The Rollercoaster Years [Paperback]

Charlene C. Giannetti (Author), Margaret Sagarese (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 4, 1997

For the 20 million parents of 10- to 15-year-olds, The Roller-Coaster Years is a lively guide to mastering the ups and downs of early adolescence. Every parent knows about the terrible twos and the brooding teens, but few have anticipated the wild ride of these magical yet maddening years that can provide all the thrills and chills of a carnival ride.

Now, drawing together the latest information from experts, supported and advised by the National Middle School Association, and with surprising insights from the authors' own surveys of parents, teachers, and the children themselves, The Roller-Coaster Years covers every facet of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of early adolescents, including:

• Appearance Anxiety
• Distractibility
• Fears and Other Emotions
• The Battle for Independence
• Success in School
• Friendship and Peer Pressure
• Sexual Awakening
• The Lure of Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol
• The Promise and Peril of Electronic Media
• Sticky Questions About Your Own Past

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Honest, insightful, contemporary and helpful. Seldom will you find solid research and sound advice packaged so engagingly."
--John H. Lounsbury, National Middle School Association

"Parenting children during the 'tween years from ten to fifteen is like building a bridge that enables young persons to cross from childhood into adulthood. The practical and informative tools in this book will help you bring out the best in your teenager--and yourself."
--William Sears, M.D.

"Buckle-up and read The Roller-Coaster Years for its empathy, invaluable information, and practical tips. It is a well-researched and user-friendly guide that can help you help your child build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for the breathless ride toward high school."
--Carol Weston, author of Girltalk

From the Publisher

"Honest, insightful, contemporary and helpful. Seldom will you find solid research and sound advice packaged so engagingly."
--John H. Lounsbury, National Middle School Association

"Parenting children during the 'tween years from ten to fifteen is like building a bridge that enables young persons to cross from childhood into adulthood. The practical and informative tools in this book will help you bring out the best in your teenager--and yourself."
--William Sears, M.D.

"Buckle-up and read The Roller-Coaster Years for its empathy, invaluable information, and practical tips. It is a well-researched and user-friendly guide that can help you help your child build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for the breathless ride toward high school."
--Carol Weston, author of Girltalk

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (August 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553066846
• ISBN-13: 978-0553066845
• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 6.3 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Roller Coaster Years November 29, 1999

By Amy Quinn

Format:Paperback

I am a parent of a 10 and a 12-year-old and I will use this book as I used my baby and childcare books when they were younger. This book is useful to identify if a condition or behavior is normal or typical, or not. The Roller Coaster Years covers many different aspects of pre-adolescence and adolescence by presenting different scenarios which are typical of this age group. This helps the parent to deal with each aspect or problem effectively. This also helps the parent realize when a problem has become more serious than it should be and when to seek professional help. The reader is provided with many statistics in this book. Some of the statistics are alarming but can be helpful for parents in understanding the scope of adolescent problems. Strategies are provided on how to steer your middle school child in the right direction. It touches upon such areas as academics, physical changes, sexuality, drug abuse, disorganization, peer pressure and other emotional ups and downs, hence the name "The Roller Coaster Years". I would recommend this book to parents because it was easy to read and understand and it offered practical, realistic solutions to everyday problems in the life of a middle school student.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I'd have read this book earlier! June 19, 2001

By coachtim

Format:Paperback

As the father of three mid- to late teens, I believe this book will be a great aid to young parents who have, or will soon be raising, the "middlers" (ages 10-15) that this book focuses on. My only regret is that I did not have the opportunity to read it when my children were beginning to move through this age group.

Had I read it earlier, I'm sure that it would have greatly improved my parenting skill because this book is practically a "how-to" manual for parents raising the 10-15 year-old child. Many, many topics are addressed by (what I feel, anyway) are two very readable and knowledgeable authors! Success in school, friendship & peer pressure, helping with the selection of appropriate media, drug and alcohol use, sexual awakening, and appearance anxiety are just some of the topics that are addressed in the book.

The book is a very fast "read" and is written in a light-hearted, yet informative manner. Humor and "street-talk" are used appropriately and effectively. The authors have certainly done their research and share a great deal of relevant and "eye-popping" survey material. Much of the material comes from the National Middle School Association, which also gives the book it "seal of approval".

I wholeheartedly recommend it to all parents who have children approaching those difficult high school years. You'll learn a lot of effective communication and parenting tricks which will make you a more effective parent, while at the same time making it easier for you and your "middler" to peacefully (and happily) progress through these trying 6 years! 5 stars!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely hit the nail on the head for my 10 year old! May 27, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

The authors of this book obviously took the time to get opinions and information from the appropriate sources. I have not found a chapter that did not cover some area of concern in our life with a middler. (I love that term, by the way.) I have questions and worries on so many topics from homework, schoolwork, sports, free time, to health, drugs and sex concerns and this book deals with each area as though it were written just for my husband, son and me. I have to say that I was relieved to find that many of my instincts were justified as I read common reasons for lack of interest in school and late or missing homework. (The authors mentioned the fact that kids this age suddenly have to become more organized having more teachers, homework, changing classes,and they are usually at a level of play in sports that requires their mental and physical attention at a greater intensity than before.) I have felt this to be the case with my son and several of his friends and it's reassuring to have this confirmed. It is amazing how much you can not only learn from this book, but how much you can be reassured that you are doing so many things right. What a relief to know that, since many books focus on what parents do wrong. I have recommended that so many of my friends purchase this book because I won't be giving up my copy any time over the next 14 years.(I've still got two girls to go through these years with.) They browsed through mine and felt the same reaction as I did immediately upon opening the book. It is a "must read" book for anyone with a child aged 10-15.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Informative and Helpful! April 12, 2000

By dauri

Format:Paperback

I decided to order and read this book in an attempt to better understand the world my 12 year old daughter inhabits on a daily basis. This book was extremely informative and helpful in assisting me to remember what it was like to be in junior high. I found that once I was able to remember some of the difficult times, it was much easier to have understanding and empathy for my daughter. It helped to create a more peaceful, less combative atmosphere in our home. Each chapter is well thought out and simply written, offering very practical suggestions on how to deal with every topic that affects the lives of these "tweeners" and their families. I regard this book as a treasure and still look back at it when various problems present themselves. Well worth it!