You're smarter than you think; a kid's guide to multiple intelligences. (Education & Guidance).

ARMSTRONG. Thomas. You're smarter than you think; a kid's guide to multiple intelligences. Free Spirit. 186p. illus. index. c2003. 1-57542-113-5. $15.95.

J

As any educator who has attended an education class or professional training session since the rise of Howard Gardner surely knows, "multiple intelligence" theorists maintain that we need to expand traditional notions of "intelligence" to include not only verbal and logical mathematical ability, but also musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and--a recent addition--naturalist intelligence. If a recent survey of this reviewer's sixth-grade classes is any indication, though, students themselves know very little about the theory that drives much of the practice in their classroom. Few authors have chosen to address the younger audience most affected by that theory--until now Fortunately, Thomas Armstrong, an expert on multiple intelligences who makes frequent appearances on TV and radio, has filled that void for young people by writing this volume, which is truly young reader-friendly in format and tone.

Armstrong lays out each of his eight chapters (Word Smart, Music Smart, Logic Smart, Picture Smart, Body Smart, People Smart, Self Smart, and Nature Smart) the same way First there is an inviting "quick quiz" that indicates skills and interests associated with a particular intelligence (such as a connection between liking to play word games and being "word smart"). Then there is a section on what it means to be a particular type of smart followed by advice on how to increase a particular intelligence--whether that intelligence is already a strength for a particular student, or not.

Teachers looking for ideas on how to "differentiate assignments" as well as study skills instruction for students with different relative strengths will find good suggestions here. For example, Armstrong suggests that a person who is music smart might try writing raps to learn math facts, while someone who is body smart could practice math facts while jogging or jump roping. Each chapter ends with a "Look to the Future" section with dozens of potential careers that a person with each type of "intelligence" might want to consider and a resource section with titles and Web sites that offer further information. Two other appealing features are the "Did you know?" factoids studded in blue boxes throughout the text and the thorough index at the end.

A minor quibble: Armstrong never reminds his young audience that the theory is just that--a theory. He states basic assumptions ("All of the intelligences are different, but they're also equal" and "No matter who you are...you have some form of all of the different intelligences") as if they are undeniable facts. Then again, that's unfortunately how multiple intelligence theory is often presented to educators. Quibble aside, middle-schoolers especially will find much in You're Smarter Than You Think that will get them thinking, What could be better than a book that offers kids a wealth of problem-solving strategies to apply to their own learning--and one that's written in an entertaining form that they will actually want to read? Gloria Levine Bryant, Teacher, Hoover M.S., Potomac, MD