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Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D.

Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D.

New York Times Bestselling Author and International Speaker

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    • Hopes and Fears
    • Homesick and Happy
    • Raising Cain
    • It’s a Boy
    • Best Friends, Worst Enemies
    • Speaking of Boys
    • The Pressured Child
    • Finding the Heart of the child
    • Mom, They’re Teasing Me
    • Raising Cain (Video)
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Quote

Hopes and Fears Quote: Donna Orem, President of NAIS

MT · Oct 23, 2023 ·

“What I loved most is that this book leads with empathy and is filled with practical information.  I was so drawn in, I finished it in one sitting.”

Homesick and Happy Quote: Ned Hallowell

web360 · Apr 28, 2012 ·

Both a sublime elegy on the pleasures of camp and an indispensable guide to drawing the most from those indelible days, this unique book grips like a novel and instructs like an authoritative text. Michael Thompson pours his heart into these pages, along with his unsurpassed wisdom about children and their parents. An instant classic.

Understanding Independent School Parents Quote: Rob Evans

web360 · Apr 28, 2012 ·

This is an essential guide for building and sustaining effective relationships with today’s independent school parents. Clear, thoughtful, and full of practical wisdom from start to finish, it is an ideal guide for educators at all levels.

Raising Cain Video Quote: Rob Bracco

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

This excellent documentary is a real eye-opener and does an effective job pointing out the issues many parents do not feel comfortable talking about, nor understand how to address. Raising Cain is highly recommended to any parent, particularly those that are raising boys.

The Pressured Child Quote: Perri Klass

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

A direct, compassionate, and tremendously honest book about the issues that really shape children’s lives. Through his own wise and helpful insights, Michael Thompson makes us remember, visualize, and understand the emotional, social, and educational complexities of the school universe in which our children live and grow and, often, struggle. This is a book for parents who truly want to understand and truly want to help–compelling, reassuring, and valuable.

The Pressured Child Quote: Rachel Simmons

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

Michael Thompson has written a very special book. For all parents who feel helpless because they no longer understand their children’s daily struggle, The Pressured Child is a true gift, helping us to see life through young people’s eyes. With the trenchant insights that only Michael Thompson can offer, he takes us along for a ride that few adults have ever known.

The Pressured Child Quote: Anthony Wolf

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

Michael Thompson’s depiction of the inner life of today’s stressed kids is remarkable–poignant but also very sobering. Any parents who read this book are going to look at themselves and their kids in a whole new way. This is a book that can make a real difference in the lives of today’s kids.

The Pressured Child Quote: Edward Hallowell

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

The Pressured Child brilliantly reclaims childhood for children. Read this book, follow its advice, and you will reharmonize what has become a cacophonous childhood for many in this country. This book pierces to the heart with its arresting insights, its captivating anecdotes, and its spot-on advice.

The Pressured Child Quote: Mary Pipher

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

This readable, sensible book helps us see schools through the eyes of our children. Thompson is compassionate, wise, and well informed. He broadens our thinking about that important question, ‘Is my child doing well in school?’

Raising Cain Quote: Eleanor Maccoby

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

Raising Cain is an important book and a fascinating read. Kindlon and Thompson are persuasive in their argument that it would be good for boys to become more ’emotionally literate,’ to understand their feeling and those of others more. Parents and teachers will welcome the valuable suggestions for how to stay tuned in to a boy, while respecting his autonomy. Raising Cain gives us a much-needed glimpse into the inner lives of boys. I found it quite absorbing.

Speaking of Boys Quote: Boston Globe

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

With humor, insight, compassion, Thompson has written a parental guide…. Speaking of Boys is a celebration not only of the complex inner lives of boys, but a reaffirmation of what it means to take on the world’s most important job: being a parent.

Finding the Heart of the Child Quote: Peter Relic

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

This collection of essays is comforting in its authenticity, the insight and empathy so palpable that we are moved to say, ‘That’s really the way it is; that happened to me!’ Then the moment we feel reassured, and another essay startles us, with themes and behavior almost too painful to contemplate. From the frightening to the hopeful, from pretentions to the security of sensible places and secure relationships, Finding the Heart of the Child is reading for anyone who cares about children and families, schools, and society.

Finding the Heart of the Child Quote: Priscilla Vail

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

This book is Ariadne’s thread through the labyrinths of human emotion and needs. The reader can trust the two author guides who laid this thread through the maze, to the very center, and back out again. Delicate and strong, questioning and answering, this collection of essays offers insights to its readers, solace to its subjects, and delight to those who care about people and prose.

Mom, They’re Teasing Me Quote: Anthony Wolf

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

What a wonderful and helpful book. It is right on target dealing with a very difficult issue – one that all parents confront – in a truly sensitive and intelligent manner. Above all, Michael Thompson and Lawrence Cohen give answers – why it happens and what to do about it. I was really impressed by their ability to make helpful sense out of a truly difficult part of child-raising.

Mom, They’re Teasing Me Quote: Freddie Greenberg

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

Few parenting challenges compare to helping a kid cope with teasing or being left out. With empathy and understanding, Mom, They’re Teasing Me gives parents age-by-age information and practical advice to guide and comfort kids through every stage of their so-called social lives.

Mom, They’re Teasing Me Quote: Edward Hallowell

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

Once again Michael Thompson, Lawrence Cohen, and Catherine O’Neill Grace have reached into the hearts and minds of children and parents and given us deeply needed advice, reassurance, and good news. They show us how to deal with some of the most painful moments of childhood and, not only survive them, but thrive. Michael Thompson combines the knowledge and wisdom of a brilliant psychologist with the heart and love of an experienced parent. This much-needed book is a true gem.

Best Friends/Worst Enemies Quote: Ron Taffel

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

Michael Thompson has hit another home run. Best Friends, Worst Enemies does everyone a tremendous service by helping parents and educators understand more about a child’s social relationships-what we think kids ought to innately know. Read this book.

Best Friends/Worst Enemies Quote: Edward Hallowell

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

This book is a gem, and we badly need a gem of a book on this topic. Now, at last, we have a book that brings parents, teachers, and all of us who are concerned about children the knowledge we need on this both heart-wrenching and confusing topic. Warmly written, this book draws upon extensive research, but presents its findings simply and directly. This book is both practical and moving, both research-based and filled with stories, both up-to-date and rooted in old-fashioned wisdom, both informative and exciting. This is an enormously helpful book, which you will enjoy reading!

Best Friends/Worst Enemies Quote: Robie Harris

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

Thompson’s unique and deep understanding of why friendship is a crucial aspect of healthy development makes this a groundbreaking book a ‘best friend’ and ‘must-read’ for every parent, teacher, and counselor.

Best Friends/Worst Enemies Quote: Mary Pipher

web360 · Apr 26, 2012 ·

The stories in this book come from many perspectives – those of therapists, educators, and parents. The wise, kind authors give us a fresh and cogent analysis of this critically important issue. I recommend Best Friends, Worst Enemies to all those who work with and love kids.

It’s a Boy Quote: Edward M. Hallowell, M.D.

web360 · Apr 25, 2012 ·

Bringing together the latest research and the mosst timeless knowledge and wisdom, this monumental book is unique, invaluable, and urgently important. Any person who cares about boys must own this book, as it addresses every relevant question and provides not only authoritative answers but also comfort, warmth, enthusiasm, and spark. What a truly amazing achievement, what a gift Dr. Thompson has given us all.

It’s a Boy Quote: Robie H. Harris

web360 · Apr 25, 2012 ·

Wise, sensible, accessible, useful—this is the must-have book that all parents of boys will want and need to turn to as their child grows from a baby to an adolescent. Illuminated by Thompson’s years of experience working with boys and their families, this book is chock-full of new insights and the latest science about the ages and stages of boys’ development. It’s a Boy! is a book that parents, educators, health professionals, and policy makers will go back to again and again and each time come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of why ‘boys will be boys.’

It’s a Boy Quote: Ron Taffel, Ph.D.

web360 · Apr 25, 2012 ·

Michael Thompson has gradually earned his place as the Warren Buffet of child rearing, the real deal. His track record of uncanny timing, his hard-won knowledge, common sense, and humanism have resonated with parents everywhere. Now there is a desperate need to understand our boys more deeply; there is a palpable hunger to learn how to handle our sons better. It’s a Boy! does both in a way not seen before. It’s a Boy! will help your son to feel more loved, understood, and effecitvely guided by you—forever.

It’s a Boy Quote: Patrick F. Bassett

web360 · Apr 25, 2012 ·

Spectacular, extraordinary insight, enriched by countless poignant and telling stories of boys and their parents and teachers. It’s a Boy! is an immensely helpful navigational chart for steering through the shoals of a boy’s developmental stages.

It’s a Boy Quote: Michael Gurian

web360 · Apr 25, 2012 ·

It’s a Boy! Is a powerful guide to raising a son in today’s world. Filled with stories from the front lines and practical advice, it is gentle and compassionate, yet also moving and beautifully. The heart of a boy beats in every page.

Raising Cain Quote: Publishers Weekly

web360 · Apr 25, 2012 ·

Enormously Compelling… In much the same way that Reviving Ophelia offered new models for raising girls, therapists Kindlon and Thompson argue that boys desperately need a new standard of ’emotional literacy.’…This thoughtful book is recommended for parents, teachers, or anyone with a vested interest in raising happy, healthy, emotionally whole young men.

Raising Cain Quote: Daniel Goleman

web360 · Apr 25, 2012 ·

Raising Cain gives a long-needed insight into that mysterious, magical land, the psyches of boys. Every parent, teacher – or anyone who wants boys to flourish – should read this book.

Homesick and Happy Quote: Harriet Lowe

web360 · Apr 24, 2012 ·

With a deep understanding, a great sense of humor, and impeccable resources, Michael Thompson succeeds brilliantly in generating just a touch of envy in the hearts of all those parents who read Homesick and Happy … for the great fun their kids are going to have.

Homesick and Happy Quote: Michael Gurian

web360 · Apr 24, 2012 ·

Every parent dreads letting children go. Partly, we dread it because we lack a clear roadmap of how and when to do it. Homesick and Happy changes that. It is a powerful and very accessible book that helps build maturity and resilience in our children – and in parents as well!

Copyright © 2025 Michael Thompson, Ph.D.. All rights reserved. Photo of Michael Thompson, Ph.D. by A. Blake Gardner/Binnacle.

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