John Hodge's "You Can Get in the Way" is a thought-provoking and unflinchingly honest examination of the complexities of human nature and the choices that shape our lives. Through a series of interconnected stories, Hodge invites readers into a world where characters grapple with desire, ambition, and the pursuit of meaning in a world fraught with uncertainty.

One of the most compelling aspects of "You Can Get in the Way" is Hodge's keen insight into the human psyche. With razor-sharp wit and a keen eye for detail, he brings his characters to life with vivid clarity, capturing their hopes, fears, and insecurities with remarkable depth and nuance. Each story is a window into the inner workings of the human mind, revealing the myriad ways in which we are both the architects of our own destinies and at the mercy of forces beyond our control.

Hodge's prose is as sharp as it is poignant, imbued with a sense of urgency and immediacy that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Whether he's exploring the complexities of relationships, the allure of power, or the search for meaning in a world consumed by chaos, Hodge's writing crackles with energy and intensity, leaving a lasting impression on the reader long after the final page is turned.

While "You Can Get in the Way" is undeniably a powerful and thought-provoking read, some readers may find its nonlinear structure and shifting perspectives challenging to navigate. Hodge weaves together multiple storylines and characters with skill and dexterity, but the sheer scope of the narrative can occasionally feel overwhelming, requiring readers to stay fully engaged in order to keep track of the various threads.

In conclusion, "You Can Get in the Way" by John Hodge is a compelling and immersive exploration of the human condition that will leave readers questioning the choices they make and the paths they choose to follow. With its vivid characters, incisive prose, and thought-provoking themes, it is a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

In this compelling book, Dr. John Hodge delivers a persuasive message that "poverty and other risk factors shouldn't be barriers to high student achievement." Through engaging narration and personal accounts, he instills the belief that educators have the power to overcome these barriers and guide students towards achievement. Readers will be inspired to maximize their success and boost resiliency within their students in order to steer them towards positive outcomes.

Useful for those working with students, a good mindset to hold onto.

As a former teacher/librarian/school worker and now parent to a teen approaching the 'life choices/exams' stage, I was after tips and ideas from professionals. Anything to use and pass on.

This was short and succinct, with good case studies and well-explained, simple thoughts about simply being that person that blocks the risks from a young person's life and life chances: skills aren't needed for this, just really being there and spotting their potential problem and clearing it out of their way.

Resilience is a skill I personally feel is harder for younger generations to develop, for multiple reasons, so anything us adults can do to help with this will benefit us all.

A short audiobook, flowed well from chapter to chapter, though I would definitely like some of it on paper to refer to.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

This book is definitely one of those books that should be listened to by educators, support staff and parents.

This book gave pretty good advice on how to bridge the gap for your student(s), how to show up for them but also, the best way to create an action plan that would help your child/student succeed.


I enjoyed this audiobook. It was very informative and provided a good bit of information in a short and sweet audiobook.



I volunteered to listen to this audiobook through NetGalley

The importance of getting involved with children was evident from the beginning to the end of this book. While this book was geared towards education and teachers I think all people who interact with children would benefit from this book. Showing you care makes a difference

An inspiring manifesto for anyone who wants their life to have meaning and to create real positive change in the world.

I rarely dive into the non-fiction genre, and when it happens, it's either I'm at a certain point in my life when I genuinely need self-help or a personal growth boost, or I'm just curious. Neither of these reasons is why I chose this 96-page book. I wanted to listen to an audiobook on NetGalley, and this one sits in a grid of readily available books that may or may not be to my liking.

So here I am, in a post-reflection phase from the book's key learnings, as I share my perspectives on why this book is essential. Yes, essential.

"You Can Get in the Way: How You Can Become a ROADBLOCK to Risk Factors" by Dr. John W. Hodge discusses how, as a community, we can help children and students overcome the roadblocks that get in the way of their success. It highlights how the Resilience Phenomenon can help them recover quickly from setbacks or difficulties. Teachers and school instructors are the intended audience for the book, but its resonance extends to anyone. As a parent, I admit guilt about many practices I thought were beneficial to my teens, which proved detrimental as I consumed this book.

Notwithstanding its brevity, the book provides insights into positive strategies to help our children succeed. The main takeaway is that the youth's success depends on the adults' willingness to care and that the probability of success or failure depends on how a person reacts to certain risk factors. The book emphasizes the need to transform risk factors into positive ones - working around the consequences of risk factors into incentives and being consistent with their implementation.

Overall, I appreciate that the author personally narrated this book, as his enthusiasm shines through when he conveys vital points and when he recounts glimpses of his childhood. What's great about his writing is that the narrative is easy to follow, and his observations are on point - figures that perhaps we, as adults, are already aware of but still need to be perceptive to their relevance. As an Asian parent - although the book focuses on the American educational system - the roadblocks mentioned in the book are also similar to what our children go through, albeit with some cultural variation. To summarize the author's words, we should all look beyond the current circumstances that befall our youth, collaborate with others, and utilize effective instructional practices with consistency and willingness to care. I cannot recommend this book enough to teachers, parents, community leaders, mentors, etc., as long as you are an adult who is part of society and would want your children to thrive. And remember, it only takes one person who cares to make a difference; how much more if an entire community does so?

Thank you #NetGalley and #National Center for Youth Issues for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my own, and unbiased opinion.

Never underestimate the power of caring.

The author shares a lot of stories of people who got in the way (in a GOOD way!) of students who had many risk factors stacked against their academic success. He shares helpful tips. What I retain as the core:
-Don't expect them to fail.
-Believe in them.
-Show you care.
-Set up continuous daily rewards instead of quarterly events, to make it a continuous habit.

The book is very much focused on the school system, and helping children there. Still good principles to carry over to other parts of life and interacting positively with children.

What an inspirational book for educators! Dr. Hodge provides engaging stories, research-proven data, and practical applications to help teachers and counselors direct youth to a successful path. Every educator - every adult - needs to read this book and be inspired to get in the way!