The Middle School Survival Guide: How to Survive from the Day Elementary School Ends until the Second High School Begins [Hardcover]

Arlene Erlbach (Author), Helen Flook (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003 | Age Level: 10 and up

The only survival guide a middle school kid will ever need.

It can be the best of times. It can be the worst of times, too. Middle school happens at that tumultuous time in life when one’s not a teenager and not a little kid. Middle school means being a middle-aged kid. Expectations—from teachers, parents, friends, siblings—can all change dramatically, causing worry and concern even for the most laid-back student.

The Middle School Survival Guide covers every issue, inside school and out, from the most trivial concerns to the most serious issues that middle school students face today. Arlene Erlbach has assembled a teen advisory
board of 200 kids between fifth and tenth grade who give advice about topics from cracking a locker combination, to dealing with multiple teachers, to sex and dating.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8-This book offers advice in dealing with changes in the school routine, teachers, families, social lives, sex (a section that is fairly explicit), and issues such as drugs, sexual harassment, and school violence. Pen-and-ink cartoons feature preteens and sometimes parents in a variety of situations. A highlight of the book is the advice given by actual middle-school students. For the most part, it is practical, straightforward, and helpful; it is printed in italics and is easily identified throughout the book.
Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-7. Erlbach offers a collection of practical tips for making it through that netherworld between the primary grades and high school. Chockablock with advice about peers, home life, and transitions, each chapter tackles different aspects of a particular topic. "Academics," for example, is broken down into sections: "Why Teachers Give So Much Homework," "How Much Parents Should Help," and so on. Erlbach's advice is sound, but the real gems are the quotes from kids. There are some explicit content and frank discussion, with Erlbach using the same no-nonsense language whether covering drugs, sexual harassment, crushes, cheating, oral sex, or pregnancy: "I like kissing, hugging and a little touching, but I don't want any guy putting his hand inside my underwear." Strong, and well-delivered, often necessary medicine. Terry Glover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802788521
• ISBN-13: 978-0802788528
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,109,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is why we homeschool, April 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Middle School Survival Guide: How to Survive from the Day Elementary School Ends until the Second High School Begins (Paperback)

I've put 5 kids through public school, and even those kids, now parents themselves, think this book is a bit over the top. I'd ask my 11 year old, but there's no way he'll be seeing it any time soon. This book is most appropriate for older kids, 9th grade and above. It's troubling that 12 year olds are quoted about issues such as "making out" and oral sex. It does contain some good advice about things like dealing with peers, dealing with sexual harrassment, handling the different school setting, and other things, but it isn't appropriate for middle schoolers, regardless of the title.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for youth in Middle School, January 26, 2005

By 

R. Archibald (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Middle School Survival Guide: How to Survive from the Day Elementary School Ends until the Second High School Begins (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my grandson who is now midway through fifth grade. He is struggling with many challenges that face youth just starting middle school including bullies, peer pressure to try new things and his first real crush. The straight forward but light way that Arlene Erlbach presents the topics were just what he needed. He has read the book through and still goes back to review some sections. I would recommend this book for all youth just starting the middle school years.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute MUST!!!, August 21, 2003

By 

Diana Poskrop - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Middle School Survival Guide: How to Survive from the Day Elementary School Ends until the Second High School Begins (Hardcover)

I found this on a bookstore shelf by pure luck. After skimming through it and seeing the wide range of topics it covers, I grabbed two copies for neighbors entering Middle School next month.

MSSG is a plain-speaking book written with honesty and wit. It deals with pretty much any problem adolescents may face, not only in school, but in life: the harder work load in MS, acne, dating, drugs, handling bullies, sexual situations, divorce and much more. Let's face it. Kids don't always want to talk to their parents, even (maybe especially?) about important things. They ask their friends for advice. Now they have this book.

If you think you might benefit from this book, you WILL!!!