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Cover of How Children Succeed by Paul ToughHow Children Succeed
Modern · Nonfiction, Education, Parenting

How Children Succeed

by Paul Tough
2012 · 256 pages · Nonfiction
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 6 hours to read · about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Journalist Paul Tough argues that what matters most for children's success isn't cognitive skill but character: qualities like grit, curiosity, self-control and resilience. He shows why some children succeed and others fail, and how to help them reach their potential.

Why it's worth reading

It spent 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It changed conversations about education and parenting.

You'll love it if you liked

Good to know

It's research-based and readable.

By the numbers

65.8Must-Read Score
  • Readers50 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller40 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Bestseller
33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2012

Reads as

Practical

How we rank

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Quick answers

Is How Children Succeed worth reading?

Yes. It spent 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It ranks #1,777 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.8 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is How Children Succeed about?

Journalist Paul Tough argues that what matters most for children's success isn't cognitive skill but character: qualities like grit, curiosity, self-control and resilience. He shows why some children succeed and others fail, and how to help them reach their potential.

How long does it take to read How Children Succeed?

About 6 hours (256 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after How Children Succeed?

If you liked it, try Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth, Quiet : The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain or Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink.