"This highly readable and engaging book encourages school leaders, families, and community members to unite in providing kids with building blocks for success." --The American School Board Journal "In this sweeping and imaginative treatise, Peter Benson addresses the most pressing question of our day: How can we make our society into a more wholesome environment for raising young people? Benson takes us several giant steps toward finding a workable solution for the problem of how to restore community for youngsters throughout our society. Everyone interested in the future of youth in our society should read this valuable book." --William Damon, professor, Brown University "At a time when too many are criticizing students, families, and schools, this volume redirects attention to students' skills, talents, promise, and possibilities. Peter Benson provides a useful vocabulary--developmental assets--and a comprehensive blueprint to strengthen families, schools, and communities." --Joyce L. Epstein, director, Center on School, Family and Community Partnerships, Johns Hopkins University "This thoughtful book should be read by anyone--parents, youth workers, ministers, community leaders, and policymakers--concerned about the future of America's children and the vitality of communities which they love." --Emmy Werner, University of California, Davis, author of Overcoming the Odds "Peter Benson presents a compelling and creative vision for promoting the positive development of youth and, in so doing, provides decision makers with a powerful means to develop new policies and programs that can enhance the life chances of young people across the diverse communities of our nation." --Richard M. Lerner, professor and director, Center for Child, Family, and Community Partnerships, Boston College "Peter Benson presents a compelling vision for child and adolescent development. It represents a national call to action and offers a prescription for the kind of social change needed to implement the vision." --Karen Pittman, director of programs, International Youth Foundation, Baltimore, MD "An essential guidebook for every community--Peter Benson show us how to create positive and responsive environments for today's young people--involving parents and a wide range of community resources in a rational research-based approach to planning and implementation." --Joy Dryfoos, author of Adolescents at Risk (1991) and Full-Service Schools (1994) "This well-documented title details how members of a community working together can create a more positive environment for raising healthy children....This title is a valuable asset to any library reevaluating their role within their community or for those creating their mission statement for the first time." --Voice of Youth Advocates
