What Stories Does My Son Need?: A Guide to Books and Movies That Build Character in Boys »

From Michael Gurian, the groundbreaking author of THE WONDER OF BOYS and THE GOOD SON, comes a unique guide to 200 movies and books that help parents build character in boys and young men.

Boys have a special relationship with stories. They are unusually influenced by what they see, hear, and read -- for good or ill. In WHAT STORIES DOES MY SON NEED? Gurian shows parents and teachers how to harness the media's influence to teach boys the lessons they need in today's confusing moral environment.

In an annotated list including movies such as "High Noon" and "Glory" and books such as THE GIVING TREE and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, therapist and educator Gurian highlights the particular ethical lessons 200 great stories can impart to boys and young men. Discussion points coach parents and teachers on how to make the viewing or reading of these essential stories a valuable character-shaping experience. The book also features an introductory chapter that instructs readers on the perils and promise of boys' media intake; on boys' unique emotional relationship to the media; and how to use their viewing experiences as opportunities for moral growth.

Library Journal

Psychotherapist and father Gurian is the author of several previous books on parenting sons (A Fine Young Man and The Wonder of Boys). Here, he focuses on the role stories and movies play in shaping boys' character and in teaching moral lessons. After an introductory chapter about the need for stories and movies, Gurian identifies and summarizes 100 movies and 100 books and suggests questions for parents to ask when discussing these books and movies with their sons. The listings are arranged according to the age at which Gurian believes they are appropriate: preschool, lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school. The list, of course, is not inclusive, and most of the selections would also suit daughters. Parents and others who work with children can use this as a selection tool and as a model for choosing other titles not included. Recommended for public and college libraries.-Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, MD