Can You Help Me Give a Sh*t?
by Rebecca R. Block, PhD & Grace L. Edwards
Genre: Young Adult / Self-Help
ISBN: 9798891322905
Print Length: 290 pages
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Reviewed by Elizabeth Reiser
An honest look into the minds of teenagers on the precipice of adulthood in our complicated modern world
Rebecca Block and Grace Edwards answer the hard questions about teen motivation in Can You Help Me Give a Sh*t? Told in three main sections and with interviews from students interspersed throughout, this is an undeniably useful guide to recognizing how teenagers from varying backgrounds are faring in today’s world.
The inspiration for this book stemmed from a student asking one of the authors if she could help her give a sh*t. This blunt question led the authors to a great deal of research regarding psychology and education to uncover how to set teens up for success in a world where apathy can feel commonplace. After all, it can be hard to find a middle ground with modern teens living in a very different (not to mention social media-driven) world from the adults in their lives.
This is essentially a handbook, focusing on empowering students, rather than waiting for the world to change. The authors present a strong argument for what one student calls “care without dictation,” or the notion of building relationships based on respect, which will in turn motivate. They also present actionable ways in which students can feel more engaged with what they are learning whether that be options to make school more exciting with hands-on engagement or limiting screens to live in the moment.
Another thought-provoking aspect of this book is the impact of COVID-19 on shaping today’s teens. The authors do a fantastic job showcasing how these formative years were spent navigating an unprecedented new normal. It is easy to see from the discussions with these students how much that has altered their ways of learning and relating to the world around them—a truly fascinating study.
Block and Edwards adeptly capture the notion that development is not done in a straight line, and those ebbs and flows of growth should be handled with empathy, care, and enthusiasm. By speaking a relatable language, teens will feel supported as they navigate this stage of life. While having the perspectives from different teenagers is compelling and the authors have done a good job of selecting a broad range, at times I longed for more insight from parents and teachers.
Can You Help Me Give a Sh*T will definitely serve as a helpful guide for parents and teachers working with teens. The authors have provided essential input from students to assist with finding common ground and treating teens as true young adults and, while this only scratches the surface, it leads the way for discussion and growth.
Thank you for reading Elizabeth Reiser’s book review of Can You Help Me Give a Sh*t? by Rebecca R. Block, PhD & Grace L. Edwards! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.
What did you think?