One of the questions I’m asked most often whenever I get to speak about the Phase Project is this:

What books are you reading?

Well, the real answer is: I’m the mother of two (going on three), with a full-time job. Sometimes I think I’m reading a lot less than people expect. Often I get my inspiration through TED talks, podcasts, magazine articles, and links from twitter. But when it comes to books, there are some incredibly smart and helpful resources that have influenced both my personal thinking and our team’s through the years.

I recently took time to write down the titles of over 120 books that are currently on our “Just a Phase” bookshelf. Those of you who love to read can view the full list (warning: some are literally textbooks, so grab some coffee and a dictionary before you begin). My personal favorites from the list are these:

Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children – Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

Playful Parenting – Lawrence J. Cohen

Hurt 2.: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers – Chap Clark

What’s Going on in There?: How The Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years – Lise Elliot

Secrets of the Teenager Brain – Sheryl G. Feinstein

Mind in the Making: Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs – Ellen Galinsky

Your Child’s Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning from Birth Through Adolescence – Jane Healy

Clark Smart Parents, Clark Smart Kids – Clark Howard & Mark Meltzer

Teach Your Children Well – Madeline Levine

The Blessing of a B Minus – Wendy Mogel, Ph.D.

The Blessing of a Skinned Knew – Wendy Mogel, PH.D.

Not Much Just Chillin’ The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers – Linda Perlstein

How to Raise a Child with a High EQ – Lawrence Shapiro 

The Whole-brained Child – Daniel J. Siegel

Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey – Catherine Stonehouse

How Children Succeed – Paul Tough

Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14 – Chip Wood

One of my favorite things to get in my inbox are new reading suggestions. What are some of the books, articles, or talks that have inspired you to work with kids and teens?

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Kristen Ivy

Executive Director of Messaging & Director of The Phase Project

Kristen earned her Bachelors of Education from Baylor University in 2004 and a Master of Divinity from Mercer University in 2009. Before beginning her career at Orange in 2006, she worked as a high school Biology and English teacher, where she learned firsthand the importance of influencing the next generation. Kristen and her husband Matt are currently parenting through the phases with a Kindergartener (Sawyer), a preschooler (Hensley), and her own “Zero to One” baby (Raleigh).

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