THE ART OF GROWING UP

A gripping and ambitious manifesto on the current state of parenting and childhood, from Australia's best-selling YA author of all time, John Marsden -- also a long-time, passionate educator.

Marsden says what many people (including professionals in the relevant fields) think privately but feel they can't express publicly in the current climate and culture that has taken hold: that what he calls "toxic parenting" results in children who "are exposed to too much and experience too little," and that the educated middle-classes, who are particularly afflicted, "don't just love their children, but are in love with them."

Using compelling anecdotal stories from his own leadership experience in education to support his assertions about what constitutes effective parenting, Marsden makes a strong case for the importance of literature in helping to nurture well-rounded children and young adults, and for the rule that schools can play in supporting children to be more resilient, engaged and inclusive. He strikes a much-needed balance between the styles of parenting that have been categorized as either liberal/progressive or conservative/traditional. A sampling of advice he offers includes:
- Give children the space to get bored (it fosters creativity)
- Always be the adult in the room (otherwise children may try to be, and this is harmful)
- Teach children empathy (remind them that when they win, this means someone else lost)
- Ask open-ended questions (to allow them to think analytically and develop language skills)
- Ensure children have regular jobs at home
- Be careful not to complain too much (it may instill a fear of growing up)
- Teach children to be wary of know-it-alls (it is important to learn early on that truth often comes in shades of grey)

A thoroughly thought-provoking and exquisitely written book, THE ART OF GROWING UP forces an important discussion about parenting and education in the present and the future. These complicated, uncomfortable conversations have elicited strong reactions and crucial debates from different ends of the ideological spectrum in Australia. And it has the potential to make a similar impact in other territories.

John Marsden is a multiple award-winning author, as well a school principal in Australia. He has written or edited over 40 books and has sold over five million books throughout the world, and has his work published into over 14 languages. His landmark Tomorrow series is recognized as the most popular book series for young adults ever published in Australia. The first book of this series, Tomorrow When The War Began, has been reprinted 26 times in Australia. The book series has also been made into a popular television series and movie, currently available on Netflix and Amazon.