Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Hyperion (2012), Paperback, 448 pages
Description
Education. Nonfiction. HTML: These intertwining narratives "beautifully demonstrate . . . that the people who are excluded and bullied for their offbeat passions and refusal to conform are often the ones who are embraced and lauded for those very qualities in college and beyond" (The New York Times). In a smart, entertaining, reassuring book that reads like fiction, Alexandra Robbins manages to cross Gossip Girl with Freaks and Geeks and explain the fascinating psychology and science behind popularity and outcasthood. She reveals that the things that set students apart in high school are the things that help them stand out later in life. Robbins follows seven real people grappling with the uncertainties of high school social life, including: The Loner, who has withdrawn from classmates since they persuaded her to unwittingly join her own hate club The Popular Bitch, a cheerleading captain both seduced by and trapped within her clique's perceived prestige The Nerd, whose differences cause students to laugh at him and his mother to needle him for not being "normal" The New Girl, determined to stay positive as classmates harass her for her mannerisms and target her because of her race The Gamer, an underachiever in danger of not graduating, despite his intellect and his yearning to connect with other students The Weird Girl, who battles discrimination and gossipy politics in school but leads a joyous life outside of it The Band Geek, who is alternately branded too serious and too emo, yet annually runs for class president In the middle of the year, Robbins surprises her subjects with a secret challenge �?? experiments that force them to change how classmates see them. Robbins intertwines these narratives �?? often triumphant, occasionally heartbreaking, and always captivating �?? with essays exploring subjects like the secrets of popularity, being excluded doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, why outsiders succeed, how schools make the social scene worse �?? and how to fix it. The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth is not just essential reading for students, teachers, parents, and anyone who deals with teenagers, but for all of us, because at some point in our lives we've all been on the outside look… (more)
Media reviews
"Insightful and timely... Robbins follows the lives of seven students across the nation with very different and unique personalities--from "the gamer" and "the band geek" to "the popular bitch" and "the new girl"... Robbins's keen eye shows us how the eternal adolescent struggle between
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individuality and inclusion lures many students--and teachers--into a mindless "groupthink" about what is conventionally popular and acceptable behavior. At the same time, she shows how the qualities that set her subjects apart from their classmates are the same qualities that make them stand out in positive ways. She ends with an effective list of tips for parents, teachers, students, and schools on how to support and encourage students who value "original thought and expression." Show Less
Petoskey News-Review
Throughout the course of a year, Robbins looks at seven high-schoolers and their experience as a labeled outsider. During her interviews, Robbins challenges each student to attempt social experiments, which inevitably change their lives. Robbins tracks the life of a loner, a weird girl, a gamer, a
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band geek, a nerd, a prep and the new girl, all terms used to explain many different groups of people in all schools across the country. It is a fascinating read, and an important one for parents. I highly recommend this book. Show Less
Kirkus
Robbins offers real hope to adolescents who must realize that “it gets better” is far more than wishful thinking. The author has a gift for writing fact like fiction—she reminds us what it was like to be in high school and helps us relive all the anxiety and angst—and the students and their
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stories are thoroughly engaging. The author also includes a helpful appendix, “31 Tips for Students, Parents, Teachers, and Schools.”
These stories are not just entertaining but important, reminding us to celebrate our quirks and those which we see in others as well
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Library Journal
Robbins (The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids) here explores how and why students divide one another into groups. She considers the different groups to which students are assigned by their peers and, shockingly, by teachers and how these labels affect them, and she issues challenges
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to the seven main subjects... to get them out of their comfort zones, out of the "cafeteria fringe," and on to meaningful and rewarding experiences. Robbins follows her subjects for a school year, tracks their progress with her challenges, and shows how the very traits that marginalize students in high school often lead to success after graduation. VERDICT An excellent overview of the complex social environment of high school, told in an accessible and often humorous and touching manner. High school students as well as adults, especially those who are or were part of the "cafeteria fringe," will enjoy this book. Very highly recommended. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member herdingcats
This book is like a reality show about high school.
It follows real high school students who are in various social groups - a loner, a popular bitch, a nerd, a new girl, a gamer, a wierd girl and a band geek - all from different schools and cities - through a school year and looks at their social
I am a teacher and a mother and I have seen much of the social activity that the author discusses and I think this book does a great job of showing and addressing the issues.
I found it fascinating and I think it should be required reading for all educators.
Her research about social groups and how our brains are wired for conformity is fascinating and her challenges to the students and one teacher who are the characters that she followed in this book helped them to change their social statuses and their outlooks on life and relationships.
I highly recommend this book and I enjoyed it very much.
It follows real high school students who are in various social groups - a loner, a popular bitch, a nerd, a new girl, a gamer, a wierd girl and a band geek - all from different schools and cities - through a school year and looks at their social
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interactions and those of the other groups in their schools. I am a teacher and a mother and I have seen much of the social activity that the author discusses and I think this book does a great job of showing and addressing the issues.
I found it fascinating and I think it should be required reading for all educators.
Her research about social groups and how our brains are wired for conformity is fascinating and her challenges to the students and one teacher who are the characters that she followed in this book helped them to change their social statuses and their outlooks on life and relationships.
I highly recommend this book and I enjoyed it very much.
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LibraryThing member amusingmother
The book begins by introducing the reader to Danielle, a shy junior who feels uncomfortable during lunch. She has nobody to sit with. There is also a history of bullying in Danielle's past. The author then introduces the reader to a total of 7 "cafeteria fringe" and follow them throughout the year.
The most intriguing cafeteria fringe was Regan. I did not expect the surprise factor there yet when it was revealed and then discussed at greater length, I found myself definitely relating. (view spoiler)[Regan turns out to be a young educator teaching in a public school. The bullying and gossip is even more juvenile than some of the other stories but much more caustic. As a veteran educator, I couldn't agree more. There are cliques and unprofessional behavior. Bullying and the "in" crowd is much more difficult to address because there is no oversight. This behavior is not limited to educators but can be globalized to any office situation. (hide spoiler)]
The crux of the book is the Quirk Theory. Behaviors that are aggressive and dominating in high school will often net a more popular person. This is not to be confused with "liked." However, the same skill set is not useful outside of the high school setting. Conformity and sheep like behavior is uniquely acceptable in a factory model school. Creativity, new ideas and approaches to problems will be rewarded in a workplace setting. Those who skirt the cafeteria very well may have the advantage after high school.
The author provided anecdotal stories about the 7 individuals throughout the year and surrounded them with research by social psychologists from years past then offered interpretations to frame her thesis. She also suggested a different challenge for each of the 7 individuals that supported their individuality and strengths but also connected them with others with similarities. Six out of seven found moderate success. The exception was Regan. The cliques were too strong and the social group too small.
Very enjoyable read for anybody interested in high school social dynamics or anybody scarred by their past high school social dynamics. Also would be an excellent resource for any public educator. I would go so far as to suggest that this book would be excellent reading material for professional development - especially if material is read by all faculty members and discussed throughout the school year.
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These are the quirky people who are artistic, emotional, gay, shy, or geeky. Gathering data from sociological studies, the author ascertains that the skills used for popularity in high school are not the skills used in work and life. The quirky are the Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Adam Sandler, etc.The most intriguing cafeteria fringe was Regan. I did not expect the surprise factor there yet when it was revealed and then discussed at greater length, I found myself definitely relating. (view spoiler)[Regan turns out to be a young educator teaching in a public school. The bullying and gossip is even more juvenile than some of the other stories but much more caustic. As a veteran educator, I couldn't agree more. There are cliques and unprofessional behavior. Bullying and the "in" crowd is much more difficult to address because there is no oversight. This behavior is not limited to educators but can be globalized to any office situation. (hide spoiler)]
The crux of the book is the Quirk Theory. Behaviors that are aggressive and dominating in high school will often net a more popular person. This is not to be confused with "liked." However, the same skill set is not useful outside of the high school setting. Conformity and sheep like behavior is uniquely acceptable in a factory model school. Creativity, new ideas and approaches to problems will be rewarded in a workplace setting. Those who skirt the cafeteria very well may have the advantage after high school.
The author provided anecdotal stories about the 7 individuals throughout the year and surrounded them with research by social psychologists from years past then offered interpretations to frame her thesis. She also suggested a different challenge for each of the 7 individuals that supported their individuality and strengths but also connected them with others with similarities. Six out of seven found moderate success. The exception was Regan. The cliques were too strong and the social group too small.
Very enjoyable read for anybody interested in high school social dynamics or anybody scarred by their past high school social dynamics. Also would be an excellent resource for any public educator. I would go so far as to suggest that this book would be excellent reading material for professional development - especially if material is read by all faculty members and discussed throughout the school year.
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LibraryThing member meganreads
With the painstaking attention to detail and narrative developed through embedding herself within interesting populations readers have come to expect from her, Alexandra Robbins has delivered another worthwhile read. This time around she explores the experiences of unpopular kids at many high
For those not familiar with high school subcultures, Robbins clearly outlines the current array of social cliques as reported by thousands of teenage survey respondents. She addresses the urgency of young people to label themselves and others, and points out generational differences that readers may struggle with. For example, whereas in past decades labels were assigned based on what kids HAD or DID, now they go so far as to reflect what and how students THINK and FEEL. It all makes for a labyrinthine tangle of groups and subgroups, some of which are barely distinguishable from each other by the outside observer. These explanations are affirming for those who are in or have recently been through the label-conscious world of American high school, and informative for those older people who are more far removed from it.
Some highlights:
1.) The words associated with and used by groups are clearly defined. This lexical examination of social subgroups is extremely helpful and illuminating.
2.) Both average everyday kids and famous people (i.e. Lady Gaga) are examined.
3.) Robbins acknowledges the often overlooked fact that some kids are FORCED to the outs of social acceptance, while others place themselves there purposely and revel in it.
4.) There is a GREAT list of tips and resources for parents, teachers, and schools.
As a social outcast during my own teenage years in the 1990s, I can vouch for the accuracy of the world she describes. As a high school English teacher for the past eight years, I appreciate the updated research and wealth of resources in the endnotes. This book is a valuable read for anyone who lives or works with adolescents or, for that matter, is or has ever been an adolescent.
(review written 10 April 2011)
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schools across the country, picks apart how and why they have been classified by their peers and/or themselves as outcasts, and strongly supports the notion that skills learned as a social outcast in high school are those that directly correlate to success in adult life. For those not familiar with high school subcultures, Robbins clearly outlines the current array of social cliques as reported by thousands of teenage survey respondents. She addresses the urgency of young people to label themselves and others, and points out generational differences that readers may struggle with. For example, whereas in past decades labels were assigned based on what kids HAD or DID, now they go so far as to reflect what and how students THINK and FEEL. It all makes for a labyrinthine tangle of groups and subgroups, some of which are barely distinguishable from each other by the outside observer. These explanations are affirming for those who are in or have recently been through the label-conscious world of American high school, and informative for those older people who are more far removed from it.
Some highlights:
1.) The words associated with and used by groups are clearly defined. This lexical examination of social subgroups is extremely helpful and illuminating.
2.) Both average everyday kids and famous people (i.e. Lady Gaga) are examined.
3.) Robbins acknowledges the often overlooked fact that some kids are FORCED to the outs of social acceptance, while others place themselves there purposely and revel in it.
4.) There is a GREAT list of tips and resources for parents, teachers, and schools.
As a social outcast during my own teenage years in the 1990s, I can vouch for the accuracy of the world she describes. As a high school English teacher for the past eight years, I appreciate the updated research and wealth of resources in the endnotes. This book is a valuable read for anyone who lives or works with adolescents or, for that matter, is or has ever been an adolescent.
(review written 10 April 2011)
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LibraryThing member Mykirulz
I enjoyed this book and would agree that the author paints a compelling picture of the "cafeteria fringe". The main characters were very relatable and fleshed out so you come to be invested in their lives. Parents and educators can appreciate the resources included in the book as well as a look
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into what school is really like for kids currently. That said, I do feel like it's a little "preaching to choir". I feel like many of the people who are going to pick this book up and find the premise interesting are those that are, or were, cafeteria fringe themselves. Show Less
LibraryThing member readingthruthenight
I literally must have squealed in delight when I opened my mailbox and found this book. The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth is SO up my alley. It manages to combine both my interest as an educator and as a therapist. Needless to say, I hopped, skipped, and jumped my way back home, curled up on the
And here’s the thing. I dig me some nonfiction, but I generally have to be in the mood, ya know. Like, it RARELY happens when I see NF and immediately go for it. I baby step up to it. Not here and man it DID NOT disappoint.
I loved Robbins format. By combining both the case studies as well as the data I felt I had real life applications to theories that might have seemed unimportant. In this sense, I’m looking right at all of the readers out there who may not be in the educational or psychological field. If you have an inkling of an interest in high school roles or sociological curiosities, this book is for you. It will not make you feel dumb while reading it NOR does it dumb itself down.
There were a couple of individuals that I bonded with more than others. And interestingly, they’d probably be on the opposite spectrum had they been in the same high school together. Whitney is the “Popular Bitch” and she exposes how tough it is to be a mean girl and insecurities that go along with it. There were moments actually when Whitney reminded me of Veronica from the movie Heathers. Sure Whitney is popular but she feels conflicted about her popularity, oftentimes implying that she is compromising her own authenticity. The other girl that I really grew attached to was Regan, the Weird Girl. Regan toes that line of punker/thespian/literary nerd. Ummm, LOVE HER.
I marked up this book like there was no tomorrow. It’s flagged and highlighted and notes are written in the margins. Oh, and also, I read it in two days. Which is obscene for me and non fiction.
This is an important book for parents, teachers, and hell, even students to read. Robbins exposes secrets of school hierarchies that exist but are normally not TALKED about. She points out why middle school years, especially 7th grade, is the most difficult. (Um, holla! I’m with them more than their parents. These kids don’t know if they’re coming and going). And then, sheesh, we consider the technology that is second nature in their lives and it makes the whole experience scarier. Consider, if a rumor starts in 1st period, it’s already facebooked, tweeted, and texted by 3rd. Pictures? Oh yeah, that’s proof that you really DID wear that outfit, got THAT tanked, kissed WHO and went to WHICH party! There’s no running away from your mistakes or choices in middle/high school.
*sigh*
I could continue on and on about this book. But I won’t. Because there’s so much about it that’s a process and I want each and EVERY one of you to process it yourself. Hell, I think that you might even be able to find out aspects about yourself that you overlooked. Have your own aha moments.
Bottom line is I wish I could make all of my colleagues read this book. I wish that professors would make it required reading in secondary education courses AS WELL AS group theory, psychology, AND sociology classes.
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couch and dove right in.And here’s the thing. I dig me some nonfiction, but I generally have to be in the mood, ya know. Like, it RARELY happens when I see NF and immediately go for it. I baby step up to it. Not here and man it DID NOT disappoint.
I loved Robbins format. By combining both the case studies as well as the data I felt I had real life applications to theories that might have seemed unimportant. In this sense, I’m looking right at all of the readers out there who may not be in the educational or psychological field. If you have an inkling of an interest in high school roles or sociological curiosities, this book is for you. It will not make you feel dumb while reading it NOR does it dumb itself down.
There were a couple of individuals that I bonded with more than others. And interestingly, they’d probably be on the opposite spectrum had they been in the same high school together. Whitney is the “Popular Bitch” and she exposes how tough it is to be a mean girl and insecurities that go along with it. There were moments actually when Whitney reminded me of Veronica from the movie Heathers. Sure Whitney is popular but she feels conflicted about her popularity, oftentimes implying that she is compromising her own authenticity. The other girl that I really grew attached to was Regan, the Weird Girl. Regan toes that line of punker/thespian/literary nerd. Ummm, LOVE HER.
I marked up this book like there was no tomorrow. It’s flagged and highlighted and notes are written in the margins. Oh, and also, I read it in two days. Which is obscene for me and non fiction.
This is an important book for parents, teachers, and hell, even students to read. Robbins exposes secrets of school hierarchies that exist but are normally not TALKED about. She points out why middle school years, especially 7th grade, is the most difficult. (Um, holla! I’m with them more than their parents. These kids don’t know if they’re coming and going). And then, sheesh, we consider the technology that is second nature in their lives and it makes the whole experience scarier. Consider, if a rumor starts in 1st period, it’s already facebooked, tweeted, and texted by 3rd. Pictures? Oh yeah, that’s proof that you really DID wear that outfit, got THAT tanked, kissed WHO and went to WHICH party! There’s no running away from your mistakes or choices in middle/high school.
*sigh*
I could continue on and on about this book. But I won’t. Because there’s so much about it that’s a process and I want each and EVERY one of you to process it yourself. Hell, I think that you might even be able to find out aspects about yourself that you overlooked. Have your own aha moments.
Bottom line is I wish I could make all of my colleagues read this book. I wish that professors would make it required reading in secondary education courses AS WELL AS group theory, psychology, AND sociology classes.
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LibraryThing member PeskyLibrary
In her book The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth, author Alexandra Robbins follows real people and their issues with high school social life for a year. For convenience and for illustration, the seven geeks are labeled (loner, popular bitch, nerd, new girl, gamer, weird girl, and band geek). They and
Robbins quotes her interviewees in their own words, as well as providing her own analysis. In addition, she presents information from hundreds of other interviews of students, teachers, and counselors in public and private schools, technical and arts schools, boarding schools, college prep academies, and inner city, rural, and suburban schools. Robbins also presents her quirk theory – i.e., that many of the traits that cause a student to be excluded in high school are valued in adulthood or outside school – and other theoretical approaches.
The first half of the books introduces the main interviewees and characterizes their life. The second half, however, both presents and resolves a twist. Robbins challenged her informants in the middle of the year with an experiment: step out of your comfort zone and make a difference in your social life. Interspersed throughout the book are comparisons to other cases or examples and analysis. Robbins ends with several concrete suggestions for both students and adults.
The stories of Robbins’s “geeks” occupy the bulk of the book. The different locations and situations provide an invaluable illustration of the scope of the problem. However, they almost take over. In comparison, Robbins’s theoretical sections remain feebler. Fewer case studies would have undoubtedly diminished the usefulness of the book. It would have been even more helpful and better balanced, however, had Robbins added more material on current theories of social interaction in high school settings. Readers interested in real-life examples should definitely consider this book; for theoretical approaches, supplement with other works.
EJ 11/2011
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several other labels are discussed in the book.Robbins quotes her interviewees in their own words, as well as providing her own analysis. In addition, she presents information from hundreds of other interviews of students, teachers, and counselors in public and private schools, technical and arts schools, boarding schools, college prep academies, and inner city, rural, and suburban schools. Robbins also presents her quirk theory – i.e., that many of the traits that cause a student to be excluded in high school are valued in adulthood or outside school – and other theoretical approaches.
The first half of the books introduces the main interviewees and characterizes their life. The second half, however, both presents and resolves a twist. Robbins challenged her informants in the middle of the year with an experiment: step out of your comfort zone and make a difference in your social life. Interspersed throughout the book are comparisons to other cases or examples and analysis. Robbins ends with several concrete suggestions for both students and adults.
The stories of Robbins’s “geeks” occupy the bulk of the book. The different locations and situations provide an invaluable illustration of the scope of the problem. However, they almost take over. In comparison, Robbins’s theoretical sections remain feebler. Fewer case studies would have undoubtedly diminished the usefulness of the book. It would have been even more helpful and better balanced, however, had Robbins added more material on current theories of social interaction in high school settings. Readers interested in real-life examples should definitely consider this book; for theoretical approaches, supplement with other works.
EJ 11/2011
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LibraryThing member joyfiction
In a society that seems to condemn anyone being 'unique' or 'different', anyone that strays from what their peers deem as 'normal' more often than not the 'outsider' is ignored and people have absolutely no idea what they're really like- or what life feels like for them. The Geeks Shall Inherit The
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Earth is a good insight into the lives of children who were considered to be 'unpopular' by their peers. It shows you how life is for them, how the rest of the school would react to them. But the best part is to show that they're more than their labels, that there is more inside of them, that simply because they're not popular that it doesn’t diminish them as a person. people are so much more than how they get labeled by their peers and in a world where people are so, so diverse we should embrace what makes us all so different and unique. Geeks shows us all different types of kids and how high school feels for them and in all honesty I do believe that teenagers would benefit in reading this books and learning just a bit about people outside of their 'social groups'. Perhaps then people would understand each other a little bit better. Show Less
LibraryThing member HippieLunatic
I am a self-defined geek, today. In high school, I was a floater, who identified most with the super-nerds and the partiers/goths/emos (the preps might have had their own parties, but I didn't know about them).
I am also a mother, of two very different children. I see a loner artist in my oldest.
Given that the world is changing at an ever-increasing pace, with new technologies both offering new horizons and further specializations (thereby limiting potential interactions with people interested in other specialties), I want to make sure I know what I can give my kids every opportunity to define themselves, and to be okay with what definition they decide to embrace.
Robbins is able of offer a wide range of geeks. She is able to explore the background of each (at least in some minor way, by describing recent histories and goals). She describes what choices students have in their control, both by charging each study with a challenge to move beyond their known capacity and by offering suggestions on how to find more peace with the place that high school society offers them. She describes what parents can do in order to bring more peace to their children in a difficult and tumultuous time of adolescence. She describes some best practices of schools and administrators to make sure that the cafeteria fringe are given some sense of security and so that others cliques can learn to appreciate what other cliques can offer to them and the school.
The shortfalls of the book are but twofold. One, I would have appreciated seeing into the life of a student who can already float between groups before Robbins offers a mid-year challenge, but still feels alone. Two, I would have liked to get a snapshot of where each of her study subjects are "now" (at the time of publication). Knowing that Blue is getting through his first year of community college, with high hopes of getting into a University, knowing that Regan has found success in grad school and her other endeavors, knowing that Whitney has success in continuing to develop friendships without focusing on the perception created by these friendships - this would have been a more true "success" story than knowing that Taylor Swift was an outsider in high school. (While it is important to know that many of the people whom we admire for their successes went through these tough times, it is also important to know that the subjects we have come to love are going to be okay, too.)
I am also a mother, of two very different children. I see a loner artist in my oldest.
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At six, he chooses the books on drawing and various volumes of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I see a prep in my youngest. At three, he is gregarious, cheerful, loves music and people adore his energy. Given that I have no idea what these two types will go through in school, I was intrigued to get an inside glimpse, at least, through Robbins exploration of the cafeteria fringe. Given that I want them to experience more joy in their youth than I did, I was excited to have further evidence that as long as they can accept themselves, regardless of their clique, they have a chance.Given that the world is changing at an ever-increasing pace, with new technologies both offering new horizons and further specializations (thereby limiting potential interactions with people interested in other specialties), I want to make sure I know what I can give my kids every opportunity to define themselves, and to be okay with what definition they decide to embrace.
Robbins is able of offer a wide range of geeks. She is able to explore the background of each (at least in some minor way, by describing recent histories and goals). She describes what choices students have in their control, both by charging each study with a challenge to move beyond their known capacity and by offering suggestions on how to find more peace with the place that high school society offers them. She describes what parents can do in order to bring more peace to their children in a difficult and tumultuous time of adolescence. She describes some best practices of schools and administrators to make sure that the cafeteria fringe are given some sense of security and so that others cliques can learn to appreciate what other cliques can offer to them and the school.
The shortfalls of the book are but twofold. One, I would have appreciated seeing into the life of a student who can already float between groups before Robbins offers a mid-year challenge, but still feels alone. Two, I would have liked to get a snapshot of where each of her study subjects are "now" (at the time of publication). Knowing that Blue is getting through his first year of community college, with high hopes of getting into a University, knowing that Regan has found success in grad school and her other endeavors, knowing that Whitney has success in continuing to develop friendships without focusing on the perception created by these friendships - this would have been a more true "success" story than knowing that Taylor Swift was an outsider in high school. (While it is important to know that many of the people whom we admire for their successes went through these tough times, it is also important to know that the subjects we have come to love are going to be okay, too.)
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LibraryThing member kellyatfsu
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was written in a way that made me really care about the students and the outcomes of their lives. That is actually one of my critics; I really wish there was an update about each student post-high school at the end of the book. Also, while thoroughly
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engrossed in the different stories of the students, I found the "academic" parts between sections to come off a little textbooky. Towards the end I found myself skimming these sections in order to find out what was going to happen next to the kids. It takes a very well written book to make you care about the subjects that much. Overall, definitely a worthwhile read! Show Less
LibraryThing member rivkat
Free LibraryThing Early Reviewer book. Though I enjoyed the book, the title is a bit misleading—very little is about following people after high school, though it does argue that the things that make people “unpopular” in high school can make them successful, respected and happy afterwards.
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Mostly Robbins follows a number of people through a year of high school, scattered across the country and across various demographics (there’s a reveal I wasn’t expecting that’s pretty cute). There are outcasts with various labels and one “popular bitch,” though Robbins sets each one a challenge to defy expectations. Reading about how Whitney (the popular bitch) spent two hours getting ready for school—not doing homework, but picking an outfit and doing hair and makeup—was depressing, as were other accounts of what teens do to each other with the tacit and often explicit approval of the adults around. But I was very interested in the overall story Robbins tells, which includes the fact that we have separated popularity from likeability—turns out the “popular” kids are often not the ones people like and vice versa; we’ve encouraged the development of a toxic form of adolescent popularity that relies on putting other people down. I like to think we could do it differently, and Robbins’ success stories are ultimately hopeful, but she shouldn’t be the only adult in the picture celebrating things other than status competition. Show Less
LibraryThing member voracious
"The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth" is an interesting take on an inside-the-school journalistic account of the social encounters that take place in high schools. This type of journalism, where the writer is half storyteller, half cultural anthropologist, has been done by others for various
This book attempted to conceptualize modern social experiences in high schools and derive an explanation about why some kids are popular and others are negatively labeled and rejected. Ms. Robbins went a step further to develop her own hypothesis from this, which she calls "Quirk Theory", which basically suggests that the characteristics that make one an outsider (or "cafeteria fringe" as she terms it) in high school, are the same traits that lead one to be successful as an adult (creative, non-conformist, self-confident, etc.). She shares in the end how teachers, parents and students can help to make schools more accepting of kids of all types and impede negative social interactions in schools, as she believes teachers and parents are as much to blame for these painful encounters as the kids themselves.
I enjoyed this book and it was much better than I expected it would be. My only concerns stemmed from the fact that this would not on any level be considered sound science, though it was portrayed to be with the introduction of "Quirk Theory" and the review of some famous psychological studies described throughout the book. This is pop culture journalism which makes some interesting observations but is not on the level of the double blind, random assignment, peer reviewed type of research you equate with the conformity studies and other social experiments referenced throughout the book. Despite this, it made for interesting reading! I now have some different thoughts about my adolescents and their search for social acceptance and identity in high school. And opening up our conceptualizations and collective dialogue about these concerns is always a good thing.
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purposes, even by Ms. Robbins herself in her book "Overachievers", and is usually informative and eye opening, at least for those of us who haven't had to struggle to open a locker in a while ;) This approach was novel, however, as Ms. Robbins told the story from the perspective of a number of young people in various states. In contrst from just telling their story, however, she offered each of them an individualized challenge about halfway through the book to alter their behavior and see if it changed the way others saw them and interacted with them. So the journalistic storytelling transformed to part science experiment halfway through the book, which gave the story a jolt of energy, which sustained the book the rest of the way through it's 448 pages. Unlike other accounts which have been written similarly, this one picked kids who were dissimilar enough that you didn't lose track of who was who. She even "labeled" them with terms such as "the loser" or the "popular bitch", which helped to trigger the reader's memory when switching accounts. This was very helpful as it is common for writers to switch too quickly or select characters who are too similar, making it challenging for the reader to keep them all straight. Each youth's story was well told and I found myself liking all of the kids and their stories and hoping that each one would become socially accepted by their peers. This book attempted to conceptualize modern social experiences in high schools and derive an explanation about why some kids are popular and others are negatively labeled and rejected. Ms. Robbins went a step further to develop her own hypothesis from this, which she calls "Quirk Theory", which basically suggests that the characteristics that make one an outsider (or "cafeteria fringe" as she terms it) in high school, are the same traits that lead one to be successful as an adult (creative, non-conformist, self-confident, etc.). She shares in the end how teachers, parents and students can help to make schools more accepting of kids of all types and impede negative social interactions in schools, as she believes teachers and parents are as much to blame for these painful encounters as the kids themselves.
I enjoyed this book and it was much better than I expected it would be. My only concerns stemmed from the fact that this would not on any level be considered sound science, though it was portrayed to be with the introduction of "Quirk Theory" and the review of some famous psychological studies described throughout the book. This is pop culture journalism which makes some interesting observations but is not on the level of the double blind, random assignment, peer reviewed type of research you equate with the conformity studies and other social experiments referenced throughout the book. Despite this, it made for interesting reading! I now have some different thoughts about my adolescents and their search for social acceptance and identity in high school. And opening up our conceptualizations and collective dialogue about these concerns is always a good thing.
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LibraryThing member 06nwingert
I've read one of Ms. Robbins' books, Overachievers and I enjoyed it. When I had the opportunity to read her latest tome, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth, I took it. Just like Overachievers, Ms. Robbins follows several "outsiders" through high school, intermixing their stories with her
In this tome, Ms. Robbins explores why "outsiders" are bullied in high school, but thrive in the real world. As she explains, most of our world (i.e. technology) was developed by an outsider (i.e. geek). As we continue to grow technologically, geeks will play a more crucial role than jocks and popular kids.
Alexandra Robbins writes with thorough detail, both during her shadowing of students and with her commentary and background information.
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commentary and other background information.In this tome, Ms. Robbins explores why "outsiders" are bullied in high school, but thrive in the real world. As she explains, most of our world (i.e. technology) was developed by an outsider (i.e. geek). As we continue to grow technologically, geeks will play a more crucial role than jocks and popular kids.
Alexandra Robbins writes with thorough detail, both during her shadowing of students and with her commentary and background information.
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LibraryThing member AnnieHidalgo
This book was like the flip perspective on Rosalind Wiseman's Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads. It made many things about high school culture suddenly comprehensible. After reading the book I just mentioned, I suppose I've been kind of stymied by the thought that kids, or perhaps just other girls
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and women had some kind of secret agenda, making all social interactions some kind of minefield that either raise or lower your social capital - whereas previously, I'd tended, throughout even the teenage portion of my life - to take most conversations and social interaction at face value. What this book made me realize was that Wiseman was only describing a subset of people - those interested mainly in what Robbins terms "perceived popularity", popularity as power as opposed to popularity as a function of how many people like you. This is a good affirming book, in terms of reminding students and perhaps parents that people are made up of more than the total of their perceived popularity, and that being nice and getting to know your fellow man will usually benefit you most, eventually if not right away. The stories of the students (well, one is actually an interesting exception - but I don't want to spoil the surprise) are compelling, and at the end I was dying to know what happened to them in the rest of their lives - presumably what is actually happening to them right now, particularly in the case of Blue, who seems destined for an interesting life. A great read. Show Less
LibraryThing member alexann
Robbins interviews and gets to know several real young people who are struggling with being on the outside of various more popular cliques in high school. Her writing flows well, and seems almost like fiction as she introduces us to her subjects. These narratives are interspersed with essays on the
It's very well written and accessible. The reader gets caught up in the lives of the teens profiled, and can see, even if they can't, how their special skills will serve them well as they get out in the world.
"Geeks" would be an affirming, reassuring, and potentially life changing book for the adolescent "geek" (outsider) who reads it, and could help them to feel more optimistic about their futures.
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philosophy of the "outsider", and how the most difficult times often result in these students gaining the resilience and independent thinking they need to become successful adults.It's very well written and accessible. The reader gets caught up in the lives of the teens profiled, and can see, even if they can't, how their special skills will serve them well as they get out in the world.
"Geeks" would be an affirming, reassuring, and potentially life changing book for the adolescent "geek" (outsider) who reads it, and could help them to feel more optimistic about their futures.
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LibraryThing member akmargie
A close look at high school cliques and what makes them tick. Haha. Anyway I appreciate how Robbins weaves the stories of her subjects together with adolescent and group psychology research to give a full picture of what it "really" is like in a typical American high school. She doesn't pull any
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punches but still offers hope and promise for the outsiders and freaks. She also takes the school institution to task for perpetuating the outcasting of students. Fascinating read for grown-up and teens alike. Show Less
LibraryThing member KatKealy
The title and descriptions made this book sound so interesting, but even though I have a degree in social psychology, I stil couldn't find anything worth while in this book. Very disappointing.
LibraryThing member sedelia
This should be required reading in high schools. I think all teachers and people involved in education should take a look at this too, because changing how teenagers are treated has to start at all levels. It is sad how many teenagers feel lonely and depressed because of who they are and how they
Now, there aren't any hard statistics of the successes of geeks and outcasts after high school. If you're looking for numbers that prove that high school outcasts make more money and get the best jobs, this isn't what this is about. Instead, Robbins focuses on the traits that make teenagers outcasts in the first place and goes onto describe how these same traits will serve them better in a job or in adult life.
I really liked the setup of this book. Instead of being bombarded by all the psychology stuff at once, Robbins splits it up between the stories of the case studies and uses what's going on in a certain person's life as a foundation for explaining all the whys and hows of the behavior exhibited by students and teachers. Switching off between students' stories and psychology/sociology explanation gave my brain a break, which I appreciated.
Besides that, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth is simply interesting. This is a book about what is going on at our schools today, and some of it is simply horrifying. Teachers playing favorites and allowing "populars" to rule the school, teachers having cliques themselves, schools not celebrating accomplishments of academic teams, etc. Becoming aware of the problem is the first step, and these things really do need to change. On top of that, I felt a strong connection with all the people Robbins does case studies on, even though I'd never really had those same experiences. But, I think they just laid all their emotions out on the line, which made made me really feel for their situation. Robbins gives good advice for how to treat other people and how to make all students feel self-worth. If you work at a school, or if you're interested in why people act the way they do, definitely pick this book up. It's a great read.
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feel. What this book does is identify a lot of the problems that causes bullying and exclusion tactics, and I think that if teenagers read stories about how their actions affect others, they would try to be nicer and more accepting of other groups.Now, there aren't any hard statistics of the successes of geeks and outcasts after high school. If you're looking for numbers that prove that high school outcasts make more money and get the best jobs, this isn't what this is about. Instead, Robbins focuses on the traits that make teenagers outcasts in the first place and goes onto describe how these same traits will serve them better in a job or in adult life.
I really liked the setup of this book. Instead of being bombarded by all the psychology stuff at once, Robbins splits it up between the stories of the case studies and uses what's going on in a certain person's life as a foundation for explaining all the whys and hows of the behavior exhibited by students and teachers. Switching off between students' stories and psychology/sociology explanation gave my brain a break, which I appreciated.
Besides that, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth is simply interesting. This is a book about what is going on at our schools today, and some of it is simply horrifying. Teachers playing favorites and allowing "populars" to rule the school, teachers having cliques themselves, schools not celebrating accomplishments of academic teams, etc. Becoming aware of the problem is the first step, and these things really do need to change. On top of that, I felt a strong connection with all the people Robbins does case studies on, even though I'd never really had those same experiences. But, I think they just laid all their emotions out on the line, which made made me really feel for their situation. Robbins gives good advice for how to treat other people and how to make all students feel self-worth. If you work at a school, or if you're interested in why people act the way they do, definitely pick this book up. It's a great read.
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LibraryThing member aelizabethj
I think that Alexandra Robbins set out to write a book about how the cool, nerdy, quirky kids are always picked on in high school, only to succeed later in life - and that's exactly what she did. Look, I understand that high school was/is tough for some people but... it wasn't for me. I wasn't
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super popular, but I wasn't an outsider either. I just couldn't relate - this felt like some sort of a made-for-TV Lifetime movie, where the mean kids get their just desserts and the nerd herd saves the day. I will say, it kept me entertained though. Show Less
LibraryThing member fefferbooks
I picked this up on a whim, intrigued by the title, but I found myself both relating to several of the kids (man, do we ever entirely recover from adolescence?) and also picking up a few ideas for my own children. We'll see whether I remember them once they reach that stage.
LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Everyone who knows a teenager should read this book. Educators, parents, grandparents, teenagers themselves. Following a couple different students, in different states, throughout a year in high school.
I don't remember high school being like this, but I don't think I cared as much what people
I don't remember high school being like this, but I don't think I cared as much what people
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thought of me as these kids do. Very interesting and well written. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jewel.Barnett
I really enjoyed this book. I would be interested to hear how the teens fared as adults.
LibraryThing member josephty1
When I read it more than 10 years ago I liked it. Now I'm not sure what "geek" really means.
LibraryThing member Castlelass
Non-fiction recounting the author’s analysis of a plethora of reference materials, along with results of interviews of both students and experts, showing the long-term value of non-conformity. The author has coined the term “quirk theory” to describe the results of her analysis.
In the
Robbins explains the science behind meanness, exclusion, social labeling, and group dynamics. She observes that high school groups tend to value popularity and conformity, while ignoring, excluding, or even bullying those viewed as “different.” She offers hope to the non-popular individuals that their lives will improve once they move on to college or work environments. She focuses on seven individuals who identify as nerd, band geek, new girl, gamer, weird girl, loner, and popular. She documents the pressures to conform and the inner struggles of those viewed as “inferior.” The author issues a challenge to the seven individuals and discusses their progress with them many times over the course of a school year.
The book reads like a series of anecdotes (from the seven individuals) interspersed with a summary of research. I think has merit in helping understand the issues related to group intolerance. It could give hope to those feeling marginalized. Robbins offers suggestions on how to overcome (or at least better ignore) the ostracism they are currently experiencing. She also offers ideas for how parents and schools can help nurture the self-esteem of students with atypical interests, unique style, or extraordinary skills. The same individuals who are tormented in high school can become some of our most prominent thinkers, artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. It encourages acceptance of others, which I think is an admirable goal. I found it informative and thought-provoking .
Recommended to those interested in the psychology of groups, students feeling like they don’t quite “fit in,” and the educators and parents of such students. Contains profanity, homophobia, and references to underage drinking, sex, and drug usage.
In the
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author’s words: “Quirk Theory: Many of the differences that cause a student to be excluded in school are the same traits or real-world skills that others will value, love, respect, or find compelling about that person in adulthood and outside of the school setting...Quirk theory is intended to validate students’ inability or refusal to follow the crowd. It serves as a way to explain that, once they leave the school setting, their lives can improve.”Robbins explains the science behind meanness, exclusion, social labeling, and group dynamics. She observes that high school groups tend to value popularity and conformity, while ignoring, excluding, or even bullying those viewed as “different.” She offers hope to the non-popular individuals that their lives will improve once they move on to college or work environments. She focuses on seven individuals who identify as nerd, band geek, new girl, gamer, weird girl, loner, and popular. She documents the pressures to conform and the inner struggles of those viewed as “inferior.” The author issues a challenge to the seven individuals and discusses their progress with them many times over the course of a school year.
The book reads like a series of anecdotes (from the seven individuals) interspersed with a summary of research. I think has merit in helping understand the issues related to group intolerance. It could give hope to those feeling marginalized. Robbins offers suggestions on how to overcome (or at least better ignore) the ostracism they are currently experiencing. She also offers ideas for how parents and schools can help nurture the self-esteem of students with atypical interests, unique style, or extraordinary skills. The same individuals who are tormented in high school can become some of our most prominent thinkers, artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. It encourages acceptance of others, which I think is an admirable goal. I found it informative and thought-provoking .
Recommended to those interested in the psychology of groups, students feeling like they don’t quite “fit in,” and the educators and parents of such students. Contains profanity, homophobia, and references to underage drinking, sex, and drug usage.
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LibraryThing member LisMB
The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth by Alexandra Robbins is an enjoyable read. This book follows the lives of several "cafeteria fringe" students and one popular, providing insight to their lives. It discusses today's bullying, how facebook and social networks play a role in their lives, and helpful
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information for worries of today's youth. With a middle school aged child of my own, I found this book not only interesting to read but informative and helpful. It is definitely worth the read, a worthy addition to any library. Show Less
LibraryThing member ms_rowse
As with "The Overachievers," this book should be required reading for all teachers. I wish I could ask for an all-staff book club situation, but unfortunately, I don't quite trust that every one would read it...and to understand how that statement is relevant, pick up the book and read the section
At times this was hard to read, as it forced me to examine my own behaviors both as "the adult in the room" and as a colleague. I hope I haven't blatantly contributed to the clique hierarchy in my school, though after reading this book, I'm sure I have. Now that I am more aware of how teachers reinforce conformity, I'm determined to be better for those students who might be, as Robbins puts it, "on the cafeteria fringe."
Yes, non-fiction takes longer to read, but Robbins' writing style is so accessible that I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to know how the kids she focused on changed, and I wanted clues for how I could help similar students in my school.
As I read, I thought about some of my students from this last year, and how they might enjoy reading this book as well.
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about how schools and teachers often contribute to the clique culture...it will make sense.At times this was hard to read, as it forced me to examine my own behaviors both as "the adult in the room" and as a colleague. I hope I haven't blatantly contributed to the clique hierarchy in my school, though after reading this book, I'm sure I have. Now that I am more aware of how teachers reinforce conformity, I'm determined to be better for those students who might be, as Robbins puts it, "on the cafeteria fringe."
Yes, non-fiction takes longer to read, but Robbins' writing style is so accessible that I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to know how the kids she focused on changed, and I wanted clues for how I could help similar students in my school.
As I read, I thought about some of my students from this last year, and how they might enjoy reading this book as well.
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Awards
Books for a Better Life Award (Winner — 2011)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011
Physical description
448 p.; 8.04 inches
ISBN
140131077X / 9781401310776