You’re Smarter Than You Think: A Kid’s Guide to Multiple Intelligences

In 1983 Harvard education professor Dr. Howard Gardner challenged the commonly accepted notion of intelligence when he proposed his Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner believed that there are at least eight areas of intelligence, maybe more. Unfortunately, many of them are not measured by traditional standardized IQ tests, which primarily measure verbal and mathematical ability.

Author Thomas Armstrong has studied this theory for several years and has written extensively on the subject. However, this book was written specifically for young people.   Armstrong believes that everyone exhibits varying degrees of all of the intelligences that Gardner proposed. We are strong in some and need to work on developing others, which can be a lifelong project.

Overall this is a very positive uplifting book that encourages young people to explore and nurture their abilities and talents without trepidation. In my opinion it should be mandatory reading for middle school students as they embark on their career exploration paths.