The day is finally here. This morning I woke up to my husband reading the final words of the last chapter. Seeing him visibly moved was the best start to release day I can imagine. This book is a result of extensive collaboration with a team of inspired and experienced professionals. I am so grateful to my family and to Tina Wainscott of The Seymour Agency, my literary agent, Darcie Abbene, my expert editor from HCI Books, and Larissa Henoch, for the book format and design. There are more partners to thank below. But first, here are some initial early reviews of “Humanaissance; Igniting Courage in Our Teens and Ourselves:”

“This book deeply resonates with me as the mama of a 20, 15 and days from 13 year old. Very truthfully, I wish I had this book about seven years ago as my oldest was entering his teen years!

Through this book alone, I learned ways to encourage my boys to take risks, to manage technology, to ensure my anxiety doesn’t impact my kids, to do the shadow work necessary to help us grow as we parent, and to find ways to connect with instead of simply correct my teens.

I appreciated the research behind the perspectives presented and especially liked all of the stories of parents and teens throughout the book which really helped me picture what I was reading and how to put it in practice. But, I also appreciated that Jennifer deeply understands and acknowledges the feelings of parents of teens, particularly for sense of loss that can come with watching our children grow up.

Each chapter starts with a human illustration from Jennifer and ends with a few “Your Turn” prompts which I used to help me apply what I read to my own parenthood experiences. I highly recommend this book for moms of tweens and teens across America!”

– Jamie Sterling, Founder, Sterling Book Club, Pittsburgh, PA

“Humanaissance is a wise and deeply human guide to raising teenagers with courage, connection, and emotional intelligence. Jennifer Miller reminds us that our job is not to eliminate young people’s difficult experiences, but to help them understand them, act on them wisely, and become more fully themselves.”

—Marc Brackett, PhD, Founding Director, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and best-selling author of Permission to Feel and Dealing with Feeling

“Jennifer Miller has written the book that parents of teens need in this very moment of humanity. Humanaissance names what so many of us feel, but struggle to put into words. Our teens are growing up in a world reshaped by AI, and we may feel at a loss with how to deal with the fast-changing world. Jennifer’s book helps us remember that our teens’ real advantage is everything that makes each of them human. What I loved is that each chapter is grounded in adolescent brain science. It then turns that research into habits that any family can practice. The eight courage habits show us the clear language we need for the hard conversations. What moved me most is her honesty about raising teens while caring for aging parents, something many of us are facing now. This book leans in with warmth, evidence, and lots of hope. A must-read for every parent from a long-time expert in the field!”
— Helen Maffini, PhD, International Educator, Author and Founder of MindBE Education

“Humanaissance has a lot of heart. It’s an engaging, encouraging blend of practical advice, research, and storytelling. Miller’s openness about her own parenting experiences adds warmth and authenticity. The guidance feels both credible and deeply relatable. It’s the kind of book that invites reflection while offering ideas you can immediately put into practice.
—Richard Weissbourd, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education and Director of Making Care Common

“Many parenting books either hand you a script or forget that you’re changing too, not only your teen. Jennifer Miller does neither. She takes your life transitions as seriously as your child’s and turns courage into habits you can build in yourself and your teen at the same time. If you have ever felt scared or worried parenting a teenager, this book is for you.”
—Lorea Martínez, PhD, Award-winning Founder and Author of Living with the HEART in Mind and Teaching with the HEART in Mind

“Wise and grounded counsel for anyone raising teens. Uniquely, this book addresses the development of both child and parent, integrating the inner and outer dimensions of that growth throughout. The practical guidance offered rests on a rich well of research and inspiration: classic theories in psychology, psychiatry, sociology, and philosophy, as well as poetry and literature form the foundation for the principles and (eminently actionable) practices shared. I’m especially moved by the emphasis on ‘heart courage’, the practice of listening to that quieter voice within, as well as Miller’s dedication to helping teens discover—and parents re-discover—who they are and the unique contribution they have to offer the world. The introduction of collective thinking and action is a distinct and vital innovation in the world of parenting literature.”
—Eva Pomeroy, Senior Faculty, Presencing Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As someone who has spent my career studying adolescent development —and as the mother of two now-grown sons—I have searched for a resource I could wholeheartedly recommend. Humanaissance is that book. Jennifer Miller beautifully captures what decades of developmental science have taught us: adolescence is not simply a stage to survive, but a remarkable period of possibility and growth, and parents play a critical role in helping their children uncover their unique strengths, gifts, and humanity. Blending the latest science with wisdom, compassion, and practical guidance, Jennifer Miller empowers parents to embrace adolescence as an extraordinary opportunity to nurture their teenager’s well-being, confidence, character, and sense of purpose while cultivating the courage to grow alongside them. I only wish this book had been available when I was raising my own sons. Every parent of a teenager should read this remarkable book. It has the power to transform not only how we understand adolescence, but also how we partner with young people as they grow into confident, compassionate, purposeful, and flourishing adults.

–Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, PhD., NoVo Foundation Endowed Chair and Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago, Editor-in-Chief, Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy.

“Jennifer is a wise soul. In Humanaissance, she combines stories, art, research, empathy, self-awareness, and decades of experience to help parents like us navigate the hardest parts of raising young humans. When you feel like you’ve lost your way, read this book.”
—Cecilia and Jason Hilkey, Founders of Happily Family, Authors of the #1 International Bestseller, Raising Teens Who Talk to You

“Every chapter in this book communicates life-enhancing insights for parents with regard to their children and themselves. Overall, you will learn to embrace the courage needed by yourselves and your teens to face and master the challenges of life today with resilient determination and compassion.”
—Maurice J. Elias, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University, Co-author of The Joys and Oys of Parenting and Emotionally Intelligent Parenting

“Rarely does a parenting book offer both an inspiring vision and such practical guidance. This thoughtful and timely work invites parents to unlock the untapped gifts in their children—and in themselves—while cultivating the courage, wisdom, and resilience needed to flourish in today’s world. Blending profound insights, practical strategies, and meaningful reflection questions, Miller offers a deeply hopeful roadmap for helping young people thrive, strengthening families, and creating lives of greater joy, purpose, and possibility. This is a book you’ll return to again and again.”
—Ari Gerzon-Kessler, Author of On the Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together, gold medal winner for Best Education Book of 2024

“As a parent whose son will soon be entering the teenage years, I feel profoundly grateful to have discovered this book now. Jennifer Miller has become a wise guide on my parenting journey, the kind of elder sister every parent hopes to have walk alongside them. Reading these pages, I felt deeply seen. Her reflections on parenting teens while navigating midlife are honest, relatable, and deeply human. I finished this book wanting to buy a copy for every parent I know—those actively parenting teens and folks like me with younger children who secretly fear the teen years. It is wise, beautifully written, deeply practical, and the companion I will carry with me into my son’s teenage years. This is a remarkable gift to parents, to our children, and ultimately to the world. I now believe with my whole heart Courageous Parenting is how we truly transform the world!”
—Meena Srinivasan, Parent, Buddhist teacher, Author of SEL Every Day and Teach, Breathe, Learn, Founding Executive Director of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), Co-founder and Board Emeritus, Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing

“In this world built on algorithms, it takes courage to put down the phone and look up, especially as a teen. Taking a break from technology helps us make actual human connection. This is not an easy thing to do, for the teen or the parent, but is desperately needed to give humanity a boost. This book helps teens to understand that taking a tech break is essential for mental health and helps parents understand that modeling the behavior you want from your teen is a must. Jennifer Miller was a mentor to me on my mindfulness journey and is an author that can help you learn to connect with courage.”
—Adam Avin, Sports Anchor, WMAZ-TV and Author of Mindfulness for Teenagers

* Extra special thanks to all of the earlier reviewers who offered endorsements including: Rick Weissbourd, Meena Srinivasan, Adam Avin, Helen Maffini, Eva Pomeroy, Cecilia and Jason Hilkey, Lorea Martinez, Ari Gerzon-Kessler, Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, and Maurice Elias.

Pre-Order Here!

Pre-Order Here!

Pre-Order Here!

Thank you HCI Books! Thank you to Jason Miller, Megan Bacher, Jamie Sterling, Amelia Menk Brown, Emlah Tubuo, Nikkya Hargrove, Rishi Raghunathan, Bridget and Al Ramirez, Maurice Elias, Pamela McVeagh-Lally, Mike Todasco, MIT Presencing Institute, Clintonville Books, and Obodo Serendipity Books.