Author: Alexandra Robbins
# of Pages: 448 (paperback)
Genre: Nonfiction, Education, Psychology
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: In The Overachievers, journalist Alexandra Robbins delivers a poignant, funny, riveting narrative that explores how our high-stakes educational culture has spiraled out of control. During the year of her ten-year reunion, Robbins returns to her high school, where she follows students, including CJ and others: Julie, a track and academic star who is terrified she's making the wrong choices; "AP" Frank, who grapples with horrifying parental pressure to succeed; Taylor, a soccer and lacrosse captain whose ambition threatens her popular girl status; Sam, who worries his years of overachieving will be wasted if he doesn't attend a name-brand college; Audrey, who struggles with perfectionism; and The Stealth Overachiever, a mystery junior who flies under the radar.
Review: "Everyone is searching for that summer feeling again. School does not let a kid live...competitiveness and work combine to create one of the most stressful environments."
Anyone who has gone or is going through high school will know of (or embody) an overachiever. With a rigorous class load and the constant pressure to get straight A's, high school life can seems extremely stressful. This books shows overachievers that they are not alone. People across the United States have been enduring the same struggles even before the publication of this book in 2006. If you're an overachiever, this book is incredibly relatable.
Robbins brings up some great points; how anything less than perfect is viewed as failure, how college's shouldn't be judged by their title (to name a couple). When the reader realizes that the dreaded "oh" reaction to college decisions isn't limited to his or her school, reality finally hits. Workaholism is a problem on a much greater scale than most of us realize.
This is probably one of the best nonfiction books I've ever read. Although a little long winded (Robbin's began to be a little repetitive with her topics near the end), overall this book is incredibly value in the hands of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and many others. I recommend this book specifically to those who consider themselves or are considered by others to be overachievers.
