LAUSR

G researched foundation from which an authority on a topic began. It pays to be vigilant for those moments when, for example, an empirically grounded grand rounds presentation turns into grandiose rounds. This is particularly true of books. Over hundreds of pages, readers can easily find themselves swayed by advice that starts close to “the evidence” but, again without the author making note of it, draws more and more on the writer’s opinion. Often this means explaining all phenomena in a manner that fits with the author’s strong central thesis. It can be difficult to find books that offer advice to parents that avoid the trap of moving from fact to—if you’ll pardon the neologism— factpinion. This month our reviewers address precisely this concern as they reflect on books about adolescent risk-taking, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epigenetics, and screen time. The reviewers note, in different ways, that the authors of these three works avoid bombast and submit that parents may find peace of mind in their pages. First, academic pediatrician Suzy Tomopoulos provides her perspective on National Public Radio lead education blogger, Anya Kamenetz’s The Art of Screen Time. Tomopoulos lauds Kamenetz’s effort as being by no means heavy-handed, but instead delightfully delicate, a foundation which parents may “find a media strategy that will work for their own family.” Kamenetz’s main advice is similar to what Michael Pollan has said of food: “Enjoy screens; not too much, mostly together.” In her review of Jess Shatkin’s Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe, neuroscientist Anita Cservenka appreciates the way the author announces his methodology in combining “personal experiences and relatable stories to explain how underlying