This book explores how we think and perceive and why false beliefs, superstitions, opinions, misinformation, or wild guesses can just stick around and mess things up. You amp rsquo ll see how misunderstandings and misuse of scientific findings can lead people to the wrong conclusions. Readers learn how to outsmart their brain to gain critical thinking skills and find ways to identify and correct false beliefs and disinformation. 

Our big brains are super-efficient but glitchy. Scientists estimate that 9 % of what we see, hear, smell, or sense never really sinks in. Instead, we pick up on the big things, general impressions, or important stuff and end up leaving our brains to fill in the missing info. And on top of that, people sometimes twist information on purpose. False beliefs can be shared from person to person or go viral in a flash, often by people who think the info is true.  

So how in the world do we know what amp rsquo s real, what amp rsquo s true, or who to believe? Dig in and get the facts!  

Prizes

Dogwood Readers Award

Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD is a retired clinical psychologist with over 3 years in private practice working with children and parents. She earned her PhD from University of Virginia and serves as Chief Facilitator for a medical resources project with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Toner has co-authored several books with Claire A. B. Freeland, PhD including What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake , What to Do When It's Not Fair  Psychology for Kids: The Science of Mind and Behavior Depression: A Teen's Guide to Survive and Thrive and Yes I Can: A Girl and Her Wheelchair. She is also the author of What to Do When the News Scares You. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Visit jacquelinetoner.net.