Packer, Alex J. 1951-

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PACKER, Alex J. 1951-

PERSONAL:

Born 1951. Education: Harvard University, M.S.; Boston College, Ph.D.

ADDRESSES:

Office—FCD Educational Services, 398 Walnut St., Newton, MA 02460; fax: 617-964-9449.

CAREER:

Psychologist, educator, and writer. FCD Educational Services, Boston, MA, president; formerly headmaster of an alternative school and director of education at the Capital Children's Museum.

WRITINGS:

Bringing Up Parents: The Adolescent's Handbook, illustrated by Philip Stevenson, Acropolis Books (Washington, DC), 1985.

(With John S. Dacey) The Nurturing Parent: How to Raise Creative, Loving, Responsible Children, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1992.

Bringing Up Parents: The Teenager's Handbook, edited by Pamela Espeland, illustrated by Harry Pulver, Jr., Free Spirit (Minneapolis, MN), 1992.

365 Ways to Love Your Child, Dell (New York, NY), 1995.

Parenting One Day at a Time: Using the Tools of Recovery to Become Better Parents and Raise Better Kids, Dell (New York, NY), 1996.

How Rude! The Teenagers' Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out, edited by Pamela Espeland, illustrated by Jeff Tolbert, Free Spirit (Minneapolis, MN), 1997.

Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good … without Alcohol or Other Drugs, edited by Pamela Espeland, illustrated by Jeff Tolbert, Free Spirit (Minneapolis, MN), 2000, reprinted as Wise Highs: How to Thrill, Chill & Get Away from It All without Alcohol or Other Drugs, 2006.

The How Rude! Handbook of Family Manners for Teens: Avoiding Strife in Family Life, edited by Pamela Espeland, Free Spirit (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

The How Rude! Handbook of Friendship & Dating Manners for Teens: Surviving the Social Scene, edited by Pamela Espeland, Free Spirit (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

The How Rude! Handbook of School Manners for Teens: Civility in the Hallowed Halls, edited by Pamela Espeland, Free Spirit (Minneapolis, MN), 2004.

Contributor to periodicals, including Girls' Life.

SIDELIGHTS:

Alex J. Packer is a psychologist who has had extensive dealings with children and teenagers, including his former post heading an alternative school for more than a decade. He is also the author of a number of books discussing issues such as child rearing, drug use, and manners in the child and teenage population. For example, in his book Parenting One Day at a Time: Using the Tools of Recovery to Become Better Parents and Raise Better Kids, Packer instructs parents on child-rearing techniques based on a twelve-step recovery program typically used for helping people stay sober. Packer recommends that parents incorporate the basics of the program in rearing their children, such as showing their children patience, acceptance, honesty, and gratitude. A contributor to Adolescence commented: "This guide shows you how to prepare your children for tomorrow by focusing on the quality of today."

Packer focuses on childhood and teenage drug and alcohol abuse in Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good … without Alcohol or Other Drugs. In his book, Packer acknowledges that "getting high" is a natural part of life but points out that it can be done without the use of drugs or alcohol. He offers more than one hundred examples with step-by-step instructions of ways that kids can get high naturally, from meditation and sports to creativity and spending time with family and friends. The book includes references to books, organizations, and Web sites that may also be helpful. Commenting on the book in an interview in Curriculum Review, Packer noted: "I'm telling teens to say 'yes' to getting high—on their own terms. I wrote Highs! to offer teens tools and strategies they can use to lead a healthy, rewarding life full of passion, growth and, yes, highs. From calming down to revving up, going deep inside yourself, or trying something waaaay out, the best highs are the ones teens create for themselves."

In a review of Highs! in Adolescence, a contributor noted the author's "trademark wit and style." Kristin Fletcher, writing in the Book Report, called Highs! a "humorous, enjoyable handbook." School Library Journal contributor Jane Halsall wrote: "This is one of the best life-skills books on the market." Roger Leslie, writing in Booklist, commented that the author's "mix of lighthearted tone and solid information make the information seem both fun and authoritative."

Packer turns his attention to teenage etiquette in books such as How Rude! The Teenagers' Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out and The How Rude! Handbook of School Manners for Teens: Civility in the Hallowed Halls. In the former, the author focuses on how to properly interact with various people in a variety of situations by focusing on some of the basic rules of good manners. The author discusses such topics as the job interview, good houseguest manners, and proper telephone etiquette. He even addresses the day-to-day routine things that teenagers might not think about, such as spitting, sneezing, and coughing. A Children's Digest contributor called the book a "helpful and entertaining to read." Stephanie Zvirin, writing in Booklist, noted that the author is able "to get the point across without scolding or haranguing."

Proper etiquette in school is the focus of The How Rude! Handbook of School Manners for Teens. The author not only discusses important issues of respect for others but also addresses topics such as bullying. Writing in Kliatt, Francisca Goldsmith noted: "The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Adolescence, spring, 2001, review of Parenting One Day at a Time: Using the Tools of Recovery to Become Better Parents and Raise Better Kids, p. 172; winter, 2004, review of Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good … without Alcohol or Other Drugs, p. 835.

Book Report, November, 2000, Kristin Fletcher, review of Highs!, p. 71.

Booklist, February 1, 1998, Stephanie Zvirin, review of How Rude! The Teenagers' Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out, p. 908; March 15, 1999, review of review of How Rude!, p. 1314; November 1, 2000, Roger Leslie, review of Highs!, p. 524.

Children's Digest, October, 2000, review of How Rude!, p. 27.

Curriculum Review, October, 2000, "Health Teachers Can Show Teens How to Get High—without Drugs," interview with author, p. 15.

Kliatt, May, 2005, Francisca Goldsmith, review of The How Rude! Handbook of School Manners for Teens: Civility in the Hallowed Halls, p. 42.

School Library Journal, September, 2000, Jane Halsall, review of Highs!, p. 254.

Skipping Stones, winter 1995, review of Bringing Up Parents: The Teenager's Handbook, p. 31; March-April, 2004, review of Highs!, p. 34.