Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years [Paperback]

Joe Bruzzese (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2009

OMG PAW G2G.
Oh my god, parents are watching, got to go.

Today’s text-messaging middle schoolers may seem like a different species from how parents remember themselves as sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Children are often forced to confront serious issues like drugs, violence, sexuality, and technology at an age that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. So it’s natural for parents to worry about these crucial years. Still, educator Joe Bruzzese believes that this time can be full of positive transformation as your child gains independence and your parental role shifts from omnipresent manager to supportive coach. Timely topics include cyberbullying, depression, and choosing realistic and rewarding extracurricular activities.

The middle school years can and should be a time of exciting change and opportunity; A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years presents what you need to know to survive and thrive as a family.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Bruzzese understands kids and communicates well through this concise guide. ...This book is not stuffed with case studies, chatty stories, or horrific went-wrongs; instead, it’s a to-the-point guide for parents and should be well used.”
—Library Journal

“Selective memory probably vaporized the details of your sixth to eighth grade experience. To parent effectively through these years you need to understand twenty-first century middle school reality--the academic challenges, packed schedules, social stressors, and nonstop intrusion of digital media. You’ll also need the terrific twenty-first century coaching techniques provided in this book.”
—Annie Fox, author of Too Stressed to Think? and the Middle School Confidential™ series

“Bruzzese’s perspective into the teen years is dead-on! He covers all of the hard-hitting topics and brings up many new issues that parents need to be aware of. Bruzzese gives advice not only to help ease the transition into middle school, but also to help families tackle the teen years with great success--awesome!”
—Vanessa Van Petten, teen author of You’re Grounded! and creator of OnTeensToday.com

From the Publisher

* A comprehensive handbook for parents navigating the challenges and opportunities that arise when children attend middle school.
* Discusses timely topics, such as drug and alcohol abuse, social networking, and sexuality.
* According to the US Census, over 40 million children will enter middle school in the next decade.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts; 1 edition (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587613417
• ISBN-13: 978-1587613418
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joe Bruzzese, M.A.

Author of A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years and parent education expert, speaks to parents across the United States offering practical and long term strategies for overcoming the struggles of the middle school years. Joe's work has been reported across numerous media outlets, including Dr. Laura, the ABC Morning Show, Momster.com, and a collection of print and online parenting publications across the nation including Family Circle Magazine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Parents with Kids Starting Middle School, June 1, 2009

By 

Sue Scheff "Sue Scheff" (South Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years (Paperback)

This book is full of valuable information concerning today's kids as they take that major step into middle school. From dealing with bullying to organizing their lockers - to adjusting to changing classes and teachers several times a day, entering Middle School can be overwhelming for many kids. If you have a child that is entering Middle School this fall - this is a must read for you - great summer reading! Being prepared is the first step to helping your child have a successful academic year.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ones of the Best Books for the middle school transistion, March 11, 2010

By 

Andrea Stein "GirlMogul" (Lebanon, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years (Paperback)

This book ranks as one of the best I've seen on helping your child transition out of the elementary years into a future of academic success. For many kids, middle school is the beginning of a radically different learning environment. For the first time, they travel from classroom to classroom to learn from a variety of teachers who each cover a specific subject. They also confront social issues at an age that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. This book includes ideas galore--mind-mapping and goal-setting projects, coaching tips on ways to stay involved in your kids' lives without making them crazy, and study and organizational ideas. (I've put the "milk crate filing system" into practice successfully.) The 6th-8th grade years have proven to be critical time in the student's academic career, both rewarding and challenging, when kids gain independence and parents assume the role of supportive coach. I highly recommend this book for everyone who has or will have a middle schooler.Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Primer for First Time Middle School Parents, June 8, 2010

By 

T. Halphide (Newport Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years (Paperback)

This book is a no-nonsense guide on preparing yourself and your child for middle school. It is broken down into easy to read chapters with great information. I especially enjoyed the scavenger hunt exercise to help prepare your child for the first few weeks of working through changing classes, locker trips and bathroom breaks. Mr. Bruzzese gives good advice about how to encourage your child to take responsibility for their own education.