Why We Love: The Science of Affection

by Matt Lilley

Overview

Is there someone you can't stop thinking about? Just a friend or is it a crush? Could all those heart-pounding feelings even be love? Where do these emotions come from? The answer is in the science of affection! From enjoying the bond of family and friends or the smallest flutters in your stomach to the gooiest, mushiest of loves, middle school is a time when you get ALL. THE. FEELS. But next time you or your friends feel all warm and fuzzy, you'll understand what's really going on in your brains. Plus, you'll learn tips to decode what's happening in your body and find out how to strengthen your self-love. Mental health is as important as your heart, so when affectionate behaviors and feelings have crossed the line, you'll also learn when it's time to reach out for help.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756562236
Publisher:	Capstone Press
Publication date:	08/01/2019
Series:	Decoding the Mind
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	790L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 What Is Love? 4

Chapter 2 Love Is… a Chemical Imbalance? 8

Chapter 3 Love Is… Squishy: Romantic Love 24

Chapter 4 Love Is… Inside You: Self-Love 32

Chapter 5 Love Is… Selfless: Altruism and Compassion 44

Chapter 6 Love's Path 54

Reach Out 58

Glossary 59

Additional Resources 60

Critical Thinking Questions 61

Source Notes 62

Select Bibliography 63

Index 64

Interviews

Trending topics of lying, fake news, and emotional intelligence are discussed in a general way to appeal to tweens and teens, Playful design and conversational approach reduce stigma associated with picking up materials dealing with mental health and emotion, High-interest approach to middle school science curriculum related to biology and evolution, Appropriate for teen students reading at lower reading levels

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2019

K-Gr 3—Emotions are rooted in science/body chemistry. Parts of the brain govern feelings, determine our responses to situations, and cause the body to react accordingly. Emotions are serious and have been extensively researched, but these titles speak in a friendly, helpful, humorous tone, using colloquial language. Social-historical explanations are given for how emotions developed and evolved and the reasons we still have them: to maintain human connections and interactions. The volumes discuss why/when it's appropriate to release feelings, why/when it's not, and how to control or boost ourselves when necessary. Terrific colorful, labeled diagrams depict the physiological underpinnings of the brain parts and systems that regulate emotions and their physical manifestations. Other highlights: numerous sidebars, a "Reach Out" feature that guides readers in seeking help, and critical thinking questions. VERDICT Unessential but well written, fact filled, eye-catching, and conversation-provoking. Recommended for public and school libraries.

School Library Journal

Emphasizing the link between thoughts and emotions, this series will help readers stay in touch with and direct their feelings in positive ways. A brain map in each volume explains reactions related to the topic. Negatives and positives of each emotion are explored. All emphasize the need to connect with others and to balance emotional reactions for positive growth. Titles that address worry, rage, and crying speak to depression and coping strategies. Each of these three books includes mindfulness, but selections that deal with rage and crying give a more thorough mindfulness presentation and additional suggestions for outreach. Why We Rage encourages readers to direct their anger toward activism and provides support sources for minority teens. Why We Love accents positive self-love and selfless love and offers specific advice for strengthening mind and body. Readers are encouraged to use that new strength to help others and are directed to volunteer opportunities. Why We Laugh encourages readers to laugh more and naturally. It warns about using laughter as a weapon and gives good suggestions about suppressing inappropriate laughter. Each volume provides scientific information, historical background, and extensive examples, but readers will be most drawn to the self-help sections that explain how that knowledge can change their lives. Junior and senior high students will be the best audiences. Because of relationships among topics and questions that promote critical thinking, students who use these sources for class presentations will find much material for discussion.

VOYA - Lucy Schall