Author to discuss 'Smartest Kids in World' at Glenbard East

Journalist and author Amanda Ripley will discuss her book, "The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way," during an appearance Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Lombard.

Ripley's presentation, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St., is part of the Glenbard Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families program.

The program offers many opportunities for community members to hear from speakers on topics such as understanding eating disorders and dealing with stress and academic pressure. A complete list of events can be found online at glenbardgps.org.

In her book, Ripley, whose work has appeared in places such as Time and The Atlantic, followed three American teens studying abroad in three different countries: South Korea, Poland and Finland.

"To put the conclusions of these informants in context," Ripley writes in her book, "I surveyed hundreds of other exchange students about their experiences in the United States and abroad."

The evening presentation is open to the public, Glenbard Student and Community Projects Coordinator Gilda Ross said.

"It's clear every day that we live in a global society and as such, we need to really take a look at education in a global fashion and see what seems to be working in these global superpowers and ... consider how it might be useful to us here in the United States today," Ross said.