Quick Tip : Run to the nearest bookstore and get your copy now!

Raised in the United States in a strict but loving Asian manner, author Amy Chua writes about her experiences and thoughts on bringing up her two daughters. This book, since it came out, has been very controversial. Many are in disbelief of her parenting philosophy and style. No sleepovers. No grade lower than A. No choice but to play either the violin or the piano. These are only to mention a few. Many people find these incredulous.

But how can one argue with success? Her two daughters, from their own lips, confess to being able to live their lives to the fullest because of their tiger mom. They would not have wanted it in any other way.

Many articles, blogs, reviews, interviews and discussions have already tackled on whether such parenting is appropriate. Portal will not go into a multitude of issues. Instead, let us highlight how Chua puts it in one of her TV interviews. She says that more than anything else, what has worked is the combination of high expectations for her children and the provision of a very loving environment. High expectations and a loving environment.

Portal's Note : For us Filipinos, there will always be gains from the wisdom of sticking to our Asian roots.

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Quick Tip : Reserve your copy in the bookstore nearest you. This is often out of stock.

There have been many books already on the subject 21st century skills but Portal singles out Wagner's “The Global Achievement Gap” because of how he has put his researches and findings together. Wagner did not simply go to some libraries or stationed himself in front of a computer. He went out and talked to a wide array of CEOs and company heads, managers and supervisors and obtained straight from them how industries and workplaces are changing and how education must align itself with the real preparations young people need today. Although the context is mainly the culture of the United States of America, some universal threads in Wagner's findings and insights permeate the global call for making the education today more and more relevant to our times.

A must-read!

Portal's Note : The real test for today's graduate is the street.

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