"Engaging and enlightening" - Kirkus Reviews
"A compelling read for educators, parents, and anyone invested in the future of education" - 5 star BookView Review
"Essential reading for anyone committed to improving a teen’s educational experience" - Literary Titan, Gold Award Winner
"Concrete, thought-provoking insights about ... how educators, families, and teens can collaborate to make learning more meaningful" - Midwest Book Reviews
"An undeniably useful guide to recognizing how teenagers from varying backgrounds are faring in today’s world" - Independent Book Review
"This important book helps you understand more about what’s going on with the motivations, behaviors, and frustrations of teens in school and how to help them feel like they matter." -Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, cognitive scientist, author, and host of "The Psychology Podcast"
"...a game-changer in education .... As a higher education professional, I find it indispensable." - Glenn Smith, Asst. Director, Berkley Achievement Scholarship Program at NYU
"This must-read book makes it easy to empathize with so many teens and young adults who find it hard or impossible to stay motivated in school, and what parents and educators of all types can do to help them. I highly recommend it!" - Jared Kallen, M.S. Ed, Founder and Director of Action Pact Coaching
"Igniting teen motivation is a big issue for adult development, life and career success.... This book is a rich and honest depiction of what teens are truly experiencing" - Sarabeth Berk Bickerton, PhD, author of More Than My Title
"As former head of People Development at Google, I see great value in helping young people develop the ability to understand and catalyze their own motivation. I have no doubt this will help them land and excel more smoothly in their careers." - Karen May, PhD
"One of the most refreshing reads on an essential topic.... This book demonstrates the practical and meaningful solutions that arise when researchers honor lived experience." - Leah Mazzola, PhD, Founder/CEO of Youth Coaching Institute
"Can you help me give a sh*t about high school? I want to, but I just don’t."
Sparked by this student’s request, educator and parent Dr. Rebecca Block and undergraduate student Grace Edwards began talking with teens across the country. Students spoke about when and how school fell short and what made the difference when it didn’t.
Can You Help Me Give a Sh*t? shares those stories, alongside research in psychology and education, to explore how to help young people build lasting motivation - not the kind that leads to short, panic-driven bursts of productivity, but the kind that energizes over the long haul.
Don’t wait for systemic changes. Discover engaging stories and practical strategies to empower parents and educators to:
- Build relationships that support sustainable motivation
- Encourage student voice and agency
- Make school feel more relevant
- Manage screens’ impact on motivation
A must-read for anyone invested in rekindling students’ love of learning. Get this book to start making a difference in your teens’ lives today.
