Middle School: The Inside Story, by Cynthia Tobias and Sue Acuña

Mark Twain had some advice for parents of middle schoolers: When they turn 13, put them in a barrel, close the lid, and feed them through a hole.  It may be tempting to do so, but the authors of Middle School: The Inside Story provide more practical guidance that will not bring you to the attention of CPS.

Cynthia Tobias and Sue Acuña have years of experience with middle schoolers as teachers, conference speakers, and authors.  Covering bodily changes, school issues, parenting and discipline, and social challenges of middle schoolers, Tobias and Acuña have a wealth of insight for parents entering or in the midst of life with young teens.  They interviewed lots of kids, hoping to gain a glimpse of the middle school mind.

Middle School: The Inside Story is practical and readable.  Much of what they write is common knowledge or common sense, but they organize and present it in a useful way.  Plus, I think any parent will find some nuggets here.  The comments from the kids whom the authors interviewed can be most revealing.  I think most parents of middle schoolers will agree with me: we need all the help we can get.  Tobias and Acuña's help is most welcome.


Thanks to Tyndale Blog Network for the complimentary review copy!