Brains That Work a Little Bit Differently

Rating:
Summary: From Kliatt, Volume 34 Number 6, November 2000
Review: This informative and entertaining book about recent discoveries surrounding ten types of brain abnormality is the result of collaboration between a Ph.D in cognitive science and the founding editor of Games magazine, Bragdon and Gamon look at topics that will interest most readers (and personally touch many): ADHD alcoholism, autism, dèjá vu, dyslexia, handedness, perfect pitch, photographic memory, seasonal affective disorder, and synesthesia. Sidebars, whimsical illustrations, brain diagrams, reader "tests", and "where to learn more" sections at the end of each chapter all make the book reader friendly and enticing. Although the book is aimed at older readers -especially teachers and parents(e.g., the section on photographic memory contains a visual test entitled, "Is your child and eidetiker?") some middle schoolers will be intrigued by pertinent sections. (This reviewer's 6th-grade son, a lefty, was fascinated by the section on southpaws-although mildly disturbed by the notion that left-handedness is due to an atypical brain condition.) While presenting lots of fun facts, the book also manages to convey a great deal of solid brain research.

-Gloria Levine, Freelance Education Writer, Potomac MD Kliatt, Volume 34 Number 6, November 2000