The Overachievers Simple Guide to a Sweeter Life

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In dis Life as the Hawaiian voacalist, Iz K. Chiever calls the uber-overachievers. These are the phenoms who Excel! Yet -- what does it all mean? As you read this short book, you will reevaluate where you are and what your goals are. Do it with agape, if possible. A previous review complained that this book poses too many questions.

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That's the point, reader! A good book will make you question yourself, your values, and push you to think about your relationship to the world. The author does a good job of setting up the questions that you must ask yourself not just now, but tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow. I've started asking myself, "How much will this matter to me in three days, or three weeks? Like it says from the beginning, it's not out to tell you anything you don't already know. But the point is to hear these simple thoughts and questions and apply them to your everyday life.

It's like when your friends give you advice and you KNOW it before they even say it, but for whatever reason you won't act on it until the words are said to you. One person found this helpful. Ok, to be honest, I cannot remember every last detail discussed in this book; however, I do recall that it was surprisingly refreshing, short, and to-the-point, which always equals a good read for me, whether or not I take the contents that lie within with a grain of salt or not. Great book, short, poignant, insightful and thought provoking.

Importantly, it doesn't tell you what to do - but asks you questions to help you think more carefully about your choices. I found this book to be a waste of time and almost laughable how many grammatical mistakes and typos it contained. I don't enjoy reading a book where the author speaks to you in the form of so many questions. See all 5 reviews. Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more about Amazon Giveaway. Set up a giveaway. There's a problem loading this menu right now.

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Get to Know Us. English Choose a language for shopping. Not Enabled Word Wise: Enabled Amazon Best Sellers Rank: Amazon Music Stream millions of songs. Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers. View all 5 comments. Mar 28, Jackie Carlson rated it really liked it.

It's been a while since I've truly liked a book that a teacher assigned me to read. In a little over pages, Robbins discusses the hectic lives of a few teenage "overachievers" while focusing on a broader topic, the dysfunction of the American education system. She touches topics like the overbooked schedule of the American teenager, "helicopter" parents, and the stress of getting into a top rated college.

Since I am a teenager in three AP classes, I am able to relate to this book. I myself a It's been a while since I've truly liked a book that a teacher assigned me to read. I myself am not an overachiever, but while reading this I was able to compare the lives of the kids presented in this novel to the lives of peers that I know. Some of them were even carbon copies, minus the names. Secret Lives of Driven Kids, gets a 2. The book had a strong, interesting opening. However, when I reached the halfway point I was really only interested in reading about the characters for a reason I couldn't understand.

About pages into the book I discovered that my big problem with the book was that I felt like I was being fed the same information in every section that was not The Overachievers: About pages into the book I discovered that my big problem with the book was that I felt like I was being fed the same information in every section that was not about the kids Robbins was following, making the book repetitive and uninteresting for me in the long run.

Sep 08, Judy rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Anyone who can read at the fourth grade level. Students usually groan at the thought of reading a book because it is a school requirement, but I found The Overachievers to be quite an interesting read. In it, Robbins traces the thoughts and lives of several overachieving students, namely juniors and seniors, from Whitman High School located in Bethesda, Maryland, who The Overachievers: In it, Robbins traces the thoughts and lives of several overachieving students, namely juniors and seniors, from Whitman High School located in Bethesda, Maryland, who face various dilemmas that range from being emotional and mental to physical.

Most of these problems have been acquired through stress from the rigorous classes and extracurricular activities they take on, which are directly correlated to admissions into top tier universities. I found the central conflict in the novel to be man vs. The whole overachieving system, according to Robbins, originates from the ambitions of people to come out at the top; for people to be recognized publicly as the number one in whatever they encounter.

But since there are only a handful of number one positions open, everyone scrambles wildly to grasp that title, often engaging in unethical behavior just to achieve it.

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I believe that parents like that thrust a life upon their own children that they wish they had; thus, children are not really viewed as other, separate human beings, but rather symbolize a second chance at life. What really sets The Overachievers aside from other typical research projects is the emotion and passion that Robbins puts into the subject.

For example, it is evident from her writing style that she holds distaste for the No Child Left Behind Act, which she believes contributes to the stressful environment that schools have become. The Secret Lives of Driven Kids is a book I would definitely recommend to all the overachievers in America, especially the children under age twelve who are currently being pressured by their parents to learn material far beyond the typical level of learning at their age.

And eventually, they grow into the habit of acting accordingly with the intentions of their parents. Although reading this book might prove to be a disillusioning experience, I believe it to be better that children know in advance what kind of society they are growing up in. This novel is also a good read for high school students, who can connect to the overachievers on a personal level. Dec 10, Steph Lovelady rated it really liked it. My son, a high school junior in a magnet humanities program, was assigned to read this book for his AP English class.

I read it along with him. It's highly readable and relatable, both as someone who went to what was a fairly competitive high school in the 80s though My son, a high school junior in a magnet humanities program, was assigned to read this book for his AP English class. It's highly readable and relatable, both as someone who went to what was a fairly competitive high school in the 80s though competition at top high schools seems to have gotten worse and as a current high school parent.

These kids represent extreme cases in terms of achievement and stress; they are not typical of your average high school student in the U. We struggle for balance in our family and don't always find it, even with a kid who does much less than these kids. It really is hard to know how to best support kids in this high-pressure environment. I hope it gives him some perspective. Nov 05, Crystal rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Anyone involved in the high school life.

The Secret Lives of Driven Kids by the celebrated author Alexandra Robbins, a significant issue of our current society is addressed: This non-fictional novel retraces the high school lives of real students whose only names have been changed. The frenzied lives of six high school students, which may seem even unbelievable at times, are portrayed.

Unfortunately, the different, yet simi In The Overachievers: Unfortunately, the different, yet similar, stories behind each person are in fact very real, and they ultimately reflect the hectic, stressful lives of many overachievers in America today. The six students who are portrayed are all overachievers and are unfavorably affected by the need to fulfill the expectations of other people, such as parents, college admission officers, and other peers, or their own desire to achieve perfection.

The obligation for these high schoolers to succeed in everything they do, including academics or other extracurricular activities, lead to their own unhappiness and predicaments.

Along with the stress of having to keep up their grades in order to get into a prestigious college, some of them struggle to keep up with their social life as well. An example of an oppressed student is AP Frank, who is pressured by society to fulfill certain expectations. When AP Frank goes to Harvard, he regains control over his social life and finds happiness as his actions finally reflect his own. Both societal and self expectations serve as a reoccurring motif throughout the novel, driving the students to leap over their limits and setting themselves up for disappointment.

Robbins ultimately conveys this theme: Society and other pressures should not define who a person is. Many students do not go to the college that is right for them, but they rather change themselves in order to enter a prestigious college that may not even be suitable for them. The author reminds high school students to stay true to who he or she is despite the possible pressures and stresses that may arrive in life. She often asserts her own opinions and facts into appropriate chapters.

This style is useful because it provides anecdotes as well as hard evidence. I chose this book because I wanted to read a non-fiction novel that I could relate to. The Overachievers fulfilled my expectations, and I recommend this five-star novel to anyone who is involved in high school- including students, parents of students, teachers, and others. Alexandra Robbins truly provides an enlightening experience through this eye-opening novel. Jun 05, Kathia rated it it was amazing. Alexandra Robbins style is friendly, yet very informative.

I like how she didn't just follow the lives of the eight students and analyze their behaviors. She actually became close with her subjects which was very interesting and something I have never seen before. It was very a very interesting book that analyzed the very popular overachiever culture and its flaws. Being an overachiever myself, I was able to relate to the many topics Robbins analyzed.

This book made be realize a lot of things ab Alexandra Robbins style is friendly, yet very informative. This book made be realize a lot of things about the competitiveness in this very modern overachiever culture.

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It's definitely getting out of hand, and has become a very big problem in not only the U. This book is clear and digs very well into the secret lives of overachievers. Alexandra's Robbins work is exciting and captivating. Oct 15, Jonathan rated it really liked it. The Overachievers, by Alexandra Robbins, follows the lives of various students in their final years of high school and one entering his freshman year in university.

The Overachievers: The Secret Life of Driven Kids

It details the various pressures and troubles brought about by the effort to succeed and be the best in one of the most competitive high schools in America. I enjoyed this book, not only because it sends a much needed message that the pressure to get into a good university is too high and placing too much stress on students across The Overachievers, by Alexandra Robbins, follows the lives of various students in their final years of high school and one entering his freshman year in university. I enjoyed this book, not only because it sends a much needed message that the pressure to get into a good university is too high and placing too much stress on students across the world, but also because I could relate exactly to what these people were going through.

I agree with Robbins' message that in the effort to get ahead, the joy of learning is left by the wayside. May 17, Claudia rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Recommended to Claudia by: I chose this for Book Club. I chose this book for our book club, and I'm eager to see what elementary teachers and parents think of this book. Robbins follows several students from one high-achieving school and connects their concerns and struggles with education issues: NCLB, SAT and ACT testing, the whole test-prep industry; recess and the competition for preschool admission; and how schools' schedules are a mismatch to teenagers' sleep patterns.

Her commentary is top-notch! I read fiction for character, I chose this book for our book club, and I'm eager to see what elementary teachers and parents think of this book. I read fiction for character, so I was drawn in by these amazing kids who are trying so hard to juggle their lives, and have a life. I recommend this to anyone who knows a child! Feb 18, James Parker rated it really liked it.

The Overachievers is overall a great book, being very informative and providing much insight into what really goes on in the educational system. Every page keeps you wanting more, and the shockingly true facts that this book is replete with only add to this feeling. Alexandra Robbins is a fantastic investigative journalist, and she has done a fantastic job documenting the struggles and challenges in the lives of multiple students.

Not only are the stories of the students interesting and engaging The Overachievers is overall a great book, being very informative and providing much insight into what really goes on in the educational system. Not only are the stories of the students interesting and engaging, but they each reflect a major flaw in the American educational system. In short, The Overachievers is a great book and should not be missed. May 18, Lisa rated it it was amazing. Robbins' non-fiction reads like a novel. Her characters, real life high school students, tell the story, which Robbins validates with her research, sprinkled between the anecdotes.

As the parent of a high school junior who attends a school much like Whitman, I was deeply interested in the subject matter, and as a former school counselor and adjunct professor, I appreciated the thoroughness of Robbins' research. This book should be required reading for high school parents, particularly if their c Robbins' non-fiction reads like a novel.

This book should be required reading for high school parents, particularly if their children are college-bound. It's well-written and easy to read, yet it delivers its message clearly and beautifully. May 23, Jada rated it liked it. Reading this book as a high school student meant a lot of me nodding my head and saying "Same! The content of the book itself was great, and honestly more people need to read this book because people don't seem to truly get the stress kids are under these days.

My only issue was Robbins has this style of writing that to me is a little too verbose. I found myself skipping paragraphs and having to force myself to come back and read them because I just found them boring. However, overall this is a book I would recommend, and I enjoyed reading most of it.

Oct 30, Lani rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Living in the DC metro area, working in Bethesda where the school mentioned is located , and having attended an even more intense magnet school in the area less than 5 years before the book was written This book spoke to me. What I didn't see in myself, I saw in my classmates. I hope teachers and parents read this book and understand the pressures that kids Living in the DC metro area, working in Bethesda where the school mentioned is located , and having attended an even more intense magnet school in the area less than 5 years before the book was written I hope teachers and parents read this book and understand the pressures that kids put on themselves.

Sep 14, Kim Shaw rated it it was amazing. This book informative and intriguing. I read it for my summer reading junior year and was in love with it. I did not want to put it down even the parts that are satistics. My favorite part of reading the book though was the connection I felt with the other students. It put some of the events I do in perspective because I knew that my life would be okay.

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I enjoyed learning about the pressure kids my age go through. The research was great and organized well. I think this book is a must read. Aug 23, Akiko rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: This book took me back to my high school years, when my college counselor told me that my first choice college should be my safety, and that "I could do so, so much better" in my college choices. Thankfully, I ignored him and proceeded along to my first choice, one of the best choices I've made in my entire life so far!

Really nostalgic book, and makes me glad I'm not in high school anymore. Mar 16, Sally rated it it was amazing. This books reports on the nuttiness of high school life for students striving to get into the best colleges. The book also talks about how this pressure starts at the pre-school level, and I can already sense the overachiever pressure, and my kids are not quite 5 and 3!

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