Customer Reviews

The Way We See Things: Middle Schoolers Look at Themselves and the Issues They Face Everyday

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On the chapter on God and Religion we read:
"Iffer: I have a hard time believing that God wanted all of those nations of people to kill each other over religion. If God represents peace, it is hard to understand how people feel that it is right to have wars in the name of religion"
Is this for us, adults, to teach them of to learn from them? This is just an example of the richness of the material we can find in this excellent book. Seeing things the way others look at them and learning from it and sharing. Is this not the meaning of Loving? A beautiful book that would give us a pleasing and valuable experience in a journey into the vision of the youngsters, well written, simple, clean, beautiful.

I am astounded by the intelligent honesty of these two young authors. Margaret and Iffer are bold to discuss their inner-most thoughts openly, but even more bold to seek to publish while still in middle school. The chapters of the book are pertinent, especially the chapter on sex. Because I work with hundreds of teenage people each week, I know that Iffer says what many of his male peers would say in front of a girl: "I don't think we really need to talk about sex." Yet Iffer shakes off the initial hesitancy and addresses Margaret's questions of timing and appropriateness of sex at various ages head on. Great content and dazzling (yet not distracting) graphic design. Kudos to Ms. Krusi for seeking out bright and determined young authors who speak to an audience who is rarely addressed, yet one who reads more than most others- middle school-age kids. I am incredibly impressed.

I bought this book for my niece who will be starting middle school this fall. Her parents are both teachers and they all loved the book with it's honest, open conversations about issues every young teenager faces today. It was humorous and serious at the same time. Great fun! I recommend it highly.

Wonderful chance to see the world through kid's eyes!Every parent and teacher should read it. It provides a great opportunity to start talking with your children.

This a a great book. I didn't know someone our age could write a book, but they managed to say a lot of the things all of us want to say. Everyone's parents should read this book.

It is with true admiration and excitement that I write this review of The Way We See Things, by Iffer Beisswenger and Margaret Eldred. Many adults do not possess the insight that they have shown in their book, and I am impressed that two kids as young as they are would embark on such an ambitious goal.
As an admissions officer at a boarding school I am in contact with hundreds of students in their early teens. It is clear from the topics that Iffer and Margaret chose and the design of the book that they understand what their peers need. It is not another text book with the same messages presented the same old way. Their message is real, and therefore middle schoolers will be more excited to read it, enjoy it, learn from it and spark discussions based on its content. I can imagine this book used in middle school health and wellness classes across the country!

Margaret and Iffer were bold to print their own views in their own words....and what an wonderful book of knowledge for their peers, parents, teachers, and basically anyone who interacts with teens (or is still one at heart!). They not only shed light on what young people are thinking today, but don't be surprised if you find yourself nodding as you're reading along.
The format of the book - their conversations surrounded by bold colors and fun photographs - add to their messages for all who read it .
Not only is the reading entertaining, but it's enlightening and helpful for connecting with young people...and yourself!

This book is a great idea. I would really like to do a project like this at our school. It would be really interesting to see how people felt about all the issues that Margaret and Iffer brought up. Thanks to Iffer and Margaret for doing it!

this book tells how middle school children are, not how they should be. teachers could learn what is going on in a kids head to help them understand more about their students.

I am in high school now, but it would have been great to have something like this when we were having our classes in teen issues during middle school. This would have started a lot more discussion than the text books that they used. It is a really good book!