Gregory L. Jantz, Ph.D with Ann McMurray
David C. Cook, 2011, 240 pp., $14.99
There is certainly no lack of books purporting to help parents understand their teenagers, but Gregory Jantz’ The Stranger is Your House delivers. Jantz not only offers detailed information in the ranges of psychology, sociology and medicine, but he presents it all in a highly readable and practical manner. Every aspect of a teenager’s life and thought is explored here with narrated accounts that will bring understanding and hope to any parent who has asked: “Who is this stranger in my house?”
This is an accessible book and contains throughout eye-catching lists of adolescent behaviors, common difficulties and parental helps. In many ways, this book could be regarded as a concise encyclopedia on adolescence.
Parents also will appreciate this book because it does not offer quick solutions or stereotypical advice of the soft variety. Rather, Jantz helps parents engage in the struggle of parenting and provides sound advice that is never preachy or spiritually diminutive. This is a rich book full of current, yet down-to-earth guidance any parent would find informative and helpful.
