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Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain, Gregory Mone, Erica Moroz2016 | ISBN: 0803740603 | English | 288 pages | EPUB | 5 MBThe monumental bestseller Quiet has been recast in a new edition that empowers introverted kids and teensSusan Cain sparked a worldwide conversation when she published Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. With her inspiring book, she permanently changed the way we see introverts and the way introverts see themselves.The original book focused on the workplace, and Susan realized that a version for and about kids was also badly needed. This book is all about kids’ world—school, extracurriculars, family life, and friendship. You’ll read about actual kids who have tackled the challenges of not being extroverted and who have made a mark in their own quiet way. You’ll hear Susan Cain’s own story, and you’ll be able to make use of the tips at the end of each chapter. There’s even a guide at the end of the book for parents and teachers.This insightful, accessible, and empowering book, illustrated with amusing comic-style art, will be eye-opening to extroverts and introverts alike. Editorial ReviewsPraise for Quiet Power:”Humorous drawings throughout the text add a whimsical and light touch perfect for the intended audience. . . . Many will find value in this title that emphasizes that being an introvert is not a blemish on one’s personality but a benefit. An excellent addition.”—School Library Journal”For kids who want to roar—on the inside.”—BooklistPraise for the original edition of Quiet:”An earnest and enlightening 300-page inquiry into introversion and its uses. A rich, intelligent book.” -The Wall Street Journal“An intriguing and potentially life-altering examination of the human psyche that is sure to benefit both introverts and extroverts alike.”- Kirkus, starred review“Once in a blue moon, a book comes along that gives us startling new insights. QUIET is that book: it will change the way you see yourself, other people, and the world.”—Adam Grant, author of Give and TakeNew York Times BestsellerPublishers Weekly BestsellerKirkus Reviews’ Best Nonfiction of the YearGoodreads Best Nonfiction Book of the YearPeople Magazine Top Ten Books of the YearFast Company Magazine #1 Best Business Book of the YearChristian Science Monitor Best Books of the YearAbout the AuthorSusan Cain is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School. She worked as a corporate lawyer and then a negotiations consultant before deciding to write Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. That book became a phenomenon, translated into more than 35 languages and on the New York Times bestseller list for several years. She lives on the banks of the Hudson River with her husband and two sons. Amazon Top Customer Reviews5.0 out of 5 starsQuiet is strong, too.By Ladybug TOP 500 REVIEWER on April 11, 2016Quote:Man oh man, I wish I had a book like this when I was younger. I grew up in a family that did not accept quiet people. I was always the odd one out, as I preferred a calm and soothing environment to read or think by myself. I hated that the TV was on all the time, that people seemed to be shouting and arguing instead of talking and listening, and, especially, that I was constantly criticized for being too sensitive, too shy, and too reclusive.I, of course, enjoyed reading Susan Cain’s first book, Quiet, but I love that she decided to write another book aimed at a younger audience. I know my childhood experience of being shamed for being “too quiet” isn’t unique. And the judgments you absorb as a child stay with you–sometimes for a lifetime, unfortunately. As a kid, I think I would have given anything to hear someone say that it was okay to, well, be me. And that is what this book gives: acceptance. There is no extrovert-bashing in here (quite the opposite, actually), but the book IS a gentle celebration of all people who prefer to approach life in a slightly more calm and deliberate way.Quiet Power is divided into four sections: School, Socializing, Hobbies, and Home. Each section has several chapters, all pertaining to the main subject of the section. Cain gives a lot of good, practical advice, but she’s never pushy or judgmental. Some of my favorite takeaways from this book:(*) Introverts are good listeners, and they are very focused. This tends to make them good leaders.(*) Find tactics that help you reduce social anxiety: speak up first; speak up last; or sit up front so you don’t have to see others watching you.(*) Pursue causes you are passionate about, since passion tends to override fear.(*) It’s okay to build your alliances slowly and steadily.(*) You don’t grow out of being shy, you grow into it.(*) Stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone, but only so far; on a scale of 1 – 10, your anxiety level should be around 5 – 6.(*) If your kid loves school, but tends to come home and immediately have a meltdown, it might be because she is exhausted by being “on” for the past several hours. Make sure your kid has time to unwind and recharge after big activities. (Um, this was life-changing for our household.)One of the best things about this book is that all this advice isn’t delivered via a lecture; it’s demonstrated through personal stories. Most of the stories come from introverted kids (in middle school through college), but there are some stories from famous adults, as well (e.g., Gandhi, Beyonce, Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates, Eleanor Roosevelt, etc.). All of these people experience different levels of introversion. Some are straight up loners; others become class president. There is a lot of variety, which means just about any introvert is going to be able to read this book and find something useful.Ultimately, Quiet Power is a practical and uplifting resource for introverted kids–and I think it’s a helpful book for adults, too, whether you are introverted or not. It can be so hurtful to not be accepted as a kid, and I think it is worthwhile for adults to understand that quiet kids aren’t weird or broken. They have their own unique way of experiencing the world and expressing themselves, but they add so much to the conversation. We just need to close our mouths, open our ears, and listen.4.0 out of 5 starsEven though it is meant for kids, I think this is a great parent resourceBy SBCincinnati TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on March 8, 2016Quote:I am an extrovert with three (out of 4) introverted children. If you find yourself in this situation, I highly recommend this book. My eldest child probably suffered because I truly did not understand how he functioned as an introvert. Quiet Power gives insight into what it means to be an introvert and practical steps how to function in our world. I very much appreciated the fact that this book does not ask an introvert to change, but rather meet the challenges of life within the framework of their personality. There are times when the author encourages kids to embrace the strength of introversion and other cases where she encourages them to step outside their comfort zone.I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars because it is suppose to be written to kids and teens ages 10 and up. Having passed this book around to my teenage children (who are avid fiction and non-fiction readers) I can tell you that the layout and length of the book did not encourage them to read it through. I ended up reading portions over our dinner table, which kicked off some great discussions. One evening I witnessed the light go on in my youngest and most introverted child as he saw that the way he was created could actually be of benefit to him.The topics covered in this book include what it means to be an introvert at school, in social settings, in outside interests, and at home. Each topic covers what situations are most likely going to feel like to an introvert and how to function well within those environments. I particularly liked times when the author gives introverts ways to succeed in areas that are more difficult for them, like giving a presentation, small talk and leadership.I see myself either using this book as a parenting resource or putting it by my kid’s bedside with pertinent pages marked for them to read at their leisure.4.0 out of 5 starsGood, practical advice for introverted kids and the parents and teachers who care about themBy Bookphile VINE VOICE on April 17, 2016Quote:If you’re an introvert (or an extrovert who wants to better understand the introverts in your life), and you’re unfamiliar with Susan Cain, I recommend reading Quiet as soon as you can. Even though I’ve always known I had introverted tendencies, reading her book helped me understand a lot about myself, and make peace with what I’ve always seen as some of my negative quirks. Now, as a parent, I’ve entered a whole new realm of introvert confusion. My kids are introverted too, but I still find parenting demanding at times because I do get to a point where I’m fried. Cain’s books have helped me to find ways to explain to them when I need some me time, while also figuring out ways to meet their needs, and I’m glad for this adapted version as I think it’ll help my twelve-year-old in particular understand her own needs a little better. The cover states that the book is for kids and teens, but by kids I’d say around 10 and up. I’m not sure younger kids (like my almost seven-year-old) would get as much out of it, but if they read it with a parent, it could be a good vehicle for discussion.Even if your introverted kids are too young for the book, it’s a great read for parents, particularly if you’re an extrovert who has trouble understanding why your child is quiet, has so few friends, and is seemingly shy. Though introverts can, of course, be shy, the two are often mistakenly conflated, particularly in a school setting, so this book may also be helpful for educators and anyone who works with children. Back when I was in school, the structure already leaned toward the extroverted kids, but in today’s world of group work, grouped desks, and schools designed with pods to bring large groups of students together, I think it’s even more important for parents, educators, and administrators to develop a better understanding of why such structures don’t always bring out the best in introverted students. I’ve lost count of the number of times teachers have told me that my daughter is a good student and a nice kid, but that she should talk more in class, and I’ve come to see that as a big, red flag that maybe they don’t get my introverted girl.What I think kids will get out of this book is twofold: assurance that they’re not alone, which is very important, and concrete ideas for how to work with their personality type instead of trying to fight against it and, therefore, exhausting themselves and making themselves unhappy. The book has very good advice for topics ranging from how to participate in school in a way that makes introverted kids comfortable (and how to talk to teachers to help them understand how their needs can be best served) to how to develop and sustain friendships when all you may want to do at times is hide in your room alone with a book.This isn’t what I’d call a “hard” science book in that, while Cain does reference studies, she doesn’t lay them out the way she does in the version targeted to adults. Instead, she provides lots of personal anecdotes from kids from a variety of ages in which they address a particular episode or problematic area and how they went about solving it in a way that satisfied their need for privacy, quiet, and solitude. The framing of the book is very positive, showing kids that though it can be a struggle to be an introvert in a world that leans toward the more extroverted, introverts also possess some deep strengths. By learning how to harness these strengths rather than seeing them as weaknesses (i.e. “I wish your daughter would talk more in class” when, really, she’s too busy listening and working through her own thoughts to be able to articulate on the spot), this book can really empower kids to speak up for themselves and to be sure their own needs are met while also strengthening their bonds with others, whether family, friends, or teachers.The last two sections of the book are targeted at educators and parents. They’re only a few pages long, so they don’t have a great deal of depth, but they do have some good suggestions for how to work with introverted kids. For example, the book suggests that teachers build thinking time into their lessons, giving all kids a chance to consider information they’ve gained and to synthesize it rather than immediately shouting out answers. For parents, she offers some tips for helping their kids navigate their social lives while monitoring their kids’ anxiety levels.The topic of introverts versus extroverts is one that I don’t think gets enough attention, but I understand the reasoning behind it. It makes sense to me that extroverts don’t get why introverts want to sometimes retreat into their caves, and that introverts don’t understand why extroverts are constantly nagging them to go to parties. However, it is possible to reach a happy medium when introverts and extroverts learn how to pool their strengths in order to get the best out of both personality types. I’m heartened by the thought that views may be shifting, sparing my introverted kids from some of the well-meaning but negative consequences I suffered as an introverted child. Had I known how to adopt some of the techniques this book describes, I would likely have been happier both at school and in my social life, because I would have had the tools to express to my friends, teachers, and family members what my needs were.