Ruben, Marina Koestler. How To Tutor Your Own Child: Boost Grades and Inspire a Lifelong Love of Learning–Without Paying for a Professional Tutor. Ten Speed: Crown Pub. Group. Aug. 2011. c.208p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781607740278. pap. $13.99. ED. Copyright © 2011 Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

This book is for parents interested in providing holistic learning opportunities for their children. Ruben advocates the importance of “parent-tutoring” as an effective supplement to regular education, and she derives many examples from her experiences as a professional tutor. She begins with tips to engage children in the learning process and proceeds to ideas to make education fun and creative. Parent tutors are also encouraged to model a love of learning for their students. In “Tutor Toolboxes,” Ruben recommends everything from mnemonic devices to organizing learning spaces and materials to, most important, encouraging reluctant children. Each chapter ends with a “Tutor Take-Away” table that summarizes the section. Parents with teens will be most interested in the final part of the book, which focuses on how to adjust educational approaches for adolescents. VERDICT Parents who have trouble motivating their children will find this book (which considers K-12 students, with a particular focus on teens) useful and will appreciate Ruben’s organization and chapter summations; parents of children with special needs or disabilities should look elsewhere.