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Young readers book reviews for ages 8 to 12 years old




*Middle School: How to Deal - Written by Five Real Girls* by Sara Borden, Alex Stikeleather & Sarah Miller, illustrated by Yuki Hatori - young readers book review





 
Middle School: How to Deal - Written by Five Real Girls
by Sara Borden, Alex Stikeleather & Sarah Miller, illustrated by Yuki Hatori
ages 9-12 96 pages Chronicle Books February 2005 Paperback    

The transition from elementary to middle school can be a sensitive and anxious time for young girls. Not only are they faced with bigger schools, more homework and new cliques, but they also have to deal with the strange changes occurring in their bodies. For even more confusion, add shifting feelings towards friends, family and boys...especially boys. Middle-schoolers-to-be can now prepare for this new phase in their lives thanks to the efforts of an insightful and supportive group of young girls.

Sections in the book include: The World of Middle School; The F's of Life: Friends, Family - and Foes!; Boys, Boys, Boys; Your World; and Your Body and You. Topics cover everything from enjoying the diversity at your school to how to remove your bra without taking off your shirt in gym class. The book wraps up with a few journaling pages that ask the reader to reflect on her middle school experiences. The teen authors address the concerns, both large and small, that really do keep eleven- to thirteen-year old girls awake at night. And throughout it all, they focus on being true to yourself and not giving in to popularity and peer pressure.

Middle School: How to Deal is relatively short, so reading it cover to cover won't be a hassle for even reluctant readers. Graphics, personal stories, quizzes and bulleted lists of tips add visual appeal. But more importantly, each section of the book is divided into small articles, each referenced in the table of contents, making it quick and easy for a girl to find just the bit of advice or pep talk she needs when facing a potential crisis.

The book does touch on a few sensitive topics like breast size, first periods, and even facing peer pressure to smoke or have sex. But this isn't a puberty book and it doesn't even come close to being explicit. Still, if you're giving this book to a ten-year-old fifth grader, you should be aware that these things are mentioned.

Middle School: How to Deal was written as part of an innovative seventh-grade curriculum, providing genuine advice from those "in the trenches," so to speak. The young authorship shows in the light-hearted and authentic voice of the piece. This isn't a book written by a teacher or a psychologist telling girls what they should do and think. It's a good talk with a cool older sister who's been through it all and survived with her sense of self intact.
 
Young readers book reviews for ages 8 to 12 years old

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  Lorie Witkop/2005 for curled up with a good kid's book  






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