What Makes You So Special?

Guiding youngsters toward an understanding of themselves and others, LeShan ( When Grownups Drive You Crazy ) treats her audience with considerable respect in discussing mature subjects without resorting to psychological jargon. In exploring the ways in which genes and environment relate to individuality, LeShan acknowledges that youngsters may not want to be different and often commends what parents fault, e.g., daydreaming. Using her own life experiences (different, certainly, in contrast to today's more tumultuous times), common tenets such as the need for family connection nonetheless emerge. Many of her examples of children's backgrounds are engrossing and extraordinary: separated twins, a Southeast Asian refugee, children living in cars. Unfortunately the cases often plop on top of one another and children may have trouble grasping the various points. Still, LeShan's compassion is evident as she encourages children to find their way to friendship with themselves. Bibliography. Ages 10-up. (June)