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The Kids' Guide to Speaking Your Mind Without Losing Your Cool

Matt Agnew

$26.99

Paperback

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English
Allen & Unwin
01 February 2026
How do we end up with different ideas and opinions? How can we talk about these ideas and opinions with each other even when we disagree?

Such as: -When I read, see or hear something, how do I know if it's true or false?

-What if I'm right and my friend's wrong? How do we stay friends? - Is it okay to change my mind?

Dr Matt explains how to avoid confirmation bias and us-vs-them thinking, and how to stay calm and show respect to others in the heat of an argument, along with tips on how to debate. Included are some thought experiments to do at home or in the classroom that will help kids speak their mind without losing their cool.

Dr Matt Agnew is a popular author and commentator on TV and radio including appearances on The Morning Show, ABC News Breakfast, ABC Melbourne, Wave FM, Triple J and popular podcasts such as Dr Karl's Shirtload of Science.

'Public speaking is an essential life skill ... the simple approach to complex concepts makes this text ideal for Stage 3-4 Classrooms. Whether it is a Public Speaking Unit or an extra-curricular program, you are sure to find something that can help guide the next generation of movers and shakers.' Ruth R. ( Secondary Teacher NSW)

'Fabulously informative ... In a world full of misinformation, this book is a terrifically valuable tool for all ages.' Good Reading Magazine

What you'll learn to do in this book:

Sharpen your thinking

Debate like a pro

Choose the right words

Change your mind

Exercise your brain

Take deep breaths

Listen with care

Perfect for:

- Readers aged 10+

- The curious kid with big thoughts and strong feelings - The keen and not-so-keen debater and public speaker

- Parents, teachers and librarians looking for fun and accessible resources that encourage critical and mindful thinking, effective communication and informed and responsible consumption of media

- Anyone who wants to know more about public speaking, critical thinking and debating

Content includes:

Do you want to win an argument?

Nature or nurture?

What about the social media algorithm?

How do you know what's true and what's false?

What if you're right and your friend's wrong?

How can you argue without getting into a fight?

Do you have to agree with your friends?

Can you change your mind?

How do you regulate your emotions?

What if your friend is down a rabbit hole?

Praise for Is My Phone Reading My Mind:

- 'A must-have guide for tech-challenged parents (like me) and their better-informed kids!' Jessica Rowe

- 'Should be compulsory reading in every school across the country.' Tracey Spicer AM
By:  
Imprint:   Allen & Unwin
Country of Publication:   Australia
Dimensions:   Height: 234mm,  Width: 153mm, 
Weight:   244g
ISBN:   9781761182266
ISBN 10:   1761182269
Pages:   192
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 10 to 14 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  English as a second language
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Dr Matt Agnew is more than a scientist; he's an edutainer who helps make science, maths and technology fun and accessible for everyone. With myriad appearances across media channels, and a social media profile with a wide and varied audience, Dr Matt is a passionate and engaging scientist who has worn many hats - as an engineer, an astrophysicist, and an artificial intelligence expert - and has become a popular commentator on the latest happenings in the world of science. Dr Matt has a Doctorate in Astrophysics and a Masters in Artificial Intelligence. He was born in Adelaide, raised in Perth and now lives in Melbourne with his dog Pluto.

Reviews for The Kids' Guide to Speaking Your Mind Without Losing Your Cool

'Public Speaking is an essential life skill, but it can often be hard to convince our students of this. The Kids Guide to Speaking Your Mind helps to bridge the gap between what they THINK they need to learn and what we KNOW they do. The simple approach to complex concepts makes this text ideal for Stage 3-4 Classrooms. Whether it is a Public Speaking Unit or an extra-curricular program, you are sure to find something that can help guide the next generation of movers and shakers.' Ruth R. ( Secondary Teacher NSW) 'When conversations get tricky, how do we share our ideas succinctly and calmly? Arguing and debating is an art form, and this fabulously informative book explores the steps we can take to build clear, thoughtful arguments which ultimately benefit everyone. The book focuses on strategies to argue, debate and listen, all presented in easy-to-understand chapters that explore such things as knowing what is true or false, changing your mind, and regulating your emotions, as well as social media algorithms and 'What if your friend is down a rabbit hole?' In a world full of misinformation, this book is a terrifically valuable tool for all ages, offering ways to argue safely and clearly. Readers learn to argue with both their heart and their head, including lessons on disagreeing without it turning into a fight. It shows us that arguing doesn't always have to be about winning, but about listening and learning together.' ★★★★ Good Reading Magazine


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