THE MYTH OF LAZINESS: America's Top Learning Expert Shows How Kids—and Parents—Can Become More Productive

Pediatrician Levine, a developmental-behavioral expert, offers theories on why it's so hard for some teenagers—even bright ones—to succeed in school. "Often these individuals absorb and process information well; they learn but they don't produce," he says, adding, "people say glibly that they are not 'living up to their potential.' " Levine prefers the term "output failure" over "laziness." In a series of case studies, he discusses the biological, neurological and psychological factors that may be responsible for "output failure." He focuses on kids challenged by oral and written communication; he believes parents and educators must pay attention to different learning styles rather than simply label a child as lazy. Even fidgeting, according to Levine, may be a plus: "Isn't it odd that kids get criticized for being fidgety when they should be commended for implementing a strategy that significantly elevates their attention?" Despite the thought-provoking theories and discussions of problems such as impairment in the generation of ideas and memory difficulties, only the final chapter, "Cultivating and Restoring Output," offers a broad range of strategies that can be used to remedy such troubles. Still, the advice—e.g., create a home office for kids, document time spent and level of output, adjust expectations—is on target and should help struggling parents. Agent, Lane Zachary. (Jan. 9)

Forecast:Levine's last book, A Mind at a Time, just completed a 22-week run on PW's bestseller list. The success of that book should interest conscientious parents in this new one.