Rau, Dana Meachen. Freaking Out! The Science of the Teenage Brain.

Rau, Dana Meachen.  Freaking Out! The Science of the Teenage Brain.     Capstone Publishers, 2012.  64p.  $33.32  ISBN 978-0-7565-4486-7     ms/hs VG-BN      

     With minimal scientific jargon, this book explains how the brain matures, what regions regulate specific behaviors, and how thought and emotions are processed. Perfect for middle-school students who are interested in how and why they learn and behave the way they do. With colorful charts and excellent photographs depicting teenagers in realistic school and home situations, this book will catch the eye and be perfect for researching the workings of the brain. While the book does an excellent job of showing the major regions of the brain and explaining what each one controls, on page 24, 33 and 44, regions such as the corpus callosum, cortex, hippocampus and amygdala are not actually shown on a chart. Only by reading closely can these areas be placed in one of the seven regions shown in the diagram on page 6. Various experiments that can be done by students to show how the brain processes information will intrigue the reader. Besides the scientific processing of information in the brain, the book presents information on concussions, phobias, amnesia, and reasons why parents and children are sometimes at odds.

     This is the perfect place to start to understand how your brain functions.

     The series Everyday Science explains the science behind the brain, cars, food, and kinesiology with minimal scientific jargon, plenty of colorful charts and excellent photographs of teens in realistic situations. For grades 5-9.

Subject: Brain - Psychology  

Lois McNicol