I did it without thinking: True stories about impulsive decisions that changed lives by Bob Hugel

Bibliographic Information:
Hugel, B. (2008). I did it without thinking: True stories about impulsive decisions that changed lives. New York, NY: Franklin Watts. ISBN# 9780531138687

Plot Summary:
The book starts out with a true/false test on all of the topics covered. Before getting into the individual stories, Hugel has a section discussing Jay Giedd’s research regarding teen brain development. While Giedd’s research shows that a teen’s brain is not fully developed until around the age of 25, that does not give teens carte blanche. All actions have consequences. Hugel makes the following three suggestions: Pause, think about your choices and their consequences; talk to others who may have experienced what you are experiencing, see what they did; ask for help. After showing the reader the brain facts, Hugel gets into the individual stories. The first story is about Nick. He went to jail twice, once for starting a fire in the school bathroom (it was just a joke) and later for marijuana possession. Jail and rehab were his consequences. John became addicted to internet gambling. He lost over $2,500. His consequences were getting yelled out, losing friends, working to pay back his aunt, and becoming his aunt’s servant around the house. Nancy and Aggie are teen mothers. They love their children, but their lives have become difficult. The father of Nancy’s baby is in their lives, but she doesn’t have any time for a social life. The father of Aggie’s baby left when he discovered the baby was a girl. She has only seen him at court when she has sued for child support. Other stories are about dropping out of school, spreading gossip, and getting a tattoo. The book then concludes with some positive stories where impulsive behavior was beneficial. One young man rescued a boy caught in a riptide. A young girl started collecting socks for homeless people. The book finishes with suggestions for volunteering.

Critical Evaluation:
What a fantastic book! It is based in science, the studies conducted by Jay Giedd. These studies help teens to understand why they feel the way they do. I was especially glad to read the statement that while teens’ brains are still forming, this does not excuse bad behavior, a concept I was struggling with previously. The personal stories really bring the ideas to life. Teens will be able to relate to their follow teens’ experiences. The book doesn’t sugarcoat anything, not is it preachy. The little quizzes help keep teens involved and check for understanding. There are information boxes that can help teens just looking for quick information without reading the entire book. There is a glossary and an index. Both of these features help the reader find specific information and further understand that information. I highly recommend this book for all school and public libraries.

Reader's Annotation:
The book opens with a discussion on teen brain development. Then individual stories are presented showing how all behaviors have consequences.

Information about the author:
Bob Hugel has written nine informational books for teens. He is the editor of Scholastic Choices magazine. The purpose of the magazine is to help teens make responsible choices. Hugel is married and has two children. They live in New Jersey.
http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Bob_Hugel.html

Genre: Information

Curriculum Ties: Sociology; Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas:
• What does it mean to be impulsive?
• Does impulsiveness excuse responsibility?
• Discuss a time when you did something without thinking about it.
• What should you do before acting on anything?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
Junior high – young adult

Challenge Issues:
Teen pregnancy; tattoos; gambling; arson; drug use; gossiping

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
• Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
o Positive reviews
o Selection policy
o Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did an online search of my local library and the title of this book caught my attention.

One positive review

The review was accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~oXTG5n:2 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.