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The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Frances E. Jensen (Author, Narrator), Amy Ellis Nutt (Author), Tavia Gilbert (Narrator),
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,865 ratings
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Drawing on her research, knowledge, and clinical experience, internationally respected neurologist--and mother of two boys--Frances E. Jensen, MD, offers a revolutionary look at the adolescent brain, providing remarkable insights that translate into practical advice both for parents and teenagers.

Driven by the assumption that brain growth was almost complete by the time a child reached puberty, scientists believed for many years that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one--only with fewer miles on it. Over the last decade, however, neurology and neuroscience have revealed that the teen years encompass vitally important stages of brain development.

Motivated by her experience of parenting two teenagers, renowned neurologist Frances E. Jensen, MD, gathers what we've discovered about adolescent brain functioning and wiring and, in this groundbreaking, accessible audiobook, explains how these eye-opening findings not only dispel commonly held myths about teens but also yield practical suggestions for adults and teenagers negotiating the mysterious and magical world of adolescent biology.

Interweaving clear summary and analysis of research data with anecdotes drawn from her years as a clinician, researcher, and public speaker, Dr. Jensen explores adolescent brain functioning and development in the context of learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision making. Examining data connecting substance use to lingering memory issues and sometimes a lower adult IQ, The Teenage Brain explains why teenagers are not as resilient to the effects of drugs as we previously thought; reveals how multitasking impacts learning ability and concentration; and examines the consequences of stress on mental health during and beyond adolescence.

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  1. Listening Length
    9 hours and 1 minute
  2. Author
    Frances E. Jensen, see all
  3. Narrator
    Tavia Gilbert, see all
  4. Audible release date
    January 30, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B00SZAJPC6
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 9 hours and 1 minute
Author Frances E. Jensen, Amy Ellis Nutt
Narrator Tavia Gilbert, Frances E. Jensen
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 30, 2015
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00SZAJPC6
Best Sellers Rank #13,651 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#19 in Parenting Teenagers (Audible Books & Originals)
#58 in Medical General Psychology
#62 in Parenting Teenagers (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,865 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and informative. They appreciate the useful information and scientific explanations provided about teenagers and their behaviors. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it intriguing and interesting, while others feel it's sensationalistic and patronizing.

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Information qualityReadabilityPacing
175 customers mention "Information quality"157 positive18 negative

Customers find the book provides useful information about neuroscience and teenagers. They appreciate the scientific explanations and how the subject matter is broken down into information anyone can read. The book makes a lot of practical sense to them, using biological evidence and anecdotal evidence to explain how teens think.

"This was an amazing read. Very insightful and full of useful knowledge...." Read more

"...I appreciate the scientific explanations behind all the things happening in teen brains...." Read more

"Very good explanation of processes accompanying the development of a teenager from an expert in the field. Well written, easy to understand...." Read more

"...I was pleasantly surprised in the way the subject matter was broken down into information that anyone could read...." Read more

175 customers mention "Readability"167 positive8 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They say it's well-written and informative for parents of teenagers. The narration is good and the content is clear.

"This was an amazing read. Very insightful and full of useful knowledge...." Read more

"...a scientist, writes this book in a manner that is wholly accessible to parents of all ages, backgrounds, and education levels...." Read more

"...Well written, easy to understand. Appropriate examples provided for illustration...." Read more

"...He's now 23 and doing fine. I still remind him every chance I have to mind his frontal lobes to which he smiles and lets me enjoy the moment...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it intriguing and unexpected, with interesting insights into mood swings and craving for novelty. Others feel the author relies too much on anecdotes and opinions, which some readers found sensationalistic and egotistical.

"...the layperson, but packed with fantastic information so useful and unexpected that it will take your breath away!..." Read more

"This Dr. bragged about accolades and dragged out egotistical topics irrelevant to the area of study...." Read more

"...information that was given early on in the book, I found it really intriguing but I found the author personal anecdotes to be a little tedious and..." Read more

"...The particularly interesting twist to my childhood compared to today's child is the stress in their young lives & the horrific level of strong &..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Isabella
    5.0 out of 5 stars read this for a college class
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was an amazing read. Very insightful and full of useful knowledge. I needed this for a class and we read most of the book for one of my psychology courses. I would recommend for anyone who has a teen in their life.
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  • Nicole S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for ALL Parents and Teachers!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The Teenage Brain by Frances E. Jensen is a rollercoaster read. My emotions were all over the place. As a mom to a 10-year-old, I can honestly say I feel overwhelmed by what is to come. And. if I'm honest, what is already here. I highly recommend this book to parents with kids of ALL ages. In fact, if you are a parent of young kids, get this book immediately so you are better prepared for what your kids will go through as teens. I appreciate the scientific explanations behind all the things happening in teen brains. I really like how Jensen, a scientist, writes this book in a manner that is wholly accessible to parents of all ages, backgrounds, and education levels. This book makes sense even when it's discussing technical science and physiology. The info in this book will stick with me LONG after having read the final page. I do recommend purchasing a physical copy of this book so you can take notes and mark pages. You will definitely want to come back to this book as your kids grow and mature. Overall, this is a truly excellent text. One I think all parents AND teachers must read.

    I purchased a physical copy of this book via Amazon.com on May 1, 2022, in order to read and review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • SBV
    4.0 out of 5 stars Much needed explanations of transformations in the brain in teenagers, could have provided more on differences between teenagers
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Very good explanation of processes accompanying the development of a teenager from an expert in the field. Well written, easy to understand. Appropriate examples provided for illustration. In addition to details about the development of the brain, covers most topics around the subject such as drug abuse, juvenile crime, and others. The main shortcoming in this reader's opinion is that it treats teenagers as one monolithic body of people, and describes every one on the same basis. The differences between teenagers going through the same journey are not explained. All humans go through the teenage years. Some find it difficult, some really suffer and develop mental health problems, and others skate through with relative ease. The causes of these differences and how to address them are not provided any coverage. This is what would be of most importance to the target audience of such a book. Also, the book is light on what to do in case of trouble, which is understandable given its main focus. The interested parent would like to know what to do in case of trouble, in situations that require more than an understanding parent, a receptive ear, and genuine concern, especially in cases where the teenager is beyond the stage when he or she is interested in having a conversation with the parent without it degenerating into major arguments and worse. But overall, a very good contribution to the field.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Jackie of Sweetwater
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book to read when my teenage grandson was having some behavioral and emotional issues. I read it myself and then got him to sit with me while I went back over it and showed him some key points on the developing teen brain and the effects of maturing of the brain through puberty. It was all I myself could do to help him through this period in his life. He didn't exactly share my enthusiasm at the time but sat and listened anyway. I think it helped him and we still joke about those times to this day. He's now 23 and doing fine. I still remind him every chance I have to mind his frontal lobes to which he smiles and lets me enjoy the moment. He's doing well now thank goodness. I WISH SO MUCH that public high schools would teach a course on the information in this book. It would more than likely help many teens AND THEIR PARENTS to get through the turbulent puberty phase.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • public name
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book! A must read for any parent....
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I was quite impressed with this book, and found it amazingly articulate from both a science and parent perspective. This book was mentioned by my neurologist at CHOP in a way to describe a "frontal concussion" that my 9 year old son had sustained. With being in the medical field and specializing in adult surgical/trauma/neurosurgery nursing for 10 years, and also raising a 14 year old daughter, I was quickly interested in the subject matter.

    I expected to dig into a science book filled with all the aspects of the brain which is a subject I love to read. I was pleasantly surprised in the way the subject matter was broken down into information that anyone could read. The statistics and personal experiences made this book a must have for anyone raising a child.

    In the one week that I have had this book, I was able to understand my son's injury and his lack of impulse control. I have discussed this book in parts with my daughter, and utilized some of the suggestions. In just a short time, my daughter and I have had full discussions about her brain development, and remarked how I "understand her" now. My daughter has expressed how she realizes she has impulses and does not like the lack of control. Understanding that it is her brain developing has gave her a sense of relief, and she has begun to read this herself in hopes to understand how she is growing.

    The subject matter on the brain is endless, and neurology is such an amazing field. I enjoyed the facts and statistics, and liked how it stayed on topic. In each of these chapters there was potential to take it in so many different directions with regards to the brain. I was quite impressed that such a complex subject matter was creatively articulated for both parents and medical professions.

    I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it for anyone who is raising a teenager.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • M. A. foster
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mind by
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024
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    As a 60 something father of a 15 year old girl the information in this book is invaluable. Highly recommend any parent of a teenager should read it. It should also be required reading for all 9th graders as part of freshman health class!
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sophie
    5.0 out of 5 stars They are not crazy and here is why
    Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Good book! Gives you a scientific explanation of why your kid is actually not crazy. It explains the adolescent brain development and gives you a timeline of when you should see the light (spoiler alert: when he is 26(!!!) years old!) I couldn't figure out how my straight A son who is a university student now could do so many outrages things or couldn't figure out some very common sense things. The book explained it clearly.
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  • Shashi Kant Thapliyal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for Parents
    Reviewed in India on October 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Must for parents, teachers and teenagers themselves....
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  • David
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on this topic!
    Reviewed in Germany on March 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Now I understand much better why my teenage daughter acts like she acts and can better deal with the different situations.
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  • Keith Binding
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting and useful read for parents/carers
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A fascinating and accessible journey through the neuroscience of the teenage and young adult mind. The book is aimed at helping one understand the challenges and difficulties that young people may encounter as their brain develops and matures. Although it does not offer strategies or advice on how to deal with the inevitable challenges of raising teenagers, it's a really enjoyable read and one that I suspect one would come back to again and again as a reference source.
    Although the author says in the introduction that she wrote the book for both parents/carers and teenagers it's undoubtedly written for the former. A version of this great book written specifically for teens and young adults would, I think,be great, and help them both understand and better deal with the challenges of growing up.
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  • Zaheeruddin B.
    1.0 out of 5 stars Dont know
    Reviewed in Japan on April 27, 2020
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    Dont know
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