Range (Adapted for Young Readers): How Exploring Your Interests Can Change the World

by David Epstein

Now adapted for young readers, David Epstein's #1 New York Times bestseller Range is full of inspiring stories of athletes, musicians, artists, and scientists, determining that excellence and expertise is built off of trying many things rather than specializing at a young age.

For years, experts have been saying that to become the best at something, one must focus on that skill and only that skill for thousands of hours. But recent research has shown that this school of thought is not necessarily true.

In Range, David Epstein carefully examines the world’s most successful people and discovers that in most fields—especially those that are complex and unpredictable— by far the greatest athletes, artists, musicians, and scientists are those who have garnered a wide skillset beginning at a young age, not those who specialized early in one skill.

Carefully adapted for young readers, this book follows inspirational stories of athletes, artists, scientists, and other accomplished adults across many disciplines and provides you with the tools to tap into your limitless potential. How will you expand your range?

This is an accessible and fun social sciences book, with fun behind-the-scenes stories of incredible achievers and their accomplishments, perfect for sports fans and those trying to find their path.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and of the New York Times bestseller The Sports Gene. His next book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better, will be published on May 5, 2026. He has master's degrees in environmental science and journalism and has worked as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and investigative reporter for ProPublica.

Reviews

[Marissa Moravec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read with your middle schooler. It explains why you don't have to decide what you're going to do when you grow up when you're still so young. It is great to try a variety of things and that failure is important.

[Christy Gould · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. It made me think, for sure. I’m not sure I agree 100% with every premise, but I posed some of the main points at the dinner table and had a great discussion with my kids.

[Elena Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Range (Adapted for Young Readers): How Exploring Your Interests Can Change the World encourages young people to explore different interests and develop a broad range of skills rather than feeling pressured to specialize early. David Epstein draws on research and stories of accomplished people across multiple disciplines to offer a fresh perspective on learning and achievement.

The book’s strength lies in its engaging combination of inspiring examples and accessible social-science insights. By showing how varied experiences can contribute to success, it encourages curiosity, experimentation, and confidence in discovering an individual path. Its emphasis on exploring possibilities makes the message relevant to young readers navigating education, hobbies, and future ambitions.

At 208 pages, this hardcover edition may appeal to students, parents, educators, coaches, and young readers interested in personal development, sports, creativity, and learning. Adapted from Epstein’s #1 New York Times bestseller, Range offers an encouraging reminder that potential can grow through exploration and openness to new experiences.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this adaptation of his bestselling book RANGE, author David Epstein lays out a variety of examples that show young readers how a breadth of experiences may result in more success than a singular focus or specialization. Profiles of individuals from fields including athletics, art, sciences, and engineering show how trying different things and experiencing both successes and failures led them to significant achievements. Featuring a diverse range of individuals and with guiding questions at the end of each section, this book offers plenty for middle and high school students to think about as they consider possibilities for their future.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author explores the idea that it is more beneficial to explore many different interests instead of specializing in one. Very interesting stories from a variety of famous people in their youth. From the inventor of Nintendo's Game Boy to Kepler's scientific discoveries to Serena William's tennis prowess. I'm going to have to find the Adult version of this book and read it too!

[Elizabeth Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll be recommending to my middle and high school readers. High school upperclassmen especially would benefit as they are trying to navigate the stress of choosing a college and career, but also athletes, musicians, and kids who just don’t know what they are good at yet.

[Viola Kate · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my preteens and it was okay. I do like the encouragement for multi-interested students, as that's what all of my kids are, but the book itself was kind of dry and repetitive. It gave me renewed confidence to let my kids try new things, though!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Range was recommended by Ryan Holliday as a parenting book and I saw this adaptation on Libby. I think

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-I kind of wish I learned some of this when I was in high school. Some examples were more interesting than others.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broader experience and learning allows for exploration, better learning (when it's hard your brain works better and remembers better!), creativity, and play, which leads to longer interest.

[Windi Astuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perks of being a specialist generalist.