well in school

SAD UNDERACHIEVERS: their depressed mood and low self-esteem rob them of the energy they need for schoolwork

DEFIANT UNDERACHIEVERS: they underachieve as an act of rebellion "A groundbreaking new approach to helping children work up to their potential."-- River North News

"An eminently valuable resource for anyone confronted with the challenge of getting the best out of children and adolescents. It will be the book for this problem for a long time." --Anthony Moriarty, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, Principal, Homewood Flossmoor Community High School, Illinois

About the Author

HARVEY P. MANDEL, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist in Toronto, Canada, is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, and Director of the Institute on Achievement and Motivation at York University. He has received major awards in the field of underachievement.

SANDER I. MARCUS, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist in Chicago, Illinois, is a managing partner in the firm of Friedland & Marcus, and has counseled thousands of individuals about career paths.

LORAL DEAN is a freelance writer and editor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 291 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (July 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047115847X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471158479
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #912,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend., February 23, 2005

By 

2 stinky boys (AUSTIN, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Could Do Better": Why Children Underachieve and What to Do About It (Paperback)

This book literally changed our lives! It gave us an insight into our 13 year old son, which we would have never have been able to arrive at alone. I purchased 4 books on this subject and read them all. The other three were pretty much psycho babble....stating the obvious and not offering any real solutions. While this book doesn't promise any quick fixes, it does give you some tools, suggestions and, most of all, support. It feels so good to know that your kid isn't the only one. That they aren't underachieving because they are lazy or just don't care. Now, I see that it's just not that simple. It give you a different perspective, from which to see your child and changes your approach on how to deal with issues....especially when you are a Type A overachieving Mom. Parents, arm yourself with the insights that this book brings. You will be a better advocate for your child as you deal with teachers and administrators.

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much help..., July 6, 2011

By 

Y. Johnson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "Could Do Better": Why Children Underachieve and What to Do About It (Paperback)

Lots of explinations and not much practical help. I found great solutions in the Love and Logic series... which had great ideas for helping my kid do better in school.