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What's Going on in There?: The Neuroscience of the Adolescent Brain
When puberty hits and our young people seem to change overnight, it can feel overwhelming and hard to navigate. What is Going on in There? explains what is happening in the teenage brain, using clear, relatable language backed by neuroscience.
Adolescence is the most intense period of brain development since early childhood. This book breaks down the huge physical and chemical changes happening beneath the surface, including shifts in dopamine, facial recognition, hormones and more, helping you make sense of our young person’s behaviour.
Behaviours that seem ‘moody’, ‘avoidant’ or ‘reckless’ can be reframed as biological responses to intense change. Understanding this stage as a temporary, essential upgrade allows us to respond with more empathy and less confusion.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, teacher or youth worker, this book will help you stay calm, stay connected and support the incredible development unfolding in front of you.
The better we support this stage, the better the outcome. For them, and for us.
Adolescence is the most intense period of brain development since early childhood. This book breaks down the huge physical and chemical changes happening beneath the surface, including shifts in dopamine, facial recognition, hormones and more, helping you make sense of our young person’s behaviour.
Behaviours that seem ‘moody’, ‘avoidant’ or ‘reckless’ can be reframed as biological responses to intense change. Understanding this stage as a temporary, essential upgrade allows us to respond with more empathy and less confusion.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, teacher or youth worker, this book will help you stay calm, stay connected and support the incredible development unfolding in front of you.
The better we support this stage, the better the outcome. For them, and for us.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 4, 2026
A good book with lots of practical ideas about raising kids through their adolescent phase.
However, the content is purely unreferenced statements and various examples from the authors own parenting experience.
In a book subtitled "The Neuroscience of the Adolescent Brain" I would have expected some type of reference list, or bibliography, or appendix of sources, just any kind of backup for the science statements I was reading.
I mean sure, the author seems legit, but it is a big ask to expect me just to beleive all of this material verbatim. It also makes it difficult to pass the information in the book to others who may benefit from it when they ask "where is the science behind that?"
Still, it is a good read for practical advice.
In summary:
1. Don't fly off the handle.
2. Kids disowning you for a few years is natural.
3. It is your parental mission to raise them well, not be their best friend.
However, the content is purely unreferenced statements and various examples from the authors own parenting experience.
In a book subtitled "The Neuroscience of the Adolescent Brain" I would have expected some type of reference list, or bibliography, or appendix of sources, just any kind of backup for the science statements I was reading.
I mean sure, the author seems legit, but it is a big ask to expect me just to beleive all of this material verbatim. It also makes it difficult to pass the information in the book to others who may benefit from it when they ask "where is the science behind that?"
Still, it is a good read for practical advice.
In summary:
1. Don't fly off the handle.
2. Kids disowning you for a few years is natural.
3. It is your parental mission to raise them well, not be their best friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2026
Kathryn writes in such a clear and empathetic way. She covers the neuroscience in lay man’s terms, making it so easy to understand. I would highly recommend this book for parents, teachers and anyone who works with adolescents.
January 24, 2026
an informative and easy essential read for parents nearing the adolescence phase of parenting
February 4, 2026
Do you have a teenager at home, or work with them at work?
Putting your trust in the process of growing up is all well and good, if you understand what the process is. This book explains what it happening in a way which even an adolescent can understand.
Kathryn freely shares her knowledge and viewpoint. Taking a very complex topic (The brain!) and providing a way for people like me to understand and ponder on what it means to be an adolescent.
I am sure that what I have read is going to help me use fewer stern words and more supportive ones in the future.
Putting your trust in the process of growing up is all well and good, if you understand what the process is. This book explains what it happening in a way which even an adolescent can understand.
Kathryn freely shares her knowledge and viewpoint. Taking a very complex topic (The brain!) and providing a way for people like me to understand and ponder on what it means to be an adolescent.
I am sure that what I have read is going to help me use fewer stern words and more supportive ones in the future.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews