Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You the Tools for Academic Success and Educational Revolution [Paperback]

Edward M. Hallowell (Foreword), Jonathan Mooney (Author), David Cole (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 5, 2000 | ISBN-10: 068486598X | ISBN-13: 978-0684865980 | Edition: Original

Learning with YOUR purpose in mind -- not your parents', not your teacher's, not your school's

Every day, your school, your teachers, and even your peers draw lines to

measure and standardize intelligence. They decide what criteria make one person smart and another person stupid. They decide who will succeed and who will just get by. Perhaps you find yourself outside the norm, because you learn differently -- but, unlike your classmates, you have no system in place that consistently supports your ability and desire to learn. Simply put, you are considered lazy and stupid. You are expected to fail.

Learning Outside the Lines is written by two such "academic failures" -- that is, two academic failures who graduated from Brown University at the top of their class. Jonathan Mooney and David Cole teach you how to take control of your education and find true success -- and they offer all the reasons why you should persevere. Witty, bold, and disarmingly honest, Learning Outside the Lines takes you on a journey toward personal empowerment and profound educational change, proving once again that rules sometimes need to be broken.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Criticism for the public school system in the United States is nothing new; kids of all skill levels are slipping through the cracks at every age and in every city. Rather than attempting to change the system or point out it's failures, Jonathon Mooney and David Cole have created a practical guide to help kids jump through the necessary hoops to achieve whatever larger, postschool goals they may have. While much of the material is written for kids who've received the label LD or ADHD, many of the suggestions can be just as helpful for those who've been labeled "gifted," or any other student who feels frustrated with the daily routine of standard education.

The introduction (personal histories of the authors) is great reading for parents of LD or ADHD kids, and much of it has a humorous tone that makes it equally appropriate (and approachable) for discouraged adolescents. From the terror of weekly spelling tests to the few inspiring teachers and tutors the two encountered, the tales are equal parts entertaining, poignant, and encouraging to others who may well be experiencing quite similar events. There's little discussion of what methods are right or wrong--ultimately, both authors take a fundamentally pragmatic view, and it's "right" if it worked. A steady focus on study skills fills the majority of the book, and Mooney and Cole take what are generally pretty familiar stands on note-taking and test preparation and break them down into easily digestible concepts. With different methods for different types of learners (visual thinkers are encouraged to use maps and brightly colored markers), students will find plenty of help in creating notebooks, focusing their attention, and even appropriate ways of conducting the infamous all-nighter. Including information on how to recover lost class notebooks, how to make the most of a syllabus, and "The Seven Habits of Highly Disorganized People," Learning Outside the Lines provides students with plenty of tools to further each reader's personal idea of success. --Jill Lightner

About the Author

Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic student who did not learn to read until he was twelve years old. After attending Loyola Marymount University for one year, he transferred to Brown University, where he graduated with an honors degree in English. Mooney is also the recipient of the distinguished Truman Fellowship for graduate study in the field of learning disabilities and special education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (September 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068486598X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684865980
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 0.7 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Special Education > Learning Disabled
  • #6 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Attention Deficit & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
  • #14 in Books > Education & Reference > Studying & Workbooks > Study Skills

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Tips for ANY Student in College or Graduate School June 24, 2005

By Mary McKinney

Format:Paperback

Jon and David's book is targeted for college students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD. However, the study tips and pointers would be useful for ANY high school student, college student and for most graduate students.

The book begins with the personal stories of the two authors - both kids with a lot of problems who went on to transfer to Brown University and succeed despite all odds. Jon had severe dyslexia and didn't even learn to read until he was 12 years old. He tells the story of poignant struggles in grade school and high school that left his self-confidence in shambles. David tells a harrowing story of school and self-control difficulties that led to heavy drug use and dropping out of high school when he was 15. The story of their frustrations, fears and struggles will resonate with any kid whose learning style has made it difficult to succeed in our school system, and with any parent who has tried to help a child with ADHD or LD problems.

After reading the personal stories of the two authors, anyone reading the book will think: "If these two guys can graduate from high school, and then get into and graduate from an Ivy league school, anyone can. How did they do it?" The next several chapters describe specific, useful study skills and savvy tips for succeeding in the classroom and doing well on tests and papers. Their suggestions are brilliant.

They begin by describing useful techniques and tips for taking class notes -- especially geared for students who have failed at traditional note taking systems and who regularly lose any notes they do take. Jon and David suggest many useful strategies to provide the structure and organization that those of us with LD and/or ADHD typically lack.

After helping students set up excellent note-taking systems, Jon and David move on to classroom participation. Their ideas and suggestions are perfect for any student who is typically shy or intimidated about speaking up in class. This is one of the chapters I wish that every one of my graduate students would read. Again, Jon and David break down a process that may be intuitive to a few students but which baffle many. By taking their suggestions, students can confidently raise their hands, speak wisely, develop better relationships with their professors and improve their grades.

Another chapter that I will assign to the grad students I teach and coach, is a section about reading course material. The tips are geared for students who had difficulties reading and need to learn how to skim material, look for the important sections and retain the material they do read. Wisely, Jon and David point out that most professors assign more than it is possible for students to read. Therefore, they give techniques and tips for making the best use for covering overwhelming amounts of material.

Then writing - the most difficult task for most students - and again, the specific suggestions are so good that they will help all students - not just those with disabilities. Test-taking skills are handled in the final academic chapter. I felt that I learned good tips.

I am a clinical psychologist and professional coach to graduate students and university faculty. I'm going to recommend this book to many of the graduate students I work with. Plus, when my children are in high school, I'm going to suggest that they read and apply these tips - even though they don't show any signs of the kind of academic struggles that Jon and David so compellingly describe.

Bravo to these courageous young men who have done a great service to any struggling students by writing this book. I'm sure that we're going to hear more from them over time.

71 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Study skills for the way you learn and much more. August 28, 2000

By Dyslexicman

Format:Paperback

Even if you are not one of us different thinkers, you need this book. This book is so much more than a study skills book. It is a guide to taking control of your life as well as YOUR education. The key word here is YOU! We all know the education system sucks for those of us that happen to think out side the box. "One size fits all" education has beaten us down long enough. Cole and Mooney have once again proven that just because some kids have trouble in school doesn't mean they are not smart! They didn't set around and think up ways to improve grades they lived these methods and wrote this book while in school. Let the education Phd.'s think about that for a minute while you get this book and get on with your life! This book is also about helping kids. The proceeds go to Project Eye to Eye A non-profit organization started by the authors to pair LD kids to LD college students as mentors. So do yourself and some at risk kids a favor and BUY this BOOK.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Much Needed Voice! August 26, 2000

By Pamela A. Oswald

Format:Paperback

"Learning Outside the Lines" is a must read for any college student, but especially students with learning or attentional differences. As a special educator I was impressed with the quality of advice and learning strategies Mr. Mooney and Mr. Cole set forth in their handbook. Many of the study strategies outlined are the same strategies taught in quality classrooms for the learning different. The upbeat philosophy of "Learning Outside the Lines" gives hope to anyone who doesn't seem to "fit" into the traditional educational system. I have brought this book into my elementary resource classroom to show my students with learning differences that they too can succeed despite their own struggles with learning outside the lines of the typical classroom. I also think it is time for our students to find their own voice and become a part of their own educational revolution. The personal stories of Mr. Mooney and Mr. Cole gave me great insight into the struggles of students with learning differences and how the educational system can crush their natural talents with "a one method fits all" philosophy. "Learning Outside the Lines" is a very readable book for students, parents, teachers or anyone who lives, thinks or learns differently.