RANGE (ADAPTED FOR YOUNG READERS)

A young readers’ adaptation of Epstein’s adult title, which made a strong counterargument to the notion that early hyperspecialization is the best path to success.

The 2019 original dismantled the general theory that world-class professionals must be trained starting from childhood; in this work, Epstein and veteran adapter Frank directly address younger audiences feeling the pressure to make career decisions as early as possible. Though golfer Tiger Woods and Hungarian chess players the Polgár sisters do show that focused instruction from early on can lead to stellar performances (Woods was handed a club when he was 7 months old, for instance), others, including tennis star Roger Federer, painter Vincent van Gogh, Nintendo video game designer Gunpei Yokoi, and Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Frances Hesselbein, made false starts. Such people explored a range of interests and occupations before settling on one, or for various reasons they turned out to be late bloomers. “Switchers are often winners,” the co-authors write, urging readers to take the time to look for a “match quality” between their passions and their actual abilities. A section touting the advantages of learning methods that encourage classroom students to make thoughtful connections rather than relying on less flexible procedures adds to the academic spin of this edition, as do the discussion questions at each chapter’s end. The cast of profiled figures is racially diverse.

Readable and persuasive.