How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough – outlines two essentials for both advantaged and disadvantaged children: top teachers and homes free of stress. For the rich, stress comes from a “harness” of activities; for the poor, stress comes from an overworked parent or parents living in a dangerous neighborhood. He tells stories of counselors / caregivers who can help parents and children in poor homes to manage stress. For a review, see http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/books/review/how-children-succeed-by-paultough.html