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“ask students about them”: See, for example, the description of the Generation Y program in Weinberger, Elizabeth and McCombs, Barbara. “Applying the LCPs to High School Education,” Theory Into Practice, Vol. 42, No. 2, Learner-Centered Principles: A Framework for Teaching, Spring, 2003. See also Rigby, Ken. “Health Consequences of Bullying and its Prevention in Schools,” in Peer Harassment in Schools.

“special bully meetings”: Interview.

“There has to be”: See Healy, Rita. “A Long Shadow,” Time Europe, May 6, 2002.

CHAPTER 14

the jellybean jar game: See Berns. I highly recommend Iconoclast for further reading.

“The more diverse the group”: Ibid.

Note: Diverse groups do not polarize. See, for example, Fishkin, James S. and Luskin, Robert C. “Experimenting with a Democratic Ideal: Deliberative Polling and Public Opinion,” Acta Politica, Vol. 40, 2005.

“The more influence a group’s members”: See Surowiecki, James. The Wisdom of Crowds, New York: First Anchor Books, 2005.

Acknowledgments

I am exceptionally lucky to have supportive parents who have always encouraged me to be myself and clearly communicated that they love me not despite my goofy idiosyncrasies, but because those quirks help to make me who I am. A line on an acknowledgments page is not nearly enough to thank them.

I especially want to thank my mom, kind and wise, caring and fun, witty and talented, cheerful and enthusiastic, and an exemplary role model. Her selflessness, thoughtfulness, and generosity in assisting me with both book and non-book matters were a major reason I was able to turn in this manuscript on time. She is the best mother a child could have.

Dave Robbins is a constant source of inspiration, compassion, encouragement, and amusement. Missy Robbins provided invaluable assistance with locating journal articles and commenting astutely from a teacher’s perspective. Andrew Robbins, who skillfully handles my Web sites, also kept me laughing from afar. Ira Robbins, my most lovingly, wonderfully meticulous reader, made this book so much better than it was.

The following people have my utmost appreciation for their support, friendship, and frequent reminders that while I love what I do for a living, life outside of work is also a blast: Ryan R., most of all—and Amy L., Nick and Andrea B., Gwen A., Andey K., Kelly L., Ellie A. (my go-to grammer guru), Vicki and Matt G., Kristy K., and the magnanimous Jake F. Additional heartfelt thanks to Lita G.

I’m so grateful to be paired with Gretchen Young, a smart, insightful editor who constantly demonstrated her passion for and devotion to this book. An author could not ask for a better editor. On top of that, she’s one cool chick. (Er, legitimately, sociometrically cool.) Elizabeth Sabo was patient and tireless; I could always count on her for upbeat answers to my (probably too many) questions. My awesome publicist, Christine Ragasa, blew me away with her ideas from our first meeting onward, as did associate publisher Kristin Kiser and super-stupendous marketing guru Bryan Christian, who rounded out the Geeks creative team. Many thanks to publisher Ellen Archer and the rest of the gang at Hyperion, which I’ve been fortunate to call home for nine years.

Paula Balzer, my dear friend and trusted agent of more than a decade, went above and beyond with this book, and I’m not just saying that because she sent me no-reason chocolates. I’m also indebted to Michael Prevett for his steady support and good humor. Sebastian Rupley, the only non-family member I entrusted to serve as a manuscript reader, provided terrific guidance and zeal for this project. Thanks also to Lindzi Scharf, who supplied some Hollywood reporting assistance; Adrian Biffen of Aerohost; and Will Balliett, for his support.

A million thank yous to Danielle, Blue, Regan, Joy, Eli, Noah, and Whitney for the time, effort, and most of all, heart they contributed to this book. I am lucky to know them. Thanks also to all of the students, teachers, and other experts whom I interviewed. Even if their words were not quoted,